Today you will embark on a road trip to Kibale Forest. The journey is incredibly scenic, taking you through tea plantations, lively village markets and rolling hills of lush green countryside that are characteristic of western Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park itself is an extensive tract of dense tropical rainforest located just south of the town Fort Portal. The various ecosystems in this space are reputed to harbor the highest density of primates in all of Africa. The rare red colobus monkey as well as the black-and-white colobus are just some of the primates you may encounter on your forest walks here. The highlight of a trip to Kibale Forest is of course to spend some time observing the wonderfully entertaining chimpanzees. Your lodge for the next two nights offers a unique jungle experience near the boundaries of the park. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature in one of the property’s beautifully decorated cottages, each set in a private nook in the forest. The rooms are spacious and have large terraces from where you can watch the activities of the forest inhabitants. The main lodge building offers stunning views of the forest canopy below and on a clear day you can see all the way to the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Highlights

Journey Time:	5 minutes (approximate)
Accommodation:	Ndali Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today you will go chimpanzee trekking following an experienced guide into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures at a close range. Watching them interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience. No other animal reminds us so much of ourselves as the chimpanzee. Besides many common features and mannerisms, chimpanzees also share 98% of our human DNA, making them our closest living relatives. It is not so surprising then that we find the habits and biology of these primates so fascinating to study. While chimpanzees can be found in 21 countries throughout Africa, they are most easily sighted in Uganda due to the high concentration of the species here. While your chances of encountering chimpanzees are high during your tracking excursion, it is never 100% guaranteed. These are, after all, wild animals with wills and minds of their own! After socializing with the chimps you will be invited to engage in the human custom of a hot lunch. Served by local residents you will learn about the traditional cuisine of the region and its preparation. This meal will offer a nice insight into the local culture, as well as giving a real taste of Uganda! In the afternoon you can choose whether you would like to spend more time with the local communities and learn more about their day-to-day lives on a Community Walk or go deeper into the forest on a Swamp Walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies and various reptiles. For bird lovers the highlight of the afternoon is spotting the beautiful great blue turaco. Both the Community Walk and Swamp Walk are operated by KAFRED, a registered community-based organization. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals. Highlights

Journey Time:	15 minutes each way
Accommodation:	Ndali Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today after an early breakfast, you will travel by road to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park which is a 3 ½ hrs journey. Upon arrival at the park, you will check in to your hotel where you will also have lunch. In the afternoon, you can relax at the hotel in preparation for a busy day tomorrow. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited game reserve and arguably the most scenic. The national park protects the vast savannah plains, bushland, wetlands and forests that lie at the base of the Rwenzori mountain range. Kazinga Channel, which flows through the park and connects Lake George in the east to Lake Edward in the west, attracts a rich array of birds and animals, including the infamous Nile crocodile and one of the world’s largest concentration of hippos. On your first game drive you will explore the park along a 200-kilometre network of well-maintained game viewing tracks. Highlights

Journey Time:	3 ½ hrs (approximate)
Accommodation:	Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Safari breakfasts are traditionally served before the day breaks so that you can start your morning game drive as the sun comes up. Sunrise is the best time for wildlife spotting as animals tend to be the most active during the “golden hours”, when the first rays of sunshine come to rest on the savannah. Elephants, buffalo and several species of antelope are some of the characters you may come across today, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a lion or leopard. Later in the day when the sun is high in the sky and the animals make their way to the river for a drink, we will head to Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari. You will spot more hippos today than you can possibly imagine. Herds of elephants and buffalo will also wander down to the shoreline to bathe in the cooling waters. A boat safari is a fantastic way to get close to wildlife and for many visitors the boat safari is the highlight of their visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Highlights

Journey Time:	N/A
Accommodation:	Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your journey today will continue south-west toward Kisoro, a bustling town to the south of Bwindi Forest, near the borders to Rwanda and Congo. This is one of our favourite drives in Uganda. The serpentine roads wind through lush rainforests, skirting hill tops (keep your eyes open for the volcanos!) and dipping into lively villages offering some of the best views in Uganda Gorilla Tracking is the main highlight of a visit to the southern parts of Bwindi Forest, but you are also in the perfect place for volcano hikes, birding, nature and culture walks and canoe and paddle board excursions. The sunset scenes are unforgettable so make sure to find your way to the veranda in time for sundowners. Highlights

