Private • Uganda
5 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
Five days between Bwindi's forest giants and Queen Elizabeth's open plains
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Southwestern Uganda
- Duration
- 5 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
You spend one morning face-to-face with a mountain gorilla in Bwindi's dripping canopy, and the next watching elephant wade through the Kazinga Channel at dusk. Five days, two of Uganda's finest wild places, one continuous thread of close-up wildlife encounter.
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Highlights
What you'll experience
Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
Your tracker reads bent stems and knuckle-prints until the canopy parts and a silverback fills the gap — chest rising, eyes steady. The hour passes faster than you think possible.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Hippos submerge and resurface metres from the hull; African skimmers cut the surface; a herd of cape buffalo moves along the far bank in a slow, brown river of its own.
Queen Elizabeth Game Drives
The Ishasha sector's fig trees hold tree-climbing lions draped across branches like forgotten scarves — a sight that stops conversation cold.
Bwindi Forest Night Sounds
After dinner at the lodge, the forest breathes around you — crowned hornbills settling, rain on broad leaves, the distant drum of a chimpanzee pant-hoot fading into dark.
Crater Lakes Scenic Drive
The road between Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth threads through the western rift's volcanic craters, each one a different shade of green and blue depending on the algae and the hour.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Journey?
This route was built around one principle: less windshield time, more time watching. The combination of forest and savanna means two entirely different wildlife registers inside five days — something very few short itineraries deliver honestly.
Permit Secured, Not Promised
Your gorilla permit is confirmed and budgeted before departure. We track permit availability months ahead and hold allocations across multiple trek sectors in Bwindi.
Guides Who Know the Animals
Both your Bwindi tracker and Queen Elizabeth driver-guide work their respective parks daily. Moses Byamukama has guided Bwindi treks for eleven years and reads fresh gorilla sign the way a river guide reads current.
Private, Your Pace
No shared vehicles, no waiting for other groups. If you want to sit longer under a fig tree full of lions, you sit longer.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Arrival in Uganda and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon your arrival in Uganda, you will be warmly welcomed by an experienced Arrive Africa Safaris guide who will brief you about your exciting adventure ahead. You will then begin your scenic journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's premier destinations for mountain gorilla trekking.
As you travel through Uganda's beautiful countryside, enjoy breathtaking views of rolling hills, terraced farmlands, local villages, and lush landscapes. Upon arrival at your lodge, relax and prepare for the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience awaiting you. Accommodation Options
Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas
Mid-Range: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Resort Lodge, Buhoma Lodge
Meals · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a detailed briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will then set off into the dense rainforest on a thrilling gorilla trekking safari in search of one of Bwindi's habituated mountain gorilla families. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, trek through the ancient forest while learning about the unique ecosystem and wildlife that call Bwindi home. The trek may take anywhere from a few hours to most of the day depending on the location of the gorillas.
Once the gorilla family is located, you will spend a magical hour observing these endangered primates in their natural habitat. Watch silverbacks, mothers caring for their young, and playful juveniles interacting within the family group. This close encounter with mountain gorillas is truly one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife experiences. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. Accommodation: As Above
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, depart Bwindi and journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most popular wildlife safari destination and one of Africa's most biodiverse protected areas.
Upon arrival, enjoy an exciting game drive through the park's vast savannah plains. Keep your camera ready as you search for wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and various antelope species. The park is also home to lions, leopards, hippos, and over 600 bird species. The stunning scenery, crater lakes, wetlands, and the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains create unforgettable photography opportunities. Accommodation Options
Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Tembo Safaris Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Wildlife Safari
Start the day with one of the highlights of any Uganda wildlife safari — a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is renowned for its incredible concentration of wildlife and birdlife. During the cruise, expect to see large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous water birds gathering along the shoreline. After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive through different sectors of the park. This provides another opportunity to spot predators such as lions and leopards, along with many other wildlife species that thrive within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: As Above
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Morning Game Drive and Departure
On your final day, enjoy an early morning game drive to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife you may have missed during previous excursions. The cool morning hours are often the best time to observe predators and other animals as they begin their day. Take in the spectacular scenery and rich biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park one last time before beginning your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. This marks the end of your unforgettable Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari, leaving you with lifelong memories of mountain gorillas, African wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic safari experiences
Meals · Breakfast
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
- All accommodation (4 nights, full-board from Day 1 dinner)
- Private vehicle and driver-guide for all overland transfers
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- All game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Park entry fees for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth NP
- Kampala/Entebbe airport pick-up and drop-off
- Porter fees for gorilla trek
- Drinking water and snacks in the vehicle throughout
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
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 regulation)
Safari Duffel
A soft-sided bag of 15 kg or less is required if the Kasese charter flight is used. Hard-shell suitcases can be stored at the Kampala hotel.
First Group Event
Departure briefing and vehicle pick-up at your Entebbe or Kampala hotel, 07:00 on Day 1
Last Group Event
Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport or central Kampala hotel by 18:00 on Day 5
Guaranteed Departures
All departures listed above operate as private trips and are guaranteed from a single booking.
Alternate Sightseeing
In the rare event that gorilla permits are reallocated by Uganda Wildlife Authority, we substitute a second Queen Elizabeth game sector or a forest nature walk with an experienced Bwindi guide.