This trip takes you in search of the highly endangered Mountain gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga forest reserves before taking you to Queen Elizabeth National park. Covering over 2000 sq km; it is one of the most popular in Uganda with a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel to view the large number of hippos a particular attraction.

Day 1 - Lake Nabugabo

Pick you up at your hotel and depart for Lake Nabugabo, a small lake cut off from the main Lake Victoria by a narrow spit of land.  It is a short drive from Kampala, so we will have plenty of time to get acquainted with the camping equipment and crew.  It is sometimes possible to hire a dug out canoe for a trip on the lake.

The lake also has a unique biodiversity - almost 300 plant species have been recorded. Lake Nabugabo catchment’s area has two flowering plants not found elsewhere and 14 species in Uganda are known only in this area. It is also home to hippos and the Sitatunga antelope.

Day 2 - Bwindi or Mgahinga

Leaving early via the pleasant transit town of Mbarara to arrive late afternoon at Bwindi Forest Reserve. Depending on the availability of bookings, we will use Mgahinga or Bwindi to track the Mountain gorillas. These areas are close to each other and situated in the Southwest part of the country. We spend the night at the park headquarters, Buhoma, on the northern edge of the Bwindi National park. This is where the gorilla visits start from and all the accommodation is located. Note that this area is rainforest and it rains a lot, so be prepared.

Covering just 34 sq km, Mgahinga is part of the larger 420 sq km Virunga Conservation Area, and is contiguous with the Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and the Parc National des Virungas in Congo. Three spectacular volcanoes loom over the park headquarters at Ntebeko camp: Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.

Bwindi, also known as the Impenetrable Forest is one of Uganda’s most recently created National Parks. The park covers 331 sq km and encompasses one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla. It is here where half – an estimated 320 individuals of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world live. The park contains about 20 forest elephants, at least 10 species of primate (including chimpanzees, Colobus monkeys and baboons), duikers, bushbuck and the rare forest hog. It is here where more than 300 species of bird can be found, an obvious thrill for the keen bird-watcher. It is one of the richest areas in Africa for flora and fauna.

Day 3 - Bwindi or Mgahinga

Departure from park headquarters with guides at 8.00 hours to track the rare mountain gorillas. The time spent with the gorillas is limited to an hour only, and as it is pretty dark in the forest, fast film is recommended for photographs. Please note that children under 15 years of age are not permitted to visit the gorillas, nor is anyone with a cold or other illness as this could endanger the health of the gorillas. d for photographs. upsu

At the time of research, there were three groups of Mountain gorilla in Bwindi  - the Mubare group had nine individuals, while the Habinyaja group had split into two groups – group A with 21 gorillas and group B with 9 gorillas. There are a total of 16 permits available per day to visit these families so we will spend an extra day incase bookings are not available. The terrain in Bwindi is mountainous and heavily forested and on a lucky day it may take one hour to reach them, but four hours or more on an unlucky day. Nonetheless, you need to be in good shape.

There is just one group of gorillas in Mgahinga, with 11 individuals including 2 silverbacks. It can take longer to find the gorillas here as they have a tendency to duck into Rwanda or Congo (Zaire), but the terrain is easier to handle than at Bwindi. It is easier to get a confirmed booking here than at Mgahinga, though only 6 people head out from the park headquarters at Ntebeko camp at 8am each day.

Day 4 - Bwindi or Mgahinga

Gorilla tracking or walking in the vicinity. The Buhoma headquarters in Bwindi is in a beautiful setting and you can either do a short walk just outside the park, or take a half-day walk into the park for an extra fee, accompanied by a ranger.

There are three alternative routes; the waterfall trail is a strenuous walk that takes you to a 33 m waterfall on the Munyaga River and takes about three hours return, the Muzabijiro Loop trail gives excellent views south to the Virunga volcanoes and the western Rift Valley in Congo (Zaire), weather permitting (also takes three hours) and the community walks where you get a glimpse info the local lifestyle and see sections of relic forest.

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth

We will drive north along the Zaire border to Ishasha River and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Mammals which are regularly seen by visitors include vervet monkey, baboon, Uganda kob, warthog, side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, bushbuck, topi, Defassa waterbuck, elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, lion and leopard. This area is also famous for its tree-climbing lion.

Day 6 & 7 - Queen Elizabeth

A short drive north again to the Kazinga Channel and Mweiya Lodge.  We will spend two nights here and take the boat trip on the channel to view the splendid birdlife and abundant hippo.  From here the Ruwenzori Mountains can be seen on clear days. The boat trip also offers close encounters with elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, Uganda kob and crocodiles

Day 8 – Kampala  

Return back to Kampala and drop off at your hotel.