WESTERN UGANDA CIRCUIT
6days /5 nights
This 6-day journey is designed for those who want to experience the best of Western Uganda without feeling like they are constantly on the move. By spending two nights in the same lodge at the start and keeping the drive times manageable, you’ll have plenty of time to breathe in the mountain air and actually enjoy the scenery.
EDGE OF KIBALE FOREST
We’ll start our journey early in the morning, heading west on a 310 KM drive toward Fort Portal. The route takes us through vibrant trading centers and eventually into the rolling green tea estates that signal our arrival in the primate capital. After lunch in Fort Portal, we’ll move to the edge of Kibale Forest. We’ll spend the afternoon on a gentle walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project where the boardwalks take you over swampy forest floors, perfect for spotting primates like the Red Colobus and the Great Blue Turaco bird. We’ll settle into the lodge early so you can enjoy the sounds of the rainforest.
CHIMP TRACKING
Today is focused on the forest and its surroundings, covering only about 40 KM in local drives. After breakfast, the morning is dedicated to chimpanzee tracking; you’ll follow the calls of the chimps through the undergrowth to spend an hour watching them socialise. In the afternoon, we’ll take a short, scenic drive through the "top of the world" crater lakes area. You can take a relaxed walk to a viewpoint overlooking three different volcanic lakes with the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, then return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
HOT SPRING OF SEMULIKI
Today we take a 160 KM round trip down the winding rift valley escarpment to Semuliki. This park is a piece of the great Ituri forest from the Congo, and it feels truly wild Often called a "birders' haven," it hosts over 400 bird species including the Nkulengu Rail and Congo Serpent Eagle and boasts of 53 mammal species.After Lunch, We’ll walk to the Sempaya Hot Springs to see the water bubbling up from the earth and spend time with the local Batwa community. It’s a fascinating, off-the-beaten-path day. We’ll drive back up the escarpment to Fort Portal in the late afternoon for a relaxed dinner and overnight stay at your accommodation.
UNTAMED QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After a relaxed breakfast, we head south for approximately 120 KM. It’s a short drive of about two hours, so there’s no rush. We’ll cross the Equator and enter Queen Elizabeth National Park in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll board the boat for the Kazinga Channel cruise. Since we aren't rushing from a long drive, you’ll be fresh and ready to enjoy the hippos, elephants, and crocodiles along the banks. We’ll head to the lodge early for a sundowner overlooking the park.
LAKE BUNYONYI
We’ll start with a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains to look for lions and buffaloes while the air is still cool. Mid-morning, we begin the climb into the Kigezi highlands, a scenic journey of about 180 KM. The road winds upward, offering incredible views of the terraced hills. We’ll reach Lake Bunyonyi by mid-afternoon. Instead of just arriving and sleeping, you’ll have the whole evening to sit by the water, take a swim in the bilharzia-free lake, or enjoy a drink as the mist settles over the 29 islands.
RETURN TO KAMPALA
After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing before setting off into the misty heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In a small group led by expert rangers, you’ll begin your journey through steep, sometimes muddy trails in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.The trek may take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, but every step offers you a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. When you finally encounter the gorillas, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour in their presence, observing, photographing, and quietly witnessing a wild serenity few ever experience..A packed lunch and water will keep you refreshed along the way. After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-earned shower, a nourishing healthy meal, and time to reflect on a truly transformative day.
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Transport
- English speaking community guides
- Accommodation on full board basis
- All Acholi Experiences & activities
mentioned in the itinerary - Hiking
- Local Souvenirs
EXCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa’s
- Travel Insurance
- All beverages except tea, coffee or juice taken at breakfast where breakfast is
included. - Tips, gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Any activity, meal or accommodation
NOT mentioned in the itinerary.
WHAT TO BRING?
- There is no power supply in the village so please charge you cameras and phones to the brim before departure.
- Comfortable walking and hiking shoes.
- Sunglasses, hats and sunscreens.
Spending money for additional activities, there are no banks where we are going. - Beddings and toiletries for personal use during the trip.
- Additionally, carry a torch or a solar-powered light for nighttime, as there is no power supply in the area.
- Camping tents and sleeping bags. (Optional)
BASIC TERMS
This is a conscious tourism experience that will have your perspectives challenged and broadened as you experience a new culture and hopefully gain fresh insights. Here are a few things you should know;
- We do our absolute best to keep to the Programme and timings but sometimes the weather/animals/roads/slow rhythm of village life gets the better of us!
- Respect of the community and local culture is paramount. We recommend modest clothes that covers the knees for the ladies to avoid discomfort for the locals and some very long uncomfortable stares.
- Taking of photos with consent from parties involved is also to be observed. We do not recommend taking photos of children during the experience
- Hill trail can be rough and the rock is pretty sun exposed during dry seasons, we recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants
- In the rural area , only pit latrines (hole in the ground) are available.
