This 5-day Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park safari takes you deep into the Pearl of Africa, Uganda, to enjoy classic wildlife viewing and mountain gorilla trekking. The safari combines savanna game drives, a boat cruise, and a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda’s most visited national parks. You will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, starting and ending in Kampala or Entebbe.
This safari is ideal for travelers who want to see wildlife such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and birds, and also meet endangered mountain gorillas in their forest home.
Day 1: Arrival in Kampala and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our company driver guide. After a short briefing about your 5-day Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, you will begin the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.
Along the way, you will stop at the Equator crossing for photos and a short break. Continue the journey through towns, farms, and open countryside before reaching the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its open savanna, crater lakes, and rare tree-climbing lions found in the southern Ishasha sector. On arrival, check in at your lodge, relax, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Start the day with an early breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, drive to the park offices where you will meet a ranger guide for the morning game drive. The game drive takes place on the Kasenyi plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the park.
During the game drive, you may see elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and many bird species. Lions and leopards are sometimes spotted, especially in the early morning hours. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, head out for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural water channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and has a very high number of hippos and crocodiles. You will also see water birds and animals coming to drink along the banks. After the boat cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, check out from the lodge and begin the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The journey passes through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famous for tree-climbing lions.
You will spend time searching for these lions resting in fig trees before continuing your drive south. After Ishasha, proceed toward Kanungu or Kisoro District, depending on your allocated Bwindi sector. Arrive at your lodge near Bwindi in the evening, check in, have dinner, and rest.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience
This is the main highlight of your safari. Wake up early for breakfast, then drive to the park headquarters with packed lunch and drinking water. Park officials will give a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and safety guidelines.
You will then be assigned a ranger guide and a gorilla family. The trek into the forest can take between one and six hours depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find them, you will spend one hour observing their behavior and taking photos.
After the trek, return to the lodge to relax. In the evening, you may visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience if time allows. Dinner and overnight stay are at the lodge.
Day 5: Travel Back to Kampala and Departure
After breakfast, check out from the lodge and begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and lunch. Continue the journey to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home, marking the end of your 5-day Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park safari.
