• Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
• Dates: January & September 2027 (Start: 19 January | End: 30/31 January 2027)
  *Other dates available on request for private/ legacy tours
• Group Size: Small group — 6 to 12 persons
• Gorilla & Chimp Trekking Permits (per person): (1 x Chimpanzee + 2 x Gorilla permits)
• Basis: Fully Inclusive throughout — all meals, all local brand drinks, park fees, game-viewing activities
• Destinations: Uganda — Entebbe | Murchison Falls | Kibale Forest | Queen Elizabeth N.P. | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

ABOUT THIS JOURNEY

Uganda is Africa’s most extraordinary secret. While its neighbours draw the headlines, Uganda quietly shelters some of the most remarkable wildlife encounters on earth — experiences so intimate, so raw, and so profoundly moving that travellers return changed by what they have witnessed.

This 13-day journey takes you deep into Uganda’s emerald heartlands, moving through four of the country’s most celebrated wilderness areas. You will stand at the edge of Murchison Falls as the mighty Nile thunders through its narrowest gorge. You will track chimpanzees through the ancient cathedral canopy of Kibale Forest. You will cruise the Kazinga Channel as hippos and elephants crowd its banks. And then — the experience that defines Uganda above all others — you will stand humbly before a family of endangered mountain gorillas in the shadowy, mist-draped stillness of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

There is nothing else like it on earth. This is Uganda at its very best.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

• Stand at the Top of Murchison Falls — where the entire Nile River is forced through a gorge just seven metres wide in a thunderous, breathtaking cascade
• Morning game drives across the open savannah of Murchison Falls National Park — Uganda’s largest and oldest park — encountering elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, kob and more
• Afternoon boat safari to the base of Murchison Falls along the Nile — hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and over 450 bird species line the riverbanks
• Delta cruise on the Victoria Nile where it meets Lake Albert — exceptional birdwatching in one of Uganda’s most biodiverse waterways
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Forest — home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa and over 1,500 chimpanzees
• Optional Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale — a community-run wetland trail offering extraordinary primate and birdlife encounters
• Private boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel through Queen Elizabeth National Park — one of Africa’s great wildlife waterways, teeming with hippos, buffaloes, elephants and over 600 bird species
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park — with the Rwenzori Mountains as a dramatic backdrop
• Search for the rare tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector — a behaviour found in very few places on earth
• Two full days of mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population
• Bwindi forest walks and village activities — connecting with the remarkable Batwa cultural heritage
• Expert expedition leadership and guiding throughout by the WWJ team
• Intimate small-group experience — 6 to 12 guests maximum

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

All permit-based activities (chimpanzee and gorilla trekking) are included in the total cost. Fully inclusive throughout.

Day 1  Entebbe, Uganda  

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and clear customs. Meet your WWJ ground team for a short transfer to your accommodation on the shores of Lake Victoria. The afternoon is at leisure — rest by the pool, explore the quiet garden suburbs of Entebbe at your own pace, or simply sit on the veranda with a Ugandan coffee and listen to the fish eagles calling across the lake. Welcome dinner this evening.

Day 2–4  Murchison Falls National Park  

Fly from Entebbe to Bugungu Airstrip and transfer into Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, visit the Top of the Falls — where the entire Nile forces itself through a seven-metre gorge in one of Africa’s most spectacular natural moments. Day two brings a morning game drive across the open savannah — elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, kob, warthog and a remarkable diversity of birdlife — followed by an afternoon boat safari to the base of the Falls along the Nile, with hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles in abundance. Day three begins with a dawn delta cruise as the Nile meets Lake Albert, with extraordinary birdwatching. The afternoon is at leisure or open for a further game drive.

Day 5–6  Kibale National Forest  

Fly from Bugungu to Kasese and transfer by road into the heart of Kibale National Forest. Day five is dedicated to chimpanzee trekking — following expert trackers through the ancient rainforest in search of Kibale’s 1,500-strong chimpanzee population. An afternoon option of the Bigodi Swamp Walk offers a community-guided wetland trail rich in primates and birdlife. Day six provides time to explore the forest further, with optional cultural visits available in the surrounding communities.

