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15 Days

From Shoebills to Silverbacks: An Epic Uganda Adventure

Introduction

From Shoebills to Gorilla Trekking is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Uganda, where rare wildlife encounters meet diverse landscapes and exceptional lodge stays. This carefully curated adventure takes you from the wetlands in search of the elusive shoebill to the misty forests of Bwindi for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of gorilla trekking. Along the way, enjoy stays at charming and well-located lodges. The itinerary combines thrilling game drives, scenic boat cruises, and guided chimpanzee trekking, offering a rich mix of savannah, forest and river ecosystems. From tracking rhinos on foot to watching tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and coming face to face with mountain gorillas, this tour showcases Uganda at its most wild, authentic and awe-inspiring.

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Day-to-Day Program

Upon arrival at the airport, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Mabamba Lodge. After settling in, enjoy an afternoon forest walk with your guide, adding to your bird list before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Mabamba Lodge
The following morning, after breakfast, head out by boat in search of the iconic shoebill stork. In the late afternoon enjoy a relaxing sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria with a sundowner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Mabamba Lodge
Travel approximately three hours to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way.
Upon arrival, settle into your room and enjoy lunch at the lodge.
Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos, dedicated entirely to their conservation. The sanctuary is also home to a variety of birdlife, monkeys, bushbuck, and other small wildlife. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ziwa Rhino Lodge
Begin the day with an early morning canoe excursion in search of the rare shoebill stork, gliding quietly through the wetlands for the best viewing opportunity.
After returning for breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before lunch.
In the afternoon, head out with your guide to explore the sanctuary and track rhinos in their natural habitat, while spotting additional birdlife along the way. The day concludes with a delicious dinner served under the African sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ziwa Rhino Lodge
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out of Ziwa Rhino. We then travel approximately six hours to Turaco Treetops Lodge, with a lunch stop along the way (included in your package with drinks) and scenic views of Uganda’s countryside.
On arrival, at Turaco Tree Tops Lodge the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the sounds of the forest followed by a delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Turaco Treetops
After an early breakfast, head into the forest for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience with experienced guides. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend up to an hour observing them in their natural habitat, while also spotting other primates and birdlife along the way.
Return to the lodge for lunch at 13h00 and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at leisure. Dinner will be served at 18h30, offering the perfect opportunity to reflect on a memorable day in the forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Turaco Treetops
After an early breakfast we head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided three-hour swamp walk through this community-run conservation area. Known for its rich biodiversity, Bigodi offers opportunities to see several primate species and abundant birdlife within a unique wetland ecosystem.
After the walk, we return to the lodge to collect our luggage and enjoy a light snack.
At 12h00, we depart for Irungu Safari Lodge, arriving mid-afternoon for a late lunch and check-in.
In the evening, enjoy a scenic sundowner with your guide before returning to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing end to the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Irungu Safari Lodge
Start the day with an early wake-up, enjoying coffee or tea before heading out for a three-hour morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cool early hours offer excellent wildlife viewing, with chances to see elephants, lions, buffalo, antelope, and possibly even leopard, set against beautiful savannah landscapes.
Return to the lodge for a well-earned breakfast, followed by lunch at 12h30.
In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and abundant birdlife while enjoying sundowners on the water.
Return to the lodge to relax before dinner at 18h30, reflecting on a classic day of safari adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Irungu Safari Lodge
Begin the day with an early coffee or tea before heading out on a three-hour morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with excellent chances of spotting predators, elephants, buffalo, antelope, and abundant birdlife.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and our next stop is Ishasha Jungle Lodge, enjoying a scenic game drive en route through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
On arrival, enjoy lunch and time to relax before an afternoon game drive.
Dinner is served at the lodge, ending another rewarding safari day.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Start the day with an early beverage and muffin before heading out on a three-hour game drive in the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
While searching for these unique predators, you may also spot elephants, buffalo, antelope, and possibly leopard.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by a relaxed day at leisure and lunch in the restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy a final three-hour game drive to look for any remaining wildlife and add to your bird list.
Return to the lodge for your final dinner, reflecting on the memorable safari experiences of your stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ishasha Jungle Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast at Ishasha Jungle Lodge, we check out and settle any outstanding accounts before beginning our journey north. En route, we make a meaningful visit to a local orphanage to spend time with the children and learn about the community’s important work.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant and is included in your package.
Upon arrival at Ruzogo Lodge which is close to the gorilla trekking starting point, check in and relax for the afternoon, enjoying the peaceful forest surroundings.
Dinner will be served in the evening as we prepare for the next adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ruzogo Lodge
After an early breakfast at Ruzogo Lodge, we depart for the gorilla trekking starting point in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Following a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you will begin your trek through the forest to locate your allocated gorilla family. The hike can vary in length and terrain, but the reward is an unforgettable hour spent observing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
After this extraordinary encounter, you will trek back to receive your official gorilla trekking certificate before returning to the lodge.
The afternoon is at leisure, with lunch served at the lodge, and we conclude the day with a special dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ruzogo Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast at Ruzogo Lodge, check out and we make our way to Arcadia Lodge at Lake Mburo, with a stop for lunch along the way including drinks.
Upon arrival, relax and enjoy the lake views before an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.
Return to the lodge for dinner, marking a special final evening together as a group.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drinks
Arcadia Lodge
Enjoy your final breakfast at Arcadia Lodge Lake Mburo.
We then begin the drive back to Entebbe, stopping for lunch and scenic views along the way.
We head to the Airport Guesthouse for your final night, where you can relax and prepare for your onward journey.
Dinner and any additional meals or drinks are at your own expense.
This is the farewell to your guide, leaving you with unforgettable memories and experiences from your Uganda adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Airport Guesthouse
Check out of the hotel and the hotel will transfer you to the airport.
Under Own arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast

from

R 107,135

per adult

Departure & Return Dates

11 Jun 2026 – 25 Jun 2026

09 Jul 2026 – 23 Jul 2026

13 Aug 2026 – 27 Aug 2026

10 Sep 2026 – 24 Sep 2026

08 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026

12 Nov 2026 – 26 Nov 2026

10 Dec 20026 – 24 Dec 2026

This Tour Includes

  • 2 nights Mabamba Lodge
  • Breakfast and Dinner at Mabamba Lodge
  • Visit the wetland to view the Shoebills
  • Sunset cruise on Lake Victoria
  • Forest Walk
  • 2 nights Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Canoe to see Shoebills
  • Game Drive
  • Turaco Treetops Lodge
  • 2 nights Turaco Treetops Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Chimpanzee trek
  • Park Fees
  • Bigodi Swamp walk
  • 2 nights Irungu Safari Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Game drives
  • Boat cruise
  • Ishasha Jungle Lodge
  • 2 nights Ishasha Jungle Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Game drive
  • 2 nights Ruzogo Lodge
  • Gorilla Trekking
  • Visit to Orphanage
  • Contribution levy to the Orphanage and Avian Conservation
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • 1 night Arcadia Lake Mburo
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Boat cruise
  • 1 night Airport Guesthouse
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Transfer to the airport
Show All Included Items

This Tour Excludes

  • Tips
  • Drinks at the lodges
  • Additional meals
  • Items of personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • International flights
  • Visa
Show All Excluded Items

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