Start the drive to Kibale Forest National Park in Fort Portal district. It harbors the highest density of primates you may encounter during a primate walk. In this forest, one of the most memorable experiences is a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups.  The most common primates seen here include the red-tailed monkeys, rare red colobus monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and L’hoest monkeys. Enjoy the sounds and fresh nature smells of the forest. Other sights to behold are the snow-capped Mt Rwenzori and the forest canopy. The lush green vegetation is home to countless bird and butterfly species.

When you reach your hotel, rest for the day ahead.

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them the closest living animals to humans. They can be found in at least 21 African countries but they have a big population in Uganda, about 5,000, so they are easily sighted here in the wild. The chimpanzee trekking experience starts from the park headquarters down well-maintained walking trails in the Kibale forest. As you walk, you will see other primate species in the forest like the Grey-Cheeked Mangabey monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, nocturnal pottos, bush babies and olive baboons. Walk through the densely populated forest trails that will take you through the forest to see the chimpanzees live a normal day in their natural habitat.

Enjoy the next activity of a guided walk in the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary which lasts 4-5 hours of walking down swamp boardwalks, villages and forest pathways. Engage in activities like bird watching since its home to 200 bird species including the crested crane and elusive Great Blue Turaco, butterfly viewing and wildlife/primates tracking. Other animals found in the wetland include mongooses, wild pigs, Bush Bucks, Sitatunga antelopes, and otters can be seen around the swamp. You will need to have sturdy walking shoes for this walk.

Allow the lush vegetation to enchant you as it is wrapped around hills forming the slopes of Kisoro, this is what will fascinate you as you drive south-west. Explore the volcanos and reach Lake Mutanda’s calm waters. This lake is surrounded by islands and has a hilly terrain around it with lively human inhabitants who co-exist with the wild game and birds.

Mutanda Lake Resort will reward you with the best view since it is perched on a peninsular Lake Mutanda and it is isolated in the shadow of Virunga Mountain range. This resort has comfortable and luxurious accommodation in a unique corner of the country since it is between Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks hence being a perfect base and starting point for gorilla trekking, volcano hiking, bird watchers as well as simply nature lovers who seek solitude. Take a swim in the lake or peddle board or canoe among the locals as they go about their daily routines on the lake. Enjoy the sunset on your veranda.

Uganda has 50% of the world’s total population of the rare and endangered mountain gorillas that live in the Bwindi forest. They are currently 13 gorilla families in Uganda and you get to track one through their day’s routine. Meet a park ranger at the park headquarters who will be your guide throughout this encounter. The walk into Bwindi forest will be through well-maintained walkways but dress appropriately because the forested slopes are often muddy and slippery, have tangled vines depending on how deep into the forest you have to trek to meet the gorillas. When the family is seen, you will in silence watch them play, hunt, groom, and sometimes copulate. Please keep silent during the trek so as not to startle the gorillas, no flash photography around the gorillas, no feeding the animals, no mimicking the sounds made by the gorillas and keep a distance of at least 6 meters.

It will take 2-9 hours to find and watch the gorillas depending on their movement. Lunch will be readily packed for the day. Stay hydrated through the day because of the long walk and energy you will need to move through the thick bushes.

Today you start the journey to one of Kenya’s national parks; Lake Nakuru National Park. Make a stopover at Thomson Falls and the Rift Valley view point where you can take photos. Continue the drive to the floor of the Great Rift Valley surrounded by bushy and wooden grassland to your destination; Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is ideal for game drives, hiking and bird watching because of its surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. You can go on a game drive in the park to spot lions, elephants, antelopes, warthogs and other animals. Return to your lodge for lunch, relax then return for an evening game drive especially to enjoy the drive beautified with the sunset scene hitting the landscape.

Relax as you drive out of Masai Mara and arrive at Lake Naivasha for a late lunch.

Lake Naivasha is home to a variety of wildlife including a large number of hippos that enter people’s gardens in search of food at night. This freshwater lake has a good fish population like crayfish, tilapia, black bass which in turn attracts fish-eating birds like Great Cormorants, Fish Eagles, Pelicans and different types of Kingfishers.

Go for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Naivasha to see birds and hippos.