Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our Arctic Tern Expeditions guides and be transferred to your guest house in Entebbe.

[Overnight at Airport Guest House]

Your adventure begins in the morning with a scenic one-hour drive to Mabamba Swamp, located near the village of Kasanje town. The swamp is an arm of Lake Victoria and is covered in papyrus grass, making it the perfect habitat for a variety of bird species. Board a local canoe and embark on a three-hour excursion in search of the prehistoric-looking shoebill bird, which feeds on fish from the moving water in the swamp. Along the way, you may also spot other birds of interest, such as African and lesser Jacanas, Pygmie goose, and Blue-breasted bee-eaters. After the excursion, return to the comfort of Nkima Lodge.

(B,L,D) [Nkima Lodge]

Spend the morning and afternoon on two additional shoebill treks, with opportunities to observe and photograph these magnificent birds. A local ornithologist and researcher will join us for the entire day, and will give us a talk about the threads and conservation opportunities for the shoebills that inhabit the Mabamba swamps. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect this unique area and ask any questions you may have. In the afternoon, enjoy an image review session and prepare for the next day's activities.

(B,L,D) [Nkima Lodge]

We visit Mabamba by boat one last time for a chance to glimpse the myriad of bird species that call this place home before we set off for our next destination. Fort Portal is a town located at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the "Mountains of the Moon." Along the way, stop for lunch and enjoy the scenic beauty of tea plantations. In the afternoon, arrive at Kibale Forest Camp, a unique property situated in the midst of the Crater Lake area and rainforest. With just twelve private cottages, the lodge offers a peaceful and secluded retreat, allowing you to connect with nature and the local community.

(B,L,D) [Kibale Forest Camp]

Today the forest opens for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. After a pre-tracking briefing at walking distance from your accommodation, you will start your hike adventure into the forest. Follow the footsteps of a large habituated family of chimpanzees, with over 120 individuals that have made Kibale one of the best locations in Africa for chimp viewing.

Enroute your guide will explain more about the forest and the other inhabitants, including other primates and birds such as the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black-billed Turaco, Pied Hornbill, Chestnut winged Starlings and many more.

Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they continue their daily routine – growling, grooming, feeding, taking care of the young ones and agilely climbing up trees.  It certainly is one unforgettable wildlife encounter and the hour is always over too soon.

In the afternoon, we’ll have an image review session. And prepare the second chimpanzee trek for the next day.

(B,L,D) [Kibale Forest Camp]

Spend another day tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. By spending time in Kibale Forest, you will make a vital contribution to the community. The fees paid for the permit are managed by the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authorities), and are used for the preservation of the forest and its inhabitants. The Kibale area is very important since it has the highest density of Eastern chimpanzees in Uganda (roughly 1,500 individuals live there). Not to mention, the number of jobs created for locals in the area (from hospitality to those protecting the forest). Spend the evening relaxing at your lodge at Kibale Forest Camp.

(B,L,D) [Kibale Forest Camp]

After breakfast, we calmly head towards the south with a drive through spectacular crater lakes and proceed while passing the majestic foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” as we proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the land of Mountain gorillas. Evening at leisure.

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants! 

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort! 

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young etc 

In the afternoon, a local researcher will shed some light on conservation issues and more in general the human-wildlife conflict in this area that affects the mountain gorillas and other wildlife.

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

After breakfast, spend sometime with the local women. Learn how to weave baskets or how to prepare traditional Ugandan local dishes. Optional second Gorilla trek or Guided forest walk in Bwindi at an extra cost.

Today, there are two optional activities in the morning: A second gorilla trek (with a different family of gorillas) or a guided forest walk. These are mutually exclusive since they both take place in the morning. They both come at an extra cost. Permit for a second gorilla trek is $800 and the guided walk is $90. Should you opt for the second gorilla trek, make sure you book it at the same time as you book your trip, as permits go very fast.

In the afternoon, you can either take it easy and relax (maybe join a cooking class at the lodge) or you might want to join an optional visit to a tree pangolin rescue centre (it’s a short drive around 15 mins from the lodge). Entrance is by donation, and the centre recommends $25 per person which you will pay directly there.

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe from Bwindi National Park with lunch enroute. Continue to your guest house in Entebbe.

(B,L) [Airport Guest House]

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport for your International flight back home.

(B) [Airport Guest House]