Private • Uganda
5 Days in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
Tree-climbing lions, Kazinga hippos, and mountain gorillas — Uganda's greatest hits in five days
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Western Uganda
- Duration
- 5 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
Discover Mountain Gorillas, Tree-Climbing Lions and Uganda's Incredible Wildlife
Safari Overview
Experience the best of Uganda on this unforgettable 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari, combining two of the country's most iconic destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This exciting Uganda safari offers the perfect blend of mountain gorilla trekking, wildlife game drives, boat cruises, bird watching, and cultural experiences. Encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat, search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and enjoy spectacular wildlife viewing across the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Along the journey, you will witness breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills, traditional villages, diverse birdlife, and some of Africa's most remarkable wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species.
Safari Highlights
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Wildlife Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Search for the Famous Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Batwa Cultural Experience (Optional), Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography, Scenic Drive Through Southwestern Uganda, Opportunities to Spot Four of Africa's Big Five, Professional Safari Guide and 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Highlights
What you'll experience
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
In the remote Ishasha sector, lions routinely drape themselves across the broad branches of fig trees. Your guide, Felix Atugonza, knows the trees by name and the prides by face.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
A two-hour cruise along the channel linking Lakes George and Edward brings you within metres of Nile crocodiles, African skimmers, and pods of hippopotamus rolling in the shallows.
Mountain Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
One hour with a habituated gorilla family — a silverback chewing wild celery, infants play-wrestling in the undergrowth — more than justifies every muddy step of the approach.
Birding in the Maramagambo Forest
Over 600 species have been recorded in Queen Elizabeth. The papyrus fringe alone yields shoebills, African finfoots, and black-and-white casqued hornbills before breakfast.
Evening at Crater Rim
The western rift valley spreads below your tent as the sky turns mauve. Crater lakes dot the floor three hundred metres down, and the smell of woodsmoke drifts from the kitchen fire.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Journey?
This itinerary was built around the question our guides ask before every trip: what will you still be telling people about in ten years? Two answers kept coming up — the moment you lock eyes with a gorilla, and the absurd sight of a lion asleep in a fig tree. This safari delivers both, without padding.
Private Vehicle, Your Pace
No shared departures, no waiting on other guests. When the lions are in the tree you stay until you are ready to leave.
Guides Who Know the Ground
Felix Atugonza has guided in Queen Elizabeth for eleven years. He can identify a bird by its shadow. His network of ranger contacts means you hear about sightings before they appear on any radio channel.
Conservation-Minded Travel
Your gorilla permit fee funds the Uganda Wildlife Authority's mountain gorilla protection programme. We also contribute a portion of every booking to the Bwindi Community Hospital trust.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from Kampala, Entebbe, or your preferred location. After a briefing from your professional safari guide, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa's most renowned gorilla trekking destinations.
Enjoy a scenic drive through Uganda's beautiful countryside, passing rolling hills, local villages, agricultural landscapes, and vibrant towns. A stop will be made for lunch en route before continuing to the park. Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas
Mid-Range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Luxury: Gorilla Resort Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meals · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a detailed gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Begin your once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience through the dense rainforest. The trek may take between 1 and 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, encounter colorful birds, butterflies, forest mammals, and unique plant species. Once you locate the gorillas, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch silverbacks, playful juveniles, and nurturing mothers while taking memorable photographs. After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Batwa community, where you will learn about the traditions, music, dances, and history of the original forest inhabitants. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: As Above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's premier wildlife safari destinations. Your journey takes you through the famous Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. Enjoy an exciting game drive as you search for lions resting in giant fig trees, alongside buffaloes, elephants, topis, and Uganda kobs. After lunch, continue to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge
Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake up early for a rewarding wildlife game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Look out for: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hyenas, Various bird species. Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Expect to see: Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffaloes, Waterbirds, African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Pelicans. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: As Above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy scenic views of western Uganda and stop at the Uganda Equator for photography, souvenir shopping, and lunch. Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
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Meals · Breakfast
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- All charter flights as specified (Entebbe–Kasese and Kihihi–Entebbe)
- 4 nights' accommodation as listed, on a full-board basis
- Private 4×4 vehicle with pop-up roof for all game drives
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- All park entry fees
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5
- Drinking water and soft drinks in the vehicle throughout
- Guided forest walk in Bwindi on Day 5
- Airport meet and assist at Entebbe on Day 1
Not included
- International flights to and from the region
- Entry visas and any transit visas
- Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Lodges
Lodges on this journey
Arcadia Cottages
The highest vantage on the lake, with cottages arranged so every window holds the full panorama of the 29 islands. Fireplaces in each room and the most reliable sunset view of the three.
- Rooms
- 9
- Tier
- Comfort
Pricing
Available all year round
A private itinerary with no fixed departure dates. Rates are per person in USD.
Journey Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
15 years for gorilla trekking (Uganda Wildlife Authority requirement)
Safari Duffel
Soft-sided bags only on charter flights; maximum 15 kg per person in the hold plus a small daypack
First Group Event
Meet and assist at Entebbe International Airport, 07:30 on Day 1
Last Group Event
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, approximately 14:00 on Day 5
Guaranteed Departures
All departures are private and run with a minimum of 1 guest
Alternate Sightseeing
Gorilla permits are allocated by Uganda Wildlife Authority and confirmed 60 days before departure. In the rare event of a permit issue, we substitute a second game drive and a full forest walk with a credit toward a future trek.