Uganda Wildlife Explorer: Small Group

From Entebbe to Jinja

Tour Overview

Partake in an amazing small group Camping Tour of Uganda!

Uganda, often referred to as "The Pearl of Africa," boasts a remarkable blend of wildlife, natural splendor, and warm-hearted locals, making it a hidden gem within the African continent. This tour presents an opportunity to witness the prominent attractions, including immersive treks through indigenous forests to encounter wild gorillas and chimpanzees. Moreover, we will embark on explorations of expansive waterways, enigmatic mist-covered villages, and the lesser-known marvels such as Tree Climbing Lions, vast herds of hippopotamus, and a diverse array of plains animals.

This unforgettable journey through Uganda is perfect for Africa travel enthusiasts looking to travel as part of a small group tour to Uganda.

Our journey aims to uncover the scenic wonders of Uganda, offering insights into its people and abundant wildlife. Covering approximately 2000 kilometers, some of which may traverse challenging roads, the journey promises unparalleled rewards. The chosen route for each tour may be influenced by weather conditions, road conditions, and local factors, and there is a possibility of running the tour in reverse if necessary. Therefore, clients are advised to maintain flexibility in this regard. Equipped with an open mind and a spontaneous disposition, clients will be able to fully immerse themselves in the magnificent offerings that Uganda has to offer.

This comprehensive circuit takes you on a thrilling adventure. Along the way, you'll be charmed by the warm and friendly people that make Uganda truly special. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to embark on a Gorilla Trekking adventure and discover the wonders of Uganda.

If camping is not for you - you have the option to upgrade to accommodated on this tour.  Talk to us about this today!

Video Highlights

Viva's Best Bits...

Sitting with the Mountain Gorillas is a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience you will never forget. Trek through lush forests, encounter majestic mountain gorillas up close, and witness their natural behaviors in their natural habitat.

Discover the wild beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park! Home to rare tree climbing lions, this diverse safari destination offers thrilling game drives and breathtaking landscapes. An unforgettable African wilderness experience!

Cruise along the mighty Nile River, taking in breath-taking scenery in the region where the longest river in the world comes to life. While in the region you will walk with Chimpanzees and embark on exhilarating game drives.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Entebbe Lake Mburo

Our adventure begins at 08h00, when we depart from our hotel in Entebbe to head south west through verdant green hills and countless villages. We will stop frequently at local markets, including a drum market, and at the equator we’ll experiment to see which way water really drains from a bath. We have lunch at the equator (own expense).

We arrive at our camp in the late afternoon. An upgrade to accommodation is possible, but to ensure availability this should be pre-booked.

Day 2
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This morning we enter Lake Mburo National Park early for a game drive. Lake Mburo is just one of a group lakes scattered like jewels between the hills, and the park is well known for its herds of plains game, and especially for the numerous hippos in the lakes.

Leaving Lake Mburo, we travel through a lush tropical landscape of rolling green hills covered with a patchwork of banana plantations and market gardens. Look out for the impressive, long-horned Ankole cattle. The roads are rough as we pass remote villages, often shrouded in mist, toward the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

We set up camp for the night at the edge of the forest and prepare for the gorilla trek the following day.

Day 3-4
Bwindi Gorilla Trek

The gorilla trek is undoubtedly the pinnacle of our tour.

The mountains and tropical forests are spectacular in their own right, but spending time with a group of Mountain Gorillas is an experience that really defies any description. Many people are moved by the obvious kinship we share with these magnificent animals. We split into small groups and trek up into the forest, each group led by a local guide, in search of a different family of gorillas. The going can be quite tough, and you should come prepared for a hike through dense forest, up steep, muddy paths over uneven terrain.

The gorilla permits are limited, with strict rules to minimise the impact on the gorillas, so we allow two days for trekking to ensure everyone gets their chance. You must be prepared to be flexible with the timing and the location of your trek. On occasions when permits are only available for Day 4, we will visit Lake Bunyoni on Day 3, but where permits are spread over Day 3 and 4, those not trekking have the option to visit a local village, led by a local guide.

The forest also offers fantastic birding.

