Day 1 Entebbe

Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport you will be met by The Uganda Safari Chapter guide. Having passed immigration and luggage collection please exit the arrival hall and look out for your USC guide who will be holding up a signboard with your name and featuring our logo. You will then be transferred to your hotel near Kampala, taking between 35 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Overnight at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort (bed and breakfast)

Day 2 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Transfer to the Airport for 0745hrs departure on the scheduled flight arriving Kisoro at 0930hrs.

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the mountain gorilla. This rainforest is said to be 25.000 years old, making it one of Africa’s most biodiverse habitat. The altitude of this mountain peak ranges from 1200 - 2600 meters. Five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. Besides its major attraction, the mountain gorillas (gorilla berengeri). The National Park is also home to an amazing 120 mammal species, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees.

It is believed that about 350 gorillas remain in several stable groups in the park. The great protection over the last years has lead to a steady increase of the population.
Although best know for its mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest also attracts spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine rift endemics including the African green broadbill, bar tailed trogan and other beautiful forest species.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge high up on Nteko Ridge, on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the views are breathtaking, In the shadow of three volcanoes, looking down into the thick treetop canopy of Bwindi and beyond to the golden grasses of the Western Rift Valley. 8 Stone cottages with fireplaces, soft armchairs, warm duvets, excellent meals made from local produce, good wine, a lush botanical garden, a cosy library and sheltered verandas with views to the volcanoes.

Clouds, with the ultimate goal of protecting the natural habitat of the mountain gorilla, will also directly benefit the community of Nkuringo who also have a significant stake in the venture. Guests will be able to walk from the lodge to the Gorilla tracking starting point.

Overnight Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (FB) 2 nights

Day 3 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Up relatively early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for your gorilla trek. Before 8 am report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers; the guides will then take you through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes.

Once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to the gorillas. Just take your cameras with you as you are about to meet the gentle giants! Sit in the forest amongst the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rain forest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left. You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to the base station.

Please note: please listen to the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the gorillas closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. Likewise for your and their safety! You will be accompanied by armed guards which guarantee your safety in an area where wild buffaloes are sighted. While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. There is the additional option to hire porters on site. The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow a trekking when you are sick as gorillas are very susceptible of human diseases. Should you feel sick the day of the trek we urgently advise you to abide this rule. In order to receive a 50% refund of the permit cost you MUST get a doctor’s report that day (please ask your guide to arrange this for you).

We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires the skills and experience of your tracker sand guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. They will take you to the area where they left the gorillas the day before. Before leaving they may be able to suggest how long the hike might be.

Day 4 Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast your guide will drive to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe at 0930hrs, arriving Entebbe at 1155hrs to connect with the scheduled flight to Kidepo Valley National Park at 1300hrs arriving Kidepo NP at 1445hrs.

Apoka Safari Lodge is located in the middle of Kidepo Valley National Park. It offers ten big tented rooms with hardwood floors, hot running water (solar heated) and comfy furniture located around a dramatic rocky kopje each with the most astounding views out across the plains to the jagged mountains in the distance. Outdoor bathtubs are carved out of the rock face, the furniture is handmade.

Our staff are from the local community – the Apoka experience is truly unique, indigenous and natural. While the décor is uncluttered – a minimal aesthetic that uses the dramatic scenery and light as its inspiration and adornment – comfort is de riguer. Oversized armchairs, king size beds, cushions in little private looks, soft summer weight duvets, Egyptian cotton towels and wonderful fusion cuisine. It is just a short drive from the airstrip to the lodge. From the pool, carved into the rocks, you can observe animals at the below waterhole. Meals are served from a set menu but please do speak with our chef should you have special wishes.

You will be met by staff of our lodge at the airstrip, then drive to the lodge which takes only 5 minutes. Please talk to our lodge manager about the many places you can visit and activities you can do. Let the explorer awake in you and take you to the best locations at the best time! Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge 3 nights (FB)

Day 5 Kidepo Valley National Park

Game drives and walks at Apoka are directed by nature not time! Take a walking safari along a sandy dry river bed fringed with palm trees, climb to the top of a rocky outcrop and take in the views! We move slowly along isolated tracks to fully appreciate all around us, looking for tracks and signs of the animals movements we can stop at any point to investigate further. We may take a walk to track the lions, or even cheetah, always surrounded by Zebra, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Warthogs, Patas monkeys and big herds of Buffalo.

Day 6 Kidepo Valley National Park

Today relax in your outdoor bathtub under the stars, take a dip in our big rock swimming pool overlooking the Savannah and a waterhole frequently visited by animals before having dinner at the main building.

We will also visit the Lorikul local community to see how they live and also enjoy local dances.

Day 7 Pineapple Bay

Depart Kidepo by scheduled flight at 1420hrs arriving Entebbe at 1550hrs, transfer to Pineapple Bay for lunch and R&R. Take guided nature walks on the island. Overnight at Pineapple Bay (FB)

Day 8 Departure

Transfer for your flight out