Uganda: Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkey

Are you ready to be part of a journey that transcends tourism and becomes a legacy?

The trip begins in Spain, with the illusion stored in the suitcase and the certainty that one of the most intense experiences of our lives awaits us. At the airport we share glances of complicity and nerves of those who are about to embark to the unknown.

The plane takes off and we leave behind the routine to cross infinite skies on our way to Africa. During the hours of flight, the mind flies too: gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, rainforests and a continent that beats differently.

After a stopover and the last leg of the journey, the lights of Entebbe appear amidst the darkness of the African night. The warm air, full of humidity and insect sounds, welcomes us as a prelude of what is to come. We are already in Uganda, the green heart of Africa, and the adventure has just begun.

Lodging at Lake Victoria Laico (standard category). Meals: No meals

It is dawn in Uganda and the excitement is already in the air. After a short rest at our hotel, a delicious breakfast awaits us, reminding us that we are far from home, in a place where every detail tastes different.

With renewed strength, we set off for one of the most exclusive experiences of the trip: the boat trip to the island of Mbamba, where we enter the wetlands in search of an almost mythical creature: the Shoe Peak. Its imposing silhouette, with a prehistoric appearance, takes our breath away as soon as it appears among the reeds. Looking into its eyes is like traveling back in time, to a lost world that still resists in secret corners of Africa.

The rest of the afternoon is free to rest, stroll around the surroundings or simply let yourself be carried away by the emotion of what you have experienced. And this is only the beginning. One day and we already feel that this trip is much more than we had dreamed.

Lodging at Lake Victoria Laico (standard category).

Today we leave Entebbe behind and start a fascinating journey to western Uganda. The road leads us through a vibrant country full of contrasts: villages where life goes by quietly to the rhythm of the local markets, tea and coffee fields that draw an infinite green mosaic, rolling hills that seem to have no end, and the constant smile of the people who greet us as we pass by.

As we advance, the landscape becomes more humid and lush. We enter the Kibale region, a rainforest paradise that is home to the greatest diversity of primates in Africa. After several hours of driving, we arrive at the visitor center of Kibale National Park, where we receive the first explanation about the experience that awaits us.

Excitement builds as the rangers lead us into the forest. The air is thick, full of aromas of wet earth and fresh leaves. We walk attentively, following the rustling of branches and the sounds of the forest, until suddenly, an unmistakable echo breaks the silence: the calls of the chimpanzees.

The heart races. In the thicket, they appear: agile, playful, intensely alive. Some move high up in the trees, others come down to the ground and watch us with a curiosity that thrills. Their gestures, their looks, their games... every moment is a reminder of how much we share with them.

It is an intimate and powerful encounter, one of those that mark a before and after. Because to see chimpanzees in freedom, in their world, is to connect with a deep mirror of our own essence.

Lodging at Isunga Lodge (standard category). Meals: P.C. (Full Board)

After breakfast in Kibale, we set off for the legendary Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's great treasures. The road gives us landscapes that seem painted: tea plantations perfectly aligned, villages where life flows slowly and hills covered with a deep green that descend to the great fault of the Albertine Rift. The drive is about 120 kms, approximately three hours.

Arriving in the Kyambura region, we enter an amazing scenery: a huge crater hidden in the middle of the savannah, covered by a rainforest that descends into a deep canyon. It is the Kyambura Gorge, known as "the valley of the chimpanzees".

Here we will begin our trek in search of chimpanzees after lunch. The descent into the canyon is an experience in itself: the light dims, the humidity increases and the birdsong resounds as if we are entering another world. We walk among roots, streams and a vibrant jungle that seems to hold a secret for us.

And then, the reward: chimpanzees in the wild, moving through the trees with energy and dexterity. Their cries echo through the canyon, their presence envelops us and each encounter is unique and unpredictable. Watching them in this special environment is one of the most intense experiences of the trip: a mixture of adventure, excitement and absolute privilege.

At the end of the trek, we return to our lodge with the promise of new adventures the next day.

