In January, 2025, I embarked on an extraordinary 15 day adventure in the beautiful ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda. I booked my trip with Buyaga Safaris after doing a lot of research and receiving several quotes. It turned out to be an excellent choice. Peter, the owner, planned my trip perfectly. He listened to my wishlist and made it happen. He was very prompt and flexible in all our communications and was determined to make my trip the best it could be. I opted for the midrange accommodations and was extremely happy with all my stays. I experienced some of the best views and nicest people I’ve encountered in my life.
Some of the activities included trekking chimpanzees in the Kibale National Forest, safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey trekking in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, safaris by land and lake in Lake Mburo National Park along with amazing variety of other day hikes and activities along the way that made this one of the best experiences of my life.
I want to especially thank my exceptional guide and new close friend, Simpson. His experience, energy, great personality, driving skills, as well as seemingly knowing everyone where we traveled made Uganda feel like home and provided some special VIP treatment. I met so many friendly, caring, sincere Ugandans along my journey that I will never forget and plan to see again soon. Below is my itinerary in case you want to plan something similar.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrived at about 12:30am in Entebbe where I was picked up by a driver from the 2 Friends Beach hotel where I stayed that night. I was greeted warmly by the night manager, Diana, who made such a great impression. She was the first of many amazing, happy Ugandans I’d meet along my journey. I didn’t get to sleep until very late and had to get up early in the morning for the next leg of my trip.
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
Took an early morning flight to Kasese where I was picked up by my guide, Simpson, from Buyaga Safaris. We drove to Kibale where I would stay for the next 3 days. I was especially excited to go chimp trekking the next morning in Kibale Forest National Park. I relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful weather and cool winds from the forest. Had dinner and and stayed overnight at the Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 3: Chimps tracking and Bigodi swamp walk
After an early morning breakfast it was time to drive to Kibale Forest National Park to for my first day of trekking with the chimpanzees. I had told my guide Simpson that I had seen a guide on YouTube named Annette that I thought was great. To my surprise he secretly arranged to have her be our groups guide. She was fantastic. It didn’t take long into our hike to find the chimpanzees. Seeing them, and well as hearing them, was an incredible experience. We were allowed to spend an hour with them that went by very quickly. It’s hard to describe the feeling of seeing them in the wild and getting so close, truly amazing! After the morning trek we returned to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon we visit Bigodi swamp, an astonishing place to watch rare and gorgeous flora and fauna. My guide, Eliphaz was fantastic. He truly loved what he does and was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We saw four different species of monkey (vervet, red-tailed, red colobus, white colobus) as well as several bird species. Afterwards we had dinner and stayed overnight at the Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee habituation experience
After a very special first day of trekking with the chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest, today was going to be even more immersive and exciting. Instead of only being allowed to spend one hour with the chimps the habituation experience allows you to spend for hours with them. The goal of this trek is to help the chimps get more experience with the rangers and guides so they will be more comfortable around people. This may sound negative, why would you want them to be comfortable around people? The answer is that it brings in more tourists and tourist dollars. The fees charged help keep the forests intact and preserves a natural home for the chimpanzees and plants and animals. This excursion is limited to four people, but today was a slow day and it turns out I was the only one who paid extra for this experience so I had a private tour! My lead ranger guide, Benson, was so enthusiastic and knowledgable. He was determined to make my four hours with the chimps as amazing as it could be, and he succeeded. Later that afternoon, Simpson and I went on another hike with Eliphaz on the Bigodi swamp trails. This time we found the elusive red colobus monkeys! Dinner and overnight was at the Kibale Forest Lodge.
The rest of this post is being edited and will be updated, stay tuned!
