5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife

The 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife safari is the perfect Mountain gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing package allowing you to have ample time while exploring two of Uganda’s most popular Parks-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari begin and ends from Kampala or Entebbe Town (Uganda) although tourists in Rwanda can also enjoy the same tour package.

Tracking gorillas in Buhoma Region
Tracking gorillas in Buhoma Region

Interesting highlights of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

  • Smooth ride with a customized 4X4 drive vehicle.
  • Scenic views of rolling as well as vast banana and tea plantations.
  • An invigorating trek to one of the habituated gorilla groups.
  • One hour encounter with one of the habituated gorilla groups.
  • A moment with the Batwa people.
  • A chance to see the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.
  • Other numerous wildlife species at a close range.
  • Sights and sounds of spectacular bird species.

Summary of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife safari itinerary

  • Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
  • Day 3: Ishasha Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Day 4: Mountain gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour.
  • Day 5: Return to Kampala.

Detailed itinerary of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Make sure that by 7:00 am you are done preparing and having breakfast because that’s the time you will be picked by our Driver to transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En-route make a stopover at the Equator for photography as well as the mind-blowing Equator experience.

To make this trip exciting, you will pass through Lake Mburo National Park to see the impalas, zebras and Rothschild giraffes that are not found in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Have lunch at Igongo Cultural Center (in Biharwe) and continue while being treated to endless views of the scenery of western Uganda. Arrive in the afternoon to relax.

Meal plan: Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation Options;
Budget: Simba Safari Lodge.
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge.
Travel time: 5-7 hours.

Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel

Kazinga Channel
Kazinga Channel

In the morning have breakfast and head for a game drive to the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park popularly known as the “Kasenyi Plains” where you get up-close with the large herds of buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, warthogs, waterbucks and bushbucks as they freely graze. Depending on the time the game drive begins, you are likely to see the leopards and lions before they return to their hideouts.

Head back to the Lodge for a hot meal and relax as you relish the mind-boggling views of the surrounding area. At 2:00 pm the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel begins and look-out for the giant crocodiles, hippos in the water as well as the elephants, Uganda kobs and buffaloes at the banks. The guide on-board the boat cruise will also be identifying some of the bird species you will be coming across such as pelicans, African fish eagles, and many other aquatic bird species. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Full-board.
Accommodation Options;
Budget: Simba Safari Lodge.
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge.

Day 3: Ishasha Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Enjoy a hefty breakfast and head south-wards of Queen Elizabeth National Park in-search of the mysterious tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector where if lucky you will find them relaxing on fig tree branches and sun-bathing. Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but have lunch at Savannah resort Hotel (Kihihi). Arrive in the evening and check-in at the Lodge for a cold/warm shower, unwind, dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Accommodation options;
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Midrange: Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp

Day 4: Mountain gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
Gorilla Trekking

Preparation for the trek first then breakfast and converging at the Briefing point where you will find the ranger waiting. Begin the exhilarating trek that lasts 1-4 hours before the allocated gorilla group is found. Be with the giant apes for 60 minutes and return to the Headquarters for the gorilla trekking certificate and to the Lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the evening have a cultural tour to the nearby Batwa communities to learn more about their interesting culture. Get back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Accommodation options;
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Midrange: Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp

Day 5: Return to Kampala

Have breakfast and transfer to Kampala with the first stopover being at Agip Motel Mbarara for lunch and another at Mpambire Drum Makers. Arrive Kampala in the evening and be dropped-off at the Hotel or straight to Entebbe Airport for your return flight. However, instead of driving for many hours to Entebbe, you can instead be taken to Kigali Airport for your return flight and instead be on the road for 4 hours instead of 8-9 hours using Entebbe.

End of your 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

The 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari package includes;

  • Gorilla permit (currently at $600 but will increase to $700 from 1st July 2020).
  • Smooth ride with a customized 4WD Vehicle.
  • Fuel charges.
  • Full-time English speaking guide.
  • Ranger fees.
  • Bottled water.
  • Accommodation for 4 nights-2 nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 other nights in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Relevant Government taxes.
  • Meals including the en-route ones.
  • Game viewing.
  • Cultural tour.
  • Launch cruise.
  • Other activities on the itinerary.

The 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari package excludes;

  • Personal expenses such as tips, cigarettes, laundry, telephone bills, souvenirs, and beverages.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Domestic and International Airfares.
  • Optional activities not included in the itinerary.

Gorilla trekking guidelines

  • Maintain a distance of 7 meters when in the presence of Mountain gorillas
  • Avoid using flash photography.
  • Do not eat, drink and smoke while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
  • Human wastes have to be buried.
  • Avoid making noise when trekking or when viewing the Mountain gorillas.
  • Do not throw rubbish in the Park because they can act as breeding places for diseases.
  • Tourists are allowed to spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas.
  • Don’t enter the Forest if you are sick (especially with flue, cough or measles) because mountain gorillas are susceptible to the mentioned diseases.

What to carry for the 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.

  • Warm and neutral-colored clothes (long-sleeved shirt and safari pants).
  • Non-flash camera
  • Strong waterproof hiking boots.
  • Torch.
  • Wide-brimmed hat.
  • Pair of binoculars.
  • Insect repellant.
  • Gardening gloves
  • Rain jacket.
  • Waterproof backpack.
  • Warm sweater.
  • Cotton socks.
  • Energy giving snacks.
  • Water bottle.