Journey Time:	6 hours (approximate)
Accommodation:	Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today you will encounter the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is an experience of a lifetime. Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested (often muddy and slippery) slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation and bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants. En-route, your ranger will point out tell-tale signs of previous gorilla activity like dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Depending on the location of the gorillas on any given day the walk can take anything from 2 to 7 hours. Once the family of gorillas has been located, settle into your surroundings and enjoy the hour you have to quietly observe these fascinating primates whose habits and mannerisms remind us so much of our own. Half of the world’s population of gorillas live under the mist-covered canopies of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest. In the company of experienced park rangers you will be tracking the whereabouts of one of the nine habituated family groups who reside here. Encountering the mountain gorillas in the wild is a truly humbling and emotional experience, one that you are sure to remember for the rest of your life. Highlights

Journey Time:	1-1/5 each way (approximate)
Accommodation:	Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today, after an early breakfast, you will drive across the international border into Rwanda and travel south towards the shores of Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes in the Albertine Region. The lake creates a natural border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The stunning shores of Lake Kivu contain some of the best inland beaches on the continent. You can spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or take a walk along the long stretch of beach just outside the property. Highlights

Journey Time:	4-5 hours (approximate)
Accommodation:	Kivu lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake up in the morning, have your leisure breakfast, spend some time at the lodge enjoying the beautiful nature around the lake, wait on for your lunch and then in the afternoon after your rest from the lunch, head off for an afternoon boat cruise Lake Kivu’s scenic coastline and its many beaches, coves and islands. Fishermen in traditional boats ply the blue waters as they go about their livelihoods while the active Nyiragongo Volcano in DRC can be seen rising above the lush surrounding hills. Lake Kivu offers some of the best outdoor activities in Rwanda from hiking or mountain biking the Congo Nile Trail, a network of over 200km of trail stretching along the length of the lake, to birding walks and boating excursions. This day is yours to do as you wish. Please let your Travel Consultant know which activities you want to do at the time of booking. Highlights

Journey Time:	Depends on the activity
Accommodation:	Kivu Lodge
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake up early in the morning, have your breakfast, you will then set off for Nyungwe forest, arrive early afternoon, check in and you will have lunch In the afternoon, you will have a rest as you prepare for chimpanzee trekking Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful rainforest in Africa. The forest is incredibly biodiverse with 13 known primate species residing here, from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our nearest relatives, the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also famous among the birding community who come to spot some of the 310 bird species recorded here, 26 of which are endemic to Rwanda. You will have plenty of time to explore the interior of the forest tomorrow.    Highlights

Journey Time:	2 hours (approximate)
Accommodation:	One and Only Nyungwe house
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake up very early in the morning, have your breakfast, set off to the tracking point, you will be briefed, Today you will venture deep into Nyungwe Forest National Park in search of the chimpanzees. On a chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest you will have the opportunity to follow an experienced guide into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures at a close range. Watching them interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience. While your chances of encountering chimpanzees are high during your tracking excursion, it is never 100% guaranteed. These are, after all, wild animals with wills and minds of their own! Depending on the trekking activity, when you are done, in the afternoon, follow the trails below the foliage, you will now head up high into the forest canopy on one of East Africa’s first canopy walks. The network of suspension bridges will lead you on a 1.5 hour walk over a deep gorge, through beautiful and lush vegetation and difference animal habitats.   Highlights

Journey Time:	N/A
Accommodation:	One and Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you have time before your international flight departure today you can ask your guide to take you on a city tour of Kigali before dropping you off at the airport in good time for your flight. Should you have a late departure and require a day-room for today please let us know and we will book this for you at an additional cost. Highlights

Journey Time:	6-7 hours (approximate)
Accommodation:	Excluded
Meal Plan:	Breakfast