Day 1: Arrival in the “Pearl of Africa”

Upon your arrival at Entebbe Airport, a Thama Safaris representative will extend a warm welcome and transfer you to your Entebbe hotel. Enjoy the refreshing breeze from Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest lake. Your accommodation includes a comfortable bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Begin your day with an early breakfast as you set off for Murchison Falls National Park. This journey is a magical adventure, featuring a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route for an exhilarating rhino tracking experience. Your ranger guide will provide essential instructions before embarking on your trek to encounter these magnificent creatures. Following this fulfilling experience and a photo session, enjoy lunch and continue to Murchison Falls, where you’ll arrive in the late evening. Check in, savor a delicious dinner, and rest for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Safari on the River Nile

Murchison Falls National Park, the largest in Uganda, offers exceptional game viewing opportunities. Early morning game drives commence right after breakfast, increasing your chances of spotting various animals, especially predators that tend to hide during the heat of the day. Explore the northern bank of the River Nile, where you may encounter giraffes, elephants, hartebeest, buffaloes, leopards, lions, and a diverse range of bird species. In the afternoon, embark on a relaxed boat safari on the Nile, approaching the mighty Murchison Falls. This boat safari offers ample opportunities to spot various animals and birds, all while enjoying the majestic falls from a unique perspective. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Journey to the Chimps in Kibale Forest National Park

Today’s adventure takes you to Kibale National Park, the home of chimpanzees. The journey through this tropical forest provides glimpses of vibrant villages and colorful roadside markets. Lunch will be enjoyed en route or as a packed meal. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Experience

Embark on an enriching adventure as you track chimpanzees deep in the tropical forests, featuring scenic streams and abundant wildlife. Begin with a briefing from your ranger guide about your chimp trek. During your trek, you might encounter red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, butterflies, and canopy-dwelling birds. With your ranger guide’s assistance, you will locate the chimps and observe them as they play, groom, and feed. Afterward, visit the Bigodi Swamp, a community project known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Depending on available time, this community project helps employ local youth as tour guides, with some proceeds contributing to schools and teachers’ salaries. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following breakfast, continue your wildlife tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the scenic beauty of numerous crater lakes and the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Upon arrival in the park, have lunch and embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. The boat safari offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy water, observe animals, birds, and engage in photography. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Transfer to Ishasha Sector

Observe the animals in their natural habitats as they start their day, particularly from the Kasenyi plains, renowned for the large Kob mating ground. Keep an eye out for elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, buffaloes, and various colorful bird species. After this exciting experience, proceed to Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Spotting these lions may require some effort, but with the help of rangers, you’ll have the chance to see them. Lunch will be a picnic or at the lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi National Park

Enjoy breakfast in the morning, check out of your lodge, and embark on the road transfer to Bwindi. You’ll arrive in time for lunch and have the rest of the evening to relax and appreciate the stunning view from your lodge, preparing for the next day’s Gorilla Encounter. Dinner and Overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Experience

Mountain gorillas, the gentle giants, are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Your ranger guide will lead you, along with early trackers, to the enormous and rare mountain gorillas deep in the Bwindi jungles. The trekking experience can take anywhere from one hour to about eight hours. You’ll have a precious one-hour encounter with the gorillas to capture your most cherished moments. For those not interested in gorilla tracking, you can take a community village walk to the Batwa or a short guided forest walk to track the Golden monkeys found in the park. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and depart for Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. Enjoy stunning scenery, with interlocking hills terraced by locals for farming, earning it the nickname “Switzerland of Africa” by Winston Churchill. Upon arrival at your lodge, have lunch and spend the afternoon admiring the scenic beauty of this beautiful paradise. Dinner, Night Campfire, and peaceful night’s rest. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi Islands

Awake to the gentle rays of the sun over Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by beautiful terraced hills where locals cultivate potatoes and other crops. Take a canoe ride to explore some of the 29 islands, learning about their cultural and historical significance. The most notable story is that of the ‘Punishment Island,’ which your guide will share during your boat ride. In the afternoon, you can choose to swim in the lake, go bird watching, hike up a steep hill for more views of the lake and its islands, or simply relax by the lake’s shores with a good book. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi to Nshenyi Cultural Village

Following a good night’s sleep, enjoy your breakfast and begin the road drive to Nshenyi cultural village. Arriving after a 2-hour journey, check in, and receive a briefing about the history of this fascinating village. Spend your afternoon participating in various activities, including traditional hand milking of the long-horned Ankole Cattle, exploring the traditional cattle treatment process, and learning about cow-naming and calf recognition. You can also try your hand at brushing the cows to remove dirt using the local brush called Enkuuyo, accompany the herders to the grazing field, learn to play traditional instruments like the flute, and immerse yourself in the craft-making process. Explore the impressive architectural huts and take a walk in the community to gain insight into the local way of life. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 14: Nshenyi to Mbarara for the Ankole Cultural Experience

After a restful night, have your breakfast, check out, and embark on an exciting road drive to Mbarara. Check in at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch, followed by a short drive to Rwenjeru Community Campsite, a project supported by Great Trekkers Safaris. Spend time with the traditional communities of this area, take a guided walk to the farm for a cow watering and milking experience, and optionally enjoy a guided hike to the monument hill, located a few kilometers from your lodge. Return in time for dinner and overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 15: Lake Mburo National Park

Begin your day with an early breakfast and drive to Lake Mburo National Park for an early morning game drive. Expect to see herds of zebras, giraffes, Uganda Kobs, and various bird species. Return to your lodge for lunch and prepare for a boat trip on Lake Mburo. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 16: Transfer to Kampala via the Equator Monument

Following an early breakfast, embark on a game drive and proceed to Kampala, making a stopover at the famous Equator line. Enjoy lunch in the city or at the Equator, depending on the arrival time, and proceed to your lodge for overnight accommodation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 17: Kampala City Tour

After breakfast, embark on a city tour by walking through the city center, the National Theatre, and Namirembe Cathedral. Visit the Kasubi Tombs, which represent the Baganda Culture, and explore Old Kampala Gaddafi Mosque. Conclude the tour with a visit to the Uganda Museum to learn more about the country’s culture and history. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 18: Kampala to Jinja, the Source of the River Nile

Enjoy your breakfast, check out of your lodge, and drive east to Mabira Forest, one of the natural thick forests in Uganda. Take a memorable photo experience before proceeding directly to Jinja. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy a boat cruise to the source of the Nile. Optional activities such as Bungee Jumping, Water Rafting, Quad Biking, and Horse Riding can be arranged upon request. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 19: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

Have breakfast in the morning, check out of the lodge, and drive directly to Entebbe. Depending on your flight schedule, there will be time for shopping before heading to the airport for your departure, bringing an end to your memorable days spent in the Pearl of Africa-Uganda. Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast.

• Best time to go – June to August and December to February (All parks)
• High Season – June to September (It’s rarely crowded, but you’ll need to book your gorilla permits long in advance)
• Low Season – March, April, May, October, November (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down; roads and forest trails can be in poor condition)
• Best Weather – June-July and January-February (Little rainfall)
• Worst Weather – March, April and May (Peak of wet season)