Uniquely Uganda Wildlife Safari

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return 1 day after the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

Karibu, or welcome, to Uganda! After checking into our Kampala hotel, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

After breakfast this morning, we'll depart for Kibale Forest, stopping en route for lunch. Kibale is widely considered to offer some of the best chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and is home to at least thirteen primate species earning its reputation as "the Primate Capital of the World." Within its borders, Kibale Forest is also home to over three hundred bird species, four of which can't be found in any other park, and large mammals like elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, and warthog though spotting these mammals is often a bigger challenge than the forest's primates and birds. During our trek in Kibale Forest, we'll rely on the expertise of our game spotter guide to increase our chances of animal sightings.

After breakfast this morning, we'll set out on our chimpanzee trek in the rainforest. Our trek, which may last 2–4 hours, offers the chance to watch chimps in their natural habitat as they swing from the rainforest's fruiting trees.

After lunch at our hotel, we'll set out for a nature walk (up to 3 hours) through the Bigodi Wetlands, a wildlife corridor and sanctuary rich in bird life. In addition to the 200 bird species, eight species of primates also call the Bigodi Wetlands home. The Bigodi Conservation Project began as a local environmental effort and beyond conserving the wetlands and wildlife, the project has also supported the building of a local school, safe drinking water for residents, and local health efforts.

After breakfast at our lodge, we'll depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, watching the incredible scenery of the "Mountains of the Moon" unfold before us. Upon arrival, we'll have a chance to settle into our new accommodations before setting off on an afternoon game drive in one of Uganda's most popular parks. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to approximately 95 mammal species—the highest of any Ugandan national park—and around 600 bird species, a figure that competes for the highest number of any park in Africa. The park is also home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, topi, lions, and waterbuck.

After breakfast, we'll embark on a game drive for a chance to see lions at hunt and hyenas before they retreat into the woods. After lunch at the lodge, we'll set sail on the Kazinga Channel, which is known for its various bird species and hippo population. We'll keep our eyes peeled for elephants, as they often head to the waterway at this hour to drink from its shores.

Before we leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi, we'll enjoy a game drive in Ishasha with a chance to spot tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is an ancient forest unfolding over the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking views and home to approximately half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. In addition to 18 gorilla groups for trekking, Bwindi is also home to 11 types of primates, 350 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and an incredible variety of flora. Time permitting, we'll visit the local women's co-op, Ride4aWoman, which benefits the local community and gives us a chance to learn firsthand about Uganda's culture.

The hike of a lifetime begins today after an early breakfast. We'll head out to the park headquarters to meet our park rangers who will serve as our guides for today's excursion. On average, gorilla trekking can last 3–8 hours total, but once we meet the gorillas we'll be able to spend an unforgettable hour with them in their native habitat. Depending on the length of our trek, we might enjoy a picnic lunch in the midst of the forest or return to our lodge for lunch.

After breakfast, we'll take a walking tour of the Batwa cultural trail and the surrounding community. Relocated outside of the park as a part of wildlife conservation efforts, this ancient hunter-gatherer tribe now shares their stories, songs, and traditions with visitors. This afternoon, we'll have some free time to take a nature hike, or simply rest and relax at our lodge.

Travelers also have the option to pre-book a gorilla trekking permit for this day. This optional tour is a full-day tour and any travelers who purchase the second gorilla trekking permit optional will not be able to participate in the visit to the Batwa community.

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the Kihihi airstrip for our flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, we'll continue to Kampala with a stop at a local school for a chance to see firsthand a day in the life of the Ugandan youth. Our visit also helps to support the school which provides education to at-risk youth in Uganda. Pack for a Purpose invites travelers to dedicate a little room in their suitcase for some much-needed school supplies for students like the ones you'll meet today. After our visit, we'll continue to our hotel in Kampala. This evening, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner.

Today, we say weeraba, or goodbye, to Uganda. After breakfast, travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will depart for Entebbe International Airport in time for our outbound international flight back to the U.S.