Arrive to Entebbe, a bustling small city on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. Your private driver will be waiting to take you to your stylish boutique hotel, set in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe.

Uganda is a safari destination whose sheer diversity makes it a one-stop shop for safari, adventure, wild waterfalls, and world class birding, and it is home to half the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. While often visited as an easy extension to the more famous parks in Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda is worth a trip in and of itself. It remains off the beaten path and with just as much to see!

Fly north to Kibale Forest National Park, where your expert private guide will be waiting to drive you through the lush forest to your lodge, perched on a spectacular hill overlooking stunning a blue crater lake.

Venture out this afternoon with your guide for a walk around the crater lake to take in the scenery, or visit a local dairy for a unique cheese tasting.

Rise early and trek into the forest with your expert naturalist guide in search of wild chimpanzees. Watching them dash at high speed through the trees, playing and calling to one another, is an exhilarating wildlife encounter. The chimps are most active in the morning, so you will be up with the sun for maximum viewing opportunity.

Trekking through the verdant forest, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wild. You may see 5 or 6 other types of primates in this area, most often the grey cheeked mangabey and the red-tailed monkey. After you emerge from the forest, enjoy a traditional Ugandan lunch in the home of a prominent community leader as he walks you through the meal and shares stories of the history and culture of the region.

This afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland in search of birds, kayak or swim in the deep crater lake, or relax at your lodge.

Journey through the rolling hills and breathtaking landscape of the Ugandan countryside with your private guide. Witness a snapshot of local life along the road as you pass colorful markets and villages at every turn.

This afternoon you enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the best game parks in Uganda, famous for its tree-climbing lions and the beautiful scenery of the open savannah. The park covers a lot of ground, and within its borders you will also find dense papyrus swamps, volcanic crater lakes, and lush rainforests. This contributes to the park having one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in Africa. You will find chimps in the Kyambura Gorge, flamingos feeding on crater lakes, elephants roaming the open plains, and maybe a clever tree-climbing lion or two.

Embark on a private boat cruise up the Kazinga Channel. This is a chance to sit back, relax with a drink, and enjoy the solitude of the wilderness as you spot game along the river. Finish the day with a leisurely game drive up the Mweya Peninsula to your luxury lodge.

Track lions with the Uganda Carnivore Project, a groundbreaking conservation initiative, hike the gorgeous Kyambura Gorge, visit a women’s coffee co-op or bee keeping project, or enjoy a game drive in the park with your expert guide. Your Vaya specialist can walk you through all your options to tailor this time to your interests.