Venture to a land coined "the pearl of Africa" - the raw and beautiful Uganda, crossing its wetlands, tropical forests, and volcanic crater lakes. Listen for pant-hooting calls of clever chimps high up in fig trees and spot black-and-white colobus, gray-cheeked mangabey, and vervet monkeys. Witness the expressive look of mountain gorillas up close in the Bwindi. Head for thrilling game walks and rides through acacia-rich woodland and grassy valleys. Come evening, bask in the comforts of wilderness lodges, and track hyena and white-tailed mongoose on thrilling night safari drives.
Stand face to face with mighty mountain gorillas in mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Track chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and gray-cheeked mangabey in Kibale National Park
Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park's leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps, and volcanic crater lakes
Thank you! Click here to download the Detailed Itinerary.
Welcome to Uganda! Upon arrival in Entebbe, meet a MT Sobek representative outside the customs and immigration area at the airport, for your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.
This morning board a 4X4 vehicle and drive into Uganda's lush countryside, a country that Winston Churchill once described as "the pearl of Africa." Pass through gorgeous scenery featuring farmsteads crammed with bananas and tropical trees, scenic wetlands, and patches of bush and forest. Continue on to the hill country below the Rwenzori mountains, through beautiful tea plantations and parts of the tropical Kibale forest, where you may spot some monkeys.
This morning, head to Bigodi village for a wetlands walk in search of primates: keep your eyes out for red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobuses, L'Hoest's monkey, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons, along with some of Uganda's beautiful birds such as the great blue turaco and the elusive Angola pitta. After a traditional Ugandan lunch, head to Bigodi village to meet the locals before returning to our lodge where an optional and leisurely crater lake walk awaits with a backdrop of picturesque landscapes beautifully dotted with serene crater lakes. On clear days it's possible to see the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the tallest African mountain range, in the distance.
After a hearty breakfast, we will spend most of the day in the forest and up to 4 hours observing the chimps! Follow experienced ranger-guides and a tracker, listening out for the chimps' pant-hooting calls on your way to their nesting site. An early start means the opportunity to see them waking up, stretching, and descending from the tree tops. As the day goes on, you'll quietly witness their routines, see them eat, and watch the group's social interactions. Late in the afternoon, you will say farewell (and goodnight) to the chimps and head back to park headquarters.
Drive south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, with views of their glaciated peaks, and into the Great African Rift valley. Set out on a 2-hour launch trip on the Kasinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world - reported to be about 30,000. In the afternoon, drive two hours to today's destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha sector. Uganda's most popular and accessible savannah reserve, this spectacular park showcases leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps, and natural volcanic crater lakes. It has impressively rich biodiversity, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds.
Head out to explore the southern Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep an eye out for the areas famed tree-climbing lions, with a 75% viewing success rate. The area is also known for herds of elephant, buffalo, and many antelope species, including the graceful kob and colorful topi.
Today drive through the park to search for tree-climbing lions (75% success rate) and other game. Then continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of Africa's most ancient habitats comprised of steep, jungle-coated mountains known for their exceptional biodiversity. Protected as a national park and a World Heritage Site, these magnificent landscapes are home to more than 160 species of trees, over 100 kinds of ferns, at least 90 mammal species, and almost half of the world's population of critically endangered mountain gorillas.
After breakfast, report to the ranger station for a talk on the etiquette of gorilla tracking, then hike with a guide and tracker through misty rainforest to encounter these wild creatures. Trekking can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours, on rough and at times muddy terrain; a reasonable degree of fitness is required. You'll forget the fatigue once you lay your eyes on your first mountain gorilla - the experience of seeing these gentle giants at close range and in the wild is among the most extraordinary nature can provide.
Rise early for another full day of gorilla tracking. Hike through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth and parting thick creepers. You will have one hour with these gentle giants of the African forest after first encountering them. Bwindi is renowned for its mountain gorilla population, an estimated 280-320 individuals living in 15 groups. Looking deep into their expressive brown eyes is an unparalleled experience. Look out for other wildlife as you trek through the forest, including yellow-backed duikers and a variety of birds.
This morning after an early breakfast, bid farewell to the bush and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Entebbe, scheduled to depart Kihihi airstrip at 9:45 am, arriving at Entebbe at approximately 11:25 am. Enjoy access to a dayroom at Protea Hotel (available until 6:00 pm) before your transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
$600 off primate permits on private departures
between January - March 2021
MT Sobek Regional Specialist
Please fill out your name and email and a Regional Specialist will be in touch shortly.
We pride ourselves in working with the finest safari outfitters in Africa. All wilderness treks are accompanied by expert guides and professional trackers.
20% of the gorilla permits fees go to communities for projects like building health care centers, schools, clean water and sustainable agriculture education.
This itinerary blends gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with a relaxing stay at deluxe wilderness lodgings. Gorilla permits are guaranteed!
Our expert guides and trip leaders are truly the key to our trips' success. Many are locals who live in-country year-round; others have made it their second homeāall are passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable. Meet a few of the guides that might be on your trip.
Scenic drives, moderate to strenuous treks and nature walks in search of wildlife, boat rides, and day/night game drives in safari vehicles.
Lodges with modern comforts and great access to Uganda's raw wilderness, plus a boutique hotel to bookend the trip.
Uganda enjoys a tropical climate, though the heat is tempered by the altitude of more than 3,000' above sea level.
Upon seeing the gorillas you will have just one hour with them, so we do two treks. On the second trek, you often feel you can put your camera down and really enjoy.
There are no guarantees, but it is highly likely you will see them. Guides are trained in locating the gorillas and will know where they were the day before, as well as their movement habits.
Uganda does require a tourist visa for travelers from the US. You must obtain this e-Visa before your trip. You can apply for this visa online. It costs $50USD and is valid for 90 days.
You will find yourself climbing up steep slopes at high altitudes, scrambling through, over, and under dense undergrowth with nettles, barbed vines, and bamboo thickets on slippery and muddy terrain. It's important to be in good physical condition.
A number of different vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering Uganda. A certificate proving you have had the Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda.
Uganda is considered safe and politically stable. Ugandan people are incredibly welcoming, polite and friendly.
Scheduled Dates
Additional costs
Special Offer
$600 off primate permits on private departures
between January - March 2021
Price Includes
Price does not include
Contact An Expert
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private Trip.
Choose from the selection of dates below for your group or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
Private Trip Pricing:
4 to 5 guests from $9,295 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $8,795 per person double occupancy
8 to guests from $8,195 per person double occupancy
Take Over One Of These Dates
Make Your Own Dates In These Months
Additional costs
Special Offer
$600 off primate permits on private departures
between January - March 2021
Price Includes
Price does not include
Contact An Expert
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
"Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."
Bob J.
MT Sobek Guest
"A prominent reason we have chosen MT Sobek as our favorite adventure travel company has been the excellent travel guides."
Carol & Burt D.
MT Sobek Guests
Be the first to hear about exciting new adventures, last minute trip opportunities, special events and more.
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us or your travel professional to answer your questions.
1.888.831.7526