2024 Classical Uganda 10 Day Set Departure

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, or similar/ 

Rest of day at leisure to explore the town of Entebbe. Additional activities and transfers to be booked upon request. 

Overnight Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe. 

This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +- 90 mins).

Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.  

Overnight Buhoma Lodge.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Gorilla Trekking - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare and exhilarating wildlife encounter that is hard to capture in words. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes.  

Please note that gorilla trekking can be strenuous, with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in often hot conditions. We do recommend hiring a local porter to assist you on your trek. Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%. 

Once you have located your gorilla family, spend an hour quietly observing them. The time passes so quickly; be sure to enjoy this experience fully and not just through your camera lens.

On our scheduled departures, we typically buy permits for Buhoma & Ruhija, which are accessible from Buhoma area.  One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point.  This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek (and could be considered as enhancing your trip as you are seeing a different part of the region).  Your permit may be organised for day 3 or 4 - depending on availability at the time of purchase.

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

Overnight Buhoma Lodge. 

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This morning you have the opportunity for a 2nd Gorilla trek.

Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop en route at a community project near Ishasha Village. 

Time permitting, enjoy an late afternoon game drive in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area.

Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Early this morning as the African sun breaks out over the wilderness, venture out in your customised safari vehicle for a game drive to look for big cats, elephant, buffalo and many antelope species.  

Spend the rest of the morning  in search of the rich with wildlife including warthog, water buck, bush buck, leopard, Ugandan kob, elephants, countless bird species and even the rare giant forest hog.  The Ishasha sector of the park is known for its famous tree climbing lions sometimes found lying about in the branches of the native fig trees.  You will also have a game drive and a Sundowner in the late afternoon as the sun sets over the savannahs. 

The Sundowner drinks & snacks are a fantastic way to round your day off! At the end of your afternoon game drive, you will be taken to a prearranged location inside the national park, where you will find a small buffet with freshly-made snacks and ice-cold drinks. This is set up with comfortable chairs, overlooking the beautiful African savannah plains. The Sundowners are held in an area where you have a combination of the beautiful African sunset, as well as having a quiet location from which to enjoy viewing the wildlife. The Sundowners last as long as you choose, so there is no pressure to return to Camp before watching the sun set fully. The selection of drinks on offer include: water, sodas, beers, house wines, as well as local gin.

Highly recommended to book in advance is a unique bush breakfast (optional extra). 

Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp. 

Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park which is rich with wildlife, visitors will find vast numbers of Uganda’s unique and strange Euphorbia, or “candelabra” tree. The many nearby crater lakes and mountain ranges provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.

In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change – no drinks/ snacks included on boat).

You may encounter herds of elephant, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga’s shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a spectacular view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.

Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge or similar. 

Enjoy chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

Overnight Elephant Plains Lodge or similar. 

Morning Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park then a 3-4 hour drive takes you to Kibale Forest, comprising an interesting blend of lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population. These include red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close on 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterfly and a diverse population of moths and other insects

Overnight Primate Lodge or similar.

Your Kibale Forest chimp trek will generally take place in the morning. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy… or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery.  As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans.

Enjoy a visit to Bigodi Swamp this afternoon. 

Overnight Primate Lodge (or similar)

Depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe, arriving late afternoon.  (If you are departing Entebbe tonight please do not book a flight before 19h00) 

End of safari.