ESSENTIAL UGANDA

Day 1 Arrive Entebbe

On arrival in Entebbe you will be met and transferred to Hotel No 5. Located in a leafy suburb, the hotel is sparklingly clean with spacious rooms featuring all modern conveniences including safes and air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and DDI phones. The hotel has a bar, terrace and restaurant where dinner is included in your stay. There is also an outdoor pool, perfect for easing tired muscles after a long flight.

Overnight: Hotel No 5

Day 2 Entebbe to Crater Lakes

You have an early start for your 7am flight to Kasese Airstrip, from where you will be transferred to Ndali Lodge, a two-hour drive. Ndali Lodge sits in an idyllic position between two crater lakes with far-reaching views across the Great Rift Valley in every direction. You'll be welcomed by the friendly local team who included Basil, Sybil and Polly - Ndali's dogs. The lodge exudes an atmosphere of peaceful country living with six charming, individually decorated cottages dotted around the pretty gardens, each with its own small terrace as well as seating inside. Guests gather and mingle for drinks in the main house before dinner and there is a lovely pool to relax by in the heat of the day.

Option: Stop en-route to Ndali at Rwenzori Founders, learn about the art of lost wax casting and admire (or buy) their beautiful sculptures, inspired by Ugandan wildlife and flora.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge

Day 3 Crater Lakes

Head off early again to Kibale National Park for an exhilarating morning of chimp tracking with experienced guides. Be prepared for muddy terrain and possibly a loud reception from these rowdy primates. Return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation. Alternatively, enjoy a walk around the 1,000 acre Ndali Estate where you will encounter vanilla and banana plantations, oil drums filled with brewing alcohol, coffee terraces and cassava plots.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge

Day 4 Crater Lakes

You have a full day at leisure but there are plenty of things to do in and around Ndali. Whilst here you should not miss the opportunity to swim in a crater lake and below the lodge you will find a sturdy jetty which is a perfect spot to soak up the sun between dips. An inflatable kayak is available for further exploration of the shoreline, which is home to many birds including five species of kingfisher.

Option: Take a day trip by car to visit a number of local crater lakes or the cave named Breasts of Nyinamwiru, where the guides can explain the scientific background to the whiteish water found here as well as the extravagant legend.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge

Day 5 Crater Lakes - Bwindi

Another early start for your drive to Kasese, two hours, and flight to Kisoro Airstrip, from where you will be transferred by road to Chameleon Hill Lodge, a journey of one hour. We suggest you relax for the afternoon at this colourful lodge, set on a hill overlooking another stunning lake. 10 individual chalets provide character and warmth and are simply but comfortably furnished in a riot of colourful fabrics. Modern, en-suite bathrooms provide excellent showers and early morning tea or coffee can be brought to your private verandah so that you can ease into the day with tranquil views of Lake Mutanda.

Option: Take a guided shore walk, go mountain biking or enjoy a canoe excursion on Lake Mutanda.

Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Day 6 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the highlight of your tour of Uganda, when you will finally come face to face with a majestic mountain gorilla (or several). Departing the lodge at 6.30am you'll be driven to the park headquarters where you will be allocated a guide and gorilla family and given a briefing on gorilla etiquette, including where and where not to look and what noises you should and should not make when in their presence. A maximum of eight people is allowed to visit each group and, once you have found your family, you are allowed to remain with them for no more than one hour. It can take anything from less than one hour to several hours to find your gorilla group but once you are with them you will forget about the trek and be completely transfixed by these beautiful beasts.

Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Day 7 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today can be spent entirely at your leisure enjoying the lodge and perhaps a soothing massage after the exertions of the previous day. There is also a variety of activities you can enjoy at additional cost including motor boat tours with stops at some of Lake Mutanda's islands, local lunches, jewellery making and volcano hiking to name a few.

Option: Make the most of the wildlife opportunities afforded here and visit Mgahinga National Park (a 1.5 hour drive each way) to track the indigenous Golden Monkeys.

Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Day 8 Depart

Transfer back to Kisoro Airstrip this morning at 7am and fly to Entebbe, arriving at 11.25am. Here you will be met and transferred to Hotel No 5 where a room is available to you for day use. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to the international airport for your onward flight.

Option: From here you could continue your East African explorations by flying onward to the Maasai Mara, Serengeti or Zanzibar.