The 10-day African honeymoon safari featuring the Nile delights, a gorilla trek, chimpanzees and wildlife adventures.
10 DAYS
USD 7,200 pp
Type
Tailor-made
Activity
Physical
Overview
- Spend a couple of romantic nights at the source of the Nile River in Jinja, at one of the most luxurious safari lodges in the region, and walk in the footsteps of great explorers like Hannington Speke.
- Check-in at a forest cottage on the edge of the Kibale rainforest and get a chance to walk with fascinating chimpanzee bands in their natural cradle.
- Fly across the intriguing rugged landscape to the Bwindi Impenetrable National. Spend three safari honeymoon nights in a romantic forest cottage with out-of-this-world views that will make you fall deeply in love.
- Get off the beaten track and explore the exotic rural region on foot. Peddle across the volcano waters of Lake Mutanda with fishermen in traditional dugout canoes. Meet the Batwa forest people on a timelapse cultural forest trail.
- Trek the mysterious mountain gorillas, spend an hour close to them and watch their antics and complex social behaviors.
Price includes/excludes
- Accommodation in mid-range-priced lodges and meals as indicated in itinerary
- 2 gorilla trekking permits ($800 each) and 2 chimpanzee trekking permit ($250 each) in Uganda
- 2 Domestic flights: 1 from Kasese Airport (Kibale) to Kisoro Airport (Bwindi) and a return from Kisoro to Entebbe
- All excursions and activities as indicated in the itinerary under the supervision of a professional English-speaking guide.
- Ground transport and transfers in a 4x4 Custom Safari Landcruiser with a profesional driver-guide.
- AMREF Evacuation Insurance cover
- Government taxes
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Visa fees and processing
- Extra activities and meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Extra luggage on domestic flights
- Service tips, gratuities, souvenirs, and snacks
- Accommodation after the end of the trip
Detailed Itinerary
The 10-day honeymoon safari takes you to a luxurious riparian cottage on the banks of the thunderous Nile River in eastern Uganda for a couple of nights before whisking you off to the primate capital at the base of the mighty Rwenzoris for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking excursion. You'll spend two nights on the edge of the chimpanzee jungle and later connect to the impenetrable forest of Bwindi with a short domestic flight.
In the extreme southwestern corner, you'll spend 3 nights at the idyllic forest cottage with breathtaking landscape views straight out of the National Geography magazine. From there, you'll meet the mythical silverback with his family in their natural cradle and spend unforgettable moments interacting and observing the great apes.
We use domestic flights between far-apart attractions to avoid travel fatigue. The safari lodges we have selected are excellent for the indulgence service a traveling romantic couple deserves. Read more in the detailed itinerary below.
Day 1: Entebbe — Shoebill tracking
Our driver will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport (15 minutes) and check you in at your hotel within Entebbe. You'll meet with your trip specialist for a briefing just before dinner.
Otherwise, there are optional activities around Entebbe for those who arrive early and want to stay active. For example, bird-watchers can visit the world-renowned botanical gardens or Mabamba swamps to meet the prehistoric shoebill. You can take a quiet walk to the local markets or shop at the modern malls.
Staying at: Boutique Hotel Number 5 (Luxury)
Day 2: Drive Entebbe to Jinja Town
After breakfast, your driver and trip manager will brief you about the safari honeymoon package and what you should expect for the following days' activities. You will then set off east to Jinja City, a colonial town at the source of the Nile River. Here, you'll spend two nights in a luxurious cottage at the edge of the roaring river.
There are several attractions a honeymoon couple check-out once in Jinja. Visit the Gandhi monument to listen to the history of the Indians in this colonial town. Take a speed boat trip to the presumed source of the Nile River, where water spurs out of Lake Victoria and embarks on its journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Or take a boat across the river to the John Speke monument to learn about the explorer's escapades in the region.
Staying at: Lemala Wild Waters (luxury)
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Optional Nile River Activities
Because it's your romantic getaway, you get to choose what to do with your day on the mighty River Nile. We have a couple of active and laid-back activities to build your romance.
One, you can take the whitewater rafting challenge in some of the most famous rapids on the continent. Rafting will test your endurance and trust in each other in challenging situations. You will have an expert train you before the session and guide you during the activity down the Nile.
