The idyllic and picturesque Lake Bunyonyi (meaning “place of many little birds”) was formed around 10,000 years ago when lava damned a river. The lake lies in South Western Uganda, close to the border with Rwanda. Situated at around 1962m above sea level, it measures 25km long by 7km wide, while the depth is estimated to reach 900m, making it the second deepest lake in Africa. Your time at Lake Bunyonyi is free time – you may simply relax and enjoy the beautiful and tranquil surrounds, or you may use the opportunity to visit the lake in more detail. There are 29 islands to explore, several of which are of fascinating historical interest. Your guide can help you to book an island tour, which will likely visit Akampene, or Punishment Island, used up until the 1940s to dispose of unmarried pregnant women. The also oft visited Bwama Island was once used as an anti-colonial rebel base but later housed a missionary leprosy hospital, before finally becoming a boarding school. There are dug-out canoes for hire at the resort.

07:00 After breakfast at Eagle’s Nest, you will depart for a 3 hour game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
11.00 Depart for Lake Bunyonyi, taking lunch en route in either Mbarara or Kabale. Total driving time will be between 3 and 5 hours.
16.00 Check into Bunyonyi Overland Resort, situated right on the lake shore – accommodation provided is in furnished double tents (with self-contained accommodation on request). Relax by the lake or maybe try your hand at paddling a dug-out canoe! Dinner at the lodge or another restaurant of your choice – the local crayfish dishes are highly recommended!

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in South-Western Uganda, on the edge of the Rift Valley and alongside the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Classed as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its ecological importance, it is one of Uganda’s oldest rainforests, dating back over 25,000 years. The park provides a rich and diverse habitat for almost 350 bird species and 120 different species of mammal – most famously an estimated 340 critically endangered mountain gorillas: roughly half of the world’s population.

The region also provides shelter for several other primate species, such as baboon, black and white colobus and chimpanzee, as well as elephant and antelope.

08.00 After breakfast at the resort, you have a free morning at Lake Bunyonyi to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings, take a village walk or explore more of the lake and its islands.
14.00 Following lunch at the resort (or at one of the many other beauty spots on the lake), you will drive on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Driving time approx 2 hours.
16.00 Check into Rushaga Gorilla Camp, where you will be sleeping in en suite bandas. Dinner at the camp.

Kibale National Park boasts one of the highest concentrations and diversities of primates in the continent. Within East Africa the park supports the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest. However, although most of the park consists of moist ever-green forest, its 766 square kilometres are actually home to a vast array of landscapes.

The park hosts a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 different species of primate. It is home to a large number of endangered but well studied, habituated chimpanzees, as well as the endangered red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoests monkey. Bird life is prolific, with over 325 recorded species of birds.

9.00 After breakfast at Bush Lodge you will head to Katwe for a tour of the salt lake, where traditional salt mining has been practiced since the 16th century. When in season you may also view the spectacular flocks of flamingos at the nearby by bird sanctuary lake (typically viewed from October-March).
10.00 Depart for Kibale National Park and the crater lakes region – total driving time around 2 hours.
12:00 Check into Kibale Forest Camp, where you will be staying in non-self contained tents for two nights (upgrades available). Lunch will be taken at the camp.
14.00 After lunch you will take a drive and a stroll around some of the numerous stunning crater lakes surrounding Fort Portal before returning to the camp for dinner.