THE NILE’S JEWEL

Depart Entebbe and fly to Murchison Falls National Park, one of the most scenic spots along the Nile and the location of the classic Humphrey Bogart film, The African Queen. After settling into your thatched cottage on the banks of the Victoria Nile, join your guide for a visit to Murchison Falls, where invigorating spray — the collective force of the majestic Nile — pours down on a narrow 

NILE SAFARI

Today, a game drive takes you along the northern banks of the Nile in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park. You may see giraffes, buffalo, elephants, warthogs, leopards, lions and antelope. This afternoon, embark on a boat cruise up the Nile River to the base of the falls. Watch for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and the many bird species that inhabit the river’s papyrus-lined banks.

BUNYARUGURU CRATER WALK

After breakfast, board a flight to Kibale and transfer to your lodge. Later, you may take an optional nature walk along the top of the Bunyaruguru Crater.

FOREST OF CHIMPANZEES

Kibale Forest is home to 11 species of primates, including chimpanzees and mangabeys, as well as 300 species of birds and a vast array of butterflies. Rise early this morning for the short drive to the start of your chimpanzee trek. Barks of baboons occasionally pierce the forest silence as you make your way along the trail. This afternoon, you may go on a guided primate walk in the Bigodi Forest swamp.

NATURE ANEW

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo and baboons. Participate in game drives this afternoon and the next day. While exploring, watch above for tree-climbing lions, a sight rarely to be seen anywhere else in Africa. You may also see some of Uganda’s largest elephant herds.

MISTY MOUNTAINS

Set out for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Make your way out of the Rift Valley through the Kigezi Highlands and on to the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later today, visit Uganda Nursing School Bwindi, and something about the ongoing projects of enhancing health care in this remote region.

GORILLA ENCOUNTERS

Spend two days tracking endangered mountain gorillas, which share 97.7% of our DNA, spending up to an hour among them each day. See mothers keeping infants close as they knucklewalk on three limbs. Toddlers scamper around and get reined in by an attentive father, whose job is to protect his family. When you look into the eyes of a mountain gorilla, there is no mistaking the bond that exists between primate and man — and no escaping the poignant reminder that these creatures lie on the brink of extinction.

Fly to Entebbe and return to Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa, where a day-room awaits until your international flight home.