Uganda
5 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth
Starts in Entebbe · Ends in Entebbe
At a glance
Overview
Spend an unforgettable hour with a family of mountain gorillas in the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the way you explore Queen Elizabeth National Park — game drives on the savannah, a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. A private safari with your own vehicle and guide from Entebbe.
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Country
- Uganda
- Start / end
- Entebbe to Entebbe
- Places visited
- Entebbe · Queen Elizabeth National Park · Ishasha · Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Best time
- All year; June–September and December–February are the drier months for trekking
- Price
- On request
Key inclusions
- Park entrance fees
- Exclusive 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional driver-guide
- Full board on safari
- Airport pick-up
- Boat ride
Places you'll visit
Route
- Entebbe
- Road Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Road Ishasha
- Road Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Road Entebbe
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1: Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth
Your private guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. A long, scenic drive west through farmland, tea and banana plantations brings you to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the late afternoon.
Overnight
Overnight at a lodge in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area.
Meals
Lunch Dinner
-
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth
An early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, looking for lions, Uganda kob, buffalo and elephants.
In the afternoon, a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward — one of the best places in Uganda to see hippos, buffalo, elephants and water birds up close.
Overnight
Overnight at a lodge in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
-
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha – Bwindi
Drive south through the Ishasha sector of the park, where lions are known for resting in the branches of fig trees, with a game drive on the way. Continue to the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Overnight
Overnight at a lodge near the gorilla trekking area in Bwindi.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
-
Day 4: Bwindi
After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, then set off into the forest with your trekking group. Finding a gorilla family can take from one to several hours over steep, muddy ground.
Once you reach them you spend one hour with the gorillas — watching them feed, play and rest just metres away. In the afternoon you can relax or join an optional community walk.
Overnight
Overnight at a lodge near the gorilla trekking area in Bwindi.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
-
Day 5: Bwindi – Entebbe
Return by road to Entebbe, arriving in the evening. A scheduled domestic flight back can be arranged on request to save the long drive.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch
End of the safari.
Where you stay
Accommodation
Good to know
What's included
What's included
- One gorilla trekking permit per person (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- Park entrance fees for the parks in the itinerary
- Exclusive transport in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Kazinga Channel boat trip
- Accommodation as listed in the day-by-day plan
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day plan (full board while on safari)
- Drinking (mineral) water in the vehicle
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at Entebbe
What's not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Optional porter hire on the gorilla trek
- Drinks other than drinking water in the vehicle
- Personal items such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Domestic flight Bwindi – Entebbe (on request)
Photos
Gallery
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When can I do this safari?
We run this itinerary all year round. Tell us your preferred travel dates and we will plan the safari around them.
How much does this safari cost?
Prices are on request. Your quotation depends on your travel dates, group size and choice of accommodation — send us an enquiry and we will prepare a free quote for you.
Can I customise this itinerary?
Yes. Our safaris are tailor-made — we can adjust the number of days, the lodges and the activities to suit you. Tell us what you would like to change when you enquire.
What's included in this safari?
Highlights of the inclusions: park entrance fees, exclusive 4x4 safari vehicle, professional driver-guide, full board on safari, airport pick-up, boat ride. The full lists of what is and is not included are in the "What's included" section above.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
You need reasonable fitness. Treks can take from one to several hours on steep, muddy forest paths at altitude. Rangers set the pace, and you can hire a local porter to carry your bag and help you on the steep sections.
Is there a minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Yes — Uganda Wildlife Authority only allows visitors aged 15 and over to trek. We can plan other activities for younger family members.
How far ahead should I book?
Gorilla permits are limited each day and sell out, especially in the drier months. We recommend booking as early as possible; we secure your permit as soon as you confirm.
What should I bring for the trek?
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and long sleeves, a rain jacket, gardening-type gloves for gripping vegetation, insect repellent, water and a snack. Flash photography is not allowed near the gorillas.
How do I book?
Send us an enquiry. We will contact you to discuss your plans, then send your quotation. Once you are happy with it, you confirm the booking with a deposit and your safari is confirmed.
Read before you go
Destination guides
Tailor-made
Customise this safari
Change the days, the lodges or the activities — we will tailor this itinerary to you.
Simple booking
How booking works
- 1 Enquire Send your dates and group size
- 2 Consultation We discuss your plans with you
- 3 Quotation You receive your tailored quote
- 4 Deposit Confirm with a deposit
- 5 Confirmed Your safari is booked
Get a free quote
Tell us your dates and group — no obligation. We reply within 24 hours.
Prefer to chat? Fill in your dates and group above and we’ll include them.
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