On arrival, we will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure before meeting your fellow volunteers this evening. We will discuss the week ahead, where we will gain valuable firsthand experience with the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

After breakfast we head into central Entebbe to locate some of the key services such as ATMs, supermarkets and the all important cafes- we will get to experience one of our favourites for lunch. After that it’s off to Ngamba Island, just a 50 minute boat ride from Entebbe, for a guided tour and to meet the dedicated staff and animals. We will learn about the important work the team carry out, gain a deeper understanding of what our roles will be during the next week as well as learning indepth about the threats and work done to conserve the Chimp’s wild relatives.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngamba Island Dorms

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a project of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT). This body is charged with providing welfare to the chimpanzees. Apart from the playful apes, there are monitor lizards and an abundance of birdlife that call the Island home. Over the next few days you will have plenty of opportunity to observe the chimps feed, play, care for each other and rest. You will be able to help with preparing the various fruits and vegetables to feed to the chimpanzees. Your role each day will depend on a variety of factors including planned veterinary procedures, enclosure maintenance, visitation numbers and special behind the scenes experiences, projects or research. Every job you do assists the staff in caring for the animals and will leave you with amazing memories.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngamba Island Dorms

Today you will continue your volunteer work on the Island. The program will finish at lunch time and leave you enough time to organise your belongings before your departure. We will arrange a pick up in the afternoon, to give you an opportunity to say goodbye to the keepers and animals you have come to know during your stay. We will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport, or a central Entebbe location upon request. Alternatively you could continue your RAW Africa Eco-tours experience with our Mountain Gorilla Adventure or Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Saving Great Apes conservation safari.

Meals: Breakfast

On arrival, we’ll meet you at Entebbe International Airport and transfer you to your hotel where there’s time to relax, get used to your surroundings, meet your fellow travellers and get ready for your conservation safari.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Ngambe Chimpanzee Island is a ground-breaking initiative of the Jane Goodall Institute and is now managed by the Chimpanzee Trust. After a short boat ride on Lake Victoria, you will step onto this remarkable Island Sanctuary to learn more about the work involved in rebuilding the lives of these great apes.  (This is an optional excursion US $95).  For those of you not visiting Ngamba Island this morning, we will take a tour through Africa’s oldest botanical gardens, Entebbe Botanical Gardens. After lunch we will head to the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre for an afternoon tour of the chimpanzee facilities to understand more about the role UWEC plays in caring for rescued chimpanzees in partnership with JGI.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Today we will head north towards Murchison Falls National Park and the
spectacular River Nile. The park was established in 1952 and is the largest in Uganda. There are around 75 species of mammal in the park and over 450 species of birds! The park is bisected by the river Nile. Tonight, we will stay at our accommodation located on the banks of this mighty river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

After an early breakfast we will set out on our first game drive through the rolling plains of Murchison Falls National Park. After lunch we will take a
relaxing boat cruise along the great river Nile to the foot of the falls. This is where the Nile thunders through the narrow seven-metre gap to the river below, and onto Lake Albert.
Spend the night outside the park at Boomu Women’s Group community guest house. Enjoy a traditional dinner and learn more about the work of JGI partnerships with local communities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Boomu Women’s Group community guest house

Boomu Women’s Guest House is a local development initiative supported by JGI in an effort to provide alternative incomes to communities living alongside chimpanzee populations. The Guest House is run by Edna and the women of the surrounding area. This morning Edna will take us on a stroll through the local village to give you a better understanding of life in rural Uganda. We will experience a traditional cooking class before heading to Hoima for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

One of the greatest legacies of the Jane Goodall Institute’s commitment to people and wildlife has been conservation education programs. The Roots & Shoots Education Project in Hoima is aimed at supporting the youth of Uganda and enabling them to take an active role in conservation.
Visit local projects including schools, to see the “Root & Shoots” program first-hand as well as a water spring, bee keeping and community nursery programs. Each project is aimed at helping communities live alongside wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Today we will visit a program close to the heart of JGI- Peer to Peer Education Program. The school dropout rate in Uganda is one of the highest in Africa. By educating and empowering girls, we create confident women and sustainable livelihoods that do not rely on the fragile environment around them.
This is turn protects local chimpanzee populations and their habitats.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Today we will travel south to Fort Portal and the Kasiisi Education Project. The Kasiisi Project’s area of operation is located around Kibale Forest, the first research site for chimpanzees in Uganda. We will stay at the Kasiisi Project. 
guest house, which is located next to one of the programs schools.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kasiisi Project Guest House

