Highlights
- Arrival in Uganda
- The magical views of Queen Elizabeth NP
- Exciting launch cruise at Kazinga channel
- Magical game drive for the big4/ tree-climbing lions
- The adrenaline Gorilla trekking experience
- Relax with magical views of Lake Bunyonyi
- Transfer back to Kampala
Trip Summary
| Day | destination | Hours | Km |
| 1 | Arrival, Pick up & transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP | 6-7h | 392.2 |
| 2 | Chimp tracking & afternoon boat cruise | 4-6 | 160 |
| 3 | Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector | 3-4h | 80 |
| 4 | Gorilla trekking & lake Bunyonyi relaxation | 2-4 | 112.2 |
| 5 | Transfer back to Entebbe | 7-9 | 453.3 |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and do an afternoon game drive.
The Uganda gorilla trek and Wildlife safari start early at 6:30 am from your place of residence after breakfast, with the safari guide picking you up to head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, 417km about 7 7-hour drive in the southwest of Uganda.
You will have a stopover at the Equator in Kayabwe, get to know interesting facts about the 0o line, and take photos to create memories that last a lifetime, thereafter, proceed to the Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in time for lunch.
Depending on the arrival time, you will go for an afternoon game drive along the Channel track that will give you a glimpse of a medley of wild animals such as Buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles along the shores of the lake quenching their thirsty.
Crater hike tour
You retreat from the game drive and if time permits, you will have an exciting hike to the crater lakes that will give you vistas of the countryside over the sundowner.
Continue to the lodge for overnight.
Accommodation
Budget: Topi lodge/Pumba safari lodge
Mid-range: Elephant Hub lodge/Buffalo safari lodge
Upmarket: Mweya safari lodge/ Ishasha wilderness lodge
Day 2: Chimp Trekking in the morning and afternoon boat cruise.
Get up early, eat breakfast, and then go chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge.
The Kyambura Gorge is located on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is home to habituated Chimpanzees as well as other primates such as Baboons, Monkeys, and bird species. The gorge is one kilometer long and one hundred meters deep.
In the afternoon, you can embark on a launch cruise on the magnificent Kazinga River, where you can expect to see herds of buffalo, hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and several bird species, including kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, and others.
You will eat dinner and sleep at your lodging.
Accommodation
Budget: Topi lodge/Pumba safari lodge
Mid-range: Elephant Hub lodge/Buffalo safari lodge
Upmarket: Mweya safari lodge/ Ishasha wilderness lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi via the Ishasha sector en route.
After an early breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Isasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is renowned for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chances of spotting these lions are around 70%, but they can be difficult to spot at times (especially when they are down in the grassland searching for prey).
Bwindi is a large mountain gorilla habitat in Uganda, home to an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – approximately half of the world’s population – as well as many habituated groups that can be monitored. With a long day ahead of you, you can do little on arrival but check into your accommodation and relax before embarking on your Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure the next day.
Continue to the lodge for overnight.
Accommodation
Budget; Rafiki safari Lodge/ Buhoma community rest camp
Mid-range: Buhoma community haven lodge/ Bwindi view lodge
Luxury: Rushaga gorilla safari lodge/ Trackers safari lodge
Day 4: Go gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
This is a special day to honor the magnificent mountain gorillas. Going gorilla trekking in the impenetrable forest of Bwindi is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
You meet at the respective park headquarters at 8 a.m. for a briefing, and you are also assigned gorilla families to track. The interaction lasts 2 – 8 hours, depending on the gorilla’s movements, and you have one hour to interact directly with the gorillas.
Retire from the operation and travel to Lake Bunyonyi through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands, where locals use the terracing method to cultivate their slopes, resulting in an impressive scenic landscape. Take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi while taking in the sights and sounds of the area.
Accommodation
Mid/ Budget: Bunyonyi Eco resort
Luxury: Bird Nest lodge/ Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe for your outbound flight.
You will have a leisurely breakfast before departing for Entebbe via Mbarara and stopping at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch (traditional dishes), but you will also have the option to visit the cultural museum here before continuing your journey to Kampala.
You should make an en-route stopover at the Equator (if time allows) for more pictures and to browse the gift shops for mementos of your Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari.
Check into your Kampala hotel or take a transfer to the airport if you are flying out later that day.
End of the safari. Thanks for choosing Friendly Gorillas Safaris
Prices / included services.
| Pricing for 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari | ||||
| Persons | 1 Person | 2-3 Persons | 4-5 Persons | 6 Persons and more |
| Budget | $2580 | $ 1950 | $1510 | $1360 |
| Midrange | $3340 | $ 2400 | $ 1950 | $ 1540 |
| Luxury | $4680 | $ 3080 | $ 2580 | $ 2190 |
Included in this safari:
- 4 WD Vehicle – with a pop–up roof
- A professional Driver guide.
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- All ground transportation and fuel
- Accommodation and Meals
- All activities/services as per itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Exclusions of the safari:
- Visas
- International airfares
- Activities/services not included in the itinerary.
- Alcoholic drinks/wines, Laundry, and any other service of a personal nature
- Travel insurance and other activities
