Arrival

Entebbe - The team will welcome you at the airport, spend a night in Entebbe, and provide a briefing on the itinerary.

Shoebill Watching, Then Mabira

Lake Victoria - A safari guide representative will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the Swamp. The Shoebill, a remarkable and ancient-looking bird, attracts both safari enthusiasts and business travelers to Uganda. Mabamba, a RAMSAR wetland and Important Bird Area (IBA), hosts over 300 bird species, including 7 of Uganda’s 12 Lake Victoria Basin restricted species.

You will immediately board motorized wooden boats or canoes to explore the water channels and discover the Shoebill. The Shoebill is most active in the early morning while hunting lungfish, making this the ideal time to observe it. It hunts by remaining still for long periods, waiting for fish to pass by, then capturing them with its large, powerful beak shaped like a shoe! The Shoebill offers excellent viewing opportunities as you can approach closely without disturbing it, as it is focused on catching fish.

Mabira Central Forest Reserve - After spending time with the Shoebill, you will return to the landing site, have lunch at Victoria Mall, and proceed to Mabira Forest. Check into the lodge and prepare for a night hike in search of Gaboon & Rhinoceros Vipers, Bush Vipers, Frogs, and other nocturnal animals/mammals.

Herping in Mabira

Mabira Central Forest Reserve - Begin your day with an exceptional herping expedition before transferring to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an overnight stay. Enjoy lunch on the way and arrive at your next destination in time for dinner.

Nakasongola - Overnight at Ziwa Rhino Chalets

Rhino Trekking

Nakasongola - After an early breakfast, a Safari guide representative will pick you up from your hotel for the rhino trekking adventure. Rhino trekking offers a magical encounter with rhinos, part of the big five African game. You will see not only white rhinos but also antelopes, birds, and more. Enjoy an hour face-to-face with rhinos, capture photos, learn about their behaviors, and return from your foot walk experience.

Murchison Falls National Park - Be ready to transfer to Murchison Falls National Park after lunch en route. Visit the top of the falls before checking into the lodge for an overnight stay.

Game Viewing and Nile Boat Cruise

Murchison Falls National Park - Enjoy the morning sunrise as wildlife emerges from hiding in search of pasture. Follow the tracks of Lions and Leopards as they hunt for prey. Observe Lions seeking shade in the thickets while curious Giraffes, Antelopes, and Buffaloes keep a close watch on the predators. You might witness a Leopard preying on an Oribi or Kob or a Lion stealthily hunting a warthog.

Later, head to the jetty for an exclusive Nile Boat Cruise. Watch elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, large schools of Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, and pied kingfishers catching their prey from the tranquil River Nile. Witness the water cascading off the cliff and between rocks, creating one of Uganda’s most sought-after sights - a magical encounter. Return to the starting point and transfer to the lodge to unwind and reflect on the day’s memories.

Road Transfer to Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park - Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast and transfer to Kibale National Park. Travel through local villages and breathtaking scenery, making stops along the way. Drive to the outskirts of Kibale National Park, overlooking the forest or the crater. Observe the countryside with vast tea plantations and villages, experiencing local life and stunning scenery.

Have lunch en route.

Chimpanzee Trekking

Kibale Forest National Park - Begin the day with a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park, accompanied by a ranger guide. Look for nests and listen for chimpanzee calls until you find them, enjoying an ultimate encounter with humans’ closest relatives. Engage in an interactive conversation with the ranger guide about chimpanzees and their habitat.

In the afternoon, embark on a community experience or a guided swamp walk in the Bigodi Wetland, searching for more primates, including the red colobus, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, and more. Retire at the lodge by the campfire.

Road Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Mountains National Park - Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains for an afternoon herping session. Arrive in time for lunch. Conclude the day with afternoon herping and a night walk within the lodge. Try your luck with three-horned chameleons, strange horned chameleons, mountain-side striped chameleons, Great Lakes Bush Viper, and more.

Herping in Rwenzori Mountains Then Transfer to Queen

Queen Elizabeth National Park - After a relaxed breakfast, embark on a 2 or 3-hour herping session before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park spans approximately 2,000 square kilometers and was recently designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The park is renowned for its stunning landscape and diverse wildlife. The formation of the East African Rift Valley led to secondary faulting, creating gorges, crater lakes, swamps, Salt Lake, valleys, and other remarkable features that make the park a natural wonder for nature enthusiasts.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to leopards, Lions, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, and many other creatures. On this safari day, arrive in time for lunch, enjoy an evening game drive, and retire at the lodge.

Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Cruise

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Early in the morning, after breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up from your lodge for an exciting game drive lasting about 3 to 4 hours. Later in the afternoon, enjoy the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, getting up close to incredible wildlife enjoying the water environment.

Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast and prepare for a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Western Uganda.

Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - After an early breakfast, carry a packed lunch or simple snacks, and meet your driver guide for a gorilla trekking briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide familiar with the trekking trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 3 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.

During the trek, you will encounter other primate species, various birds, and diverse plant and tree species. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, learning about their behaviors, observing their daily activities, taking photos, and recording videos. After the hour with the mountain gorillas, trek back to the starting point, receive a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking, and relax at the lodge.

To Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park - After an early morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet your driver guide for a transfer to Lake Mburo. Enjoy en-route lunch and stunning views along the way. Arrive in time for the evening walking safari, where you will be rewarded with great views of animals like waterbucks, elands, buffaloes, zebras, impalas, Topi, giraffes, and more, grazing in the open savannah plains.

To Kalisizo

Herping in Musambwa Island

In Mityana

In Mityana Then Entebbe

• Chimpanzee trekking permit $250 each till 31st Dec 2026, Then $300 Effective 1st Jan 2027
• Bottled drinking water
• Ranger guide during gorilla/chimpanzee trekking
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Local guides during herping
• Gorilla trekking permit $800 each
• Gas

• Air flight tickets
• Visas
• Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry service, tips s
• Personal Insurance
• First and last night in Entebbe

Immerse yourself in a 17-day safari that combines herping, wildlife safaris, and the ultimate gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Start your journey with shoebill watching in Mabamba, followed by extensive herping sessions in Mabira and Mityana. Explore the primate-rich Kibale National Park, trek chimpanzees, and discover the stunning Rwenzori Mountains. Experience thrilling game drives and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks, culminating in your memorable encounter with gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This tour offers expert guides, local insights, and the chance to connect with Uganda’s diverse wildlife.

• 16 days of herping, wildlife safaris, and gorilla trekking across Uganda
• Guided experiences with expert herpetologists and local wildlife guides
• Visit multiple national parks including Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi
• Full board accommodation and transfers included, with opportunities for night walks and community interactions

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.