Uganda · Up-Close Animal Experiences

4-Day Uganda Safari to Lake Bunyonyi and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

5 Days Round trip from Kabale Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's deepest lakes, surrounded by breathtaking scenery
02 Search for bird species around Lake Bunyonyi's 29 islands by canoe
03 Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an up-close mountain gorilla encounter
04 Enjoy scenic views of the Kigezi highlands, rolling mountains, and Ankole long-horned cattle

Embark on a safari to Lake Bunyonyi, near Kisoro and Kabale close to the Uganda-Rwanda border, and enjoy its breathtaking scenery and peaceful waters. Explore the lake by canoe as you discover its islands and birdlife before continuing to Bwindi Forest, one of Uganda's most remarkable nature destinations. The journey's standout experience is incredible mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, paired with scenic landscapes and memorable wildlife encounters.

Once the gorillas are sighted, you can spend one hour with them, learning about their behaviours and watching them play, feed, eat, and rest.

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, Mbarara, Kabale, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via the Equator and Mbarara

After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a 473.1 km journey (about 8 hours 24 minutes) to Lake Bunyonyi in the Kabale region, known as the Switzerland of Africa. Stop at the Equator for photos, enjoy the water experiment, and get the chance to stand on the line that divides the world into two parts: the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
Make another stop in Mbarara for lunch, then continue to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda and the second deepest in Africa. On a bright day, you can see the magnificent volcano of Mount Muhurta. Settle in for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 02

Lake Bunyonyi Canoeing and Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, go canoeing and explore the surroundings from the water's surface as you search for different bird species around the lake's 29 islands.
After canoeing, return to your hotel for lunch, then embark on a 71 km journey (about 2 hours 50 minutes) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the world's heritage sites and famously known for gorilla trekking. On arrival, check in to your hotel, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Day 03

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Rainforest

After breakfast, have your lunch packed and attend a briefing from the park ranger on how gorilla trekking is conducted and how to behave when you are near the gorillas. Bwindi rainforest offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape that is incredibly dense and crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing tourists to see the gorillas.
The trek takes between 1 and 8 hours. Once the gorillas are sighted, you can spend one hour with them, learning about their behaviours and watching them play, feed, eat, and rest. This experience is exciting and unforgettable. Return for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 04

Scenic Return Journey to Kampala

After breakfast, embark on your journey back to Kampala, enjoying beautiful scenic views of rolling mountains, the Kigezi highlands, and Ankole long-horned cattle, among others. Stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for a delicious meal, then proceed with the journey to Kampala.