Wild Uganda: Birds & Great Apes

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your lakeshore hotel. In the late afternoon, take a canoe into the Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria in search of the iconic Shoebill. The papyrus holds Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, the rare Papyrus Yellow Warbler and the shy Papyrus Gonolek - a remarkable introduction to Uganda's birdlife.

Drive north-west to Kibale National Park through the tea country of Fort Portal. Along the way, stop at the crater lakes of the area, where the shoreline holds Cormorants, African Fish Eagles and the striking Grey-crowned Crane. Arrive at Primate Lodge in the afternoon and take a first walk along the forest edge as the evening calls of turacos fill the air.

A full day in Kibale, which protects the highest density of primates in Africa. Morning chimpanzee tracking follows habituated communities through the forest, surrounded by the calls of black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys. In the afternoon, bird the Bigodi Swamp, whose boardwalk is renowned for the Great Blue Turaco, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, White-spotted Flufftail and the prized Green-breasted Pitta.

A morning session in the forest for White-naped Pigeon, Yellow-billed Barbet and the elusive Green-breasted Pitta, then drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, take the famous boat safari along the Kazinga Channel - hippos, elephants and buffalo line the banks, and the water holds Shoebills, African Skimmers, pelicans, herons and the magnificent African Fish Eagle.

Morning game drive around the Mweya Peninsula for buffalo, Uganda Kob and the park's famous tree-climbing lions, with birding along the lake edge for African Skimmers and Grey Crowned Cranes. Then drive south to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, arriving at Buhoma in the late afternoon at the foot of the misty valleys.

The highlight of the trip - a gorilla trekking day in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Led by expert trackers, you will hike into the ancient forest to spend a magical hour with a habituated family of mountain gorillas. Around the trek, keep a running list of Bwindi's forest birds - the Black-faced Rufous Thrush, Handsome Francolin, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and the Rwenzori Turaco are all regular along the trails.

A final relaxed morning at Bwindi for the last of the forest specials, then the long scenic drive back across Uganda to Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to the airport for your departure, carrying memories of gorillas, chimpanzees and the Shoebill of Lake Victoria.