UGANDA · 10 DAYS · SMALL GROUP
The Great Canopy
A Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla & Primate Expedition
🐒 Chimp Trekking🦍 Gorilla Trekking🦁 Queen Elizabeth NP🚤 Kazinga Channel🌊 Lake Bunyonyi
From $4,172 per person (Mid-range)
From $5,631 per person (Luxury)
✓ Chimp & gorilla permits · ✓ Full board · ✓ Expert guide · ✓ Domestic flight · ✓ 24-hr support
⏱Duration10 Days / 9 Nights
📍DestinationUganda
💲Price From$4,172pp (Mid-range)
🐒StylePrimate & Wildlife Expedition
🚙Vehicle4×4 Safari Vehicle
🍽MealsFull Board on Safari
✈️GatewayEntebbe Int’l Airport
THE STORY
A Journey Through Uganda's Wild Heart
Hidden beneath Uganda’s endless green landscapes lies one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife journeys. The Great Canopy takes you deep into the heart of the Pearl of Africa — from ancient rainforest kingdoms where chimpanzees call from towering trees, to the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi where the world’s remaining mountain gorillas roam.
Track chimpanzees through the ancient forests of Kibale, cruise the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, stand face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Bwindi, and discover the traditions of the Batwa people — the original guardians of the forest. A journey through Uganda’s wild heart, where every forest trail reveals a new story.
🐒
Kibale Forest
The primate capital of the world, home to habituated chimpanzee communities and ancient rainforest trails.
🦁
Queen Elizabeth NP
Classic savannah game viewing, the Kazinga Channel, and Ishasha’s rare tree-climbing lions.
🦍
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest sanctuary and home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
🌊
Lake Bunyonyi
Uganda’s Lake of a Thousand Islands, surrounded by terraced hills and scattered with 29 islands.
🌅
Lake Victoria & Entebbe
An unforgettable sunset cruise on Africa’s largest lake to close out the journey.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
🐒
Chimpanzee Trekking
Track wild chimpanzees through the ancient rainforest of Kibale National Park.
🦍
Mountain Gorilla Encounter
A face-to-face meeting with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
🦁
Big Game Safari
Classic savannah game viewing across Queen Elizabeth National Park.
🚤
Kazinga Channel Cruise
A wildlife-rich boat cruise past huge numbers of hippos, buffalo and water birds.
🌳
Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions
Search the fig trees of Ishasha for Uganda’s famously rare tree-climbing lions.
🏡
Batwa Cultural Experience
Stories, music and forest walks with the Batwa — the original guardians of the forest.
☕
Coffee Farm Experience
The complete coffee journey with local farmers, from harvesting to traditional preparation.
🌊
Lake Bunyonyi Cruise
A scenic boat cruise across Uganda’s Lake of a Thousand Islands.
🌅
Lake Victoria Sunset Cruise
An unforgettable sunset cruise on Africa’s largest lake near Entebbe.
🏔️
Uganda's Grandest Landscapes
Rolling hills, volcanic peaks, rainforest and savannah across the entire journey.
YOUR JOURNEY
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Ten days across Uganda’s greatest wildlife regions — structured around chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, classic savannah game viewing, cultural encounters and Uganda’s most scenic lakes.
DAY 1
✈️
Arrival in Entebbe
Welcome to Uganda — The Pearl of Africa
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be welcomed by your TouristLads representative and transferred to your hotel.
If time allows, experience Uganda’s rich culinary heritage with a taste of Luwombo, one of the country’s most celebrated traditional dishes.
✓ Airport welcome & transfer to hotel
✓ Optional taste of traditional Luwombo
✓ Evening at leisure
🏕 Hotel No.5 (Luxury) or 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range)
🍽 Dinner
DAY 2
🐒
Entebbe to Kibale Forest
Journey Into the Primate Capital of the World
After breakfast, begin your journey west through Uganda’s spectacular landscapes, travelling through papyrus wetlands, lush countryside and traditional communities towards Kibale National Park, home to one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of primates.
Arrive beneath the Rwenzori Mountains and enjoy an afternoon guided walk through the crater lake region, discovering local communities, stunning scenery and Uganda’s rural way of life.
✓ Scenic drive west through Uganda’s countryside
✓ Arrival beneath the Rwenzori Mountains
✓ Afternoon crater lake region walk
🏕 Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury) or Turaco Treetops (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3
🐒
Kibale Forest & Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzees of the Ancient Forest
After breakfast, head to Kibale Forest headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Walk beneath towering rainforest trees searching for our closest wild relatives.
After your forest experience, continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park with an en-route game drive.
✓ Kibale Forest briefing & chimpanzee trek
✓ En-route game drive to Queen Elizabeth NP
OTHER PRIMATES ALONG THE TRAIL
Grey-cheeked mangabeys · Red-tailed monkeys · Colobus monkeys
🏕 Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4
🦁
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Savannah Wildlife & the Kazinga Channel
Begin with an early morning game drive through Uganda’s most famous national park.
