Compare Uganda: Gorilla Conservation Adventure by Discover Corps vs Uganda Primate Explorer by Audley Travel

Day 1: Arriving in Entebbe

Arrive in Entebbe International Airport, about 45 minutes outside the capital Kampala, and transfer to our accommodation. Once a colonial estate and now a luxury B&B, the Boma Hotel boasts a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. After a delicious welcome dinner, you can spend your first evening relaxing before the adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Entering Kibale National Park

After breakfast, we’ll travel to Kibale National Park and check into Ndali Lodge, the stunning hilltop boutique hotel we will call home for the next three nights. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish – relax on your mountain-view veranda, take a walk around the lake or cool off in the swimming pool - before we gather for a homecooked, candlelit dinner.

Day 3: Tracking Chimps in Kibale

It’s an early start as we head into the park for a day of chimp tracking. There are more than 1,200 chimpanzees in the park, and an expert guide will lead you to a chimp family, whom you can observe up close. See them forage on the ground for food, swing across the trees and call out across the canopy. Afterwards, it’s back to the hotel for lunch and a free afternoon.

Day 4: A Visit to Kibale Village

Today’s all about getting to know the locals. In the morning, we will visit a local community school to see how Ndali Lodge is supporting local children’s education, and in the afternoon, we’ll explore the surrounding coffee plantations and meet the farmers who grow the crop.

Day 5: Driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park

We say goodbye to Ndali Lodge this morning and take a drive south alongside the stunning Rwenzori Mountains . We’ll arrive at the Mazike Valley Lodge just in time for lunch, then head into Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive. It is Uganda’s largest safari park, home to lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and hyena, so there is sure to be plenty to see.

Day 6: Tracking and Spending Time with Rare Tree-Climbing Lions

You won’t believe your eyes this morning as we track tree-climbing lions and cubs. See them lounging lazily on tree branches high above the ground. With sophisticated tracking devices, you’re all-but-guaranteed to see a pride of these majestic animals in the wild. Later, we take an openair boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to spot crocodiles, hippos and birds along the shoreline.

Day 7: Driving to Bwindi National Park

After breakfast at Mazike Valley Lodge, we’re back on the road. In the afternoon, we arrive at Mahogany Springs Lodge, a luxury hillside complex of thatched bungalows that sits just inside Bwindi National Park. After dinner, it’s early to bed in preparation for the big day tomorrow.

Day 8: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Day

It’s the big one: gorilla day! We’ll start early and set off on a (moderate) hiking trail to track down some of the gorillas living in these forests - home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Along with a guide, we will be joined by a vet, who will collect stool samples as we’re getting up close and personal with the gorillas. That evening, we’ll help analyze these in the lab to check on the troop’s health. See next page for more details!

Day 9: A Community Visit in Bwindi

This morning, we visit a community-run charity project that supports women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. You’ll learn to weave baskets and pedal sew your own souvenirs – anything from a purse to a bandana – as well as enjoy a traditional dance (don’t worry, participation is optional!) We end today with a farewell dinner at Mahogany Springs.

Day 10: Flying to Entebbe and Home

After breakfast, hop on a flight back to Entebbe. For those with longer waits for their connecting flights home, we will head back to Boma Hotel to relax and enjoy a final dinner.

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Entebbe.

Day 2 : Kibale Forest Reserve

Upon landing you will be met by your driver-guide who will be with you throughout your stay in Uganda. He will drive you to Kibale Forest, a journey of around six hours, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. The journey will take you past tea plantations, through rolling hills, open savannahs and colourful villages. Arriving at your lodge, you can relax and unwind after your journey.

Day 3 : Kibale Forest Reserve

After breakfast today you'll be driven to the Kibale National Park for your morning of chimpanzee trekking. The trek departs from Kanyanchu at 08.00, and whilst it's not guaranteed you'll see the chimps, there's a 90% success rate of seeing them - far higher than any other location which offers chimpanzee trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. The walk will lead you through the Kibale Forest, and there are good chances of seeing red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys on the way. If you're lucky to find yourself in the company of the chimps, you'll have an hour to enjoy their behaviour and take photos to your heart's content!

Day 4 : Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning you will set off with your driver-guide for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey should take a couple of hours, and you can settle into your room at Katara Lodge before enjoying some lunch. In the afternoon you'll take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel - see buffalo cooling off in the water along with hippos and crocodiles. In the late afternoon, you'll often see elephants coming down to the shore to drink as well; a nice change from being in a vehicle.

Day 5 : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast you will set off with picnic lunches for the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Enjoy game-view on the way, exploring the Ishasha region which is famous for tree-climbing lions. The journey continues through rolling hills and colourful villages before you eventually reach the Bwindi Forest and Engagi Lodge.

Day 6 : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today you will set off early after breakfast for the park headquarters, where you will register for your gorilla trek. Once you've been assigned a group, you will be driven to the trailhead for your group and follow your guide into Bwindi National Park. You start your trek at the top of the hills, descending to find the gorillas, walking for between two and four hours before you reach the gorillas. Once you find the first gorilla, you have an hour with them - the time will fly by so make the most of every minute. The trek back to the top of the hills can be fairly strenuous, but the exhilaration of seeing the gorillas makes it all worthwhile.

Day 7 : Lake Mburo National Park

This morning you will be driven eastwards to Lake Mburo National Park - the drive will take between four and five hours depending on road conditions. The scenery is really beautiful, starting with steep, winding hills, covered in a patchwork quilt of fields and then opening out into flatter plains. After you've settled into the camp you can go out on a game-drive with your driver-guide or simply relax and enjoy the views from the camp.

Day 8 : Entebbe

You will set off after breakfast back to Entebbe, a drive of around five hours, passing through the bustling capital of Kampala on the way, where you can stop to buy some souvenirs if you wish. You will have the afternoon at leisure to do whatever you wish at Entebbe, either relaxing at the guesthouse or exploring.

Day 9 : International return flight

You will be driven to Entebbe Airport today to meet your onward flights.

Day 10 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.