Best of Uganda Small Group Tour

Day 1

Entebbe

Staying at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Day at leisure, contact us should you have time for an optional guided day tour.

Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot or local boda bodas (motorbike taxis). Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.

Day 2

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Staying at Buhoma Lodge

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.

We have included a guided forest walk for you on this day. Meals included at the lodge.

Day 3

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Staying at Buhoma Lodge

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. 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.

Back at camp and balance of the day at leisure. A complimentary massage is included on your return, meals are included at the lodge.

Day 4

Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Staying at Ishasha Wilderness Camp

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.

Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area.

Afternoon game drives will be enjoyed 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. Meals included at the lodge.

Day 5

Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Staying at Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Spend the day enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks.

Meals are included at the lodge.

Day 6

Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Staying at Elephant Plains Lodge

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. 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.

Check in at the lodge for dinner and night. Elephant Plains is a small lodge located on a stunning view point in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with views stretching for miles over endless open grasslands to Lake George.

Day 7

Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Staying at Elephant Plains Lodge

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

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 trekking, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Return to camp, meals are included.

Day 8

End of Itinerary

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for the flight to Entebbe. Time at leisure at the airport until your flight out, or extend your trip.