Arrival, Welcoming cocktails + briefing on the overall trip.

Addis Ababa + City tour, Visit beautiful baroque style Trinity Cathedral to view crypts of the imperial families and coffin of Emperor Haile Selassie I and National Museum which comprises of many archaeological and historical findings including the famous complete hominid fossil remain of ‘Lucy’ locally known as ‘Dinknesh’

Fly to Gondar and drive to Semien Mountain National Park. It is one of the world heritage sites in the country out of nine because of its stunning scenery.

Excursion for Gelada Baboons, The Semien Mountains not only offer amazing scenery, but the area is also home to several of Ethiopia’s endemic species which includes Gelada Baboons

Drive to Gondar, You will travel through mountainous areas adorned with amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies as you drive to Gondar. It was the 17th and 18th century capital of Ethiopia. Visit the ‘Royal Compound’ with many majestic castles constructed in the European middle age architectural style.

Fly to Lalibela, which is home to the 12th century hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221) whom the town is named after. Lalibela is one of the most important religious and historical sites in all of Africa and the Christian world, with more than 200 churches some hidden inside enormous caves.

Lalibela, Morning excursion to Yimrehan Kirstos. It is an 11th century stone and wood Ethiopia Orthodox Church located in northern Ethiopia. It was erected in the Aksumite architectural tradition and in the afternoon visit the second group of Lalibela Churches

Fly to Axum, Founded three centuries before the birth of Christ, Axum was the hub of the Axumite Empire and a crucial destination between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. This capital was the first place in Ethiopia to adopt a new religion- Christianity. According to the Old Testament, The Queen of Sheba was born in Axum.

This morning you will depart on a flight from Axum to Addis Ababa for your departure flight to Entebbe.

Arrival in Entebbe as per your international flights and transfer to the Hotel.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for the AeroLink flight to Kisoro across central Uganda and offering a view of the country beautiful landscape of mountains, hills, cultivated terraces, tropical rainforest, bamboo forests and the majestic chain of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Upon arrival meeting with the vehicle and continue to Nkuringo. Lunch at the lodge and at 2.00 pm departure to Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage.

After breakfast, at around 7:45 am, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transfer to the National Park Head Quarters for the briefing on the do’s and the don’ts while with the gorillas. You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.

The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. The tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1 hr drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.

Upon return, relax at the lodge and, for those who like, at 5.00 pm either stroll through the community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” – the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

Early breakfast and transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your morning AeroLink flight to Entebbe.