If you are not up to the rafting challenge, riding a horse into the sunrise on the shores of the longest river should be fun. Also guided, the horse riding experience will get you in the mood for adventure with your partner.
Alternatively, if you're an adrenaline seeker, you can get on a quad bike on the dusty country roads to stir up some things. How about bungee jumping off the edge of the Nile cliff? That should fire up some nerves.
On the tranquil side of things, you can brush off these active adventures and go for a simple drive around Jinja, a walk through the town and to the local markets or stay in your riverside cottage for private romance. The sounds and views are charming!
Staying at: Lemala Wild Waters (luxury)
Meals: Full Board
Day 4: Drive Jinja to Entebbe via Mabira Forest
You shouldn't be in a hurry to leave the luxuries of Lemala, but you've got to watch the sunrise; the love its golden colors come with is to die for!
Check out of your cottage and hit the highway to Entebbe, but we'll stop by the ancient Mabira rainforest for a short walk. The 300 square kilometers (120 sq mi) is one of Uganda's most treasured forest reserves protecting many plant and animal species. It lies on gently undulating country, with many flat-topped hills separated by wide stream valleys and bordered by Lake Victoria on one side.
You'll spend another romantic night in Entebbe and catch an early drive to Kibale Forest in western Uganda, in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Staying at: Boutique Hotel Number 5 (Luxury)
Day 5: Drive Entebbe to Kibale Forest
After breakfast, we'll get you on the highway by 8:00 am, drive west to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal City, and check you into a rustic forest cottage with exceptional views.
The road journey through western Uganda is exceptionally captivating for a couple watching through the large windows of a 4x4 safari truck. An endless stream of emerald green banana and tea plantations, cattle ranches, beautifully terraced garden slopes, and valleys and hills make up the visual diet on this road trip. It's like driving through Bali, Switzerland, or Tuscany on a spring morning.
You will have a lunch stop in Fort Portal, one of Uganda's oldest towns located on the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, with gorgeous views of the imposing snow-capped peaks. You'll explore a bit of the town and drive a couple of miles to your forest lodge for a romantic dinner and dreamy night.
You'll stay at: Ndali Lodge (FB- Luxury)
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale
Be up early, have breakfast, and transfer to the briefing point to begin the chimpanzee trekking excursion. We cannot be exact about your time in the jungle, so you must take your lunch pack and a few liters of drinking water.
Chimp trekking is an active experience because once you find the chimps, you may have to stay on your toes to keep up with their movements for close to an hour. Uganda's habituated chimps are loud, active, intimate with each other, shameless, and mindless of your presence. They'll do things that will leave you awestruck!
Most of the time, they'll swing off tree branches, fight, fornicate, groom each other or engage in primeval social dynamics. Watching these basic great apes behave in their natural setting will surely build up tanks of appreciation for your romantic partner and the human race.
You have a choice to make, though, take the one-hour trekking experience or the lengthy Chimpanzee Habituation Experience that can last for close to the entire day. Whichever you choose, very few experiences can top walking with wild chimpanzees in an African rainforest on a safari honeymoon vacation.
On your morning chimp trek, it's prevalent for other primates to cross your paths, like the rare L'Hoest's monkey and red colobus monkey. Other primates you may encounter include the black & white colobus, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, and grey-cheeked mangabey.
Afternoon excursion to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
This sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers; skilled birders can spot up to 50 species on an afternoon nature walk. On a good day, you may see more than seven primate species in Bigodi treetops. It's one of the best places to find monkeys in Uganda because of the abundance of fruit trees. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an excellent example of a community-based approach to natural resources management that has greatly benefited the residents living within the area.
You'll stay at: Ndali Lodge (luxury)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Packed), Dinner
Day 7: Fly Kasese to Kisoro
You'll be up early to catch a one-hour domestic flight from Kasese (a 1.5-hr drive from Kibale) to Kisoro Airport at 7:30 am. Kisoro Airport is just outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's south side. A driver will pick you up and transfer you to where the village walking experience starts.
The trail will take about 45 minutes between Kisoro Town and Lake Mutanda, following village footpaths through remarkable scenery of cultivated mountain slopes, rainforests, and human settlements.
