We fly into Uganda, a land of green rolling hills and land at Entebbe airport. Entebbe is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, the most significant lake in Africa. Entebbe is a calm and modern airport, and the small town of Entebbe where we will overnight is nearby. Our guides transfer us to our hotel located on Lake Victoria. We can walk into the town centre or relax in the hotel grounds.

Meals:  D

We leave our hotel and by-pass the traffic of Kampala to head west on the highway towards Fort Portal. The rural highway is not busy, and wanders across the rolling green hills past small gardens of tropical fruit tended by families who sell their products in the city markets. Views of the Rwenzori mountain peaks come into view as we turn south to drive parallel to the range. Huge and picture-perfect commercial tea plantations give way to lush tropical forests as we near Kibale National Park. We have a combination of bungalows and large walk-in safari tents with a verandah and twin beds at the camp. Driving distance: 339 km (212 mi) Driving time: 6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we continue our journey into the tropical forest for a chimp-tracking briefing. While the briefing takes place, park rangers are locating chimp families for us to visit. Kibale National Park covers 795 square kilometres (497 square miles). It encompasses some of most beautiful and varying tracts of tropical forest in Uganda, and is home to 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees. We drive to the nearest point to our designated chimp family, and walk through the forest to find them. They are always on the move, either in the trees or on the ground, and we will be moving with them to keep contact. We return to our vehicles and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park that stretches from the crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori Range in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, and incorporates a wide variety of habitats that includes open savanna, wetlands and lowland forest. We will meet the project coordinator on arrival at the national park. Our accommodation is within the park, in comfortable large permanent safari tents with twin beds. Driving distance: 120 km (75 mi) Driving time:3 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The biggest risk to wildlife in Africa is the interaction between wildlife and farmers. The cultivated farm fields are very tempting to wildlife that will naturally move to the crops to graze. To protect their family’s livelihood, and for self-preservation, the farmers will fight for their crops, and many animals are killed. If an effective barrier can be built to separate the fields from the wildlife, many animals and farming families can be saved. We will assist the farmers and the park rangers in an on-going program by preparing trenches as a barrier to the wildlife from Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is important work that prevents animals raiding farms and lessens the impact of animal and human interaction.5

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will participate in an apiary project as a method of preventing elephants from raiding farms. Elephants are one of the animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park that have been reported by local residents to have encroached on farms of maize and other food crops, and more so endangering the local communities lives.

Meals:  B,L,D

We depart early this morning for a game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are over 100 mammal species in the park, including lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, elephants, baboons and monkeys. Ugandan Kob, the national animal of Uganda, and various other antelope species are found here. In the afternoon, we will enjoy one of the wildlife highlights of Africa on a safari by boat in the Kazinga Channel, where we can approach hippos, swimming elephants and a range of mammals as they come to the river for their afternoon drink. The bird life is amazing, and binoculars are a must to see the delicate and vibrant colours of the birds. Tree-climbing lions are often seen from the boat.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will take another game drive to maximise our opportunity to see animals in the wild including lions, as well as various other animals, including leopards. We continue our journey with views of the hills and farmlands to reach Kihihi Primary school in the Bwindi District, and meet the students and teachers to learn more about their daily school activities and the challenges they face. Our hotel is nearby and has comfortable bungalows in the grounds around the main lodge. Driving time: 3 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

During our 3 days at Kihihi, we will spend time with the local students as we participate in projects to assist the school maintain and renovate their buildings and grounds. Painting, plastering, laying pathways and planting trees are some of the tasks we may undertake during our time here., On the last day, we sadly bid the school farewell and commence our journey back towards Entebbe. This experience will stay with you as we see how our work has touched the local community and will help them for generations to come.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Even at the entrance to the park you can watch impalas and zebras. You will have a game drive as you enter the park. The Lake Mburo National Park forms a mosaic-like habitat with rocks, dry slopes, open and wooded savannas, forests, and swamps increases. This diversity of habitats has the diversity of bird life with 313 bird species recorded in the park, including flame head Barbet, Long-tailed Zitting Cisticola (Tabora), African Bins Rail, Collared Barbet, binding Bush singer among others. Once you have settled in, you will visit a cattle keeping family and learn about the lives of cattle keepers, participate in milking and learn milk is churned into butter. Driving distance: 220 km (138 mi) Driving time: 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After an early breakfast, you will go for an early morning nature walk and game drive in the park. You will have a well guided bike ride in the park and you will ride among the zebras, antelopes, buffaloes with in the flat areas of the national park. This is also the best way to get out of the vehicle into the nature. Afterwards you will start your journey back to Entebbe, crossing the equator along the way. You will have time to take photos and buy a few souvenirs, arrive later in Entebbe for an overnight. Driving distance: 271 km (169 mi) Driving time: 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After an early breakfast we will drive you to Entebbe Airport and you catch your flight back home.

Meals:  B