Spend 5 Magical Days with Uganda's Wildlife

This 5 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari in Uganda combines the two things most travelers come to Uganda for: classic savannah wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Over five days you'll cover game drives, a salt lake tour, a boat cruise, tree-climbing lions, and a Batwa cultural encounter, making this one of the most complete short safaris we offer.

Day 1: Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Game Drive and Katwe Salt Lake Tour

Depart Kampala or Entebbe early for the 6 to 8 hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Mbarara, with a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe. On arrival, head straight into a game drive before checking in at your lodge.

In the afternoon, visit Lake Katwe, a crater lake on the edge of the park where local communities still mine salt by hand using methods passed down for generations. A guide walks you through the mining process and the history of the area, with a chance to buy crafts made by the local community.

Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).

Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

After an early breakfast, head out for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, the park's prime wildlife circuit, where large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, and elephant attract predators including lion.

In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the 32-kilometer waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise runs 2 to 3 hours and is one of the best wildlife viewing activities in Uganda, with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo all gathering along the shore.

Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).

Day 3: Search for Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, head south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive in search of its famous tree-climbing lions, one of the rarest sights in African wildlife viewing. Bring a zoom lens, since the lions rest high in the branches of fig trees along the plains.

From Ishasha, it's a further 2 hours by road to Buhoma, the main gorilla trekking base in Bwindi. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, check in, and rest ahead of tomorrow's trek.

Overnight: lodge in the Buhoma sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (full board).

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for the ranger briefing, typically between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, where trekking groups are assigned their gorilla family. The trek can run from 30 minutes to several hours through dense rainforest, followed by a strictly enforced hour with the gorillas. Our gorilla trekking packing list is worth checking before you travel.

Most treks finish by early afternoon, leaving time for the Batwa Cultural Experience, where Batwa guides lead demonstrations of traditional hunting, fire-making, and forest life from before Bwindi became a national park.

Overnight: lodge in the Buhoma sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (full board).

Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe or Kigali

After breakfast, choose your onward route. Travelers heading back to Uganda's capital face an 8 to 10 hour drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Those continuing into Rwanda can cross the border at Cyanika instead, reaching Kigali in around 4 to 5 hours, a useful option if your next stop is Kigali International Airport or a Rwanda extension.

For current permit rules and pricing, see our Uganda gorilla trekking permits booking and pricing guide. Permits are issued directly by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the official body managing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Book This 5 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

Ready to combine Queen Elizabeth's wildlife with a mountain gorilla trek? Browse more itineraries, tell us what you have in mind through Build My Safari, or contact us directly to check permit availability for your dates.

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