5-Day Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Your Day Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari adventure begins early with a transfer from your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), one of Uganda’s most celebrated conservation areas. The journey covers approximately 375 kilometers and takes about 5 to 6 hours by road, winding through scenic countryside filled with rolling hills, lush plantations, and picturesque rural communities.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its extraordinary diversity of habitats, ranging from savannah plains and forested wetlands to sparkling lakes and river channels. This mosaic of ecosystems supports an impressive array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species.

Upon arrival at the park lodge or camp, you will be welcomed with lunch before preparing for the afternoon’s highlight: the Kazinga Channel boat safari. The Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, is one of East Africa’s most exceptional wildlife viewing areas from the water.

During the boat cruise, glide quietly along the channel’s shimmering waters, observing vast numbers of hippos lounging on the banks or submerged in the cool water. Elephants often gather at the water’s edge, drinking and bathing, while buffalo herds come to drink. The riverbanks are alive with birdlife, including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and pelicans.

This peaceful cruise offers a front-row seat to the daily rhythms of wildlife preparing for the evening, making it an idyllic and photogenic experience. The boat safari provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, birdwatching, and connecting with the natural world.

Following the boat safari, check into your lodge or camp within the park, where you can relax and enjoy dinner amidst the sounds of the African wilderness. This marks the beginning of your immersive encounter with Uganda’s magnificent biodiversity.

• Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, or similar
• Meals & Drinks: Lunch and dinner included; breakfast not included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Morning Game Drive, Transfer Through Ishasha Sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start your day with an early morning breakfast before embarking on a thrilling game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The morning is often the best time to spot active wildlife, as many animals emerge from their resting places to feed. Your guide will navigate the savannah plains and woodlands, searching for wildlife such as lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and various antelope species.

One of the park’s unique attractions is the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. These lions have adapted to climbing fig and acacia trees, a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Observing these magnificent cats lounging in the branches is a fascinating and unforgettable sight.

The game drive through Ishasha offers panoramic views of the vast landscapes, dotted with giant fig trees and acacias. The area is also rich in birdlife, including the African fish eagle, which often soars overhead.

After your game drive, you will begin the transfer journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a drive of approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on road conditions. The route passes through beautiful rural villages, terraced hillsides, and traditional homesteads, offering a glimpse into the vibrant local cultures and lifestyles.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most biologically diverse and oldest tropical forests in Africa. It supports about 120 mammal species, 348 bird species, and, most famously, half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

On arrival, check into your lodge nestled at the edge of the forest. The setting is serene, surrounded by thick jungle and bird songs, a perfect prelude to the gorilla trekking adventure.

Enjoy a delicious dinner and rest well, as the next day promises an exhilarating encounter with Uganda’s mountain gorillas.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, or similar
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Prepare for one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on earth—gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early and hearty breakfast, you will drive a short distance to the park headquarters for a mandatory briefing conducted by experienced park rangers.

During the briefing, you will learn the essential rules, safety measures, and etiquette for gorilla trekking. These guidelines are crucial for protecting both visitors and the gorillas, ensuring minimal disturbance and a safe experience.

The trek itself varies in duration and difficulty depending on the gorillas’ location and movement patterns. It can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, covering steep, muddy, and sometimes slippery terrain. You will be accompanied by a team of rangers, trackers, and porters who help navigate the forest and carry equipment if needed.

As you walk through the dense forest, you will encounter a spectacular variety of flora including towering mahogany trees, ferns, and moss-covered undergrowth. The forest is alive with the calls of birds and the rustling of small mammals.

Finally, you will find a gorilla family. Spending one hour observing these majestic great apes in their natural habitat is a profoundly moving and humbling experience. Watch the silverbacks assert their dominance, mothers care for their young, and juveniles playfully interact. The gorillas exhibit behaviours remarkably similar to humans, revealing their intelligence and complex social structure.

For your safety and theirs, all visitors are required to wear face masks during the encounter, reducing the risk of disease transmission.

After your gorilla experience, you will trek back to the park headquarters and return to your lodge for lunch and rest. This evening, reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime moments spent in the presence of these gentle giants.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Trekking)
• Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge or similar
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Evening Game Drive

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before setting off on a scenic transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, located approximately 4 to 5 hours from Bwindi. This drive offers continuous views of Uganda’s picturesque landscapes—rolling hills, banana plantations, and vibrant rural communities.

Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s smallest national parks but is ecologically significant due to its diversity of habitats including acacia woodlands, savannah, wetlands, and lakeshores. The park is renowned for its populations of zebras—the only park in Uganda with this species—as well as impalas, elands, oribis, and various bird species.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge or camp situated near the park boundary. After freshening up, embark on a late afternoon game drive through the park. The cooler hours of the evening are ideal for spotting active wildlife.

During the 5-Day Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari game drive, your guide will point out animals such as impalas grazing in the grasslands, giraffes browsing on acacia trees, Cape buffalos, and if lucky, leopards or other cats. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting the African fish eagle, the rare shoebill, and various waterfowl.

For those interested, a night game drive can be arranged to see nocturnal species like bush babies, genets, and civets, offering a different perspective on the park’s wildlife.

After your game drive, enjoy dinner under the African stars and a restful night surrounded by nature.

• Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Mihingo Lodge, or similar
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Morning Walking Safari and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

Start your day early with a cup of coffee and a light breakfast before embarking on one of Africa’s most unique wildlife experiences—a walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Unlike typical vehicle safaris, the walking safari allows you to connect intimately with nature on foot.

Accompanied by experienced armed park rangers, you will explore the park’s diverse habitats at a leisurely pace. The walk lasts approximately 2 hours and offers close encounters with wildlife such as zebras, impalas, and various birds. The experience is educational, with your guides sharing knowledge about animal tracking, plants, and the ecosystem.

This walking safari provides a rare opportunity to observe animal behaviors from the ground level and hear the sounds of the wilderness, creating a profound connection with the natural world.

After returning to your lodge for a full breakfast, check out and begin the 5-Day Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari journey back to Entebbe, Kampala, or Entebbe International Airport. The drive offers reflective moments to appreciate the breathtaking scenery and the memories created throughout your safari.

It is recommended to book an evening flight to allow sufficient time for transfer and possible stops along the way, such as visiting the Equator or local craft markets.

This concludes your extraordinary 5-Day Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari with Terenga Safaris, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, and warm hospitality.

• Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport
• Accommodation: None (End of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)