Experience the best of Uganda with our exclusive safari tours, from thrilling wildlife safaris on the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park to intimate encounters with chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and majestic Mountain Gorillas in the canopy-covered trails of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Kampala (Google Map)
Arriving in a new and foreign place can be overwhelming. All your senses are operating in overdrive as you take in the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells of your new surroundings. This is certainly the case for a first visit to Uganda. Your guide will be with you from the very beginning, welcoming you at the airport and expertly navigating you through the lively traffic, allowing you to lean back and watch your new world unfold. If this is your first time traveling to Africa, you will never forget your first encounter with it.
The drive to your accommodation takes about an hour. Along the way, you will catch glimpses of the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria on your right. You’ll see several matatus and boda bodas (local 4-wheel and 2-wheel taxis) daringly weaving through traffic, while smartly dressed residents in colorful fabrics negotiate the potholed streets. Food stalls will tempt you with delicious Rolex, and wooden carts will be heavily laden with our favorite staple food, the Matoke and tropical fruits.
Your journey to Kibale Forest offers breathtaking scenery, winding through tea plantations, vibrant village markets, and rolling hills of lush green countryside characteristic of western Uganda.
Kibale Forest National Park itself sprawls across an extensive tract of dense tropical rainforest just south of the town of Fort Portal. This diverse ecosystem is renowned for harboring the highest density of primates in Africa. Among the primates you may encounter on your forest walks are the rare red colobus monkey and the black and white colobus. The highlight of a trip to Kibale Forest is undoubtedly spending time observing the wonderfully entertaining chimpanzees.
Nestled amidst the gently rolling evergreen hills of the Great Crater Lakes region is Papaya Lake Lodge, featuring a series of luxurious cottages dotted along the slopes of an extinct volcano. Here, you can savor breathtaking views of the turquoise waters of Lyantonde Lake in complete privacy. Papaya Lake Lodge offers fine cuisine that combines culinary traditions from around the world, prepared with top-quality produce. This lodge has been constructed with great passion, respect for local culture, and meticulous attention to detail.
Accommodation Options;
Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
After breakfast, immerse yourself in the captivating world of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. No other animal resonates with humanity as much as the chimpanzee does. Sharing 98% of our human DNA, they offer an unparalleled opportunity for study and observation.
Although chimpanzees inhabit 21 countries across Africa, Uganda boasts one of the highest concentrations of this species. In Kibale Forest, embark on a Chimpanzee Tracking experience guided by experts. Follow them into the forest for a chance to witness these remarkable creatures up close. Observing their interactions, grooming rituals, playful antics, and foraging habits is an unforgettable experience.
While the likelihood of encountering chimpanzees is high during your tracking excursion, it’s essential to remember that these are wild animals with their own wills and instincts. Therefore, sightings are not always guaranteed, adding an element of adventure to your exploration of Kibale Forest.
Accommodation Options;
Papaya Lake Lodge
Begin your day with a thrilling game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited and arguably most scenic game reserve. As you traverse the park’s extensive network of well-maintained tracks spanning over 200 kilometers, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes, from savannah plains to lush forests, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori mountain range.
One of the park’s standout features is the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake George in the East to Lake Edward in the West. This channel is teeming with diverse birdlife and wildlife, including the renowned Nile crocodile and one of the world’s largest populations of hippos.
In the morning, seize the opportunity to contribute to an essential conservation program in Queen Elizabeth NP. Embark on a unique Lion Tracking research trip, venturing off the safari jeep tracks and into the bush alongside a research team. Using a tracking device in the vehicle, you’ll be led directly to one of the lion prides in the park. Spend time observing these charismatic cats while contributing to valuable data collection for the conservation program. Gain a unique and intimate insight into the lives and habits of these fascinating predators.
Later in the day, as the sun reaches it’s peak and animals gather at the river for a drink, we’ll journey to Kazinga Channel for a private boat safari. Prepare to witness an abundance of hippos. Watch as herds of elephants and buffalo make their way to the shoreline for a cooling bath. A boat safari offers an exceptional opportunity to get up close to wildlife, often becoming the highlight of visitors’ experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation Options;
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Your journey will continue southwest towards Kisoro, a bustling town located south of Bwindi Forest and near the borders of Rwanda and Congo. This scenic drive is one of our favorites in Uganda. The serpentine roads wind through lush rainforests, passing by hilltops (keep your eyes open for the volcanoes!) and descending into lively villages nestled in the valleys before reaching the serene waters of Lake Mutanda.
Mutanda Lake Resort awaits you, offering some of the most breathtaking views in Uganda. Perched on a peninsula, the resort overlooks a series of small islands scattered across the water, with the majestic volcanoes of the Virunga Range rising out of the mist in the distance.
Accommodation Options;
Mutanda Lake Resort
Your gorilla tracking experience promises an exhilarating yet challenging journey through forested slopes, often muddy and slippery, entangled with vines, thick vegetation, and bamboo forests before you enter the territory of these gentle giants. Along the way, your ranger will point out telltale signs of previous gorilla activity, such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots. Depending on the gorillas’ location on any given day, the trek can last anywhere from 2 to 7 hours.
Once the gorilla family is located, take a moment to immerse yourself in the surroundings and enjoy the hour you have to quietly observe these fascinating primates, whose habits and mannerisms often mirror our own.
Accommodation Options;
Mutanda Lake Resort
Savor the beauty of your final sunrise in this enchanting corner of Uganda and indulge in a hearty Mutanda breakfast to fuel your travels ahead.
