Chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, mountain gorillas, a lake of islands and a walking safari, all in eight days.
This is the Uganda journey we recommend most often. It moves at a comfortable pace through the country’s southwest, from the chimp forests of Kibale to the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth, the gorillas of Bwindi, the calm of Lake Bunyonyi and a final walking safari in Lake Mburo.
Drives are broken up with good lunches and small detours, and the lodges were chosen so that each one feels like a treat to arrive at.
Uganda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 15
Gorilla permits are only issued to visitors aged 15 and over.
Pace and fitness
Balanced, fitness: active.
We leave Entebbe after breakfast and drive west through Mubende’s farmland, stopping for lunch on the way. By afternoon the Rwenzori Mountains appear on the horizon and you arrive at Kyaninga Lodge above its crater lake.
Overnight
Kyaninga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Hand-built log cottages above a crater lake, with the Rwenzoris behind.
Track chimpanzees in Kibale in the cool of the morning, then walk the Bigodi swamp before lunch. In the afternoon we drive south past the crater lakes into Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Overnight
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Converted coffee-store bandas overlooking the Kyambura Gorge and the Rwenzoris.
A dawn drive on the Kasenyi plains for lion, elephant and Uganda kob, and in the afternoon a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, the best hippo watching in Africa.
Overnight
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Converted coffee-store bandas overlooking the Kyambura Gorge and the Rwenzoris.
Drive south to the Ishasha sector, where the lions spend the heat of the day draped over the branches of fig trees. The afternoon is spent searching the woodland for them, and the night at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, on the banks of the river.
Overnight
Ishasha Wilderness Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Ten tents on the Ntungwe River in the tree-climbing lion sector.
A morning drive in Ishasha, then on to Buhoma on the edge of Bwindi. In the afternoon, a village walk introduces you to local healers, a school and a banana-beer brewer.
Overnight
Bwindi Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Eight bandas facing the forest in Buhoma, a short walk from the gorilla trek briefing point.
Today you trek to meet a mountain gorilla family. After the trek and a picnic lunch, we drive south to Lake Bunyonyi to rest those legs.
Overnight
BirdNest Resort (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A calm lakeside hotel on Bunyonyi with a waterfront deck and heated pool.
A slow morning canoe among the islands, then a drive east to Lake Mburo. An evening game drive looks for zebra, eland and leopard.
Overnight
Mihingo Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Tented rooms on a rocky ridge above a waterhole, next to Lake Mburo.
A walking safari with a ranger is the perfect last morning. After brunch we drive to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator on the way.
Kyaninga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Hand-built log cottages above a crater lake, with the Rwenzoris behind.
Lunch & dinner
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Converted coffee-store bandas overlooking the Kyambura Gorge and the Rwenzoris.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Ishasha Wilderness Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Ten tents on the Ntungwe River in the tree-climbing lion sector.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Bwindi Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Eight bandas facing the forest in Buhoma, a short walk from the gorilla trek briefing point.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
BirdNest Resort (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A calm lakeside hotel on Bunyonyi with a waterfront deck and heated pool.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mihingo Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Tented rooms on a rocky ridge above a waterhole, next to Lake Mburo.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$6,880 | US$5,890 | US$5,537 | US$5,537 | US$5,537 | US$5,537 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$6,170 | US$5,180 | US$4,869 | US$4,869 | US$4,869 | US$4,869 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Gorilla permits are included at the current government rate and are subject to availability.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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