Classic Uganda

Your journey through Uganda begins with an overnight flight to the capital, Entebbe, via Nairobi.

We’ll meet you and take you to The Boma Entebbe, where you can relax among scenic tropical gardens before the next stage of your adventure begins. There’s plenty to look forward to. Once described by Winston Churchill as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is where the jungles of West Africa meet the savannahs of East Africa, leading to an astonishing diversity of landscape and wildlife. 

Driving west to Kyaninga Lodge you’ll be immersed in the lush scenery of rural Uganda. Keep your camera handy as you pass Kyaninga Lake, where you’ll see traditional stilted cottages lining the shore and enjoy stunning views of the Mountains of the Moon, a source of the River Nile.

Kibale Forest National Park provides a rich habitat for some 12 species of primate, including chimpanzee and red colobus monkey. There are also more than 300 species of bird here too nesting in the dense canopy. Over the next few days you’ll enjoy a series of guided walks through the lush rainforest to see and learn to identify the screeches and squawks that surround you. .

Journeying on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll arrive at one of the finest birding destinations on Earth. It’s thought that over 600 species make their home in the park, so the dawn chorus is naturally unforgettable. You’ll stay at the Kyambura Lodge, on the park’s eastern edge, enjoying superb views all the way to the Rwenzori Mountains, otherwise known as the Mountains of the Moon.  

While birding is of course the main attraction in Queen Elizabeth, this dramatic wilderness offers a range of diverse activities. We recommend a boat trip up the Kazinga Channel to see hippo, or guided treks among the fig trees in search of the famous tree-climbing lion. Another ever-popular tour here is the winding Crater Drive along the valley floor. 

Spectacular Bwindi National Park is next on your Uganda tour, home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla. Tracking these rare and magnificent creatures and experiencing them in their natural habitat, is rightly considered one of the ultimate travel experiences. The luxurious Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is the perfect place to begin a gorilla-watching trek. You’ll stay at this mountainside tented camp for the next two days.

Expert guides lead you deep into the jungle to encounter these immensely powerful, yet charmingly playful, animals on their own turf. It’s a privilege very few people have the opportunity to enjoy. Mandatory permits allow you to spend only an hour at a time with a habituated group, but it’s sure to be one of the most intense hours of your life.  

You’ll move on to the eco-friendly Mihingo Lodge, where private tents overlook a landscape covered by green forest and lakes. Mealtimes in Lake Mburo National Park are a highlight of relaxing stays here, as they come with excellent views of a nearby waterhole and salt lick that attract the local wildlife. 

Your Uganda tour comes to a satisfying conclusion with a final drive out to the Boma Entebbe, where you can toast your experiences with a cold beer to soothe the lump in your throat.

Today you’ll transfer to Entebbe International Airport to connect with your flight back to the UK.