Uganda FAM Trip
With BESPOKE & Manya Africa Tours
Our Uganda FAM offered a practical look at key regions, access points and the flow of a typical itinerary. The journey moved through Entebbe, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park before ending in the south of the country. Each stop helped us understand how travellers move, what they can expect and how each lodge supports that route.
Properties Visited
No 5 Boutique, Entebbe | https://www.hotelnumber5.com/
This boutique hotel is in a quiet residential area of Entebbe close to Lake Victoria. The hotel has rooms with balconies, mosquito nets, and safes. Facilities include a swimming pool and a spa. Its location near the airport makes it suitable for both arrivals and departures.
The Boma, Entebbe | https://www.boma.co.ug/
The Boma is located a short drive from the airport and the ideal stopover for late-night arrivals. Rooms include four-poster beds with mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms and verandahs. The property also offers a private swimming pool for guests.
Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale | https://cratersafarilodge.com/
Crater Safari Lodge stands on a hill overlooking Lake Nyinabulitwa and is located about 7 km from Kibale Forest National Park. It has 21 rooms made up of thatched chalets and pool-facing cabanas. Facilities include a dining area, lounge, fire pit, and swimming pool. Activities include chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland walks, Top of the World hikes, canoeing, fishing, and community visits. Crater Safari Lodge is the closest property to the departure point for chimpanzee trekking at Kibale Forest National Park.
Rubalika Eco Lodge, Kibale | https://rubalikasafarilodge.com/
Rubalika Eco Lodge is a family-owned lodge close to Kibale Forest. It has seven en-suite canvas cottages and grows fruit on its own farm for guest use. Rubalika plays an active role in surrounding villages through education support, local employment, women’s craft groups, and conservation awareness programs that connect community members with the forest. Guests can visit these projects to learn how tourism contributes to daily life in the area. The lodge also provides direct access to nearby walks and community experiences.
Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park | https://mweyalodge.com/
Mweya Safari Lodge is located on the Mweya Peninsula inside Queen Elizabeth National Park with views across the Kazinga Channel. Accommodation includes standard rooms, deluxe rooms, suites, cottages, and tents. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gift shop, gym, sauna, and massage services. Guests can join boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, game drives, birding outings, lion tracking and chimp tracking in the Kyambura Gorge.
Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Sector | https://gorillasafarilodge.com/
Gorilla Safari Lodge sits in the Rushaga Sector near the starting point for gorilla trekking activities. It serves as a base for travellers moving through the south of the country.
UNLOCK A WORLD OF ENDLESS ADVENTURE
Chimp Trekking in Kibale
Chimp trekking in Kibale starts with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority team. Guides outline the route, explain the tracking process and set expectations for the forest conditions. Trackers move ahead early in the morning, follow signs and send updates to the guide through radio contact.
The walk shifts between open paths and thicker forest as the group follows the movements of the chimps. Many encounters begin with sound as the chimps call across the canopy, helping the team close in on their location.
Once the chimps are found, visitors spend one hour with the group. The focus is on how they move, feed and interact. Guides help identify individuals and explain how the community structure works. The outing usually lasts two to four hours depending on the movement of the chimps.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking begins with a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who explain the guidelines, group structure and the expected route into the forest. Tracking teams move ahead early to locate the gorilla family assigned for the day. Updates come through radio, allowing the guide to adjust the path and pace of the group.
The walk can include hills, forest cover and clearings depending on where the gorillas settle. Once the trackers confirm the location, visitors spend one hour with the family. Rangers manage the spacing and positioning to ensure a steady experience while the gorillas continue their natural movements. The hour is spent watching feeding, resting, grooming and interactions between family members.
The full trek varies in length and can range from a short hike to a longer clizzmb depending on the gorillas’ position that morning. The experience offers a direct view of how a gorilla family functions within its forest environment.
Hosted by Manya Africa Tours
This FAM was supported by our partner, Manya Africa Tours, a woman-owned and operated, Uganda DMC with strong regional knowledge and long-running relationships across key parks and communities. Their team assisted with logistics, transport, and park coordination throughout the trip.