After lunch, enjoy a spectacular boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where huge numbers of hippos, buffalo and water birds gather along the shores.
✓ Early morning game drive
✓ Kazinga Channel boat cruise
WILDLIFE TO SPOT
Elephants · Buffalo · Lions · Leopards · Uganda kob · Giant forest hog
🏕 Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5
🌳
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Into the Gorilla Highlands
Today takes you through some of East Africa’s most breathtaking scenery. Travel through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions.
Continue through the dramatic highlands and tea plantations towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — an ancient rainforest sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy an afternoon community walk around the forest villages.
✓ Ishasha sector — tree-climbing lion search
✓ Scenic drive through highlands & tea plantations
✓ Arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
✓ Afternoon community walk
🏕 Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) or Engagi Lodge (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6
🦍
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Face to Face With the Giants of the Forest
Today is the highlight of your journey. After breakfast, receive a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before entering Bwindi’s ancient rainforest.
Follow forest trails through mist-covered mountains in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take between 2–6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas, but the reward is unforgettable — spending precious moments observing these magnificent endangered giants in their natural habitat.
✓ UWA ranger briefing
✓ Guided trek (2–6 hours) through Bwindi’s rainforest
✓ Time observing your habituated gorilla family
🏕 Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) or Engagi Lodge (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7
☕
Batwa Forest Experience & Coffee Journey
Stories From the First Guardians of the Forest
Discover the ancient traditions of the Batwa people, the original inhabitants of Bwindi’s forests. Through storytelling, music, demonstrations and forest walks, learn how the Batwa lived sustainably among the trees for generations.
Later, visit a local coffee farm in Kisoro where you will experience the complete coffee journey — a cultural experience that connects travellers directly with local communities.
✓ Batwa storytelling, music & forest walk
✓ Coffee farm visit: harvesting, processing, roasting, grinding & traditional preparation
🏕 Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) or Engagi Lodge (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8
🌊
Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Uganda’s Lake of a Thousand Islands
After breakfast, travel to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands, this peaceful highland lake is one of Uganda’s most scenic destinations.
Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise while exploring the lake’s landscapes, birdlife and fascinating local history.
✓ Scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi
✓ Relaxing boat cruise among the lake’s 29 islands
🏕 Birdnest Resort Lake Bunyonyi (Luxury) or Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9
🌅
Fly Back to Entebbe
From Highland Lakes to Lake Victoria
Transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before an unforgettable sunset cruise on Lake Victoria.
✓ Domestic flight: Kihihi → Entebbe
✓ Sunset cruise on Lake Victoria with drinks, snacks & scenic views
🏕 Hotel No.5 (Luxury) or 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range)
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 10
🛫
Departure
Journey’s End
After breakfast, enjoy your final moments in Uganda before your transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey.
✓ Final breakfast in Entebbe
✓ Airport transfer to EBB
🏕 Departure · Entebbe International Airport
🍽 Breakfast
MID-RANGE
$4,172
per person
LUXURY
$5,631
per person · based on 6 guests sharing
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Style
Primate, Wildlife & Cultural Expedition
Route
Entebbe → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth NP → Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi → Entebbe
Vehicle
4×4 Safari Vehicle
Guide
Professional English-speaking
INCLUDED
✓ Accommodation and meals as outlined
✓ 4×4 safari vehicle transportation
✓ Professional English-speaking driver-guide
✓ Airport transfers
✓ Chimpanzee trekking permits
✓ Gorilla trekking permit
✓ Queen Elizabeth National Park fees
✓ Game drives
✓ Kazinga Channel boat cruise
✓ Ishasha game viewing
✓ Batwa cultural experience
✓ Coffee farm experience
✓ Lake Bunyonyi boat cruise
✓ Crater walk experience
✓ Domestic flight from Bwindi region to Entebbe
✓ Lake Victoria sunset cruise
✓ AMREF emergency evacuation insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✗ International flights
✗ Uganda visa fees
✗ Travel insurance
✗ Tips and gratuities
✗ Laundry services
✗ Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
✗ Items not mentioned in the itinerary
ACCOMMODATION
Where You Sleep
A carefully selected mix of luxury and mid-range lodges, positioned for wildlife proximity and authentic Ugandan hospitality across all five regions.
DAYS 1 & 9
Hotel No.5 / 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Entebbe (2 nights, non-consecutive)
✓ Luxury or mid-range option
✓ Central Entebbe location
✓ Dinner included
✓ Gateway airport proximity
DAY 2
Chimpundu Lodge / Turaco Treetops
Kibale Forest (1 night)
✓ Luxury or mid-range option
✓ Edge of the primate capital
✓ Full board included
✓ Crater lake region access
DAYS 3 & 4
Mweya Safari Lodge / Buffalo Safari Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National Park (2 nights)
✓ Luxury or mid-range option
✓ Inside the national park
✓ Full board included
✓ Kazinga Channel proximity
DAYS 5–7
Buhoma Lodge / Engagi Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (3 nights)
✓ Luxury or mid-range option
✓ Gorilla trekking base camp
✓ Full board included
✓ Mountain wilderness setting
DAY 8
Birdnest Resort / Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Lake Bunyonyi (1 night)
✓ Luxury or mid-range option
✓ Lakeside setting
✓ Full board included
✓ Boat cruise access
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Travel Information
Everything you need to know before your Great Canopy expedition.