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Start the day with Breakfast and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park check into your lodge and have lunch. Go for a boat excursion along the Kazinga Channel for a prospect to see hippos at close range, crocodiles from the boat and buffalo in the shallow waters. Kazinga Channel shoreline is a home to a collection of birds like the pink backed pelicans, fish eagles, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many more. Dinner and overnight at Buffalo Safari Lodge. (Full board: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
Day 6: Early morning game drive and a drive to the craters
Start the day with an early morning breakfast in Kasenyi plains well known as a bleeding ground for most wild animals. You will expect to encounter with lions, leopard, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks and many more. In the afternoon visit the crater twin salt lakes where you will meet wild game grazing including, elephants, boffolas and Uganda kobs. Overnight at the Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi forest via Ishasha for tree climbing lions
Start the day with Breakfast. Go for a game drive through the park where you will see tree climbing Lions on the Ishasha side of the park, Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, Hyenas and an assortment of antelope types on your way to Bwindi National Forest and lunch will be served on your way. Overnight: Bakiga Lodge (Full board).
Day 8: Gorilla trekking experience and community visit
Have breakfast and go for gorilla tracking. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park inhabits almost half of the world’s 650 mountain gorillas. Start climbing early with a tracker even though seeing gorillas depends on their day’s movements. Gorillas are naturally reserved and non-violent animals. And it’s a memorable and thrilling moment to watch them and possibly photograph these mild giants at a close range. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation. Here you may visit the community and do shopping of works of art and return in the evening for overnight and dinner at Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (Full board).
Day 9: Gorilla habituation experience and transfer to Lake Mulehe
Have breakfast and go for gorilla habituation experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park inhabits almost half of the world’s 650 mountain gorillas. Start climbing early with a tracker even though seeing gorillas depends on their day’s movements. Gorillas are naturally reserved and non-violent animals. And it’s a memorable and thrilling moment to watch them and possibly photograph these mild giants at a close range. After the habituation experience, you will transfer to Lake Mulehe for relaxation while sipping a cold drink with a great view of the lake. Overnight at Mulehe Lodge (Full board).
Day10: Relaxation Day
This was supposed to be the last day of my trip but I was having such an amazing time I decided to add 5 more days, which turned to be a great decision. Stayed overnight at the Ichumbi Hotel.
Day 11: Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, and start your journey to Mgahinga
National Park for golden monkey trekking. This will involve hiking in search of golden
monkeys in their natural habitat. The activity starts at 8:00 AM with an orientation of what
is to be expected. You then head out in search of the golden monkeys using the Gahinga
trail. The trek may be long and you are required to carry a packed lunch and enough
drinking water. After the trek, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Overnight at
Birdnest Resort Bunyonyi.
Day 12: Relaxation at the Lake Bunyonyi
You will wake up at your own time and have special breakfast and after go for a boat or
canoe ride on the lake. The Lake is composed of 27 islands and you will be able to visit
some including the punishment island which was used to dump girls with unwanted
pregnancies. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Overnight at Birdnest Resort
Bunyonyi.
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park
After an early breakfast at 8:30 am, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park and arrive
in the afternoon. You will have lunch and relaxation. Later, you’ll go for a nature walk in
the park with a ranger. The walk will enable you to see giraffes, hippos, buffaloes,
Impalas, waterbucks, Pumba, zebras, and elands all these will make your visit
memorable. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Rwakobo Rock.
Day 14: Early morning game drive and a boat afternoon boat cruise or Relaxation
Have breakfast and go for an early morning game drive. You will be able to catchup with
animals that you could have missed during the nature walk. Return to the lodge
relaxation and lunch. After lunch, you may decide to go for a boat cruise or stay at the
lodge for relaxation. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock.
Day 15: Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe
You will have an early breakfast and at 8:30 am, visit the community to learn about the
Bahima culture. These also cattle keepers. You will practice how to milk the Ankole long
horned cattle. After the community visit experience, you will transfer to Kampala or
Entebbe making a stopover at the Equator Line crossing and mpambire drum makers.
You will arrive in the evening at 4:00 pm and the guide will drop you at your booked hotel
or airport for your flight back home.