DAY 1: WELCOME TO UGANDA!
Today, Virunga Adventure Tours representatives will pick you up from Entebbe Airport and transfer you to your hotel, depending on the time of arrival. If your flight arrives in the morning, you are advised to change your money in Ugandan Shillings for use on your safari.
Dinner and overnight at Protea hotel/ 2Friends beach hotel/ Sunset Guest House.

DAY 2: TRANSFER TO NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMP SANCTUARY.
Today after breakfast at 08.30am we shall head to the departure point for Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for a briefing before taking the speedboat across Lake Victoria. On arrival at the island, you will be given an informative talk by the sanctuary staff and you will then enjoy watching the afternoon feeding session.
Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees are killed in Africa on an annual basis, whether from poaching, the animal trade or other damaging of human activity. Ngamba Island provides sanctuary and shelter to orphaned and rescued chimpanzees, giving them a safe haven in which to roam and swing through the trees. The project is managed jointly by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust and 7 other partner organisations including the Jane Goodall Institute. The proceeds of your trip go directly towards the ongoing support of the chimps and their habitat.
Dinner and overnight at Protea hotel/ 2Friends beach hotel/ Sunset Guest House.

DAY 3: KAMPALA – ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY – MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.
After breakfast we transfer to Murchison Falls National Park having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the Rhinos.

Uganda’s Rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino, and restore Rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage. We stop for lunch in Masindi town and thereafter continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Red Chill Rest Camp/Fort Murchison/Murchison River lodge /Paraa Safari lodge.

DAY 4: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK GAME DRIVE AND BOAT TRIP TO THE FALLS.
After an early breakfast, you enjoy a game drive through rolling plains of the park. Watch the parade of elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, buffalos, and many species of antelope pass you by and try to spot a lion or leopard relaxing in the sunshine.

the afternoon, you will take a relaxing boat trip along the Nile to the foot of the falls. Here, you will spot hippos, a dazzling array of birdlife along the banks, and of course those Nile crocodiles! Listen out for the thunderous and electrifying sound of the famous waterfall as you approach its base.

This is where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile crocodiles, big pods of hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river.
Dinner and overnight at Red Chill Rest Camp/Fort Murchison/Murchison River lodge /Paraa Safari lodge.

DAY 5: TOP OF THE FALLS AND TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK.
This morning, we’ll drive to the Top of Murchison Falls where you can have a close look into the gorge where the Nile squeezes into a 7 meter gorge dropping 40 meters. The falls are spectacular  and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days.

Then head for Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is a large protected block of rainforest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa such as chimpanzees, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Red tailed monkey and Red Colobus.

We transfer through the historic town of Fort Portal. Though the drive is fairly long, the route is beautiful and picturesque – characterized by the lush green and hilly landscapes which Uganda is known for. In the distance, you’ll be able to spot the majestic Rwenzori Mountain Range.

In the evening, we shall go for Bigodi swamp walk (2-3 hours) that takes you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the great Blue Turaco!
Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga lodge/ Primate lodge/ Kibale Forest Camp.

Today, you will enter a completely different world, some serious monkey business here! Although you are here specifically to track chimps, the forest is a home to at least 12 primate species including: the Red tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus monkey, and the Blue monkey. The bird life in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the meandering herd of forest elephant. You spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge, from which there is a lovely view of the forest and its wildlife.

Kibale Forest boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins the chimpanzees.  In Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 chimps left in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

This evening we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is Uganda’s second largest park and is the located base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain Range adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has prolific game, including gazelle, Uganda kob, warthog and waterbuck; lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be prepared for huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the Sunshine.

Your lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, overlooking the spectacular Kazinga Channel, which is often visited by elephants and hippos. Watch wildlife at the waterhole from your own private veranda and fall asleep to the roaring of lions on the distant savannah. This truly is Africa!
Dinner and overnight at Bush lodge /Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK (GAME DRIVE AND KAZINGA CHANNEL).
Today before sunrise you will go for a game drive in the park to search for predator and nocturnal dwellers as they return to their hide outs. Expect species such as elephants, buffaloes, side stripped jackals, hyenas, leopards, lions, warthogs, Uganda kobs and giant forest hogs.

