Have an early breakfast before heading to the trekking centre for registration and a briefing with the ranger team. They will explain the forest rules, what to expect during the trek, and how to behave when you meet the gorillas. Once the groups are assigned, set off into the forest with your ranger guides. The walk can take a few hours or much of the day, depending on where the gorilla family has moved and how difficult the terrain is. Expect steep slopes, tangled vegetation and muddy trails, particularly after rain.

When you find the gorillas, you will have one hour to spend with them. You might watch a silverback resting nearby, see females caring for their young or follow the movements of juveniles as they play among the vegetation. The family may be feeding quietly or moving through the forest, so your ranger will help you find a suitable viewing position without disturbing them.

Keep your camera ready, but remember that flash photography is not allowed. Uganda's minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. After your hour with the gorillas, follow the ranger team back through the forest and return to the lodge. The trek can be physically demanding, so leave the rest of the afternoon free to shower, relax and enjoy dinner without having to rush off for another activity.

After breakfast, leave the lodge for the airstrip serving your part of Bwindi. Kihihi is commonly used for the northern and eastern parts of the region, while Kisoro serves the southern area, including access to southern Bwindi. Your actual departure point will depend on your lodge and the flight booked for your travel date.

Board your domestic flight to Entebbe, enjoying a much shorter journey back to central Uganda than the long drive you made on Day 1. Flying makes it easier to combine gorilla trekking with a visit to Jinja within five days, without spending another full day on the road.

On arrival at Entebbe, meet your driver and continue east to Jinja. The drive takes you through central Uganda towards the Nile, where you will spend the next two nights. Check into your hotel and take the evening at your own pace. After the early start and gorilla trek of the previous day, a quiet evening beside the river is a welcome change. If you arrive with enough time and have arranged it in advance, you can also enjoy a sunset boat trip.

Overnight: Jinja.

Today, trade the quiet forest trails of Bwindi for the rapids of the Nile. Jinja is one of Uganda's main centres for adventure activities, and white water rafting gives you the chance to experience the river from a completely different perspective.

Your day begins at the rafting base, where the team registers participants, provides the necessary equipment and takes you through the safety briefing. You will learn the paddling commands, how to work together as a team and what to do when navigating the rapids.

Once you are on the water, follow your guide's instructions as you paddle through the river's changing currents and rapids. The exact route and difficulty depend on the rafting trip you book and the conditions on the day. Previous rafting experience is not normally required for standard guided trips, but you should be comfortable in and around water and follow the operator's safety requirements.

If you would rather avoid the more demanding rapids, a gentler activity on the river can be arranged instead. This works well for couples and groups whose members have different interests or comfort levels. Return to your hotel later in the afternoon and spend your final evening in Jinja relaxing after a full day on the river.

Overnight: Jinja.

After breakfast, head out for a boat trip around the Source of the Nile in Jinja. After yesterday's rafting, today is a chance to enjoy the river at a slower pace and take in the scenery around Lake Victoria. With your local guide, travel by boat towards the source area, where the waters leaving Lake Victoria begin their journey north as the Victoria Nile. Take time to enjoy the views across the lake and along the river rather than rushing through the visit.

After the boat trip, return for lunch if time allows, then begin the drive back towards Kampala or Entebbe. If you have an international flight that evening, make sure your departure time leaves enough room for the road journey and airport check-in. Traffic can build up as you approach Kampala and Entebbe, so avoid booking a flight that leaves you with a tight connection. If your international flight is the following day, you can spend the night at a hotel in Entebbe instead, giving you a more relaxed end to the safari.