5 Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
5 Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
Overview
The 5 Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari offers an exciting opportunity to explore two of Uganda’s most famous national parks — Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. This safari combines the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking with classic African wildlife viewing.
Your journey begins with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Here you will have the rare chance to trek through the rainforest and spend one hour observing a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat.
The safari continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular wildlife destinations. The park is known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes. You will enjoy game drives in the Kasenyi Plains, where animals such as elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and leopards may be spotted.
One of the highlights of the safari is a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world and is also home to hundreds of bird species. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and many birds up close.
This safari starts and ends in Entebbe, making it a convenient and rewarding way to experience Uganda’s incredible wildlife and primates.
Safari Highlights
- Visit Uganda, the Pearl of Africa
- The safari starts and ends in Entebbe
- Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Experience gorilla trekking and classic wildlife safaris
- Enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari can be arranged
Trip Itinerary
After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala and begin the scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
Along the way, you will stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe where you can take photos and enjoy a short demonstration about the Equator. The journey continues through Uganda’s countryside toward Mbarara where you will stop for lunch.
After lunch, the drive continues through banana plantations, rural farms, and the beautiful rolling hills of the Kigezi region, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.”
You will arrive at your lodge in the evening where you can relax and prepare for the gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Rushaga Havens Lodge
- Bakiga Lodge
- Ride 4 A Woman
Mid-range
- 4 Gorillas Lodge
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury
- Gorilla Heights Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Kiho Lodge
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After an early breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing by the park rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about the rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking.
You will then head into the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of a mountain gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on where the gorillas are located that day.
Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural environment. Watching these gentle giants interact, feed, and care for their young is a truly special wildlife experience.
After the trek, you will return to the park headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificate before heading back to the lodge to relax.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Rushaga Havens Lodge
- Bakiga Lodge
- Ride 4 A Woman
Mid-range
- 4 Gorillas Lodge
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury
- Gorilla Heights Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Kiho Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park located in western Uganda. The drive takes you through scenic countryside with views of banana plantations, tea estates, and rural villages.
You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. After checking in and relaxing for a short while, head out for an evening game drive in the Kasenyi Plains.
The Kasenyi Plains are known for their large herds of buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes. With some luck, you may also spot predators such as lions or leopards.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Bush Lodge
Mid-range
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Parkside Safari Lodge
Luxury
- Elephant Plains Lodge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
Early in the morning, return to the Kasenyi Plains for another game drive. Morning drives offer excellent opportunities to see wildlife when animals are most active.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, head to the jetty for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This is one of the most popular activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park due to the incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.
During the cruise, you may see large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a wide variety of water birds along the shores of the channel.
After the cruise, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation
- Bush Lodge
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Parkside Safari Lodge
- Elephant Plains Lodge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, you will stop again at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe where you can take photos, buy souvenirs, or relax before continuing the journey.
You will stop for lunch along the way before completing the drive to Entebbe.
Arrival is expected in the afternoon or evening where you will either be transferred to your hotel or to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Main Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: End of Tour
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Drinks: Mineral Water
Tour Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Park entrance fees
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs and laundry
- Alcoholic and soft drinks not included in meals
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
REQUEST A QUOTE
Explore More Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Browse more Uganda gorilla safaris designed for travelers seeking unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These packages offer flexible options to suit different travel styles, interests and budgets.
