Transfer from Your Hotel or Airport to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your unforgettable 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience begins today with a warm welcome from a Terenga Safaris representative. Whether you’re picked up at Entebbe International Airport or your booked accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe, your English-speaking driver-guide will greet you with a big smile, ready to embark on the 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience  journey of a lifetime. After a brief orientation and introduction to the day’s plan, you’ll set off westward toward Queen Elizabeth National Park – a scenic drive of approximately 6 to 7 hours.

En route, enjoy changing landscapes as you pass through rural countryside, papyrus-fringed wetlands, and traditional homesteads. You’ll stop in the town of Fort Portal or Mbarara for lunch, depending on your departure time. From here, continue into the park through the Kichwamba Escarpment, where sweeping views of the Rift Valley floor set the stage for your upcoming wilderness adventure.

By late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive at Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, your accommodation nestled near the park’s entrance. After check-in and freshening up, take time to relax and listen to the sounds of the bush. If daylight and time permit, we may offer a short introductory game drive to give you a sneak peek of what awaits. Otherwise, enjoy a tranquil evening under the stars, followed by a delicious dinner.

• Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra

Transfer from Your Hotel or Airport to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your unforgettable 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience begins today with a warm welcome from a Terenga Safaris representative. Whether you’re picked up at Entebbe International Airport or your booked accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe, your English-speaking driver-guide will greet you with a big smile, ready to embark on the 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience  journey of a lifetime. After a brief orientation and introduction to the day’s plan, you’ll set off westward toward Queen Elizabeth National Park – a scenic drive of approximately 6 to 7 hours.

En route, enjoy changing landscapes as you pass through rural countryside, papyrus-fringed wetlands, and traditional homesteads. You’ll stop in the town of Fort Portal or Mbarara for lunch, depending on your departure time. From here, continue into the park through the Kichwamba Escarpment, where sweeping views of the Rift Valley floor set the stage for your upcoming wilderness adventure.

By late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive at Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, your accommodation nestled near the park’s entrance. After check-in and freshening up, take time to relax and listen to the sounds of the bush. If daylight and time permit, we may offer a short introductory game drive to give you a sneak peek of what awaits. Otherwise, enjoy a tranquil evening under the stars, followed by a delicious dinner.

• Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Today promises to be one of the most rewarding days of your safari. Begin your day early with a hot cup of Ugandan coffee or tea before heading into the park for a sunrise game drive. Morning hours are prime wildlife viewing times, as predators are still active and herbivores begin their day grazing. With guidance from your skilled driver-guide, you’ll traverse the Kasenyi Plains and Mweya Peninsula in search of wildlife. Expect to see herds of African elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs. If you’re lucky, you may spot lions hunting or even the elusive leopard.

Birdwatchers will be in paradise, too, as Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its rich avifauna. Keep your binoculars ready for sightings of African fish eagles, grey crowned cranes, and saddle-billed storks. After the game drive, return to the lodge for a late breakfast or early lunch and relax for a bit before your afternoon activity.

At 2:00 PM, head to the Mweya jetty for your boat safari along the Kazinga Channel – a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This 2-hour cruise offers a unique opportunity to view hippos lounging in the water, Nile crocodiles sunbathing on the shores, and elephants and buffaloes cooling off in the shallows. Water birds such as pink-backed pelicans, African skimmers, and kingfishers are also frequently spotted.

After the boat ride, return to your lodge for dinner, storytelling around the campfire, and overnight rest.

• Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra

Drive to Ishasha Sector – Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, check out from Irungu Forest Safari Lodge and start your scenic drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This less-traveled part of the park is famous for its population of tree-climbing lions, a unique behavior exhibited by very few lion populations in Africa. With a success rate of 60–70%, you have a good chance of spotting these majestic cats lounging in fig and acacia trees, especially during the warmer parts of the day.

Aside from lions, Ishasha is also home to topi, elephants, and large herds of buffalo. You’ll enjoy a game drive through this sector, stopping for photos and animal sightings. Afterward, continue your journey southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Depending on your timing, you may stop for lunch in Kihihi or a local roadside eatery.

Arrive at your accommodation, Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse, by evening. This community-run lodge provides not just comfort but also a connection to local empowerment efforts. Enjoy a hearty dinner and get plenty of rest. Tomorrow is your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

This is the day you’ve been waiting for – gorilla trekking in the mystical Bwindi Forest. Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for a mandatory briefing. Here, you’ll be assigned to a gorilla family and paired with an expert guide and armed ranger for safety.

The trekking experience can vary from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla  family. The hike can be strenuous, as Bwindi is a mountainous, mist-shrouded rainforest. However, once you come upon your assigned gorilla group, all efforts are instantly rewarded. You’ll spend a magical hour observing the gorillas as they feed, play, groom, and interact. Witnessing their human-like behavior and expressions is an emotional and humbling experience that words can scarcely capture.

After your trek, receive a certificate to commemorate your visit and then begin your journey to Lake Bunyonyi – Uganda’s deepest and most scenic lake. Known for its refreshing climate and peaceful ambiance, Lake Bunyonyi is ideal for relaxation after an exhilarating trek. Check in at Itambira Island, located on one of the lake’s lush, terraced islets. You can spend the evening enjoying sunset views, optional canoe rides, or simply resting by the water.

• Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
• Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra

Return to Entebbe – Stop at the Uganda Equator

After breakfast with panoramic views of Lake Bunyonyi’s sparkling waters, begin your drive back to Entebbe International Airport. This return journey takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, but there will be several scenic and cultural stops along the way. The most memorable of these is a visit to the Uganda Equator monument at Kayabwe. Here, you can take iconic photos with one foot in each hemisphere and witness fascinating water demonstrations that show how the Coriolis effect changes direction depending on which side of the equator you’re on.

There’s also an opportunity to browse local artisan markets where you can purchase hand-crafted souvenirs, traditional jewelry, and local fabrics to take home. Lunch will be en route in Masaka or Lukaya – famous for its roadside snacks such as gonja (roasted plantains) and grilled meats.

You’ll arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon or early evening. Our driver-guide will ensure you are dropped off at the airport in time for your international flight (please book flights departing 6:00 PM or later), or at your hotel in Entebbe if you plan to extend your stay.

• Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport or Kampala
• Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
• Drinks: Drinking water included; other drinks extra