This is more than a safari, it’s a journey into the heart of Uganda. In 8 days, you’ll experience the country from every angle: eye-to-eye with mountain gorillas in Bwindi, on game drives through Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo, and sharing stories with local communities who welcome you into their traditions.
One day brings the raw thrill of a gorilla trek, another the serenity of a Kazinga Channel cruise with hippos and crocodiles, and another the joy of joining a community dance or helping dig in a village garden. From the Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara to encounters with the Batwa people of Bwindi, this itinerary blends wildlife, landscapes, and people in one deeply meaningful adventure.
It’s ideal for travellers who want more than sightings — who seek authentic connection and the sense that their journey makes a difference.
Before booking, use our super-handy entry requirements guide to make sure you’ve got all the right documents to enter and travel through the countries on your adventure. Check out our Entry Requirements guide!
Your Ikigai guide greets you at Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the botanical gardens or simply relax at your lodge.
Drive west through lush countryside, passing tea plantations and crater lakes. Arrive at Kibale National Park, the primate capital, home to 13 species, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Settle into your lodge surrounded by rainforest sounds.
Head into Kibale Forest with rangers for a chimpanzee trek. The forest erupts with pant-hoots and bird calls as you follow chimps swinging and playing. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project supporting conservation and livelihoods. Expect monkeys, hornbills, and local hospitality.
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the savannah opens beneath the Rwenzori Mountains. Enjoy a game drive spotting elephants, buffalo, and lions. In the afternoon, take a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, drifting past hippos, crocodiles, and flocks of pelicans.
Travel south through the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. Watch for them draped across fig branches before continuing into the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Today is unforgettable: trek into Bwindi’s dense forest until you find a gorilla family. Spend a magical hour in their presence, observing the silverback, mothers, and playful young ones. In the afternoon, join a Batwa community experience — listening to songs, dances, and learning about their forest traditions.
Journey east toward Lake Mburo. Stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre, a hub of Ankole heritage with exhibits, crafts, and traditional cuisine. Continue into Lake Mburo National Park, a compact but rich park where zebras, impalas, and eland graze. Evening game drive or walking safari as the sun sets over acacia woodlands.
Take a morning game drive or guided walk — Lake Mburo is perfect for spotting giraffes, zebras, and abundant birdlife. After brunch, begin the drive back to Entebbe, arriving in time for your international flight.
From$5,800.00
From$5,800.00
From$5,800.00
