Featured image: Adult black back gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Photo by Jo Anne McArthur

Join Uganda’s famed mountain gorilla veterinarian

Join a special safari with MoonLion Safaris in Uganda and Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of the award-winning Conservation Through Public Health, in partnership with JourneyWoman. In May 2025, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoma received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by JourneyWoman at Wanderful’s Bessie Awards. She’s also the author of “Walking with Gorillas”, available here.

This trip is curated by JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory partner Rupi Mangat of MoonLion Safaris. Rupi is a third-generation local and leading Kenyan travel writer who focuses on women in conservation in her JourneyWoman articles.  This trip will be led by guide Lilian Kamusiim, an acclaimed Ugandan birder and naturalist whose home borders include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. As a specially curated trip for JourneyWoman readers, there will also be at least two pre-trip Zoom calls prior to the trip, as well as a private Facebook group and WhatsApp group, so that you’ll meet other JourneyWomen travellers.

This trip is in partnership with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), founded by Ugandan veterinarian Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife vet and the recipient of global awards for her work in mountain gorilla conservation.  In 2024, CTPH celebrated its 20th  anniversary to save mountain gorillas in Uganda, living in the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, in partnership with the communities living alongside.  Today, Bwindi’s population of Mountain gorillas is increasing, and the mountain gorilla is listed as Endangered on The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) Red List, up from Critically Endangered. (Established in 1964, the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.)

Trip details 

Date: October 14-25, 2026 (11 days/10 nights) 

Starts and Ends in:  Entebbe, Uganda

Highlights: 

• Luxury Safari in three diverse wildlife areas
• Seeing Africa’s big game, including the gorillas and chimpanzees, in the wild
• Trek for the Mountain gorilla with the award-winning CTPH gorilla guardian
• Trek for chimpanzees on a chimpanzee habituation experience
• Stay in unique wildlife lodges, one by the Nile
• See Uganda’s rare endemic animals, which are only found in Uganda
• Sail the Nile to the most powerful waterfall in the world
• Be awed by the Mountains of the Moon
• Indulge in mouth-watering international and Uganda’s cuisine
• See the full itinerary here.

What’s included in this 11-day trip

• 1 night accommodation at Papyrus Guest House, Entebbe, on bed & breakfast basis

• 2 nights accommodation at Pakubaa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls, on a full board basis
• 2 nights accommodation at Isunga Lodge, Fort Portal, on full board basis
• 2 nights accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, on full board basis
• 2 nights accommodation at Haven Lodge Buhoma Community, Bwindi, on full board basis
• 1 night accommodation at Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Lake Mburo, on full board basis
• Arrival transfer (airport-hotel) in Entebbe (Day 1)
• 4×4 Safari Landcruiser with driver-guide on safari (Day 2-Day 11)
• Murchison Falls: A rhino trek at Ziwa (en route); A visit to the top of the falls; 1 Game drive; A boat cruise to the base of the falls
• Fort Portal/Kibale: 1 chimpanzee habituation permit per person
• Queen Elizabeth National Park: 2 Game drives, A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: 1 gorilla tracking permit per person, Gorilla Guardian working with CTPH guiding group; visit to the CTPH centre and to a community village to see its collaboration with CTPH.
• Lake Mburo: 1 game drive; A visit to Mabamba Shoebill Site en route from Lake Mburo to Entebbe
• National park entrance fees
• All statutory taxes
• Fundraising for our chosen beneficiary non-profit, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) 
  

   

  Not included:

  • Lunch and dinner in Entebbe
  • Beverages, incidentals, gratuities and items of a personal nature
  • Any items not mentioned under the above inclusions
  • Additional nights at Papyrus Guest House Entebbe (before or after your safari and includes an airport transfer) at USD 75 per person shared twin / USD 95 per person private.

Cost and how to book

• Complete our interest form to connect with Rupi Mangat

• The trip size is limited to 12 women; 7 are required to make this trip happen; do not book any travel until the trip is confirmed  

• Trip cost for 11 days/10 nights: Private room: US$ 6,548 / Shared room: US$5,955. This includes your money raised to support these conservation projects. Pricing may vary slightly depending on currency rates.

• Payment: 30% deposit due before November 2025 via Wise (credit card); Final payment due July 1, 2026

• Please do not book flights until the trip is confirmed. We will host a Zoom call to discuss logistics and details once guests are confirmed. 
• **Please note that this itinerary and pricing may be subject to slight changes, and the expedition host will keep you informed of any updates. Terms and conditions apply, based on availability. Some activities may be weather-dependent, and while we will do our best to include them all in the itinerary, flexibility may be required. In certain areas, Wi-Fi signal may be minimal or unavailable (offering a great opportunity for a digital detox). Regarding conservation work, the safety of the animals is always our top priority, and we will do our best to participate where and when possible, guided by expert conservationists to ensure we are contributing in the most responsible and meaningful way.

Remember to purchase travel insurance. Check insurance rates here.

How to get to Uganda

Inspiring Stories About Women in Africa from Rupi Mangat