Days 1/2 ~ WASHINGTON, DC/ADDIS ABABA/ENTEBBE

Board your overnight flight from Washington, DC to Addis Ababa. Arrive the next morning and connect with your flight to Entebbe, arriving mid day. Here, you’re met and escorted to your lovely hotel, the latest addition to the Serena family on the shores of Lake Victoria, styled to replicate the lines of a classically rustic Roman villa. Widely spaced amongst the rose gardens, clusters of pastel-painted villas offer a choice of rooms and suites, all with panoramic lake views. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight. SERENA LAKE VICTORIA HOTEL. (Meals Aloft; D)

Days 3/4 ~ KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Begin your Ugandan adventure with a full-day scenic drive passing through lush agricultural countryside. Upon reaching
Kyanjojo, drive through tea plantations and into the Kibale tropical rainforest. Explore Kibale Forest National Park, comprised of pristine lowland tropical rainforest, montane forest and mixed tropical deciduous forest as well as areas of grassland and swamp. Kibale is known to have the largest and most diverse population of primates in Africa. You may see families of chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees. The sightings of birds in the forest are no less impressive – at least 325 species, including the Crowned Crane, Uganda’s national bird. In addition, there are over 144 butterfly species. Your beautiful lodge is situated on a high saddle between two crater lakes with breathtaking views. NDALI LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 5/6 ~ QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and experience the excitement of wildlife viewing in Uganda’s second largest national park. You may see hippo, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, Ugandan kob, topi, bushbuck, pangolin, warthog, hyena and civet, as well as over a quarter of Africa’s bird species – more than any other park in Africa. Along with wildlife drives, take a launch trip on the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world, as well as Nile crocodile, African rock python, monitor lizard and a plethora of colorful birds. Between wildlife viewing expeditions, you can relax poolside at your lodge with its stunning views of Lake Edward, Kazinga Channel and the Rwenzori Mountains. MWEYA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 7/8/9 ~ BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Continue your exploration of Queen Elizabeth National Park en route to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a game drive in the Ishasha sector of the park, famous for its tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area. Here you can visit some of the bat caves to see thousands of bats and possibly pythons and monitor lizards hunting these creatures. Enjoy a picnic lunch and arrive in Bwindi in the afternoon. At least 120 mammal and 346 bird species make their home here in one of the richest ecosystems in Africa, along with approximately half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, the most endangered ape. Fiercely protective of this natural treasure, Ugandan authorities permit only one-hour visitation in clusters of groups of 8 travelers. Your group will have the opportunity for one trek to view the mountain gorillas (one more trek at additional cost, based on availability). The trek can take from one to six hours and climb in altitude in excess of 7,500 feet. Picnic lunches will be provided. Your guide and porters will take you along river trails with delightful waterfalls, up steep slopes and into forest clearings in search of these gentle giants. Approximately 98% of the gorilla treks are successful but there is no guarantee that you will see the gorillas. The only camp located within the national forest, your stunning home is only five minutes from Bwindi Park Headquarters and is set on a flat ridge high in the forest, offering luxury, sophistication remoteness. SANCTUARY GORILLA FOREST CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)

Day 10 ~ LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

Bid the gorillas goodbye as you drive to Lake Mburo National Park, covering approximately 100 square miles. Although small, 20% of its habitats are made up of five lakes and swamps with the remainder acacia woodlands. The wetlands are known for large numbers of hippo and crocodile, but deep in the papyrus grass are sitatunga antelope, and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. This is the best Park in Uganda to see eland, zebra, topi and impala and their predators: leopard, hyena and jackal. Over 300 bird species, including the rare Shoebill and the White-winged Warbler can be found here. Nature walks, boat trips and fishing are all available (additional costs may apply). Your environmentally friendly camp is on a 200-acre private reserve adjacent to the Park. MIHINGO LODGE. (B,L,D)

Days 11/12 ~ ENTEBBE/ADDIS ABABA/WASHINGTON, DC

En route back to Entebbe, time permitting, do some last minute shopping and visit the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers. Later, transfer to the airport for your flights home. (B,L; Meals Aloft)

PRE-EXTENSION TO MURCHISON FALLS

Start your Ugandan adventure with an extension on the banks of the Albert Nile. This is where part of the move The African Queen was filmed. Cruise up the Nile to view glorious Murchison Falls in the company of hippo, gigantic crocodile and a plethora of exotic birdlife. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most spectacular and largest (1,480 square miles) in Uganda. Other animals regularly seen include elephant, giraffe, lion, buffalo and many antelope species, including the dainty oribi.

POST-EXTENSION TO RWANDA

Continue your gorilla trekking adventure with a trip to Volcano National Park, Rwanda, the site of Dian Fossey’s celebrated gorilla habituation and anti-poaching project, and the location for the film Gorillas in the Mist. You will have an opportunity for one trek, with a second available at additional cost, based on availability of permits. Also, visit the Genocide Memorial Center in Kigali for a glimpse into the region’s troubled past.

Your Journey Includes

• Round trip air transportation between New York and Entebbe (quoted separately.)
• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• All meals while on safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
• Wildlife viewing in specially-designed 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, with open roof viewing hatches for wildlife viewing and photography. A window seat is guaranteed. Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking will be made on foot.
• Complimentary bottled water in vehicles.
• Professional naturalist on main tour and extension with a minimum of 6 travelers.
• One permit each to see chimpanzees in Kibale and mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Rwanda on the extension. Second permit can be purchased at additional cost, if available.
• Gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and all applicable hotel and lodge taxes.
• National Park and Reserves entry fees.
• Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.