After lunch, you will take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: buffalos, crocodiles, bathing elephants and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
Dinner and overnight at Bush lodge /Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 8: ISHASHA TREE CLIMBING LIONS AND TRANSFER TO KISORO.
Today after breakfast, we will drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha, famed for its tree-climbing lions, the lions have learnt to climb the fig trees to escape the midday heat and if you’re lucky, you will see some sleepy lions relaxing in the branches. Ishasha is a remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will see buffalos, topis and hippos among other species. It is a fabulous sight to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low-limbed fig tree of Ishasha.
Dinner and overnight at Golden Monkey Guest House/Travellers Rest/Mutanda Lake resort/ Chamelion Hill lodge .

DAY 9: KIGEZI HIGHLANDS AND THE COMMUNITY CULTURE EXPERIENCE.
Get an in-depth view of local life, culture and attractions in south-western Uganda. Spend a day hiking and visiting various communities around the Virunga Volcanoes. Learn about local enterprise such as honey production and potato farming. Visit a local family, participate in cooking and enjoy a meal with them. Spend time in villages and learn about their way of life and their relationship with the land, including banana beer tasting, and the development of local medicines. See traditional dancing and listen to storytelling around a campfire in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at Golden Monkey Guest House/Travellers Rest/Mutanda lake resort/ Chamelion hill lodge

DAY 10: GORILLA TRACKING BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.
Today, after an early morning breakfast prepare yourself for an encounter with the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees – the only forest in Africa which can make this claim in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds.

Given the fact that gorilla tracking time is unpredictable, it is difficult to foresee how many hours you will actually hike. The escapade of tracking the gorillas in the superb ecosystem of the park will be passionate for the adventurers. It may take 2 hours up to 9 hours or more and you should be prepared to walk long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. “The excitement of seeing the gorillas makes it all worthwhile!” Briefing will be given on how to handle or behave with these gentle giants always. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist.
Dinner and overnight at Golden Monkey Guest House/Travellers Rest/Mutanda Lake resort/ Chamelion Hill lodge.

DAY 11: MGAHINGA BATWA TRAIL.
The Mgahinga Batwa Trail is a fascinating hike through the forest to the Garama Cave, which helps raises awareness and preserves the culture of the local Pygmy Batwa. During this tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey, point out medicinal plants and demonstrate bamboo cups. Guests are finally invited to the sacred Garama Cave, once home to the Batwa King, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song which echoes around the depths of the dark cave, and leaves guests with a striking and moving sense of the richness of this fading culture.
Dinner and overnight at Golden Monkey Guest House/Travellers Rest/Mutanda Lake resort/ Chamelion Hill lodge.

DAY 12: SABYINYO VOLCANO HIKING ADVENTURE.
Climbing the extinct volcano is done in south-western Uganda and this consists of climbing 3 peaks. Our hike to Sabyinyo takes us through muddy trails often on wooden ladders with expectations of patchy/partial rain and clearing clouds as you get to the beautiful view of Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo. At this time, the view is at times reduced to 10ft, reach the summit view and from here you will be able to see and stand in all the 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. This hike sometimes involves walking straight high up the mountain without going round it. The views and challenges of hiking Mt. Sabyinyo makes it worth for the adventurers.

Alternatively hike: the Muhavura or Gahinga Volcanoes.
Mt. Gahinga offers a gentler hike through the bamboo forest on the lower slopes and marshy craters at the peak. The lower slopes are rich with forest birds and the marshes near the summit are home to bushbucks, elusive duikers and Golden Monkeys. Mt. Muhavura, which has a crater lake on top is the most challenging peak in the park. The hike will take most of the day, but the adventurous will be rewarded with great sense of accomplishment and on a good day – spectacular views.
Dinner and overnight at Golden Monkey Guest House/Travellers Rest/Mutanda Lake resort/ Chamelion Hill lodge.

DAY 13:  TRANSFER TO LAKE BUNYONYI.
After breakfast at 9:00 am you will head to Lake Bunyonyi or ‘Place of Little Birds’. The lake lies close to the border with Rwanda, and is thought of as one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim (as it is bilharzias free) and Canoe tracking.

The islands on the lake are wonderful for relaxing, trying water sports and simply immersing yourself in the natural beauty of your surroundings. The nearby hills and papyrus swamps offer many opportunities for bird watching and the shady Eucalyptus trees provide peaceful places to sit and read a book.
Dinner and overnight at Byona Amagara Island/Arcadia cottages/ Eagles Nest.

DAY 14: TRANSFER TO ENTEBBE/KIGALI.
After an early morning breakfast, we transfer to Entebbe International Airport, stopping at the Equator for those last minute souvenirs and photos.