Uganda · Wildlife Safari

5-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari and Gorilla Trekking with Kazinga Cruise

5 Days Round trip from Kampala Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife
  • 02 Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel with hippos, buffaloes, elephants, and abundant birdlife
  • 03 Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • 04 Guided trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to encounter endangered mountain gorillas
  • 05 Wildlife viewing across Uganda's renowned savannah and forest ecosystems
  • 06 Visit Igongo Cultural Village for insight into the traditions of the Ankole and Bahima people

Experience the best of Uganda on this 5-day journey combining classic savannah wildlife with an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on game drives and a scenic Kazinga Channel boat cruise, with opportunities to spot lions, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and abundant birdlife. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a remarkable mountain gorilla encounter in their natural habitat, then round out the trip with a community walk and a cultural visit at Igongo Cultural Village. This itinerary blends wildlife, primates, landscapes, and local culture into one rewarding safari.

Experience the best of Uganda on this 5-day journey combining classic savannah wildlife with an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Kasese, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Entebbe and Transfer to Kampala

Day 1: Arrival Entebbe Airport-Kampala City: Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional safari guide, who will assist with your luggage and provide a brief introduction to your journey. You will then be transferred in comfort to the elegant Kampala Serena Hotel, a high-end property offering world-class service and serene surroundings. Check in, relax, and enjoy a fine dining experience with dinner at the hotel.

  • Main destination: Kampala City
  • Accommodation: Kampala Serena Hotel. Luxury hotel located in Kampala City.
  • Meals & drinks: Breakfast & dinner included; drinking water provided. Lunch and other drinks are not included.

Day 2: Kampala-Queen Elizabeth National Park: Departing at 7:30 a.m., your professional guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive westward to Kasese via the scenic Fort Portal route. This journey offers breathtaking views of lush tea plantations, rolling countryside, and the dramatic foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, often called the "Mountains of the Moon." You will stop in Kasese for lunch, surrounded by striking mountain backdrops. After lunch, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying ever-changing landscapes of savannah plains, crater lakes, and acacia woodlands. In the late afternoon, embark on a memorable two-hour boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lakes Edward and George. This cruise provides exceptional wildlife viewing, including large pods of hippos, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and abundant water birds such as pelicans, kingfishers, and fish eagles. As the sun sets, return to Mweya Safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, immersed in the sounds and beauty of the African wilderness.

  • Main destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge. Luxury lodge located in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water provided. Other drinks are not included.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth-Bwindi Forest National Park Begin your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee before setting out on an early morning game drive along the Kasenyi Plains and Queen's Mile. This prime wildlife area offers excellent chances to encounter elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, prides of lions, the iconic Uganda kob, scenic crater lakes, and a rich variety of birdlife. After the game drive, continue southwards through the remote and picturesque Ishasha Sector, traveling along the dramatic Western Rift Valley escarpment. If time permits, enjoy a short game drive in Ishasha in search of the famous tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees. Thereafter, proceed to the mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity. Upon arrival, check in at the exclusive Buhoma Lodge, where you will unwind in the heart of the forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Lodge.

  • Main destination: Bwindi Forest National Park
  • Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge. Luxury lodge located near Bwindi Forest National Park.
  • Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water provided. Other drinks are not included.

Day 4: Bwindi Forest National Park-Gorilla Trekking: Begin your day with an early breakfast in preparation for gorilla trekking. At 8:00 am, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff, where you will receive important guidelines before entering the forest. Be sure to carry essential items such as a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, packed lunch, jungle boots, and other necessary trekking gear. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will venture deep into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to search for the shy mountain gorilla family allocated to your group. This extraordinary wildlife encounter, often described as one of the most thrilling experiences on earth, can take between 2 and 6 hours depending on the gorillas' movement, but every moment is rewarding. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided Buhoma Village Walk, offering meaningful insight into the daily lives of communities living around the forest. Starting from Buhoma Community Rest Camp, the walk is both informative and enriching, highlighting local culture, traditions, and impressive resourcefulness, while directly supporting community initiatives. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Buhoma Lodge.

  • Main destination: Bwindi Forest National Park
  • Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge. Luxury lodge located near Bwindi Forest National Park.
  • Meals & drinks: All meals included and drinking water provided. Other drinks are not included.

Day 5: Bwindi-Kampala/Entebbe International Airport Return to Kampala, then proceed to Entebbe via Mbarara, with a special visit to Igongo Cultural Village. At this remarkable cultural center, you will explore the rich traditions, lifestyle, and heritage of the Ankole and Bahima people, where the past harmoniously meets the present. Enjoy a deeper understanding of local crafts, music, dance, and architecture, offering a vivid insight into Uganda's cultural diversity. Lunch will be served en route, allowing you to savor local flavors. On the way, make a memorable stop at the Equator in Uganda, a unique opportunity for photos and to experience this geographical landmark. After this enriching journey, continue to Entebbe in time for your evening departures, concluding your unforgettable Ugandan adventure.

  • Main destination: Entebbe International Airport
  • Accommodation: No accommodation. End of service.
  • Meals & drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and drinking water included. Dinner and other drinks are not included.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kampala 8 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Costs include:

  • Airport transfers and assistance
  • Accommodation in Kampala on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Accommodation at lodge/hotel on a full board basis
  • Guided game drives
  • Park fees at Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Community walks at Bwindi
  • Igongo cultural visit
  • Two-hour boat trip along the Kazinga Channel
  • Private transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • One gorilla permit at Bwindi Forest National Park
  • Bottled drinking water while trekking and in the vehicle
  • Emergency evacuation medical insurance
  • All taxes on the services quoted above

What's Not Included

Costs exclude:

  • Meals and beverages other than those specified
  • International, regional, and local airfares
  • Airport taxes
  • Passport and visa fees, and service charges for obtaining visas
  • Excess baggage charges levied by airlines
  • Gratuities to driver-guides and other conveyance attendants
  • Laundry and other items of a personal nature, such as drinks and telephone calls
  • Personal and baggage insurance
  • Costs for anything not specifically mentioned in the listing above

What to bring

  • Valid passport and visa for Uganda.
  • Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Comfortable hiking boots suitable for forest trekking.
  • Lightweight clothing plus a warm jacket for cool mornings.
  • Rain jacket or poncho (rain is possible in the rainforest).
  • Insect repellent and sunscreen.
  • Hat, sunglasses, and personal toiletries.
  • Small backpack and reusable water bottle.
  • Camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Personal medications and basic first-aid items.

Know before you go

  • A valid passport and visa are required to travel to Uganda.
  • A gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is mandatory and must be booked in advance due to limited availability.
  • Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding and may involve several hours of hiking in steep and dense forest.
  • The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years.
  • Wildlife sightings during game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are very good but cannot be 100% guaranteed.
  • Accommodation availability may vary, so early booking is highly recommended.
  • Travel insurance covering medical emergencies and evacuation is strongly recommended.
  • A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required when entering Uganda.
  • The best experience requires a moderate level of fitness due to trekking and safari activities.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kampala, Uganda
Tour start
Kampala, Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Kampala.

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Starting from

USD 3,561 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $3,561.00 — $5,891.00
Double Sharing $3,561.00 — $4,207.00

When

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