7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari through Bwindi and Kibale

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Embark on gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• 02 Spot the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Sector
• 03 Cruise the Kazinga Channel for close-up wildlife viewing
• 04 Track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park
• 05 Explore Igongo Cultural Centre for insights into local heritage
• 06 Enjoy wildlife viewing around Mweya on the Kazinga Channel
• 07 Experience Kibale, the primate capital of the world

Explore the heart of Uganda's biodiversity on this 7-day adventure from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a life-changing gorilla encounter awaits. Continue through Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for the famed tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and cruise the Kazinga Channel amid rich birdlife and wildlife. The journey also includes chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world, and a cultural stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for insights into local heritage.

Explore the heart of Uganda's biodiversity on this 7-day adventure from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a life-changing gorilla encounter awaits.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kisoro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Entebbe

• On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for dinner and an overnight stay.

2

Day 02

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Mbarara

• After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Mbarara, where you will have lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre. At this centre, you can explore the Ankole and Albertine Rift Valley cultures.
• Later, continue to Bwindi in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at Bwindi Gorilla Resort - Nkuringo Lodge (C) or Buhoma Community - Kisoro Tourist Hotel (B). FB.

3

Day 03

Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi

• After breakfast, drive to the gorilla tracking trailhead for a briefing at 8 am. The forest is spectacular, offering a dramatic sense of serenity. This heavy and dense tropical rainforest, set on a rolling, mist-covered hilly landscape, is home to numerous birds, primates, herbivores, and predators, which are a key attraction to tourists. This park is best known for its fascinating mountain gorillas.
• The time spent before meeting the gentle giants varies from 2 to 3 hours. The thrill of observing mountain gorillas is a life-changing experience and a perception decoder, so look forward to it. If you spend 4 hours or fewer on the tracking, we can visit the communities near the park.
• Then return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

4

Day 04

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

• After breakfast, drive north through Queen Elizabeth's Ishasha Sector to look for the tree-climbing lions seen here. It is an impressive sight to see the lions lounging and enjoying the warm Albertine Rift breeze in ficus, albizia, or acacia trees.
• Later, drive to one of the Rift Valley escarpment lodges for dinner and an overnight stay. The escarpment commands great views across the park's Rift Valley savannah.

5

Day 05

Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

• After a cup of coffee, embark on an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park to look for lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, warthogs, leopards, spotted hyenas, mongoose, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and many birds.
• Drive to Mweya Safari Lodge, on the banks of the Kazinga Channel, for lunch, where you will enjoy lots of birds and herds of animals swimming in the channel.
• After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 40 km channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward, both found in this park and the Rift Valley, to see what this Rift Valley lifeline offers. These include birds, cormorants, pelicans, eagles, crocodiles, hippos, and elephants.
• Visit Katunguru fishing village in Kazinga on the way back to the lodge.
• Later, proceed to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

6

Day 06

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park

• After breakfast, drive to Kibale National Park, the world's primate capital, for chimpanzee tracking.
• Lunch will be in Fort Portal. This area is home to the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda and Africa.
• You will do the afternoon tracking. Unlike Bwindi and Mgahinga, the home of the mountain gorillas, the terrain here is gentle, and tracking is not tedious.

7

Day 07

Return to Entebbe

• After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Full-board accommodation, including one soft drink with meals
• Ground transportation by 4x4 Land Cruiser
• English-speaking driver/guide
• Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
• Entrance fees and taxes

What's Not Included

• Air ticket
• Personal insurance
• Extra drinks and tips

What to bring

• Rain protective gear
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen / sun block
• Hiking boots
• Anti-malaria tablets
• Gifts
• Binoculars
• Camera

Know before you go

• During the safari, expect to do the gorilla tracking walk and the chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. You will also do a lot of birdwatching and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
• Anybody can join this tour itinerary, though gorilla tracking can generally be the most demanding activity in terms of readiness to walk for many hours in the tropical rainforest on steep terrain, sometimes in rainy conditions during the hike.
• This trip can be done at any time of year. It is possible to do gorilla tracking and game drives in Uganda year-round. The dry seasons are more likely to guarantee better road conditions in the parks. Discounted permits are sold in April, May, and November.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Entebbe, Uganda

Tour start

Entebbe, Uganda

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.