Face-to-face with
the wildest wildlife
in Uganda.
Silverback gorillas. Tree-climbing lions. Deadly snakes. The Big Five. Crocodiles & hippos. Shoebill storks. And much more — across the misty forests of Bwindi, the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth, and the Rwenzori mountains.
Heads up — this isn't a sightseeing trip. We track silverbacks, vipers, lions and hippos on foot, at very close range. If mud, sweat & fear aren't your thing, this one isn't for you.
A loop through
four ecosystems.
Papyrus swamp on Lake Victoria. Alpine slopes high in the Rwenzoris. Open savannah at Ishasha. Impenetrable rainforest in Bwindi. Every kilometre engineered for the closest-range wildlife you can get without bars between you and the animal.
The 9-day route.
Every day has a target — a species to track, a forest to push into, a channel to drift down. Every night, a lodge picked for proximity to the next dawn's hunt.
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Day 01
Arrival in Entebbe & Shoebill watching
- Pickup from Entebbe International Airport
- Afternoon boat excursion to Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill tracking
- Transfer to Mityana
Target speciesTerrain & methodVast freshwater papyrus swamp on the edge of Lake Victoria. Afternoon by boat with a local guide who knows the active Shoebill zones — they stand motionless in shallow lagoons hunting lungfish.
One of the only places on earth to observe Shoebill storks Mityana town -
Day 02
Herping in Mityana forests
- Full-day herping expedition with local trackers
Target speciesTerrain & methodDense lowland tropical forest, leaf-littered floor, heavy canopy. On-foot tracking through clearings, trails and waterlines. Local trackers search under logs, rocks, and leaf piles. Group communication via walkie-talkie.
Makanhill Resort -
Day 03
Transfer to Kibale Forest & swamp walk
- Morning transfer to Kibale
- Bigodi Swamp walk in the afternoon
- Optional: community experience — make your own coffee & banana gin
- Evening night walk around the lodge
Target speciesTerrain & methodWalk through wetland swamp on a marked path. After dark, headlamp walk around the lodge searching for movement and eye-shine.
Guereza Canopy Lodge -
Day 04
Chimpanzee trekking & the Rwenzori mountains
- Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
- Transfer to the Rwenzori mountains
- Afternoon & evening herping walk near the lodge
Target speciesTerrain & methodTropical forest with steep terrain and mossy undergrowth. Chimp trekking is coordinated by rangers using call tracking. Night walk involves spotlighting for chameleons and arboreal snakes along garden paths and forest edges.
You'll be assigned a chimp family — observed in their natural canopy Rubooni Community Camp -
Day 05
Rwenzori herping & Kazinga Channel cruise
- Morning: high-altitude herping in the Rwenzori
- Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Afternoon: 2–3 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Target speciesTerrain & methodMorning: slow ground-based scans and branch searches at altitude. Afternoon: freshwater channel between two lakes — animals come right up to the boat.
Aardvark Safari Lodge -
Day 06
Morning game drive & transfer to Ishasha
- Early morning game drive (4–5 hours) in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Lunch at the lodge
- Transfer to the Ishasha sector — attempt to spot tree-climbing lions
Target speciesTerrain & methodOpen grassland savannah. 4×4 game drive. Tree-climbing lions are usually spotted mid-day resting in large fig trees — we coordinate with local guides on recent sightings to maximise chances.
Ride for Woman Lodge — Bwindi
One hour with
a silverback.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Steep, muddy slopes. Heavy undergrowth. Rangers track fresh signs, dung trails and nest sites — the trek can take 30 minutes or 4 hours. Once located, you're allowed exactly one hour with the gorilla family in their natural habitat.
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Day 08
Transfer to Lake Mburo & afternoon boat safari
- Scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park
- Afternoon boat cruise on the lake
Target speciesTerrain & methodLake shoreline. Slow boat ride along the edge — the boat lets us get really close to wildlife.
Rwakobo Rock -
Day 09
Walking safari & transfer to Entebbe
- Morning walking safari
- Transfer back to Entebbe airport
Target speciesTerrain & methodOpen savannah. On-foot tracking with a ranger; animals approached at the closest and safest possible distance via trail signs, tracks, and wind consideration.
Optional Entebbe hotel
“We don't do tourism.
We do expeditions.”
All-inclusive.
Limited spots — capped by gorilla permit availability.
- 8 nights accommodation
- 3 meals per day
- Ground transport & fuel
- Airport pickup & drop-off
- Gorilla permits ($1,500 value)
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- All park fees, guides & activities
- Local trackers for herping
- Multiple boat cruises
- Drinking water & snacks
- Flights
- Visas
What to bring.
- Gripped hiking shoes
- Warm clothing for the Bwindi sector
- Light safari clothing for warm areas
- Light long pants
- Light long-sleeve tops
- Rain jacket
- Hat or cap
- Torch / headlamp
- Binoculars
- Small backpack
- Light gloves
- Snake hook
Questions, answered.
When does the trip happen? Can I pick a date?
Multiple departures throughout the year. Best wildlife viewing is during the dry seasons — June to September and December to February. DM to check upcoming dates and lock one in.
How many people per group?
4 to 8 maximum. Small enough that gorilla permits stay together (rangers issue them in groups of 8), and small enough that the experience stays personal — not a coach tour.
What fitness level do I need?
Moderate-to-good. You should be able to hike 4–6 hours over uneven, sometimes muddy terrain. Bwindi gorilla trekking can mean up to 4 hours of climbing through dense forest. If you can do a hard day-hike, you can do this.
What if we don't see the gorillas?
In 99% of treks, the rangers locate the family. The Uganda Wildlife Authority refunds the permit fee if they don't — but it's vanishingly rare. The trackers know exactly where each habituated family ranges.
Vaccinations & health prep?
Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda. Consult your doctor about malaria prophylaxis and any other recommended vaccines well before travel. Once booked, you'll get a full prep checklist.
Are solo travelers welcome?
Yes — most guests come solo or in pairs. The group dynamic is a big part of why these trips work.
Can I bring camera or drone gear?
DSLRs, mirrorless, GoPros, action cams — all encouraged. Drones require a permit through the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda; we'll help organise it if you want one. Full gear guide goes out once you're booked.
How do I reserve a spot?
DM @roma.in on Instagram. We'll confirm dates, send you the booking details, and lock in your gorilla permit (the limiting factor on group size).