Day
1 Depart USA
Depart the USA on your flight to the
Republic of Uganda in Africa.
Day
2 Arrival and Kampala
Karibu, and welcome to Uganda!
Upon arrival in Entebbe International Airport, you will be met
and transferred to your hotel in the capital city of Kampala.
Day
3 Kampala & Local School Visit
Make connections across
cultures with a visit to Awegys Secondary School, where you’ll
see firsthand a day in the life of Ugandan youth. See the
classrooms and dorm rooms, and meet the students who are
very happy to welcome you. Your trip also helps support the
school, which provides an education to at-risk youth in Uganda.
Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour of Kampala. See the Royal
Mile and Parliament building. On the panoramic portion, drive
through the city center to catch a glimpse of local life, and pass
the embassies in the government district. Stroll through the
grounds of the Buganda Kingdom Palace where your guide
details the tragic history of the country during the turbulent time
of the 1970’s. Return to the hotel for an included dinner and
evening at leisure.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
4 Kampala to Kibale Forest
This morning, depart with
your guide for the Kibale Forest region. The forest is home
to at least thirteen primate species, including the red colobus
and L’Hoest’s monkey, earning its reputation as “the Primate
Capital of the World”. Stop en-route for lunch before arrival at
your accommodations.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
5 Chimp Trekking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetlands Hike
Kibale Forest National Park is widely considered to offer
some of the best chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Additional
primates include red-tailed, vervet, red colobus, black-andwhite
colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, and olive baboons.
Black bee-eater and green pitta are among the bird species
found in Kibale.
Large mammals such as elephant, buffalo,
leopard, lion, and warthogs also inhabit the park, although not
as easily seen as the primates or birds.
This morning, set out on a chimpanzee trek of two – four hours
in the depth of the rainforest, offering the chance to see chimps
in their natural habitat. Watch these captivating animals as they
swing from the fruiting trees. Bird lovers are also in for a treat,
as the rainforest hosts an astonishing 335 species.
After the trek, return to your accommodations for lunch. Later, depart
on a nature walk lasting up to three hours, through the Bigodi
Wetlands, home to over 200 bird and eight primate species.
The Bigodi conservation project began as a local environmental
effort run by the communities of Kibale. Beyond conserving
the wetlands and its wildlife, the project has also supported the
building of a local school, safe drinking water for residents, and
local health care efforts.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park.
During the journey towards the park, the incredible scenery
of the “Mountains of the Moon” unfolds. After free time upon
arrival, embark on an afternoon game drive in the park.
Elephants, buffalo, Uganda Kob, topi, lions, and waterbuck are
among the 95 mammal species inhabiting the park, along with
over 50 species of raptors.
A stop is also made at Lake Katwe
to see the traditional methods of mining salt from the lake’s
waters.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
7 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart on a morning
game drive in the park for a chance to see the lions at hunt and
the hyenas before they make their daily retreat into the woods.
This afternoon, set sail on the Kazinga Channel, exploring
the waterway known for its various bird species and hippo
population. Elephants are often seen drinking from the shores.
Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge or enjoy an evening
game drive.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
8 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy a final morning game
drive before heading to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Home to approximately half of the world’s endangered
mountain gorillas, this ancient forest unfolds over the steep
ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking
views and extraordinary wildlife viewing.
The remainder of the afternoon
and evening are at leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities and
surroundings of the lodge.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Bwindi National Park Gorilla Trek
The hike of a lifetime
begins as you discover the incredible biodiversity of the park
on your gorilla trek! Primates, birds, butterflies and a variety
of hardwood trees, ferns and plant life surround you as you
trek through the park in search of these amazing animals.
After an early breakfast, meet the park rangers who will serve
as your guides for this fantastic experience. On average,
gorilla trekking lasts three to eight hours total, but once you
meet the gorillas, you will be able to spend an unforgettable
hour with them in their native habitat during this awe-inspiring
adventure.
Depending on the length of your trek, enjoy a
picnic lunch in the forest or upon returning to the lodge. After
trekking, visit with a local women’s cooperative to experience
Ugandan culture. See how
they make traditional handicrafts and learn how the arts, music
and dance are practiced to preserve their heritage. End the day
with a farewell dinner at the lodge as you recount the amazing
experiences and animal encounters of this journey in Uganda.
End the day
with a farewell dinner at the lodge as you recount the amazing
experiences and animal encounters of this journey in Uganda.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
10* Depart for USA
Early afternoon, transfer to Kihihi
Airstrip for the one-hour flight from Kihihi to Entebbe
International Airport for your international flight connection.
Flights from Entebbe should depart after 6:00pm.
Meal: B *Depending on the gateway and flight schedule, return to the USA may be on Day 11