Arali uganda18-Day Grand Gorilla Expedition
Our longest gorilla package with Uganda-Rwanda highlights, primates, and classic safari landscapes.
Package Photos
Highlights from this extended gorilla route.
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Day-by-Day Plan
Places and experiences for all 18 days.
Day 1 - Arrival Entebbe
Airport reception, private transfer, and detailed safari briefing. Recommended stay: Boma Hotel Entebbe, Protea Hotel Entebbe, or Papyrus Guest House.
Day 2 - Entebbe Wetland and Botanical Birding
Light excursion around Entebbe gardens and wetland edges with chances for turacos, hornbills, and kingfishers before final route prep. Recommended stay: same Entebbe hotel.
Day 3 - Transfer to Ziwa / Murchison Route
Road transfer north with stopovers and optional rhino tracking at Ziwa. Mammals include white rhino; birds include open-country species and raptors. Recommended stay: Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse or Murchison transit lodge.
Day 4 - Murchison Falls Game Drive
Morning game drive for giraffe, elephant, buffalo, lion, and hartebeest, followed by Top of Falls viewpoints. Recommended stay: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, or Fort Murchison.
Day 5 - Nile Boat Cruise
Boat safari toward the base of Murchison Falls for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and dense waterbird sightings; evening photography session. Recommended stay: same Murchison lodge.
Day 6 - Transfer to Kibale
Long scenic drive to western Uganda with tea-estate and countryside stops. Evening relaxation and optional short forest-edge walk. Recommended stay: Turaco Treetops, Chimpundu Lodge, or Isunga Lodge.
Day 7 - Chimpanzee Tracking
Guided chimp tracking in Kibale with excellent primate behavior viewing. Additional species include red colobus, L'Hoest's monkey, and rich forest birds. Recommended stay: same Kibale lodge.
Day 8 - Bigodi and Crater Lakes
Bigodi wetland walk for birds and monkeys, then crater-lake scenic circuit in the afternoon. Recommended stay: same Kibale/Fort Portal lodge.
Day 9 - Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
Travel to Queen Elizabeth NP and do an afternoon game drive for lions, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes. Recommended stay: Elephant Plains Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, or Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 10 - Kazinga Boat Safari
Morning or afternoon Kazinga cruise for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and high-density birdlife such as pelicans and kingfishers. Recommended stay: same Queen Elizabeth lodge.
Day 11 - Ishasha Sector
Transfer via Ishasha for tree-climbing lion search and wildlife viewing in fig-tree savannah habitats. Recommended stay: Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, or Topi Lodge area.
Day 12 - Bwindi Arrival
Drive to Bwindi and settle in at gorilla trekking base; optional village walk and pre-trek briefing. Recommended stay: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Mist Camp, or Bakiga Lodge.
Day 13 - Gorilla Trekking (1)
Main gorilla trekking day with ranger guidance and one-hour gorilla encounter. Afternoon rest and photo/data backup. Recommended stay: same Bwindi lodge.
Day 14 - Cultural and Community Day
Batwa/community experience, local crafts, and optional forest-edge nature walk for birds and butterflies. Recommended stay: same Bwindi lodge.
Day 15 - Cross to Rwanda
Cross-border transfer to Volcanoes region in Rwanda with mountain views and lodge check-in. Recommended stay: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
Day 16 - Volcanoes Region Excursion
Guided nature excursion in Volcanoes area with highland scenery, optional golden monkey/community activities, and photography. Recommended stay: same Volcanoes lodge.
Day 17 - Return to Uganda/Entebbe Route
Long transfer day with scenic stopovers and optional overnight depending on timing and flight schedule. Recommended stay: Entebbe hotel if needed.
Day 18 - Departure
Final transfer to airport for departure. Optional day-use room and city visit can be arranged if flight is late.