Walking through village paths, you will meet fascinating locals and learn powerful knowledge of the rural people's daily lives. Excited children and adults will greet us as they tend their fields and livestock and collect water from local springs.
The path will take you to the edge of Lake Mutanda's calm waters, where you'll meet the fishermen and board traditional dug-out canoes. You'll row in a northerly direction listening to tales from your guide and the chants from fishermen.
The 2.5-hour canoeing journey is not just a boat ride, but the healing calmness of the enchanting landscape, water, rowers, and sound is unmissable. The local lives around the lake will cross your boat trail with fishers checking their nets, people taking produce to market by canoe, and others cutting reeds for creativity and construction.
At the other end, your walking safari guide will lead you to the road to catch your ride to the lodge.
Staying at: Nkuringo BWindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: The Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
It will be an early start of another active day; you must be up by 7:00 am, have breakfast, get your lunch-pack, and check your gear. Your private driver will have you at the briefing point before 7:30 am. gorilla trekking starts at about 8:00 am, irrespective of the weather and group size.
You may take almost the better part of the day in the jungle, but definitely more time trekking the mountain gorillas than watching them. You have about one hour to watch the dark-fared giant beasts staying 10 meters away from them. But sometimes they come closer, and you must follow the rules of the jungle.
The time you spend with the great apes will greatly compensate for all the jungle hiking that challenges your health and fitness. I recommend you work out for a few days before you come.
You'll be out of there relatively by 2:00 pm; you'll have lunch somewhere in the jungle and get back to your cottage for the evening. Take advantage of the after-dinner talk in the lounge.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 9: Stay-in - Optional Activities
The fourth day of this romantic getaway has some optional activities to keep you active. Otherwise, you can chill at your forest cottage for a relaxing honeymoon holiday.
- Stay back at the lodge and relax, read a book, join a cooking class, book a spa massage, or take a calm walk around the property and talk to some locals.
- Go back into the mysterious jungle to meet with the gorillas for a second time. Maybe join the rangers for the habituation experience that gives you more time with the gorillas. But remember, you must have pre-booked the permit.
- Drive down to Lake Mutanda for a traditional dug-out canoeing experience with some of the most enchanting views on the volcano lake.
- Forest walk either on a Batwa Forest Trail or the Circular Trail through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; this time not for gorillas but everything else ethereal about the jungle.
- Go on a sundowner picnic on top of the world with 360-degree spellbinding views of the hilly landscapes. It's a walking distance from the lodge.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: Fly Kisoro to Entebbe
You'll have breakfast early to catch the 8:00 am flight from Kisoro to Entebbe.
The most exciting thing about this part of ending your safari honeymoon in Uganda is driving through the steamy sunrays over the mountains, streams, and valleys all the way to the airport. The feeling of connectedness to the region will wash over you as you remember your experience with the land.
The enchantment continues as you fly over the magnificent forest swatch, the Virunga volcanos chain, and the rift valley rugged region. The flight is how you say goodbye to Uganda's romantic journey of a lifetime.
We will check you into your hotel to prepare for your international flight back home.
Accommodation (Optional): Boutique Hotel Number 5
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed)
Cathy
Moreen
Safari Experts
We work directly with you to prepare this once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon getaway in Africa. We understand that you don't want to be dealing with mind-boggling logistics in an unknown African country. We know our way and have partnerships with the best people, most romantic camps, and lodges to make this happen for you.
