Uganda · Wildlife Safari

6-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation and Game Viewing Safari

6 Days Round trip from Entebbe Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Embark on an 8-hour gorilla habituation adventure with researchers in Bwindi
02 Witness the resident tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha sector
03 Enjoy a memorable wildlife cruise along the Kazinga Channel
04 Browse the beautiful East African savannas on a game drive in Kasenyi

Explore Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a gorilla habituation experience, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for remarkable wildlife viewing. This safari combines an 8-hour gorilla habituation adventure with researchers, game drives across beautiful East African savannas, and a launch cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel. Along the way, enjoy scenic overland journeys, an equator stop, and the chance to spot the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Explore Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a gorilla habituation experience, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for remarkable wildlife viewing.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Kasese, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Languages English, French, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Entebbe and Transfer to Kampala

You will be warmly received by the company guide upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transferred to your overnight accommodation in Kampala.

O/n: Imperial Royale Hotel; Meal Plan: Bed only

Day 02

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today, you will be picked up early at the hotel and start the day's long journey at 6:30 am to the southwestern part of Uganda, heading to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
En route, you will stop at the Equator, where you will have breakfast, enjoy a simple introductory tour, and watch a water experiment. You will also stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch.
O/n: Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Dinner)

Day 03

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Start with an early breakfast at the lodge and later transfer to the park headquarters, where the activity begins.
Here, you will receive a briefing about gorilla habituation etiquette starting at 7:00 am, and around 8:00 am, you will enter the forest to begin the experience.
The activity lasts about 8 hours to the entire day, with 4 hours available to you in the presence of these world's great apes. It is the only activity that gives you more time with the gorillas.
In this activity, you follow researchers and habituators in their work of monitoring the gorillas and getting them used to human presence.
O/n: Rushaga Gorilla Camp. Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 04

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha

Have a hearty breakfast and transfer early from Bwindi, heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will enter the park through the southern sector of Ishasha, known for its resident tree-climbing lions. This is an opportune moment to capture some of the rarest and most stunning Kodak moments of the king of the savannas lying in tree branches, if luck permits.
Transfer to the lodge, where dinner and your overnight stay will be.

O/n: Buffalo Lodge; Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 05

Game Drive in Kasenyi and Kazinga Channel Launch Trip

Start off the day with an early breakfast and transfer to Kasenyi for opportune moments to spot predators such as lions, leopards, or hyenas before they return to their hideouts. Expect to see other big and small mammals striding across the huge expanse of the East African savannas as you browse the plains.
In the afternoon, have a lunch break and later take on an exquisite launch trip along the Kazinga Channel, which is crammed with wildlife. You will cruise past hippopotamuses and spot Nile crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife along the shores.

O/n: Buffalo Safari Lodge; Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 06

Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Check out from the lodge after breakfast and board the vehicle for the journey back to Kampala.
You will be dropped off at the hotel or transferred to the airport in Entebbe for your international flight back home.
End of safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Where this trip takes you

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla habituation with researchers, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel launch cruise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Entebbe 5 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All activities as stipulated in the itinerary and park entry fees
Ground transportation in a 4x4 safari van with a pop-up roof and fuel
Services of a professional English safari guide/ranger or driver
All meals as stipulated in the itinerary or meal plans provided by the booked accommodation
Bottled drinking water on board the vehicle during transfers
Gorilla habituation permit per person
Accommodation/overnights as shown in the itinerary on the day of arrival and during the tour
Fruits where available
AMREF Air Cover

What's Not Included

Post-tour/safari accommodation
Travel insurance and any expenses of a personal nature, such as tips, gratuities, laundry fees, as well as food and beverages outside the itinerary/meal plan
Tourist visa [can only be arranged on request and upon payment of the necessary fee]
Domestic and international air tickets [arranged on request]
Any activities outside the itinerary

What to bring

Light waterproof pants and a rain jacket
Proper hiking/walking boots and footwear such as sandals
Hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
Simple flashlight
Camera and accessories, and binoculars if possible
Re-usable water bottle to carry drinking water
A simple bag to carry your items, such as passports, etc.
Toiletries if necessary for convenience, although accommodations provide some

Know before you go

Fees for a gorilla habituation permit are paid upfront and are fully non-refundable.
There are only 2 gorilla groups worldwide in the Bwindi and Virunga ranges. Only Uganda's Rushaga sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers gorilla habituation. A maximum of 4 people are allowed to participate in this activity in a day. Early or advance payment for a permit is required, and a permit is only secured after complete payment of the permit fees.
Children below the age of 15 years do not go for gorilla habituation.
People with infectious diseases do not see the gorillas.
Gorilla Habituation and Game Viewing Safari in Uganda
On this safari, you explore Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on a gorilla habituation safari and also have an otherworldly experience in the yellow-golden savannas of Eastern Africa on a game-viewing expedition in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Logistics