We hope you can arrive before 14:00. Upon arrival, you will perform clearance at the immigration. Proceed to collect your luggage and then move outside to the area where guides await their guests. The assigned Professional English-speaking Tour Driver-guide will receive you and we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight in Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Optional (extra cost): In case you arrive early or your pick up is from a hotel, it is possible to reach and proceed for a guided nature walk. Otherwise, we shall check in and get some rest, dinner and overnight.

Be up early and proceed for the (06:00am) shoebill trek and canoe ride through the Lugogo swamp with the opportunity to find the pre-historic shoebill stork among other bird species in the area, but also to see the beautiful Ugandan sunrise over Lugogo Swamp. After this excursion, we will return for a quick breakfast and then proceed to encounter the rhinos. After the rhino tracking, we can enjoy a hot lunch while still in Zziwa and thereafter, hit the road to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. Detour to visit the top of the falls and thereafter, we head to the accommodation.

Today you will have a full packed game viewing opportunity in the park. Murchison Falls National Park is a home to different wildlife species such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. These make the park's landscape so amazing for game viewing/game driving. To avoid the long drive back to the lodge, we can proceed to Red Chilli and enjoy hot lunch there. After the lunch, we can move back for the second leg of our game viewing. After a satisfying day’s encounter, we shall head back to the lodge to freshen up – awaiting dinner and the overnight stay. Optional (extra cost 30$ pp): If interested, you may consider the 11am boat trip towards the bottom of the falls that also offers the opportunity to hike (extra 25$ pp) to the top of the falls.

Today, you will have breakfast and then (right away) embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and move out to explore the Kibale crater lakes, crowned with a hike to the “top of the world”. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike to Lake Nkuruba where you will encounter different species of primates and birds. Meet and interact with the local people as you walk through their villages and enjoy the panoramic views of the Kibale area. Return for dinner and overnight.

Have breakfast and move out for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Optional (extra cost 250$ pp): If interested, you can consider chimpanzee tracking (Kibale Forest) in place of the Bigodi wetlands excursion. Please, take note that permit for chimp tracking needs to be secured prior to the actual date. From the Bigodi (or Kibale Forest), embark (right away) on a transfer (about 2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will reach Queen with some time available to move out for game viewing. During the game drive/viewing, look out for wild animals like; lions, the elusive leopard, herd of elephants, buffaloes to mention but a few.

Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. From there, we shall head to Ishasha sector (Southern Queen) in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall embark on the final leg of our journey taking us to the accommodation situated right at the edge of Bwindi National Park. We will check in and take rest – waiting for tomorrow’s gorilla experience.

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger-guide) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the lodge and rest after a strenuous trek. Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange; a community visit, or some short nature walk.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then check out. We shall transfer to Gatuna Border Post. From Gatuna, you will be received by our Rwanda-based Tour Driver-guide who will take over from his Uganda-based counterpart. You will be transferred to Kigali where you can be dropped off at the airport or at the hotel of your booking. Optional: In case you have time and interested, you can consider an excursion of Kigali City before being dropped off (at the airport or hotel). Thank you for choosing and travelling with us (Gorilla Pathfinders).