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EXCELLENT
255 reviewsPosted on Tripadvisor
Gabriel B3 unforgettable Weeks in Uganda We spent three weeks travelling around Uganda. It was a wonderful trip with so many incredible moments. A big shout-out to our fantastic driver and guide, Emanuell. We laughed, discussed, learned and enjoyed ourselves so much. Thank you so much, Emanuell, it was a real pleasure. We highly recommend Nkuringo. The people there take great care of their guests. We felt we were in the best of hands at all times and can highly recommend the company.Posted on Tripadvisor
Mary Carol WExceeded our expectations! We just returned from a customized fly-in safari and primate-trekking trip with Nkuringo Safaris. This trip was an A++ experience!! Our travel manager, Catherine, did a fantastic job of planning every detail. Our guide, Patrick Yiga, was superb. His knowledge, driving abilities (not easy roads!), and communication skills were all excellent. He paid attention to every detail. We already miss him a lot! Our experiences, accommodations, and food were all exceptional. Nkuringo Safaris showed us why Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.Posted on Tripadvisor
lisvelasco2001Amazing Custom Ugandan Trip How do I rate our 12 day trip through Uganda? AMAZING. My travel consultant who I use to put together our Africa trips worked in conjunction with Nkuringo to put together an amazing trip for us. There were 8 of us - my husband (active 72 year old) and I (62 years old), 4 travel friends (56-72) and our 2 nephews (30 years old). It was an active adventure with a primate focus. We took two internal flights to minimize our time on the bumpy roads. In putting the trip together, I had the opportunity to review all the accommodations and suggested activities. We did two hikes, two mountain bike rides, Chimp/Gorilla/Golden Monkey Tracking and some boating.It’s hard to say what the best/favorite thing was. Each was special in it’s own way. The unexpected PRIVATE boat ride on the Kazinga Channel was amazing in itself? Having a great guide for the Chimp tracking? Hike through the Bwindi Forest on the Ivy Trail?Accommodations were incredible - all staffed by very special people. None of us will ever forget Innocent (our butler) at the Primate Lodge. I will never forget Issac’s (Nkuringo Lodge) attention to our nephews who wanted to visit a local bar - who willingly took them and then hike to the Top of the World with them. It was really nice to have our laundry done and boots cleaned at some of the lodges.But the best part of the entire trip (besides traveling with friends and family) was our guides: Jack and Oscar. The two of them worked hand in hand for a seamless trip seeing to our every want and teaching us all about the country. My husband and I travel extensively and these two men rank up there as two of the best guides ever. I will never forget Oscar mountain biking with me as I slowly went downhill, gripping the brakes while my husband and nephews ripped ahead with the bike guide. For that I will be forever grateful. Or the day that the nephews wanted to go into town/Kisoro and see a bar and walk around. Jack and Oscar took them while Jack walked around with them. My husband and I never had to worry about their safety.The Land Cruisers were in top notch condition and spotless at the beginning of the trip. They were cleaned again when Jack and Oscar had a break from us. When available they even provided WIFI in the vehicles as well as water.Kudos to Lydia, the owner of the company, for running a top notch organization.Posted on Tripadvisor
Simone CGreat Uganda experience with a perfect guide! We had an amazing vacation full of everything you can dream about: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Leopard, Rhinos,…and some hiking. We had the best guide you can have, driving perfectly through every terrain, always flexible, perfectly organised and always a smile on his face: Bob Magezi! We felt safe and in great hands all the time! Uganda is a very diversified country that exceeded our expectations, with awesome people, green nature and lots of animals.Posted on Tripadvisor
MLAn unforgettable Uganda Experience with Bob and Nkuringo Two weeks of an amazing Uganda experience are behind us. From Entebbe over Ziwa Rhino to Murchison Falls, Kibale (Chimps), Ruwenzori, QE National Park, Bwindi and Lake Mutanda.The trip was extremely well organized and full of great experiences.We thank our great Guide Bob for a tremendous job and guidance through beautiful Uganda.Thank you Bob and Nkuringo, Iris&MarvinPosted on Tripadvisor
Laura PAmazing tour Everything about this 5 day experience was top notch. Remmy was an incredible guide - great energy, good vibes, helpful, knowledgeable, & always kept us feeling safe. Lodges were beautiful with great service & of course the animals/wild life did not disappoint. Added some optional hikes/walks to keep us active. Incredible trip - definitely recommend Remmy & Nkuringo!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Devon GIncredible trip to Uganda The trip was unbelievable. The itinerary was thoughtfully packed with amazing activities and beautiful scenic drives that made travel time enjoyable. The gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences were truly once-in-a-lifetime moments that we will never forget. Our guide Remmy was the best tour guide we could have asked for during our trip to Uganda. He was always prompt, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He truly made the entire experience special. We felt comfortable with him right away, and by the end of the trip, it honestly felt like we were traveling with family. We can’t recommend Remmy highly enough!Posted on Tripadvisor
