Experience the best of Uganda's wildlife on this comprehensive 5 Days Uganda Gorillas Trekking & Safari Experience combining Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi is home to more than half of the remaining Mountain Gorillas on planet earth, along with chimpanzees, L'Hoest's monkeys, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys, and over 350 recorded bird species—most of which are Albertine Rift endemics found nowhere else. Queen Elizabeth National Park, named after Her Majesty the Queen of England, covers 1,978km² and is home to 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species—the highest record of any park in Uganda. Witness the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, enjoy a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel with its incredible hippo concentration, and track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge.
Key Safari Highlights
- Track endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family
- See the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel with hippos and crocodiles
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
- Visit the indigenous Batwa community
- Over 600 bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Scenic drive through tea plantations and rolling hills
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrival – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
You will be met by your local host with your safari driver guide. Once you board your safari vehicle, you will depart for a scenic 10-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Along the way, you will stop at the equator for photos and also have lunch in Mbarara Town. Enjoy the beautiful Ugandan countryside as you travel through rolling hills and banana plantations. You will arrive in the evening for check-in at your lodge nestled at the edge of the ancient forest. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Gorilla Trekking
You will have an early morning breakfast followed by a briefing by the forest ranger before embarking on your gorilla trekking expedition. You will carry your packed lunch and water for the excursion. The trek through the ancient forest can take 2-8 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. On sight of the gorillas, keep calm and watch them feed, play, swing from one branch to another, and enjoy the strictly one hour allowed in their presence. Bwindi Forest is an ancient rainforest with incredible diversity of flora and fauna for you to see, feel, and experience. Return to the launch site, receive your tracking certificates, and take a ride back to your lodge. A possible visit to the Batwa Community is available if time permits. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Check out of the lodge after breakfast and embark on a 5-hour picturesque drive via Kihihi area to access the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park through Katookye gate. Enjoy a game drive in the southern circuit in search of the famous tree-climbing lions—a rare phenomenon found in only two places in Africa. Picnic lunch in the bush, then proceed with the journey through a scenic green belt with possible sights of topis, elephants, and olive baboons among others. Arrive at the lodge in time to freshen up before dinner. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Full Day
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the vast savannah plains, swamps, and forests of Queen Elizabeth which are home to about 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. Look out for lions, leopards, elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, cape buffaloes, and waterbucks among others. After lunch, transfer to the pier for your afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel—a natural waterway joining Lakes George and Edward. The channel is habitat to Nile crocodiles, arguably the highest concentration of hippos on the planet, different species of egrets, Goliath herons, saddle-billed storks, African fish eagles, Egyptian geese, and cormorants. Return to the dock and enjoy a game drive en route to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kampala
Have an early breakfast at the lodge and after check-out, drive to Kyambura Gorge to embark on a chimpanzee tracking activity. Chimpanzee tracking here involves descending and ascending the banks of the gorge—a unique and rewarding experience. Apart from chimpanzees, Kyambura Gorge is home to greater and lesser flamingos as well as the great egret. Return to the staging area where you will join your driver and exit through Kabatooro gate. Stop at the Equator by Kikorongo Road for photos. Continue and break for lunch at Fort Portal town. Take a scenic route over hills, down valleys, through tea plantations and trading centers back to Kampala.
What's Included
- Ground transportation throughout the trip
- Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as indicated on the safari program
- All meals as indicated on the safari program
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Bottled water (1 liter per day)
- All activities as indicated (boat cruise, game drives)
- Batwa Community visit
- Flying doctors coverage within East Africa (14 days)
What's Excluded
- Visas/Entry Permit for Uganda
- Pre & Post tour accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe
- Porter services during gorilla/chimp trekking
- Gratuities and tips to hotels/lodges/camps staff and driver/guide(s)
- Local or international flights and departure taxes
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Any items not included in the itinerary
