The Big Trip of 2026
Uganda Extravaganza
November 8th – 24th
£5500 per person on full board basis
Uganda is a true ‘Pearl of Africa’ and proud of being the primate capital of the World.
It is a land of contrasts, from lush green rainforests to seemingly unending savannah plains, teeming with vibrant wildlife for you to marvel at.
Uganda is home to our closest relatives, the endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) all living in relative peace in one of Africa’s oldest rain forests (unless the chimps are out on a hunt when all hell breaks loose).
This sixteen day herping, wildlife and primate spotting Uganda safari, will take you through the vast savannah and wildlife reserves, enjoying scenic treasures and get you up-close and personal with a mountain gorilla, chimpanzees and many wildlife wonders.
Imagine spotting shoebills in the wild…what iconic snake species would you like to hook and handle?
Think of the BIG GAME photos you are going to shoot.
Visualise the bragging rights as you show your photos to your friends and family back home, alongside the life changing stories you will get to share of this once in a lifetime adventure.
Day 1
Arrival
After our arrival into Entebbe, we will recover from our flights at the Papyrus Guest House (B&B) in Entebbe. We will take dinner and a drinks whilst waiting to meet our guide for the trip, who will talk us through the itinerary and can answer any questions you may have.
Day 2
Mabamba Swamp
After Breakfast we will be met by our guide and we will transfer to Mabamba Swamp where we will seek shoebills and the many other bird species that call the swamp home.
After our time at the swamp is over, we will transfer to Mabira Forest, stopping en-route for lunch. We will check in at the Rainforest Lodge (B&B,) and take dinner.
There will be a night hike around our lodge to look forward to.
Day 3
Mbira Forest
We will start the day with an unbeatable herping expedition around Mbira Forest. Following this trip we will transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
We will stop on the way for lunch and arrive at Ziwa in time for dinner. We will stay at Ziwa Rhino Chalets
Day 4
The Rhino Trek
Be ready for an early morning breakfast before being collected by the guide ready for our rhino trekking experience.
Here we get to walk amongst white rhinos and observe their behaviours and capture our pictures. There will also be lots of other game for you to observe.
After returning from our walk we will proceed to Murchison National Park, stopping for lunch on the way. We will visit the top of Murchison Falls before checking in to the Ikrom Safari Lodge ( full board) in time for dinner.
Day 5
Murchison Park
We are looking forward to the morning game drive in Murchison Park.
Look out for lions and leopards as they stalk antelopes and warthogs in the beautiful morning sunlight. We expect to see wildebeest, elephants and giraffes as they graze the savannah.
After this we will board the boat for a cruise on the Nile River below the spectacular Murchison Falls. We will watch herds of hippos, Nile crocodiles and pied kingfishers take their catch from the silent flowing Nile. This will be a magical day.
At the end of the cruise we will return to the lodge for dinner and to unwind.
Day 5
Murchison Park
We are looking forward to the morning game drive in Murchison Park.
Look out for lions and leopards as they stalk antelopes and warthogs in the beautiful morning sunlight. We expect to see wildebeest, elephants and giraffes as they graze the savannah.
After this we will board the boat for a cruise on the Nile River below the spectacular Murchison Falls. We will watch herds of hippos, Nile crocodiles and pied kingfishers take their catch from the silent flowing Nile. This will be a magical day.
At the end of the cruise we will return to the lodge for dinner and to unwind.
Day 6
Kibale National Park
After a relaxed morning breakfast, we will transfer by road to Kibale National Park.
Driving through local villages and areas with jaw dropping scenery, there will be wildlife everywhere.
We can make stops on the way as we head closer to Kibale National Park, giving us the chance to overlook the crater and stare in awe at the verdant forests.
We will arrive at Guereza Canopy Lodge (full board) in time for lunch.