Joanna WA Memorable Safari Marked by Care, Presence, and Expertise This was an exceptional safari experience from start to finish, beautifully designed and flawlessly delivered. As a solo traveler, I felt supported, well looked after, and genuinely welcomed throughout the entire journey.Diana was a joy to work with from the very beginning. She was warm, friendly, and highly responsive, while at the same time extremely attentive to my individual needs. Her advice on the different elements of the safari was thoughtful and well-balanced, helping shape an itinerary that felt both exciting and perfectly suited to me. I truly appreciated her guidance, flexibility, and care at every stage of the planning process.Patrick is an outstanding guide and professional. His competence, calm presence, and deep knowledge made the journey feel effortless and safe at all times. He has a rare ability to read situations and respond intuitively, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere while remaining discreet and respectful. His attentiveness, sense of humor, and genuine care made long days on the road and in the parks deeply enjoyable and memorable, adding a very special quality to this trip.I was fortunate to do my gorilla trek on my birthday, which made this already extraordinary experience even more meaningful. I was lucky to trek solo and spend precious time with a gorilla family — an unforgettable and deeply moving encounter. The guide Emos, together with the rangers and trackers, were kind, supportive, and incredibly professional, and most importantly made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire half-day experience.The game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat safari were exceptional. I was lucky to see the Big Four, with unforgettable sightings of elephants, lions, and a leopard I had especially hoped to observe. I was deeply impressed by Patrick’s knowledge of wildlife, nature, and local culture, and by his thoughtful responses to all my questions, which enriched every experience.At one point I felt uncomfortable with the initially booked boat experience, and both Patrick and Diana addressed this immediately by moving me to a larger, more comfortable boat. I truly appreciated this level of flexibility, responsiveness, and seamless logistics management.The chimpanzee trek in Kibale and the local community activities were equally rewarding. I was guided by Leo, whose warmth, hospitality, and excellent knowledge of local nature and culture helped me connect more deeply with the environment and the people, adding meaningful depth to the journey.The accommodations were impeccable. Nkuringo, Elephant Plains, and Turaco Treetops lodges were all very different in style, yet equally excellent in design, hospitality, quality of service, and delicious food. I was especially touched when Nkuringo Lodge organized a small birthday celebration with a cake — a thoughtful gesture that made me feel truly welcome.Overall, this safari exceeded my expectations in every way. My sincere thanks to Diana, Patrick, and the entire team for creating such a beautifully curated, professional, and memorable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this journey to anyone seeking something truly special.Posted on Tripadvisor
Clare NDream trip to Uganda! I cannot recommend Nkuringo Safari’s highly enough. From start to finish, my trip to Uganda exceeded every expectation - especially as I was a solo woman travelling on my first safari. Massively made by Moreen, who organised everything, and Remmy, my guide! From the beginning, Moreen was my first point of contact, and she was so great. Started with an enquiry about the 12 day safari & she helped turn it into an 18 day dream trip! She handled endless emails, questions, and changes — from where I wanted to stay, to adding extra nights and fine-tuning every detail. She made everything so easy & gave me complete confidence from the start and made the planning process stress-free. Each destination and lodge were so special. The settings were stunning, the accommodation perfect, and the hospitality at each place was so welcoming. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature, a lot of the time grumbling hippos and waking up to stunning sunrises & beautiful scenery doesn’t get old.Remmy - my guide, what a guy! Not just an outstanding safari guide — he is someone truly special. He has such a vast knowledge of wildlife, the land, and the Ugandan culture, I learnt so much from him. He knew spots where we could get great sightings of wildlife. He really looked after me, he was kind, caring and attentive. He made me feel completely safe & comfortable. By the end of the trip, Remmy felt more like a friend than a guide. And always making sure I had a cold beer in my hand after an activity. An absolute LEGEND!If you’re considering a safari in Uganda Nkuringo are the company to book with — and if you’re lucky enough to have Remmy as your guide, you’re in for a treat!Thank you Remmy, and thank you Moreen and Nkuringo Safaris for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime! Already thinking about my next adventure to Uganda.Posted on Tripadvisor
Alexandra GMountaingorillas and luxury It was a wonderful and amazing experience to see the mountaingorillas and everything went well, especially because my guide Remmy gave me good advices and answered to all my questions. I would highly recommend his guidance.Apart from that the stay in the Lodge near the Nationalpark was very luxurious.Load more
