Day 1: Entebbe

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel, a completely renovated colonial hotel with beautiful gardens and swimming pool. Meals are served inside or on the terraces overlooking Lake Victoria. If time permits we will visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Overnight Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.

The Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel
The Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel is a newly-refurbished four-star hotel in Entebbe. It is situated only 2.5 miles from the Entebbe airport and 20 miles from Kampala city. The hotel offers 72 executive rooms, 20 standard rooms, six suites and one presidential suite. There is also a swimming pool, a health club and conference facilities. There are established, well-maintained gardens. From the premises guests have a view of natural landscape and the magnificent Lake Victoria. In the vicinity are the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Day 2: Kibale Forest

Drive to Kibale Forest area, the drive is a full day of approximately seven hours. After leaving the Lake Victoria Basin we pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest. Overnight at Ndali Lodge. All meals.

Ndali Lodge
is perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga – 250 acres in size and 426 feet deep. There is a main thatched lodge with spacious sitting room, reception area and dining room flanked by 8 cottages providing luxurious accommodation for 16 guests. The cottages, face west to offer a panoramic view to the spectacular ‘Mountains of the Moon’, are built of local stone and thatch. The interiors are imaginatively and comfortably furnished, the decor emphasizing the using local materials.

Each cottage, large enough to accommodate a family, has en-suite facilities with bath, shower, WC and hand basin and a private verandah, perfect for watching the sun setting behind the Rwenzori mountains, the snow-capped peaks of which are clearly visible on a clear day. At night the dining room is festooned with candles – the lodge has no electricity or generators to destroy the tranquility and atmosphere. The sitting room, reception and dining room open out onto Lake Nyinambuga. Breakfast is on the verandah overlooking the lake: freshly squeezed passion fruit juice (from Ndali’s vines when in season) and homemade bread with wild honey go down well with a full English breakfast.

Day 3: Kibale Forest

Today we take forest and swamp walks to see the rain forest and view birds and primates, including chimpanzees. Walking is not difficult, paths have been made in the forest and all walks are with excellent local guides. Kibale Forest is noted to have the most diverse and largest population of primates in Africa. Overnight at Ndali Lodge. All meals.

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Drive to Bwindi via Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains with the hope of seeing the glaciated peaks. The drive is a full day gently descending into The Great African Rift Valley to Queen Elizabeth National Park and continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. The drive today is about 7 1/2 hours. All meals. NOTE: We cannot guarantee seeing gorillas.

Gorilla Forest Camp
is a permanent luxury tented camp nestled in the mist-swathed rainforests of a mountainside in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The exclusive location – the sole property within the park’s boundaries – afford Gorilla Forest Camp the status of being the ideal base for gorilla tracking, primate viewing and birding excursions in the park.

Accommodation is in 8 double tents, raised on wooden platforms, each with en-suite facilities and hot and cold running water, WC, basin and unusually – a bathtub looking out onto the forest. Each tent has a spacious wooden verandah where guests can relax, enjoy a private meal and absorb the exotic mystery of the surrounding rainforest.

Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla tracking day. After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp. All meals.

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Second gorilla tracking day. Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp. All meals.

Day 7: Mbarara

Drive to Mbarara passing through the Switzerland of East Africa area and eventually into Ankole Cattle country around Mbarara. These cattle are incredible with horns larger than one can imagine. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park for a game drive. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge. All meals.

Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful and exclusive retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. It features ten rooms which are built on wooden platforms with stilts, covered by a thatched roof. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms with stunning views, including hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets.

Below the dining area an infinity swimming pool stretches out from the rocks and seems to disappear into the vast landscape beyond. In appreciation of its fragile surroundings, Mihingo Lodge is an environmentally friendly accommodation. The buildings are constructed in such a way as to melt into the rocky outcrops and savannah landscape around them. Electricity, hot water, and water pumps are powered by solar energy and there is a natural water catchment system to take advantage of the rains.

Day 8: Depart

Game drive before driving to Entebbe, which takes about 5 hours. If time permits it’s possible to stop in Kampala for shopping and lunch and the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers. Drop off at airport to connect with departure flight. Breakfast.