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7 Days Eye To Eye With The Silverbacks, Uganda's Hidden Gems | Africa safari
Luxury Safaris · 7 Days · Uganda

7 Days Eye To Eye With The Silverbacks,Uganda's Hidden Gems

One magical hour with a mountain gorilla family, chimps in Kibale and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth.

Duration7 Days6 Nights
WhereBwindi+ Kibale, Queen Elizabeth
From$7,800per person sharing
Best TimeJun – SepAlso Dec – Feb
PaceModerateTreks of 1 – 6 hrs
The Journey

Why You Will Love This One

Hike into the mist, hold your breath and wait for a silverback to stroll past like he owns the place. Because he does. A gorilla trek is a quiet hour with a family that has been doing family better than most of us.

We add chimps in Kibale's noisy forest and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, with a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for good measure. Three wild encounters, one beautiful loop.

You sleep in hilltop lodges with a fire lit for your return and a hot-water bottle in your bed.

  • One magical hour with a mountain gorilla family
  • Chimp trekking in Kibale's noisy forest
  • Tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth
  • Hilltop lodges with a view and a hot-water bottle
Your Route

Three Lodges, Six Nights

Forest, savannah and misty mountain, linked by scenic drives and one short flight home.

ADay 1 · Day 7EntebbeAirport transfer
Drive, 5 hrs
1Days 1 – 2KibaleForest lodge2 nights
Drive, 2.5 hrs
2Days 3 – 4Queen ElizabethSavannah lodge2 nights
Drive, 4 hrs
3Days 5 – 6BwindiHilltop lodge2 nights
Flight, 1 hr
BDay 7EntebbeFly home
Highlights

What You Will Remember

Gorilla Trek
Gorilla TrekOne hour with a mountain gorilla family. Unforgettable.
Gentle Giants
Gentle GiantsMothers, babies and a playful family in the forest.
Golden Monkeys
Golden MonkeysOptional trek among the bamboo, for fans of the rare and the cute.
Kazinga Channel Cruise
Kazinga Channel CruiseHippos, elephants and fish eagles from a boat.
Queen Elizabeth Safari
Queen Elizabeth SafariElephants, buffalo and, with luck, tree-climbing lions.
Birdlife
BirdlifeOver 600 species, from fish eagles to the shoebill.
Day By Day

Your 7 Days, In Detail

A typical flow for this safari. Timings shift with the herds, the weather and your wishes, and your guide has the final say on where the action is.

Welcome To The Pearl Of AfricaDay1
Entebbe to Kibale

Welcome To The Pearl Of Africa

MorningMeet your guide at Entebbe and begin the scenic drive west through tea plantations and crater lakes towards Kibale.

AfternoonArrive at your forest lodge by late afternoon, in time for a hot drink on the veranda and a quiet walk at dusk.

Overnight
Forest lodge, Kibale
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4, about 5 hrs
Activities
Evening forest walk
Chimps At DawnDay2
Kibale Forest

Chimps At Dawn

MorningTrek into the forest with a ranger to find chimpanzees. Their hooting is wonderfully loud, so we usually hear them first.

AfternoonRest at the lodge, or join a guided walk in the Bigodi wetland for monkeys and birds.

Overnight
Forest lodge, Kibale
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot
Activities
Chimpanzee trek
Down To The SavannahDay3
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth

Down To The Savannah

MorningDrive through tea estates and crater lakes to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with the Rwenzori mountains on your horizon.

AfternoonAn afternoon game drive for elephants, buffalo, kob and warthogs. Sundowners overlook the Kazinga Channel.

Overnight
Savannah lodge, Queen Elizabeth
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4, about 2.5 hrs
Activities
Afternoon game drive
Hippos, Eagles And ElephantsDay4
Queen Elizabeth

Hippos, Eagles And Elephants

MorningA dawn game drive for lions and leopards on the Kasenyi plains, with a bush breakfast on a hill.

AfternoonA boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, with hundreds of hippos, elephants on the shore and fish eagles overhead.

Overnight
Savannah lodge, Queen Elizabeth
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4 and boat
Activities
Game drive and boat cruise
Lions In The TreesDay5
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi

Lions In The Trees

MorningHead south to Ishasha, where lions famously climb fig trees to rest. Keep your cameras ready.

AfternoonContinue to Bwindi, where the forest rises misty and green. Your lodge has a fire lit and a view over the hills.

Overnight
Hilltop lodge, Bwindi
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4, about 4 hrs
Activities
Ishasha game drive
Eye To Eye With A SilverbackDay6
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Eye To Eye With A Silverback

MorningAfter a briefing, trek into the forest with trackers to find a gorilla family. The walk can take one to six hours. The reward is one hour in their company.

