5-Day Queen Elizabeth & Gorilla Trekking Safari

5 Days | 4 Nights | Scheduled and Guided Tour

Big Game to Great Apes: Discover Uganda’s Wild Beauty

This 5-day Uganda safari blends classic African wildlife encounters with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure. From the scenic savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, teeming with hippos, elephants, lions and buffalo, to the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll trek to meet the majestic mountain gorillas, this itinerary offers the ultimate wildlife immersion with a touch of culture and luxury.

Tour Highlights

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Enjoy a serene wildlife-packed boat ride between Lakes Edward and George—one of the best places in Uganda to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and countless bird species.

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Explore the Kasenyi Plains and Ishasha Sector, famed for sightings of lions, tree-climbing lions, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and elephants.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Venture deep into the misty rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family—an unforgettable one-hour encounter with some of the last mountain gorillas on Earth.

Rwenzori & Kigezi Highlands Scenery
Marvel at the dramatic landscapes as you travel past Uganda’s tea plantations, crater lakes and the towering Rwenzori Mountains.

Cultural Encounters
Engage with the local Buhoma community to see how tourism supports conservation and visit Igongo Cultural Centre for a glimpse into Ankole heritage and traditions.

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe – Transfer to Kampala

Touch down at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be warmly received and transferred to your hotel in Kampala. Take time to relax and prepare for the exciting days ahead, with a safari briefing over dinner.

Accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel / Cassia Lodge / Forest Cottages Kampala
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive through Fort Portal and Kasese, passing lush tea plantations and the towering Rwenzori Mountains. On arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, check into your lodge before heading out for a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel—a haven for hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and a wide array of water birds.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Jacana Safari Lodge / Enganzi Lodge / Ihamba Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains and along the Queen’s Mile, keeping an eye out for lions, Uganda Kobs, elephants and hyenas. Afterwards, drive through the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, as you journey deeper into Uganda’s southwest to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by evening.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Buhoma Community Bandas / Wagtail Eco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

After an early breakfast, attend a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers before embarking on your gorilla trekking adventure. Follow experienced guides through the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take between 2–6 hours, depending on the group’s location—but every moment is unforgettable. In the afternoon, take a community walk in Buhoma, engaging with locals and learning how tourism benefits conservation and village life.

Accommodation: Same as previous night
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Bwindi – Kampala / Entebbe – Departure

Depart Bwindi after breakfast and head back to Entebbe via Mbarara, with a stop at the Igongo Cultural Village for lunch and a brief cultural visit. Arrive in time for your evening departure flight back home, taking memories of Uganda’s majestic wildlife and warm people with you.

Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch