Imagine walking through the rainforest and then catching sight of large brown eyes and inquisitive faces. This is your first encounter with a gorilla family. Keep quiet and still and enjoy their company for a while. Seek out game in the national parks, drive through quite stunning landscape and discover the pulsating heart of Africa in vibrant cities and townships. The sights and sounds of Uganda will stay with you forever.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Entebbe arriving the a following of day. Please note that departures are limited to a maximum of 16 places so please book early.

• Vibrant Kampala - 2
  

  Morning arrival in Entebbe. En route to Kampala your Tour Guide and local Specialist Guide will prepare you for this wildlife adventure. Throughout the tour they will give tips and guidance on everything, from what to wear on a game drive or trek, where to find locally produced handicrafts and the best local dishes to sample. A welcome drink and lunch will be served at the hotel before our included city tour. The streets of Kampala pulsate with life. Matatu (taxis) are packed with passengers, proof that the number of people, suitcases and chickens that can be squeezed in is far more than the 14 they were built for. Visit the colourful central market where baskets overflow with fruit and maybe sample a fresh grasshopper, a favourite seasonal delicacy. Learn more of the people and history of this beautiful country at the Uganda Museum. Overnight Kampala.

• An Introduction To The Pearl Of Africa - 3
  

  Drive through rolling green hills clustered with villages, and past stalls laden with local fruits and vegetables. The Equator line, pathway to the sun, is a great place to stop for a refreshing cup of local tea. Your local Specialist Guide will show you the best spot for a memorable photo plus we’ll undertake a polar-water experiment. Visit a market where traders sell their handmade drums; their rhythmic beat is the very sound of Africa. Stop for lunch at Mbarara, former capital of the Ankole kingdom. This is the home of the once nomadic Bahima people who are renowned for the particular bond they forge with their unique, long horned cattle. These hardy beasts even respond to their individual names when called by their male herder.

• A Drive To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - 3
  

  Drive West And Up From The Planes Into A Stunning Volcanic Landscape Of Winding Hills, Covered In A Patchwork Quilt Of Fields And Neatly Terraced Tea And Banana Plantations. Continue Through The Highlands Of Kabale And Admire Amazing Views Of Neighbouring Rwanda And The Congo As You Approach Bwindi National Park. Overnight Bwindi.

• A Trek To The Magnificent Mountain Gorillas - 4 to 5
  

  one of the largest natural forests in east Africa, BwindI is home to over 50% of the world’s total remaining population of mountain gorillas. These shy gentle creatures are highly intelligent. They form strong social bonds with other family members and are led by a silverback, a dominant male whom all the other members of the family defer to. He will protect them and defend against rival silverbacks and other predators, including humans. Despite their shy demeanour gorillas are extremely powerful creatures and silverbacks will beat their chest, roar loudly and strike their fists on the ground when threatened.

  after a morning briefing start your trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, with a local specialist guide and local trackers. BwindI has been weaving its tangled web of vegetation for at least 25,000 years and has a quite extraordinary list of flora and fauna. Your local specialist guide will tell you about butterflies and giant moths, reptiles and primates including chimpanzee, red and blue tailed monkey, black and white colobus, baboon and the most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Without doubt your first impression of the dense jungle will be its almost audible silence. As you pick your way along the trail the complete tranquillity will be shattered by a darting forest bird or a group of chattering monkeys disturbing the secretive residents and setting up a chain reaction of colourful and noisy life until silence reigns again. Your local specialist guide will take you along river trails with cooling waterfalls and up steep slopes to forest clearings in search of the gentle giant. Although the trek can be physically demanding the beauty of your surroundings is reward enough and once the gorillas are located all possible fatigue is forgotten as you experience one of the most profound natural experiences in the world. Sit and watch these magnificent creatures relaxing, eating, grooming and playing. Make the most of every precious minute.

