Overview
This 5-day Uganda safari combines the thrill of African wildlife on the savannah with the unforgettable experience of trekking mountain gorillas in the rainforest.
The journey takes you through the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s best wildlife parks, before continuing to the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.
Over five days, you will enjoy game drives, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, encounters with diverse wildlife, and an unforgettable hour with endangered mountain gorillas.
Safari Highlights
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Chance to see elephants, buffalo, lions, and hippos
- Visit the Ishasha sector famous for tree-climbing lions
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Scenic landscapes of western Uganda
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from Entebbe or Kampala for a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Along the way, you will stop at the Uganda Equator for photo-shoots and refreshments before continuing through beautiful countryside landscapes and rural towns.
Arrive in the park in the afternoon and enjoy your first game drive where you may see elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and many bird species before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains. These savannah plains are rich with wildlife including elephants, Uganda kobs, lions, buffalo, and waterbucks.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species along the shoreline.
The channel has its own localized “Big Five” which include elephant, hippo, buffalo, Nile crocodile, and African fish eagle. Following the cruise, you enjoy a final game drive as you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Game Drive in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi
Today you travel through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for harbouring rare tree-climbing lions.
Continue through the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Dinner and overnight near the forest.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the highlight of your safari.
After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
You will then trek into the rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.
The trek can take anywhere from one to several hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat.
Watching gorillas interact, feed, and care for their young is one of the most moving wildlife encounters on earth.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight. Receive a certificate confirming your trek, and return to your lodge to relax and recount the day’s awe-inspiring moments.
Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, begin the scenic journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
You may stop for lunch along the way and enjoy views of Uganda’s rolling hills and rural landscapes before arriving in the evening.
Safari Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives and boat cruise
- Professional safari driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Bottled drinking water
Why Choose This 5-Day Uganda Safari
This safari is ideal for travelers who want to experience both Uganda’s wildlife plains and its famous gorillas within a short time.
In just five days, you will explore savannah ecosystems, enjoy a scenic boat safari, and trek mountain gorillas in one of Africa’s most ancient forests.
Plan Your 5-Day Uganda Safari
Ready to explore Uganda’s wildlife and meet mountain gorillas in the wild? Our safari experts can help design the perfect itinerary based on your travel dates and preferences.
If you are still deciding where to trek, you can read our detailed guide comparing where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda vs Rwanda.
