Classic Uganda

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Entebbe, via Dubai, with Emirates. (N)

Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to the Karibu Entebbe Hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is at leisure to relax or explore. Entebbe is a small, laid-back and safe town of around 70,000 people. Home to attractive botanical gardens dating back to the colonial era, the town sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, providing some very pleasant walking opportunities. (L, D)

Drive west towards the Kibale National Park. It is a long drive (around 6 hours excluding stops), but a rewarding one, with vast plains, undulating hills and characterful villages dotting the route. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Papaya Lake Lodge, just outside Kibale, for a 2-night stay. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the verdant surrounds, or rest after your drive. (B, L, D)

Today begins with your first chance to encounter the primates that share the most genetic similarities to humans, chimpanzees. With only a 1.2% genetic 'gap', these fascinating and endearing apes display many familiar behaviours and can mesmerise onlookers with their social interactions and powerful bonds. While sightings are never guaranteed, the region offers the best possible chance, with success rates averaging around 90%. In the afternoon, enjoy a boardwalk wander through the wetlands and look out for a host of monkeys including colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervets, red tails, L'Hoests and blues. Sitatungas, mongooses, bush pigs, otters and bush bucks also frequent the region. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, head south on an approximately 3-hour journey (excluding stops) to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, named to commemorate a visit from the British monarch. With such sensational primate viewing opportunities in Uganda, it can be forgotten that the country also offers superb opportunities for viewing more traditional safari wildlife. Take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel this afternoon, where possible sightings include the world's largest population of hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as buffalos, elephants, over 60 species of birds, and many others. After the excursion, drive for a further hour to the Kyambura Gorge Lodge for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Set off early through the dense jungle near Kyambura Gorge, in search of the resident population of chimpanzees. After returning to the lodge, drive for approximately 2 hours to the southern sector of the park known as Ishasha. Here, you can check in at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, home for the next 2 nights, before embarking on a game drive to view animals such as elephants, buffalos, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and of course, the famed tree climbing lions. This extremely rare lion behaviour is frequently observed in only 2 locations worldwide. (B, L, D)

Enjoy another game drive and more wildlife photography opportunities, before an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the camp facilities. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, continue south with a drive of around 2 hours (excluding breaks) to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at Buhoma Lodge for 2 nights and then choose from a range of optional cultural or wildlife walking experiences to warm up for tomorrow's hike. (B, L, D)

Rise early for a trek into the forest mist in search of critically endangered mountain gorillas. These wonderful beasts, the world's largest living primates, number only around 1,000 individuals, and with trekking permits strictly limited, those lucky enough to visit them often feel an overwhelming sense of humbleness and awe. The duration of the trek will depend on the conditions and exact location of the gorillas, and can range from 1 to 4 hours each way. The time spent with the troop is always limited to 1 hour, to ensure that minimal disturbance is made to their behaviour and habitat. (B, L, D)

Drive east for around 6 hours (excluding breaks) until you reach Mihingo Lodge, within Lake Mburo National Park. After checking in for an overnight stay, depart on a night safari in search of leopards, jackals, zebras, hippos, buffalos, impalas, warthogs and over 300 different bird species. (B, L, D)

After a short morning game drive, continue east to Entebbe. Check in to the Karibu Entebbe Hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy an optional excursion or time at leisure. (B, L, D)

Morning at leisure before transferring to Entebbe airport for your afternoon flight to London via Dubai, arriving the following day. (B) (N)