Experience two of Uganda’s greatest natural treasures on this 5 Days Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Safari with Verdant Safaris. This exciting short safari combines thrilling wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park with an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will explore the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hippos and, with good fortune, lions and leopards. You will also enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Uganda’s best locations for viewing hippos, crocodiles and water birds. The highlight of your journey will be trekking through the ancient rainforest of Bwindi in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. With scenic drives, comfortable accommodation, professional guiding and carefully organised activities, this safari offers an excellent introduction to Uganda’s wildlife and primates within five memorable days.
Day 1: Entebbe or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe as you start your journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. You will travel through the beautiful countryside, passing local communities, farms, plantations and rolling hills while enjoying the changing scenery along the route. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards the park, with opportunities to make short scenic stops along the way. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an introductory game drive as you enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, giving you your first opportunity to see elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and various antelope species. The park is also home to lions and leopards, although sightings of predators are not guaranteed. You will continue to your lodge, check in and relax while enjoying the beautiful surroundings before dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
You will wake up early and prepare for an exciting morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cooler morning hours are ideal for wildlife viewing, and your experienced guide will take you across the savannah plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. You will also explore areas where lions are known to occur, while leopards may be spotted with good fortune as they move through the woodland and grassland habitats. After the morning game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast and some time to relax before lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on a memorable boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. During the cruise, you can observe large numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes near the water, together with numerous water birds along the shoreline.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin your journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda. The journey takes you through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the region, with rolling hills, cultivated terraces, tea plantations and rural communities creating beautiful scenery along the route. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards the Bwindi region, with your guide making suitable stops where possible for photographs and scenic views. As you approach the forest, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and lush, signalling your arrival in the habitat of Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Depending on your route and weather conditions, you may also enjoy views of the Virunga volcanic ranges in the distance. You will arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening, check in and relax while receiving a briefing about the following day’s gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation options: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bakiga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is the highlight of your 5 Days Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Safari as you venture into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a mountain gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, you will report to the relevant park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your trek with experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority guides and trackers. You will walk through the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family, following forest trails that can sometimes be steep, muddy or challenging depending on the weather. The duration of the trek varies because the gorillas move freely through their natural habitat, but the journey itself allows you to appreciate Bwindi’s remarkable vegetation, birdlife and forest ecosystem. Once you locate the gorilla family, you will have a memorable opportunity to observe their natural behaviour while following the instructions and guidelines provided by your ranger. After completing the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch, rest and relaxation, giving you time to reflect on one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
Accommodation options: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bakiga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Bwindi to Entebbe or Kampala and Departure
After breakfast, you will begin your journey from the Bwindi region towards Kampala or Entebbe, marking the final day of your Uganda safari. The drive takes you through the scenic countryside of south-western and central Uganda, with rolling hills, farms, villages and local trading centres providing a fascinating view of rural life. You will have lunch en route and continue towards Entebbe, enjoying the changing landscapes as you travel towards Uganda’s international airport. Depending on your flight schedule, you may make a short stop at the Uganda Equator crossing for photographs and souvenirs, provided there is sufficient time before your flight. Your Verdant Safaris driver will carefully monitor your schedule and ensure that you arrive at Entebbe International Airport in good time for your departure. As your safari comes to an end, you can reflect on the incredible wildlife and primate experiences you have enjoyed, from game drives and the Kazinga Channel cruise to the unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Your 5 Days Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Safari concludes at Entebbe International Airport, marking the end of your journey through the Pearl of Africa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Safari Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Uganda.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle throughout the safari.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Fuel and transportation as specified in the itinerary.
- Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- All applicable national park entrance fees.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Services of Uganda Wildlife Authority guides and trackers during gorilla trekking.
- Uganda Equator stop, if time and the flight schedule permit.
- Bottled drinking water during safari journeys and game drives.
- All applicable government taxes and service charges.
Safari Exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda entry visa.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and telephone charges.
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for your safari guide, driver, lodge staff and trackers.
- Gorilla trekking porter fees.
- Souvenirs, crafts and personal shopping.
- Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary.
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 5.
- Any services not specifically listed under the inclusions.