Then it will be time to relax or maybe do a spot of exploring around the lodge – we think we know what you will choose…
Day 6
Kibale National Park
After a relaxed morning breakfast, we will transfer by road to Kibale National Park.
Driving through local villages and areas with jaw dropping scenery, there will be wildlife everywhere.
We can make stops on the way as we head closer to Kibale National Park, giving us the chance to overlook the crater and stare in awe at the verdant forests.
We will arrive at Guereza Canopy Lodge (full board) in time for lunch.
Then it will be time to relax or maybe do a spot of exploring around the lodge – we think we know what you will choose…
Day 7
The Chimpanzee Experience
Expect another early start today as we head out into Kibale National Park with a ranger guide in search of the chimpanzees.
We will look out for the chimpanzee nests, listen for their calls and follow until we find them for the ultimate encounter with the closest living relative to us Humans.
Our expert ranger guide will be on hand to teach us about the chimps and to answer any questions you may have.
In the afternoon we will partake in a community experience in the Bigodi Swamp and Wetland, searching for other primate species including the Red Colobus Monkey (Philocolobus tephrosceles), Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) and others. At the end of the day we will head back to the lodge and relax around the campfire
Day 7
The Chimpanzee Experience
Expect another early start today as we head out into Kibale National Park with a ranger guide in search of the chimpanzees.
We will look out for the chimpanzee nests, listen for their calls and follow until we find them for the ultimate encounter with the closest living relative to us Humans.
Our expert ranger guide will be on hand to teach us about the chimps and to answer any questions you may have.
In the afternoon we will partake in a community experience in the Bigodi Swamp and Wetland, searching for other primate species including the Red Colobus Monkey (Philocolobus tephrosceles), Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) and others. At the end of the day we will head back to the lodge and relax around the campfire
Day 8
Rwenzori Mountains
We transfer to Rwenzori Mountains – enjoy a relaxed breakfast before we head off to the famous Rwenzori Mountains for an afternoon tracking down its unique reptilian inhabitants.
We will arrive at the Snow Heights Lodge (full board) in time for lunch. After lunch we will head into the mountains looking for some of its rare chameleons or the Great Lakes Bush Vipers. When done, we return to the lodge for dinner before a night walk in the vicinity of the lodge.
Day 9
Queen Elizabeth National Park
We travel from Rwenzori to Queen Elizabeth National Park – After breakfast we will head out into the mountains for two to three hours for another search for the unique herptiles of the area.
Afterwards we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This has recently been designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.
We will arrive at the Aardvark Safari Lodge (B&B) at lunch time.
After lunch we will go for an evening game drive before retiring to the lodge.
Day 10
Queen Elizabeth National Park Day Two
A day at Queen Elizabeth National Park – After an early breakfast we will be picked up by our guide and head out on an amazing three to four hour game drive. We will observe many different species including lions, leopards, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and several others.
After the game drive we will be taken for a boat cruise for an entirely different view of the park.
After a late lunch we will head out for a sundowner drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Here we will have a chance to see nocturnal behaviours from cats and also hyenas leaving their dens and heading out scavenging with their clan members.
We then head back to the lodge for a late dinner and a good sleep.
Day 11
Bwindi
Ishasha to Bwindi – After breakfast we will head out for a morning game drive as we exit the park on our way to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park .
We will arrive at the Ride for Women Lodge (full board) in time for lunch.
We can relax or explore close to the lodge for the rest of the day.
Let’s explore – you can relax when you sleep.
Day 12
The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience
After an early breakfast we will collect a packed lunch and meet up with our guide for the drive to the park headquarters for our trek briefing.
After the briefing we will be allocated our habituated gorilla family and a park guide who knows the trails.
Depending on the gorillas’ locations it could take three to six hours for us to find them.
After our experience has finished we will trek back to the starting point and meet up with our driver for a return to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch we will visit the Batwa people. The Batwa are one of the indigenous African Pygmy Tribes. They originally lived in the Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Equatorial Rainforests. They are seen as the keepers of the forest.