Day 5-6
Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha

Leaving the mountains and forests behind us, we descend to the grasslands of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha area is renowned for its huge tree climbing lions, but fantastic bird life, numerous species of primates, and abundant plains game, including the kob that the lions prey on, are reason enough to visit. We will spend two nights here and have a full day to game drive extensively, and especially to search the tall fig trees for lions.

Day 7
Queen Elizabeth National Park Rwenzori Mountains

Today we travel the length of the park, looking for animals all the way, through the Maramagambo Forest and over the Kazinga Channel which links Lake Edward and Lake George, to exit the park in the north. We pass through the town of Kasese, before stopping at a viewpoint where we have lunch with the Rwenzori Mountains in front of us. The “Mountains of the Moon” rise over 5000m above sea level, with slopes covered in tropical forest and the highest peaks permanently snow-capped, a bewildering sight considering their proximity to the equator. Glaciers high up form one of the sources of the waters of the Nile River.

Tonight we camp amongst the tea plantations near Fort Portal.

Day 8
Masindi

We have a long drive today, over some rough roads, so we leave early this morning.

We pass through the luminous green tea plantations surrounding Fort Portal before taking the long road, via Hoima, to Masindi, our stop for the night. Given the long drive and the state of the roads, we don’t camp tonight, staying at a local hotel or lodge.

Day 9-10
Murchison Falls National Park / Victoria Nile

This morning we enter Murchison Falls National Park, where we spend the next two nights.

Here we will track chimpanzees on foot, game drive in the park, view Murchison Falls, and take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile River.

The program is flexible, depending on the season, road conditions and availability of bookings, but all these activities will be included.

The southern part of the park is heavily forested, great habitat for chimps, with the northern part, where we game drive, open savannah with abundant plains game, including the relatively rare Rothschild’s Giraffe.

Getting to the northern part of the park means crossing the Nile using the ferry at Parra, an adventure all on its own.

Day 11-12
Kalagala Falls

We leave the park early this morning to drive south towards Jinja, near the source of the White Nile where the water pours out of Lake Victoria in a wild torrent.

The area around Jinja is regarded as east Africa’s adventure capital, and we spend a full day here so you have time to participate in any of a number of adventure activities: white water rafting, bungee jumping over the source of the Nile, boat cruises, horse riding, visiting local community projects are all options (own expense).

Day 13
Entebbe

After breakfast, our tour officially comes to an end. However, you have the flexibility to extend your stay in the captivating Kalagala Falls or transfer directly to Entebbe, and we will be happy to make arrangements on your behalf.

Reflect on the incredible memories and unforgettable experiences as you bid farewell to this enchanting corner of Uganda.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 9 nights camping in comfortable dome tents
  • Included Copy 20 3 nights lodge / hotel acommodation
  • Included Copy 31 An upgrade to accommodation is possible, but to ensure availability this should be pre-booked.
  • Included Copy 7 A sleeping bag, towel & pillow are required for this tour, unless you booked the hotel upgrade
Food
  • Included Copy 20 12 breakfasts
  • Included Copy 20 11 lunches
  • Included Copy 20 11 dinners
  • Included Copy 7 alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, restaurant meals
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 2 licensed, professional tour managers.
  • Included Copy 20 group equipment
  • Included Copy 20 One Chimp permit and park entry fees
  • Included Copy 20 one gorilla trek and one chimpanzee trek.
  • Included Copy 31 Gorilla permits (Gorilla permit rate is currently USD725 per permit - subject to change)
  • Included Copy 7 visas, tips, flights, airport taxes, airport transfers or any optional extras.
Transportation
Drifters Expedition Vehicle

Drifters Expedition Vehicle

Activities

  • Included Cross the Equator
  • Included Enjoy a game drive through the Lake Mburo National Park
  • Included Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and visit surrounding villages
  • Included Embark on a thrilling gorilla trek (permit to be purchased separately) and trek to see chimpanzees
  • Included Take village walks to immerse in local culture
  • Included Enjoy birding walks in the wilderness
  • Included Take the opportunity to spot tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Included Marvel at the panoramic view of the Rwenzori Mountains
  • Included Witness the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls and enjoy game drives in the Murchison Falls National Park
  • Included Take a boat trip on the Nile River
  • Included Explore Uganda’s adventure capital, Jinja, where numerous exciting options await you.
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

13 days

Price from

$3,022 USD

Per person, sharing

Select Date