📍 Arrival & Departure
Arrival: Entebbe International Airport (EBB) — you’ll be met by your TouristLads representative.
Departure: Entebbe International Airport (EBB) on Day 10.
Please share your flight details when booking so your guide can confirm exact pickup arrangements. International flights are not included in the package price.
✅ What Is Included
✓ Accommodation and meals as outlined
✓ 4×4 safari vehicle transportation
✓ Professional English-speaking driver-guide
✓ Airport transfers
✓ Chimpanzee trekking permits
✓ Gorilla trekking permit
✓ Queen Elizabeth National Park fees
✓ Game drives
✓ Kazinga Channel boat cruise
✓ Ishasha game viewing
✓ Batwa cultural experience
✓ Coffee farm experience
✓ Lake Bunyonyi boat cruise
✓ Crater walk experience
✓ Domestic flight from Bwindi region to Entebbe
✓ Lake Victoria sunset cruise
✓ AMREF emergency evacuation insurance
❌ What Is Not Included
✗ International flights
✗ Uganda visa fees
✗ Travel insurance
✗ Tips and gratuities
✗ Laundry services
✗ Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
✗ Items not mentioned in the itinerary
💉 Health & Vaccinations
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda — confirm requirements with a travel health clinic before booking.
Malaria: Prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all areas covered on this itinerary. Consult a healthcare provider at least 6 weeks before departure.
We recommend a full travel health consultation covering all Uganda-specific vaccination and medication requirements before travel.
🛡 Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance covering the following is strongly recommended:
✓ Medical emergencies and hospital treatment
✓ Emergency medical evacuation
✓ Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking coverage
✓ Trip cancellation and curtailment
✓ Baggage and personal effects
This package includes AMREF emergency evacuation cover, but a full travel insurance policy is still strongly advised.
💰 Tipping Guide
Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated by your driver-guide, trekking rangers, porters, and lodge staff throughout the journey.
Guideline: USD 15–20 per person per trekking day for rangers/porters; USD 15–20 per day for your driver-guide.
Tips are discretionary and typically given in cash (USD) at the end of each stage of the safari.
🌿 Travel Responsibly
At TouristLads, we believe extraordinary journeys should create lasting benefits.
Through carefully selected local partners, our Uganda safaris support conservation efforts, community tourism initiatives and local experiences that ensure the people and places you visit continue to thrive.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be for chimp and gorilla trekking?
A moderate to good level of fitness is recommended. Treks can take between 2–6 hours over uneven forest terrain, sometimes on consecutive days.
Are the permits guaranteed?
Both chimpanzee and gorilla permits are booked in advance and are limited in number — we recommend booking as early as possible, especially in peak season.
What’s the difference between the Luxury and Mid-range options?
Both tiers follow the same itinerary, route, guide and activities — only the accommodation standard differs.
Can I extend this trip?
Yes — this itinerary can be combined with additional time at Murchison Falls National Park or extra nights in Entebbe.
10
Days / 9 Nights
$4,172
From Per Person
5
Regions & National Parks
10
Safari Highlights
⭐ 4.9
Guest Rating
IS THIS FOR YOU?
Who This Expedition Is Perfect For
Designed for travellers who want the complete Uganda experience — primates, savannah wildlife, culture and lakes in a single, unforgettable expedition.
🐒
Serious Primate Trekkers
Both chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking in a single trip — a bucket-list combination found in few other itineraries.
🦁
Multi-Park Adventurers
Five distinct regions — rainforest, savannah, mountains and lakes — across one continuous ten-day journey.
📸
Wildlife Photographers
Primates, big game, tree-climbing lions, channel wildlife and lakeside sunsets across an extraordinary range of settings.
🏡
Culture Seekers
The Batwa forest experience and coffee farm journey offer genuine, community-led cultural encounters.
🌿
Conservation-Minded Travellers
Permit fees and local partnerships directly support chimpanzee and gorilla conservation and surrounding communities.
💑
Couples on a Signature Trip
A flexible Luxury or Mid-range tier makes this an exceptional milestone trip for couples and small groups.
BEGIN YOUR EXPEDITION
Discover Uganda's Great Canopy
Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Victoria — ten days across the Pearl of Africa. From $4,172 per person (Mid-range) or $5,631 per person (Luxury).
✓ Chimp & gorilla permits · ✓ Full board · ✓ Expert guide · ✓ Domestic flight · ✓ 24-hr support