After breakfast we will have a tour of the Kasiisi Project site and meet some of the local school children involved in programs to support the Kibale Forest.
Continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). This is the second largest park in Uganda and is home to a diverse array of wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant and various bird species. We will stay overnight at our lodge overlooking the beautiful expanses of the park. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge

The Kalinzu forest, which borders Queen Elizabeth National Park, is home to several families of Chimpanzees. This will be one of the highlights of your Ugandan journey. Once you witness these amazing primates you will understand what inspired Dr Jane Goodall to dedicate her entire life to fighting for their survival. After our morning trek we will head into the park for lunch and a relaxing cruise on the Kazinga Channel which runs between Lake George and Lake Edward.
Come face to face with elephant, hippo and buffalo!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge

Kisoro is located in the south western part of Uganda. Surrounded by towering extinct volcanoes and crater lakes, we will make our way to Kisoro through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is famous for its tree climbing lions who perch themselves in the huge fig trees in order to keep a look out for prey or to enjoy the cool breezes on a hot summer day. Tonight, we will stay at Travellers Rest Guest House. The guest house was made famous by another eminent primatologist, Dian Fossey who based herself at Travellers Rest while undertaking her gorilla research in DR Congo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

The trek to see the Mountain Gorillas will surely be a trip highlight. To spend an unforgettable day with some of the last mountain gorillas on earth will live in your memory forever. Uganda’s Forest is not only famous for its spectacular Gorilla families, but also for its bird life and other forest primates.
The Gorilla Trek will take place on day 12 or 13 of the safari and is dependent upon permit availability.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Mabungo Village is nestled into the foothills of magnificent Mt Muhavura, on the outskirts of Kisoro. We will spend the morning visiting the village to experience traditional Ugandan life – music, dancing and food. This is one of those uplifting experiences that will stay with you for many years to come.

In the afternoon we will take a short drive to Lake Mutanda where we will set out in a traditional canoe to spend the afternoon on this peaceful lake. Lake Mutanda is famous for its otters and water birds.
You can either sit back and relax or grab a paddle and lend a hand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

This morning we will depart Kisoro and head to Kigali, Rwanda. We will drop you at the airport for flights after 3pm or a central Kigali location, if you wish to stay and explore the beautiful capital of Rwanda.

Meals: Breakfast 

+ Optional Day 2 Ngambe Chimpanzee Island (US$95)

+ City Tour Kigali – Half day/ Full day

Explore the beautiful city of Kigali. Visit the Gisozi Memorial site, Galleries, Markets, POA

+ Accommodation upgrade: If you are feeling a little more indulgent, we can offer accommodation upgrades in selected parts of our journey (Subject to additional cost and availability).

On arrival, we’ll meet you at Entebbe International Airport and transfer you to your hotel, where there’s time to relax, get used to your surroundings, meet your fellow travellers and get ready for your exciting experience at UWEC!

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Today is all about getting to know your surroundings. We start with a trip to Entebbe to locate some of the key services such as ATMs, supermarkets and the all-important cafes! After that it’s off to Entebbe Zoo for a guided tour and the chance to meet the keepers and animals we’ll be working with over the next few days. We’ll learn about the important work the zoo carries out and gain a deeper understanding of what our roles will be during our time here.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: UWEC Accommodation

Over the next few days we’ll spend our time volunteering with the keepers of Entebbe Zoo and learning more about caring for some of Uganda’s locally threatened species such as the shoebill stork, chimpanzees and white rhino. You might find yourself undertaking a series of activities from helping to build new facilities, food preparation, animal observation, cleaning holding facilities and enclosures or being a surrogate mother to the sick and injured animals. Whatever you end up doing, you can rest assured it will have a long-lasting impact on the wildlife under your care.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: UWEC Accommodation

Today you will continue your volunteer work at Entebbe Zoo. The program will finish mid afternoon and leave you enough time to organise your belongings before leaving the zoo.

We will arrange a pick up in the late afternoon, to give you an opportunity to say goodbye to the keepers and animals you have come to know over the last week. We will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport or a central Entebbe location. Alternatively you could continue your RAW Africa Eco-tours experience with our Mountain Gorilla Adventure or JGI Saving Great Apes conservation safari

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Guest House