Lodging at Buffalo Safari Lodge (standard category). Meals: P.C. (Full Board)

After breakfast, departure by road to Kisoro, avoiding the Ishasha sector and the bends of the Bwindi National Park. The route continues north along the Rwenzori National Park to Fort Portal, from where you turn south passing through Kamwenge, Ibanda, Kabale and finally Kisoro. Although it is a long route, it avoids the most demanding stretches of track and the sharp bends of the Bwindi forest, while offering very diverse landscapes: from the views of the Rwenzori to the agricultural valleys of southwestern Uganda, we will cover a distance of approximately 460 km and an estimated travel time of about 8-9 hours on paved roads (with some stops en route). Arrival in Kisoro in the afternoon and transfer to accommodation. Accommodation at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge (standard category). Meals: P.C. (Full Board)

Today, the most desired moment of the trip awaits us: trekking in search of mountain gorillas in the magical Mgahinga National Park, in the heart of the Virunga mountain range.

Very early in the morning, when the light of dawn is just beginning to tinge the volcanic peaks with gold, we meet with the rangers. They convey to us the emotion contained in every word: the rules of respect, the history of the only group of habituated gorillas living here and the importance of this unique moment, both for us and for the survival of the species.

We begin the hike, which takes us through a dense and mysterious forest, where every step echoes in the damp earth and every sound - a rustle, a flapping of wings, a distant song - awakens the senses. The climb up the volcanic slopes is demanding, but the adrenaline and anticipation make it an adventure to be enjoyed with the soul.

Suddenly, the traces become clearer: freshly broken branches, footprints, a rustling in the thicket. The heart is pounding. And then, among the vegetation, they appear.

The whole family... imposing and serene, they welcome us in silence. The silver male watches nobly, the females take care of their young, the young play as if time did not exist. For a magical hour we remain in silence, breathing the same air as they do, witnesses of an intimacy that transcends any explanation. It is an encounter that moves, that shakes, that reminds us of the greatness and fragility of life at the same time.

With our souls full and our eyes still shining, we return to the lodge to rest and assimilate what we have experienced. Those who wish can take advantage of the afternoon with a gentle hike or a cultural visit in the surroundings of Kisoro, although the truth is that today everything else seems to stop: we have shared space and time with the last giants of the jungle.

Accommodation at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge (standard category). Meals: P.C. (Full Board)

From Kisoro we head early to Mgahinga National Park to live a unique experience: trekking in search of the elusive Golden Monkey, an endemic species of the Virunga region that is only found in this area of the world. After a brief introductory talk by the park rangers, we began our hike through the bamboo forests and mountainous vegetation that characterizes this protected area. Unlike gorilla trekking, the tour is usually a little lighter and is done in smaller groups, allowing a close and respectful observation. When we found the Golden Monkeys, we spent about an hour observing their agile and curious behavior: they jump from branch to branch, feed and move in groups with great energy, offering a fascinating natural spectacle. After the activity, we return to the starting point and return to Kisoro for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, there is free time to walk around Lake Mutanda, visit a local project or simply relax at the lodge. Accommodation at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge (standard category). Meals: P.C. (Full Board)

After the excitement experienced in the Mgahinga National Park, we return to Kigali (Rwanda), crossing the beautiful border landscapes between Uganda and Rwanda. The journey to Kigali takes approximately 4 to 5 hours (about 160 km, depending on the border post used and the time required for immigration formalities). Although shorter than other trips, this route is equally rich in contrasts: rolling hills, cultivated fields, rural villages and the warm daily activity of this region. Along the way, we will make a few stops to stretch our legs, take pictures or enjoy a local coffee. Arrival in Kigali is scheduled in the afternoon, with time to rest or take a short walk around the city, depending on arrival time. Accommodation at The Manor Hotel (standard category). Meals: M.P. (Half Board) - Dinner not included.

The last night envelops us with a mixture of calm and nostalgia. Our flight leaves at dawn, and as we make our way to the airport, we silently review the moments we have experienced: the deep eyes of the gorillas, the cries of the chimpanzees echoing in the forest, the prehistoric silhouette of the shoebill among the wetlands, and every smile shared along the way.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but in reality it is not: it is not a goodbye, it is a see you later. Africa remains within us, in the indelible traces of the jungle, in the strength of its volcanoes, in the gaze of its people.

As the plane takes off, we know we will return. Because a trip like this cannot be forgotten, and because this land, with its magic and its truth, always calls us back.

See you soon, Africa... we will meet again.