AfternoonReturn to the lodge for a hot bath and a late lunch. Evenings here are for stories and a well-earned drink.

Overnight
Hilltop lodge, Bwindi
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot
Activities
Gorilla trek (permit included)
Kwaheri, UgandaDay7
Bwindi to Entebbe

Kwaheri, Uganda

MorningAfter a slow breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip for a scenic flight back to Entebbe.

AfternoonLand in time for lunch or your onward flight. Ask us about adding Murchison Falls or a few beach days on Zanzibar.

Meals
Breakfast
Getting Around
Flight, about 1 hr
Activities
Transfer to airstrip
When To Go

The Best Time To Go

Gorillas can be trekked all year, but the dry months make the trails easier. Brighter blocks mean better conditions.

Gorilla trekking conditions

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Chimps and birdlife

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Quiet lodges, best rates

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
FairGoodBest

An honest word. The forest is wet at any time of year, so a good raincoat is part of the kit. June to September and December to February are the driest and the busiest. March to May and October to November are green, quiet and cheaper, but trails can be muddy.

Where You Stay

Wake Up In Uganda

Three small lodges chosen for their views and their welcome. We confirm the exact lodges when we shape your proposal.

Check Out All Stays / Camps
Lodge bedroom with a forest view01

Forest Lodge

Treetop cottages above a crater lake, with a fire lit before dinner and chimpanzees hooting in the morning.

  • Kibale
  • 2 Nights
  • Forest Views
More Forest Lodges →
Tented suite with a veranda02

Savannah Lodge

Tented suites overlooking the Kazinga Channel, where hippos grunt through the night and elephants wander by.

  • Queen Elizabeth
  • 2 Nights
  • Channel Views
More Savannah Lodges →
Copper bath in a lodge tent03

Hilltop Lodge

Cottages on a hillside above the forest, each with a fire, a deep bath and a view that goes on forever.

  • Bwindi
  • 2 Nights
  • Hot-Water Bottle
More Bwindi Lodges →
Rates

What It Costs

Indicative prices per person sharing, on full board. Gorilla and chimp permits and the flight back to Entebbe are included. We confirm the exact figure in your written proposal.

Mar – May, Nov

Green Season

$7,800per person sharing

Green and quiet, with the lowest rates.

Oct, Jan – Feb

Shoulder

$9,150per person sharing

Good conditions and fewer visitors.

Jun – Sep, Dec

Peak Season

$10,450per person sharing

The driest trails. Book gorilla permits early.

Single-room supplements apply. Children travel at reduced rates, ask us. Rates may change with camp rates and fuel.

Good To Know

What Is Included, What Is Not

Included

  • Meet and greet and all airport and airstrip transfers
  • Accommodation as listed, on full board
  • House drinks, soft drinks and bottled water in camp
  • Daily game drives with a private guide in a 4x4 with a window seat for each guest
  • Return transfer flight Bwindi to Entebbe
  • Gorilla trekking permit and chimpanzee trekking permit
  • Kazinga Channel boat cruise
  • All park, conservancy and activity fees
  • Private bush breakfast or dinner at least once
  • Emergency medical evacuation cover (AMREF)

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Entebbe
  • Visas and yellow fever certificate
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
  • Porters for treks (optional, about $20 a day)
  • Premium spirits and personal purchases
  • Single-room supplement
Know Before You Go

Pack Light, Travel Smart

The small stuff that makes a big difference. Tap a topic for the details, and ask us anything we have missed.

Birdlife
Questions?We reply within a day, usually sooner.
Ask Us Anything
Getting There

Fly into Entebbe and we meet you at arrivals. Please arrive the day before if you can, to rest after the journey.

Baggage

Light aircraft take soft bags only, with a limit of 15 kg per person including camera gear and hand luggage. We store spare bags safely.

What To Pack

Waterproof jacket, long sleeves and trousers, sturdy hiking boots, gardening gloves for steep trails and a sun hat. Porters are available, and we recommend one.

Health And Safety

A yellow fever certificate is required for Uganda. Ask your doctor about malaria cover and other vaccinations. Our guides carry first-aid kits and radios.

Visas And Entry

Most visitors need a Uganda e-visa, applied for online before travel. A yellow fever certificate is required on entry. Your passport needs six months of validity.

Tipping

Tips are a kind way to say thanks. A guide is about $15 per person per day, with a shared tip for camp staff at each camp.

Good Questions

This Safari, Answered

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