Primate Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, we set off on our journey towards Kibale National Park, travelling through Uganda's ever-changing landscapes of bustling towns, tea plantations and lush countryside. After lunch en route, we enjoy an authentic cultural experience with the Tooro Kingdom, learning about local traditions, roasting coffee beans, preparing traditional beverages and taking part in lively dances. We end the day surrounded by the tranquillity of the rainforest at our lodge.

This morning is dedicated to one of Uganda's most remarkable wildlife encounters: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. Accompanied by experienced guides, we venture deep into the rainforest in search of our closest relatives, observing them as they feed, play and communicate high amongst the forest canopy. Following a picnic lunch, we continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where another unforgettable safari adventure begins.

Our day begins with an early morning game drive across the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Home to elephants, buffalo, antelopes and, with a little luck, lions and leopards, the park offers some of Uganda's finest wildlife viewing. Afterwards, we visit the Katwe Salt Lake, where generations of local families have harvested salt using traditional techniques. Following lunch, we embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its exceptional concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles and colourful birdlife. We return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.

After breakfast, we journey through the famous Ishasha sector, one of the few places in Africa where tree-climbing lions can occasionally be seen resting in the branches of giant fig trees. Following our final game drive and a picnic lunch, we continue into the rolling hills of south-western Uganda until we reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa's oldest rainforests and sanctuary to almost half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.

Today is undoubtedly the highlight of the journey. Accompanied by experienced trackers and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, we venture into the ancient rainforest in search of one of Bwindi's habituated gorilla families. Depending on their movements, the trek may last anywhere between one and eight hours, but every step is rewarded when you finally stand just a few metres away from these extraordinary primates. Once the gorillas have been located, we are permitted to spend one unforgettable hour quietly observing their behaviour in their natural environment before returning to the lodge for a well-deserved rest.

After breakfast, we leave the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi behind and travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah national park and the only one where large populations of zebras can be found. After lunch at the lodge, we experience the park from a completely different perspective during a guided walking or cycling safari, offering a unique opportunity to observe wildlife at ground level whilst enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Our final morning begins with one last game drive through Lake Mburo National Park, offering a final opportunity to spot giraffes, zebras, impalas and other wildlife before returning to Entebbe. Along the way, we stop at the Equator for lunch and the traditional photographs marking the crossing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Depending on your international flight schedule, you will have time to freshen up, enjoy dinner and transfer to the airport. We leave Uganda with unforgettable memories of an extraordinary journey through the Pearl of Africa.