5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
Overview
This unforgettable 5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari from Kigali and combines two of East Africa’s most iconic experiences: trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and encountering big game on the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You’ll have the option to trek gorillas once or take part in an immersive gorilla habituation experience. The safari also features thrilling game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, known for hosting Africa’s highest concentration of hippos, along with elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of bird species.
Trip Summary
-
Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
-
Start & End Point: Kigali, Rwanda
-
Activities: Gorilla trekking or habituation experience, game drives, boat safari
-
Transport: 4×4 open-sided vehicle with pop-up roof
-
Included: Airport/hotel pickup and return, accommodation, meals, permits
-
Optional: Extra nights before or after the tour at an additional cost
-
Age Limit: 15+ for gorilla trekking
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
- Gorilla trekking permit
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Items of personal nature such as tips and drinks
Trip Itinerary
Your journey begins with a pickup from Kigali International Airport or your hotel. Travel west through Rwanda’s picturesque highlands, cross into Uganda at the Katuna or Chanika border, and continue toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After lunch at a local Ugandan restaurant, enjoy spectacular views of crater lakes and the Albertine Rift Valley as you enter the park. Settle into your lodge before heading out for a sunset game drive on the Kasenyi Plains. Expect sightings of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and—if luck is on your side—lions or leopards.
-
Drive Time: ~6 hours
-
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
-
Accommodation:
-
Budget: The Bush Lodge
-
Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Parkview Safari Lodge
-
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge
-
Begin the day with an early game drive on the open savannah of Kasenyi Plains. This is prime time for spotting predators and grazing herbivores in action. After a hearty breakfast, relax at your lodge before heading out in the afternoon for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
This iconic water safari offers up-close views of hippos, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and countless bird species like African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
-
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
-
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
After breakfast, drive south through rolling hills and vibrant villages en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Break for lunch at a local restaurant along the way, then continue to your lodge nestled near the forest. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the next day’s unforgettable gorilla encounter.
-
Drive Time: 5–6 hours
-
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
-
Accommodation:
-
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
-
Mid-range: 4 Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge
-
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Kiho Lodge
-
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by expert rangers. Depending on your choice, you’ll either:
-
Trek a habituated gorilla family (standard one-hour encounter),
-
Or join a Gorilla Habituation Experience (up to four hours with a semi-habituated group, guided by researchers).
The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on gorilla location, and your guide will share fascinating details about the flora and fauna along the way. Once with the gorillas, you’ll be allowed time to observe, photograph, and appreciate their complex behaviors and social dynamics.
Enjoy your packed lunch in the forest or back at the lodge. The rest of the day is yours to relax or take an optional community visit to learn about the Batwa culture.
-
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
-
Accommodation: Same as Day 3
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kigali. Along the way, stop for lunch and take in scenic views of the highlands one last time. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time to visit local craft markets or explore Kigali before your drop-off at the airport or hotel.
-
Drive Time: 4–5 hours
-
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Request a Quote
Recommended Safari Experiences
Looking to extend your journey? These related safaris provide fantastic opportunities to add variety and depth to your trip—combining thrilling wildlife encounters with authentic cultural moments.