Day 13
Mburo National Park
Another early morning breakfast before checking out of the lodge and meeting up with our driver.
A scenic journey folows to Lake Mburo, where we will be stopping for lunch and to enjoy stunning views on the way.
We then arrive at Arcadia Safari Lodge (full board) and check in. After dinner we will head out on a game drive
Day 14
Walking Safari and Transfer to Kalisizo
After Breakfast we will meet up with our guide for a walking safari.
Here you will experience a different view of the bushveld as we walk amongst the herds of grazing animals. With animals like waterbuck, eland, buffalo, zebra, impala, topi and giraffes in abundance, you are going to be spoilt for choice – make sure you have spare memory cards for your cameras!
Being on foot you will also be able to take note of the many insect and reptile species that you would usually miss from the jeeps.
In the afternoon we will transfer to the Nasibera Hotel, Kalisizo for our visit to Musambwa Island tomorrow.
Day 15
Herping on Musambwa Island
Yet another early morning breakfast before we head to the Malembo landing site where our boat will be sat ready and waiting.
We will set sail through the waters of Lake Victoria to Musambwa Island.
The island is the largest breeding colony of grey headed gulls in the whole of Africa, and is home to over one thousand forest cobras, as well as around one hundred people who live harmoniously together.
After visiting this incredible place we will transfer to the Makanhill Resort Hotel in Mitanya
Day 16
Herping in the Forests of Mityana
After breakfast we will leave the hotel by 7:00 am to head to the forest.
Whereas there are no guarantees when it comes to the species of snake we will encounter, these are the target species. Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica), Rhinoceros Viper (Bitis nasicornis), Jamesons Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae), Variable Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera), Hairy Bush Viper (Atheris hispida)
Fingers crossed!
Day 17
Time to go Home
If time allows, we may squeeze a little herping in Mityana then transfer to Entebbe for flight home.
Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience in More Detail:
The Nitty Gritty
As this will be a long and strenuous hike, we will take a packed lunch and sufficient water with us. Our driver will collect us and drive us to the park headquarters where we will receive a briefing on our gorilla experience.
All questions can be answered at this briefing. After the briefing we will be allocated to our gorilla family and issued a park guide who knows the trails and can help us to find our gorilla family.
Depending on their location it could take from 3-6 hours of trekking to reach the gorillas. During the trek to the gorillas, we will have the opportunity to view other primate species as well as bird, reptile and insect species. Once we find the gorillas we will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. This will give us an opportunity to learn about their behaviours, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
After our time with the gorillas is up, we will trek back to the starting point, where we will be given a certificate to commemorate our experience.
Shoebill Spotting
Giant Prehistoric Birds!
Shoebills are a curious looking, enormous, almost prehistoric bird. They are a powerful but patient predator found in the swamps and wetlands of Uganda. Mabamba Wetlands are situated on the shoreline of Lake Victoria, only an hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala.
More than 300 species of birds call Mabamba Wetlands home. We will board motorised wooden boats or canoes to search for these birds amongst the reedbeds.
The Shoebill is most active in the early morning hours, when it hunts for lungfish. It hunts by staying absolutely stationary for extended periods of time, while waiting for fish to cross its path. They then use their characteristic, powerful “Shoebill” to catch and kill the fish.
The Shoebill provides excellent displays since you may approach close to them without bothering them as they are so focused on fishing.
What is Included?
Shoebill watching with private boats
Park entrance fees / game drives in the three savannah parks
Exclusive boat cruises in the three savannah parks
Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permits
Local guides during snake expeditions
Services of a professional English speaking driver and guide
Half and full board as specified above
Transfers to and from Entebbe
Bottled drinking water
Not Included:
Air flight tickets
Visas
Personal travel insurance
Souvenirs
Crafts
Drinks
Laundry
Tips or other personal costs
Optional activities not included on the itinerary