After an early breakfast, drive to makanaga Swamp for a guided shoebill trek. Spot one of Africa’s rarest birds and enjoy the lush wetland environment. Continue north to Gulu, passing through scenic countryside and small villages. On arrival, check into the hotel and relax. Evening offers time to explore local markets or enjoy the lodge facilities. Overnight: Churchill Courts or similar

Depart Gulu and drive to Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda’s most remote park. En route, marvel at dramatic landscapes, acacia savannahs, and traditional villages. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs. Evening at the lodge offers a chance to unwind surrounded by spectacular scenery. Overnight: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

Spend a full day on game drives exploring Kidepo’s Narus and Kidepo Valleys. Encounter large herds of buffalo, antelopes, and predators including lions and leopards. Enjoy scenic viewpoints and photographic opportunities throughout the park. Guides provide fascinating insights into wildlife behavior and local conservation efforts. Evening at leisure in the lodge’s tranquil setting. Overnight: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

Drive south to Murchison Falls National Park, passing through picturesque towns, rolling hills, and savannah landscapes. On arrival, check into the lodge and enjoy lunch before an optional evening game drive. This park is famous for its dramatic waterfalls, Nile River wildlife, and vast savannah plains, offering excellent photographic and wildlife spotting opportunities. Overnight: Gipir & Labong Safari Lodge or similar

Early morning boat cruise on the Nile Delta provides opportunities to spot the elusive shoebill and other rare birds. Enjoy the peaceful wetlands and riverbanks alive with wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch before an afternoon game drive to spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and lions. Evening relaxes at the lodge and reflect on the day’s wildlife encounters. Overnight: Gipir & Labong Safari Lodge or similar

Spend the morning fishing on the Nile River near the base of Murchison Falls, offering a relaxing and exciting experience for anglers. Continue with a game drive in the park, spotting wildlife in open savannahs and along the riverbanks. This combination of adventure and wildlife viewing makes for a memorable day in Uganda’s largest national park. Overnight: Gipir & Labong Safari Lodge or similar

Begin the day with a boat cruise in the Nile Delta, observing rare birds and vibrant wetland life. Later, transfer southwest to Fort Portal, enjoying the scenic drive through tea plantations, crater lakes, and lush hills. Fort Portal, the “City of Seven Hills,” offers a relaxing evening atmosphere and comfortable accommodations to prepare for upcoming forest adventures. Overnight: Dutchess Hotel or similar

Travel to Semliki National Park and take a guided walk to the Sempaya Hot Springs, witnessing lowland forest wildlife and geothermal activity. Continue to Kibale Forest National Park, stopping at Amabere Ga’Nyina Mwiru caves with scenic viewpoints and rich cultural history. Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy the lodge facilities surrounded by lush forest landscapes. Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge or similar

Spend a full day with researchers participating in the chimpanzee habituation experience. Follow chimps through dense forest as they feed, socialize, and move across trees. Learn about primate behavior and conservation from expert guides. The extended experience provides deeper insights than standard trekking, offering rare opportunities to observe these intelligent primates in their natural environment. Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge or similar

Drive to Rwenzori Mountains National Park and meet your trekking team for a detailed briefing, equipment check, and acclimatization. Spend the afternoon preparing for the multi-day mountain hike. The surrounding area offers beautiful forest scenery, rivers, and birdlife, giving a preview of the adventure that lies ahead. Overnight: Trekkers Hostel or similar

Start the trek through afro-montane forest, encountering moss-covered trees and diverse primates. Hike through bamboo zones, cross rivers, and enjoy scenic waterfalls before arriving at Sine Camp near Enock’s Falls. The camp offers a peaceful forest setting for your first night in the Rwenzori Mountains, providing rest and acclimatization for higher altitudes. Overnight: Sine Camp

Hike to Mutinda Camp 3,588m
Continue through bamboo and heather zones with increasing alpine vegetation. Pass waterfalls and open ridges offering panoramic valley views. Optional acclimatization hike to Mutinda Lookout allows better adjustment to the altitude while capturing breathtaking photographs of surrounding peaks. Evening spent resting in camp to prepare for further ascent. Overnight: Mutinda Camp

Cross the Mutinda Valley via boardwalks and tussock grasslands, entering the vast Namusangi Valley. Observe giant lobelias, groundsels, and unique alpine flora. Bugata Camp is perched on a high pass with sweeping views of glacial valleys and surrounding peaks, providing a surreal alpine environment and memorable hiking experience. Overnight: Bugata Camp

Begin early for the summit of Weismanns Peak, navigating rocky terrain with panoramic views of Mount Stanley, Speke, and Baker. After the summit, descend into Nyamwamba Valley through waterfalls, alpine vegetation, and wildlife-rich clearings. Evening spent at Kiharo Camp resting after the demanding but rewarding mountain day. Overnight: Kiharo Camp

Descend through scenic valleys and moss-covered forests filled with birdlife and primates. Stop at Riverside Rock Shelter for lunch before reaching basecamp. Conclude the trek with a debrief, celebration, and certificate ceremony. Evening spent relaxing at the lodge, reflecting on the challenging yet unforgettable Rwenzori experience. Overnight: Trekkers Hostel or similar

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive spotting elephants, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes. Later, take a Kazinga Channel boat cruise to see hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide excellent wildlife encounters and photography opportunities. Overnight: Engiri Game Lodge or similar

Travel southwest to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with a scenic stop at Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy the beautiful terraced hills, local villages, and calm lake views. Evening spent at the lodge preparing for gorilla trekking the next day. Overnight: Travelers Rest Hotel or similar

Participate in the early morning gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi or Mgahinga. Follow expert guides into the forest to observe gorillas in their natural habitat. Learn about conservation efforts, social behavior, and the ecology of this endangered species. Evening spent at the lodge reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Overnight: Travelers Rest Hotel or similar

Take part in golden monkey trekking, spotting the rare primates in Mgahinga National Park. Afterward, transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Enjoy the scenic drive and arrive at your hotel for relaxation. Evening spent preparing for optional volcano hiking the next day. Overnight: The Garden Place Hotel & Coffee Shop or similar

Optional early morning hike to Mount Bisoke volcano for panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains. Return to the hotel and transfer to Kigali for your outbound flight. This marks the conclusion of an unforgettable 21-day wildlife, primate, and mountain adventure across Uganda and Rwanda.