Day 7–8  Queen Elizabeth National Park — Kazinga Channel & Ishasha
Road transfer from Kibale into Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, enjoy a private boat cruise on the legendary Kazinga Channel — one of Africa’s great wildlife waterways, where enormous hippo pods, buffalo, elephant and over 600 bird species crowd the banks. Continue to the remote Ishasha sector of the park for an afternoon game drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions, which rest in the fig trees above the flood plains. Day eight brings a morning bush breakfast and game drive, with further opportunities to find the tree-climbing lions and explore this wild and beautiful corner of Uganda.

Day 9–11  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Road transfer from Ishasha into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Day nine is preparation and arrival — settling into the misty forest atmosphere as darkness falls over the canopy. Days ten and eleven are dedicated to mountain gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi. Led by expert rangers and trackers, you will trek through the dense forest undergrowth in search of habituated gorilla families. When you find them — and you will — you are permitted one precious hour in their presence. To look into the eyes of a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat is an experience that changes people. It is, simply, one of the greatest wildlife encounters on earth. The afternoon of day eleven is free for forest walks, village activities or quiet reflection at the forest edge.

Day 12  Bwindi to Entebbe  

After breakfast, transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your charter flight back to Entebbe, arriving around midday. Transfer to your lakeside accommodation on Lake Victoria for a final lunch, use of day rooms, and time to freshen up before your evening international flight home. Most US-bound flights depart after 8pm from Entebbe International Airport.

Day 13  Homebound — End of Service      

For those who chose to overnight: check out by 11am and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for homebound international flights. Late check-out available on request, subject to availability. An additional night can be arranged if required.

• International flights to and from Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
• Entry visa to Uganda
• Travel insurance — strongly recommended
• Premium brand drinks (e.g. Champagne, premium spirits, Red Bull)
• Laundry at certain properties
• Items of a personal nature

• Prices are quoted in USD and are based on a minimum of 6 guests travelling together.
• A 30% non-refundable deposit is required upon booking confirmation, together with copies of all passports and your completed Tour Booking Form.
• Full gorilla and chimpanzee permit payment (US$1,850 per person) is required at time of booking and is non-refundable.
• All payments must be made by Electronic or Telegraphic Bank Transfer.
• All prices are subject to change due to unforeseen cost increases or exchange rate fluctuations.
• Luggage restriction for light aircraft transfers: 12kg per person including hand luggage, in soft hold-all type bags only. No hard suitcases or rigid frames.
• We reserve the right to substitute alternative properties and services of equal or superior quality, subject to availability.
• Arrivals one or two days early can be accommodated at the same Entebbe property at US$250 per person per night on request.

Visas & Passports

Most passport holders require a visa for Uganda. Please verify entry requirements well in advance of travel according to your nationality, as requirements can change with little or no notice. It is your responsibility to obtain the correct documentation. We accept no liability for failure to do so.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is STRONGLY recommended for all travellers. Your policy should cover trip cancellation due to illness or injury, personal accident and personal liability, loss or damage to baggage, travel and flight delays, and emergency medical evacuation. Please do not travel without adequate cover.

Health & Vaccinations

A Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory for entry into Uganda — carry your Yellow Fever certificate at all times. Uganda is a malaria-risk country. Please consult your physician or travel health clinic before departure for advice on anti-malarial prophylaxis and all recommended vaccinations. Check the latest health advisories before travel.

Climate in January

January falls within Uganda’s dry season — generally an excellent time to visit. Expect warm, sunny days across the lower-altitude parks. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest sits at higher altitude and is frequently misty and cool — temperatures can drop significantly, particularly in the early morning before and during trekking. A warm, waterproof layer is essential for gorilla trekking days. Rain can occur at any time in the forest, so waterproof gear is advisable.

Clothing & Packing for Uganda

Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing in khaki, olive, grey and brown tones is recommended for all game drives and wildlife activities. For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are essential for protection from vegetation and insects in the forest. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are required for trekking. Gaiters are strongly recommended for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Pack light — remember the 12kg luggage restriction for light aircraft transfers.

Luggage Restriction

Light aircraft transfers within Uganda have a strict luggage allowance of 12kg per person including hand luggage. Bags must be soft, hold-all type only — no hard suitcases, rigid frames or wheeled cases. Please plan your packing carefully.

Currency

The Ugandan Shilling is the local currency. US Dollars are widely accepted at lodges and for tips. Bring US Dollar banknotes in good condition and in larger denominations for the best exchange rates. ATMs are available in Kampala and Entebbe but not reliably in remote safari areas. Most activities and accommodation are fully inclusive so cash requirements during the safari are minimal.

One of our experts will be in touch within 24 hours.