Compare Uganda Overland: Gorillas & Chimps by G Adventures vs 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek and Igongo Cultural Centre by Scenic Trails Safaris

Day 1 Kampala

Arrive at any time. Tonight, get to know your group on your first night out together. As you will be at the campsite for this portion of the trip you will be enjoying yourselves at the Red Chilli Bar. Hang out along the beer terrace or at the pool-side bar and have conversations with fellow travellers. There’s plenty of communal areas to kick back, relax with a beer in hand, and make some friends before you embark on your next adventure.

Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to confirm which visas you will need, if any. Please note: not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival.

Day 2 Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi

Even though you get to do something pretty awesome everyday you’re going to cross the equator today in the Lando (which we think is a pretty cool thing to be able to add to a travel resume) and head off to Lake Bunyonyi. The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds’ and it is undoubtedly the loveliest lake in Uganda. It’s winding shores encircle 29 islands and its surrounded by steep terraced hillsides that will have you wondering if you are somewhere in Asia. But the best part is that Lake Bunyonyi is a croc and hippo free lake (unlike many lakes in East Africa) so you can swim in its calm waters as much as you like… such bliss!

Day 3 Gorilla Trek

Today’s the day that some of your dreams may just come true because you are going on a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (so insanely cool!) So get ready to embark on an unforgettable hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger to search for mountain gorillas. The treks can vary in length and difficulty so be prepared for a challenge, but know that if you spot these majestic creatures (we share 98% of our DNA with them) it will all be worth it. Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.

Depending on the date of our permits, it's possible that the gorilla trek will take place on the second full day in Lake Bunyonyi. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.

Day 4 Lake Bunyonyi

Let’s give Lake Bunyonyi some love today. Explore this magical place as the morning mist rises off of the gently lapping waters. With tons of optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or a motorboat tour of the lake there’s no time to be bored. Then relax together at the lodge in the evening talking about your group gorilla experiences.

Day 5 Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Sit back, relax, and watch the Ugandan countryside slip past on today’s journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve further north in the country. The forest reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and is characterized by open savannah, large area of swamp around Lake George, and the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast. There’s a lot of landscapes to experience so what are you waiting for? Get started!

Day 6 Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park

You know that saying, “the early bird gets the worm” well in this case the early bird gets to see chimpanzees. Get up early for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion and explore the verdant Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger while being on the lookout for these chimpanzee families. Afterwards, the group will visit tea plantation before setting off to Lake Mburo. Once you arrive there you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise on the lake, or explore the local area on foot.

Day 7 Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja

Head back across the equator today in the Lando; Uganda is one of the few countries in the world where you can cross this imaginary geographical line on land. Observe how water swirls in opposite directions on either side of the equator and then stop to enjoy a meal at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. With full stomachs and even more full hearts the group will continue on to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda.

Day 8 Jinja

Get out there, get active, and have some fun! Explore Jinja today solo or with your group by participating in the plethora of outdoor and adventure activities they have to offer. Choose to raft down the White Nile River, break a sweat mountain biking up and down the hills surrounding the town, or for a more laid back day check out the local market. Keep your eyes ready to spot monkeys and other wildlife that can wander to the outskirts of this town.

Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 9 Jinja/Kampala

Transfer back to Uganda's capital where the tour finishes upon arrival in the early afternoon. Not ready to leave Africa just yet? (Yeah, we don’t blame you) talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know Uganda or beyond!

Day 1:

Depart Kampala at 7:00am and head towards south western Uganda with a lunch break enroute at Mbarara. Visit Igongo cultural center to experience the Ankole culture before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and arrive late evening. Dinner and overnight Buhoma lodge.

Day 2:

After breakfast, we prepare for our gorilla tracking adventure which begins at 8:00am with a briefing at the information center by the Uganda Wildlife Authority staff. We will then be guided into the jungle to track the shy primates. Gorilla tracking may take 3 to 7 hours but it is well worth the effort. Once you get sight of the gorillas, you have an hour to admire, observe and take photos of them. It’s advisable to bring along a rain jacket and hiking boots. At the end of this long and exciting adventure, return to the lodge for a well-deserved shower, dinner and rest at Dinner and overnight Buhoma lodge.

Day 3:

After breakfast transfer back to Kampala making a lunch stop enroute at Mbarara. Proceed making another stop at the equator in Masaka; see where this imaginary line divides our planet into two equal hemispheres. Snacks, souvenirs and photographs may be taken here.

Arrive in Kampala later that evening and transferred to Entebbe for your departure flight home.