• Special Note - 4 to 5
  

  gorilla tracking is limited to a daily maximum group size of eight people for each gorilla family. As a result your group will be split and you will visit the gorillas on either day 4 or 5. Seeing a gorilla can never be guaranteed but the family groups are tracked daily and the guides are familiar with their locations making the probability of a sighting extremely high. As gorillas are so closely related to man they are also susceptible to many of the same diseases and their resistance is low. The park rangers reserve the right to refuse permission to any visitor with obvious signs of even just a cough or other contagious illnesses. Reaching these magnificent creatures can be challenging and may involve steep climbs, yet is so rewarding. A good fitness level is required. You could be walking between 1 and 4 hours before you reach the gorillas and the return trek could take up the rest of the day. Once gorillas are located you will be guided to within 22 feet of the creatures and limited to a one hour visit. Non-flash zoom lens cameras can be used.

• A Taste Of Local Life - 4 to 5
  

  to truly experience Uganda you must meet its people. On the day when you are not trekking take a guided tour to the community at Buhoma. Visit a local bar and, if you dare, try the grain spirit called Waragi. Consult the medicine man and sway to the beat of drums. Ugandans are open and very friendly people. Overnight Bwindi.

• Tree Climbing Lions In Queen Elizabeth National Park - 6
  

  Journey north along the Ishasha river looking out for pods of wallowing hippos. Have your camera ready too for the graceful sight of a tree climbing lion, paw draped along the branch of a fig tree. Queen Elizabeth national park is a bird lover’s paradise. Verreaux’s eagle owl, African skimmer and martial eagle fill the skies and the stunning savannah grasslands are home to buffalo, topI and antelopes.

• Ancient Traditions At The Katwe Salt Works - 6
  

  Salt has been mined in Uganda since the 14th century. The power of the sun is used to dry the salt; rain is not welcome here. Learn about local traditions and how the mines are sub divided to each tribe and family, providing a vital income. Overnight queen Elizabeth national park.

• In Search Of The Big Cats - 7
  

  Go in search of lions and leopards along the KasenyI track. Early morning is the best time of day for viewing the big cats and there is an excellent chance to view just about every animal in the park at close range. Your tour guide will ensure you are always in a good viewing place.

• A Safari On The Water - 7
  

  Take to the water and join a launch trip along the Kazinga channel. Hippos huff, their spray landing just a few feet from the boat, buffalo linger in the shadows, elephants drink from the cool shallow waters and crocodiles bask in the sun. Have your binoculars ready to spot the stunning colours of pink backed pelicans and malachite kingfishers. After a final game drive return to the lodge. Maybe order a local bell beer, relax by the pool and take in the magnificent views. Overnight Queen Elizabeth national park.

• Discover Cultural Roots - 8
  

  Uncover Uganda cultural roots on a visit to the village of Bakonjo located at the foot hills of the RwenzorI mountains. Visit the Chesesa (traditional healer), admire the local handicrafts of weaving and basketry and enjoy some local entertainment. You may even find yourself joining in. Travel through more breathtaking scenery and delightful rolling plantations. Overnight Entebbe.

• A Morning With The Chimpanzees - 9
  

  On lake Victoria, the Ngamba island sanctuary is home to some 39 orphaned chimpanzees. Watch these fascinating, funny creatures at feeding time and see how they interact with each other and their keepers. Hand clapping and whistling draw your attention to each cheeky personality as they mimic the behaviour of humans so closely. Over dinner this evening share stories of all of your adventures in Uganda with travelling companions and your tour guide. Overnight Entebbe.

• Travelling - 10
  

  Fly back to the UK arriving the same day.

Accommodation

• Hotel Africana Kampala, Kampala (3-Star) - 1 Night

• Travellers Rest Hotel, Bwindi (2.5-Star) - 3 Nights

• Mweya Safari Lodge, Q.E.N.P. (3-Star) - 2 Nights

• Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Entebbe (3-Star) - 2 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 3:55 pm

Includes

Not Included