6-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari with Lake Bunyonyi

We can either pick you up from your hotel or from Entebbe Airport on arrival. An English-speaking tour driver-guide will be assigned to meet you, and then we will begin our journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Mburo is a small and convenient park, located close to the highway that connects Entebbe and Kampala with the parks in western Uganda.

Lake Mburo National Park is a small savannah park in Uganda. It is home to many different types of birds and animals, including zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and hippos. There is also a rare leopard living there.

When we arrive, we will go to check in. If we have extra time, we can enjoy a late afternoon to evening game drive. Otherwise, we will head to our accommodation and spend the evening relaxing without any plans or obligations.

We will have breakfast early in the morning and then go for a morning nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park with a ranger-guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who will be carrying a weapon. During this walk, you will get to see zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, and other antelope, as well as Cape buffaloes and more animals up close.

You can walk along the trail up the hills to enjoy views of Lake Mburo and the surrounding landscape. Afterwards, we will return to your accommodation to check out and then continue by vehicle to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

We plan to arrive at our lodge in Queen in time for lunch. After eating and resting for a while, we will head out for wildlife viewing. During the game drive, we may see groups of buffaloes or elephants, a family of lions, a shy leopard, warthogs, and various types of antelope. After that, we will return to the lodge, where you can relax.

We will have breakfast and then go to search for chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is home to chimpanzees, as well as other animals such as baboons, monkeys, and birds. Today, you will spend the first part of the day following chimpanzees here.

After that, we will return to the lodge for a break and lunch. Once you have finished eating, you will board a boat for a 2-hour trip on the Kazinga Channel, the waterway that connects Lakes George and Edward.

During the cruise, you will be amazed by sightings of giant hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other wildlife. You will also see many different types of birds near the water. After the boat ride, you can enjoy a short late afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge.

Wake up early and go on a morning safari in the Kasenyi Plains. Keep an eye out for Cape buffaloes, groups of elephants, lions, and leopards, although leopards can be difficult to spot, along with other animals.

After the game drive, return to the lodge and check out. Then continue to the Ishasha sector to look for the famous tree-climbing lions. The chance of seeing these lions is around 70%, but they can sometimes be difficult to find, especially when they are searching for food in the tall grass. If you do see them, it is a beautiful and memorable sight.

After Ishasha, we will continue to our accommodation near Bwindi National Park, specifically in the Ruhija sector, arriving in the evening at around 5:00 or 6:00 pm.

#Optional (extra cost $120): You can choose to participate in a lion tracking experience. This means you will join a member of the predator research team, who will guide you on this expedition.

Have breakfast and go to the ranger station. There, you will receive instructions from a ranger-guide on what you should and should not do while trekking. After that, you will enter Bwindi Forest for your exciting experience.

The amount of time the trek takes and the type of terrain you move through will vary depending on how the gorillas move. Once you find a gorilla group, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them. The excitement of having the opportunity to watch these gentle and endangered giants is something you will never forget.

After the trek, return to your accommodation, check out, and continue to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by beautiful hills covered in green vegetation. These hills are quite tall, ranging from 2,200 to 2,478 meters in height.

What makes the lake truly special are the 29 islands scattered throughout it. These islands come in different shapes and sizes and are very enchanting to look at. You could spend hours admiring them.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation while taking in the stunning view of the Bunyonyi islands right in front of you. Afterwards, begin your journey back to Entebbe Airport.

Expect to have lunch on the way and to stop at the Uganda Equator line in Kayabwe. You can take some memorable photos there and also buy some artwork if you like.

Continue the journey and arrive at the airport in the late afternoon or evening.