Private • Uganda
6 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Fly-In Safari
6 Days Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Fly-In Safari
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Southwestern Uganda
- Duration
- 6 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
Safari Overview
Experience the ultimate Uganda Fly-In Safari combining the unforgettable Mountain Gorilla Trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with thrilling wildlife encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This carefully crafted 6-day safari allows you to explore two of Uganda's most iconic national parks while minimizing long road transfers through convenient domestic flights.
Discover the magical rainforests of Bwindi, home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, and explore the vast savannah plains, crater lakes, and waterways of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and exceptional birdlife. This luxury Uganda safari offers breathtaking scenery, remarkable wildlife viewing, authentic cultural encounters, and unforgettable memories in the Pearl of Africa.
Safari Highlights
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,, Scenic Domestic Flights in Uganda, Wildlife Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Big Five Wildlife Viewing Opportunities, Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector, Luxury Uganda Safari Experience, Bird Watching in Uganda, Stunning Landscapes and Photography Opportunities, Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari
Highlights
What you'll experience
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Track one of Bwindi's habituated gorilla families through cathedral-canopy forest. When the silverback settles to feed and the juveniles start to play, your guide Samuel checks his watch — you have one hour, and it passes in about four minutes.
Charter Flight Over the Rift
A 45-minute prop-plane hop from Kihihi airstrip delivers a bird's-eye view of crater lakes, tea estates, and the blue smear of Lake Edward before you touch down at Mweya. It saves a full day of road travel and replaces it with spectacle.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
The channel linking Lakes George and Edward is one of Africa's finest boat-safari waterways. Cape buffalo drink at the bank, African fish eagles call from dead acacia limbs, and pods of hippopotamus surface close enough that you can hear them exhale.
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Queen Elizabeth's southern Ishasha sector is one of very few places in Africa where lions routinely rest in the branches of fig trees. Morning light through those canopies is worth the early alarm.
Forest Walks at Maramagambo
A guided walk into Maramagambo Forest may turn up chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and the vivid flash of a great blue turaco moving between the emergents — the kind of sighting that doesn't appear in any itinerary until it does.
Crater Lakes by Land Rover
The explosion craters north of Mweya hold lakes of improbable colours — olive, turquoise, deep blue — ringed by wild sage and weaver-bird colonies. A late-afternoon drive here, cold drink in hand, is how this safari closes.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Journey?
This itinerary was built around one simple premise: the flights matter as much as the destinations. Cutting the long road stages means you arrive at each place rested, not rattled, and the time saved becomes time watching lions — not tarmac.
Two Gorilla Permits, Two Forest Characters
Trekking both Rushaga and Buhoma sectors gives you a richer picture of gorilla behaviour and Bwindi's ecology than a single permit ever can. Our guides have decades of combined experience in both sectors and know which families tend to move where.
Charter Flights Included
The Kihihi–Mweya charter is built into the base price — no ambiguity, no upgrade fees. It removes the grinding nine-hour road transfer and replaces it with a 45-minute aerial view of the western Rift that your phone camera will struggle to do justice.
Maximum Six Guests
A strict six-person cap keeps vehicle sizes small, lodge pressure low, and guide attention genuinely personal. Sylvia and Enock have led this route together since 2022; they know every ranger at Bwindi's gates by name.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Entebbe to Bwindi — Arrival & Forest EdgeArrival in Entebbe & Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by an Arrive Africa Safaris representative who will assist you with your scheduled domestic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Uganda's rolling hills, lakes, and lush countryside during your scenic flight. Upon landing at either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, you will be met by your professional safari guide and transferred to your lodge located near the forest. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views of the ancient rainforest while preparing for your gorilla trekking adventure. Accommodation Options
Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas
Mid-Range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch | Dinner
Meals · Dinner
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by experienced rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Begin your once-in-a-lifetime Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari through the dense rainforest in search of one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorillas.
Upon locating the gorilla family, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Watch silverbacks protect their families, mothers care for infants, and young gorillas play in the forest. After this incredible wildlife encounter, return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Second Gorilla Trekking Experience or Forest Exploration
Today offers another opportunity to immerse yourself in Bwindi's extraordinary biodiversity.. Guests may enjoy a second gorilla trekking experience (permit required) or participate in optional activities such as: Guided Nature Walks, Bird Watching Excursions,, Batwa Cultural Experience, Community Visits, Forest Photography Tours.
Bwindi is home to over 350 bird species, numerous butterfly species, and several primates, making it one of Africa's richest ecosystems. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive through the scenic Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is famous for its rare Tree-Climbing Lions, often spotted resting in giant fig trees. Enjoy a game drive en route as you search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife species. Continue to your lodge for relaxation and stunning views of Uganda's wilderness.
Accommodation Options
Mid-Range: Enganzi Game Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge
Luxury: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin the day with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Look out for: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes,, Uganda Kobs, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Hyenas. After lunch, enjoy a memorable boat safari along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This wildlife-rich waterway hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and offers exceptional opportunities to see crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of bird species along the shoreline. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Flight Back to Entebbe & Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip for your scheduled domestic flight back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, depending on your departure schedule, you may enjoy a short city excursion, shopping, or relaxation before connecting to your international flight home. This marks the end of your unforgettable Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Fly-In Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Includes
Gorilla Trekking Permit, Domestic Flights (Entebbe – Bwindi & Return), Park Entrance Fees, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Game Drives, Professional English-Speaking Safari Guide, Ground Transportation, Accommodation and Meals as Indicated, Bottled Drinking Water, Airport Transfers
Safari Excludes
International Flights, Uganda Visa Fees, Travel Insurance, Tips and Gratuities, Personal Expenses, Alcoholic and Soft Drinks, Optional Activities Not Mentioned, Major Keywords
Uganda Fly-In Safari, Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Mountain Gorilla Safari Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari, Uganda Wildlife Safari, Luxury Uganda Safari, Gorilla Trekking Tour Uganda, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Tree-Climbing Lions Uganda, Uganda Primate Safari, Gorilla Safari Packages Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Adventure Safari, Big Five Safari Uganda, Uganda Safari Holidays, African Wildlife Safari, Luxury Gorilla Trekking Uganda, Uganda Safari Tours, Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Uganda, Uganda Nature and Wildlife Experience.
Meals · Breakfast
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- Two mountain gorilla trekking permits (Rushaga and Buhoma sectors)
- All park entry fees for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Charter flight: Kihihi airstrip to Mweya (one way)
- Scheduled domestic flight: Kasese to Entebbe (Day 6)
- 5 nights accommodation as specified: 2 nights Kigezi Highland Camp, 3 nights Crater Rim Tented Camp
- All meals from dinner Day 1 through breakfast Day 6
- All game drives, boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, and guided forest walks
- Private 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout
- Dedicated English-speaking guide for the full 6 days
- Airport and airstrip transfers
- Bottled water in 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
Soft-sided bags only for charter flights; max 15 kg hold + 5 kg carry-on per person
First Group Event
Welcome dinner and trek briefing at Kigezi Highland Camp, evening of Day 1
Last Group Event
Crater lakes morning drive; ends with transfer to Kasese airstrip, Day 6
Guaranteed Departures
All listed departures are guaranteed from 2 guests. Private departures available on request for any date.
Alternate Sightseeing
In the event of a gorilla permit reallocation by UWA, an alternate Bwindi sector of equivalent quality will be used at no extra charge.