Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth, 5-Day Gorilla and Savannah Safari
This trip is built for those who want to see the two most famous animal spots in Uganda. In five days, you visit the thick rainforest of Bwindi and the open plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will not spend your whole trip in a car. The drive between these two parks is short. This gives you more time to see the animals. You will track mountain gorillas on one day and look for lions the next. This is a balanced trip for couples or small groups seeking a private and quiet experience.
Safari Summary
| Feature | Trip Details |
| Main Focus | Mountain Gorillas and Savannah Animals |
| Length | 5 Days (4 Nights) |
| Start and End | Entebbe or Kampala |
| Transport | 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser |
| Key Spots | Bwindi Forest, Ishasha Sector, Kazinga Channel |
The Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Forest
Drive Time: 8 to 9 hours Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Your driver picks you up at 7:00 AM. We leave early to avoid the heavy city traffic. The road takes you through the green countryside of Central Uganda. We stop at the Equator line in Kayabwe. You can take photos and see how water swirls in different directions on each side of the world. After this, we continue through Mbarara. You will see many long-horned cattle in the fields. We stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, the road climbs into the high hills of the southwest. You will see tea plantations and deep valleys. You reach your lodge in Bwindi by late afternoon.
Lodges: Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-Range), or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget).
Day 2: Tracking Gorillas in Bwindi
Activity Time: 2 to 6 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Eat a large breakfast at 6:00 AM. Your driver takes you to the park office for a 7:30 AM talk. Rangers will tell you the rules of the forest. You will join a group of eight people. The hike can be hard. The ground is steep and can be slippery. You will walk through thick vines and trees. When the trackers find the gorillas, you spend exactly one hour with them. You can watch them eat and play from a few meters away. Do not use a flash on your camera. After the hike, you return to the lodge. If you feel strong, you can walk to a local village in the evening. You can meet the Batwa people and see how they once lived in the forest.
Day 3: To Queen Elizabeth Park via Ishasha
Drive Time: 3 to 4 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We leave Bwindi after breakfast. We enter the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park called Ishasha. This area is quiet and has few visitors. It is famous for tree-climbing lions. These lions like to sleep in the large fig trees during the day. We spend the afternoon driving through the park to find them. You may also see elephants and large herds of antelope. In the late afternoon, we drive further north to the main area of the park. You will check into your next lodge.
Lodges: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Elephant Hub (Mid-Range), or The Bush Lodge (Budget).
Day 4: Animals of Kasenyi and the Kazinga Channel
Activity Time: Full Day Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We start the day at 6:30 AM. This is when the lions and leopards are most active. We drive to the Kasenyi Plains. This area has many small hills and salt lakes. It is the best place to see large animals hunting. After a break for lunch, you take a boat on the Kazinga Channel. The boat trip starts at 2:00 PM. You will see hundreds of hippos in the water. Elephants often come down to the banks to drink and bathe. You will also see many birds and large crocodiles on the shore.
Day 5: Return to Entebbe
Drive Time: 6 to 7 hours Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We eat breakfast and start the drive back to the city. We pass through the crater lakes region. We stop in a local town for a hot lunch. You will arrive in Entebbe or Kampala by 5:00 PM. Your driver will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your hotel.
Planning Your Trip
The Best Time to Go. The dry months are from June to August and December to February. The forest trails are easier to walk. The animals in the savannah gather near the water holes, which makes them easy to find.
What You Must Pack
Hiking Boots: You need boots with a good grip for the muddy slopes.
Long Pants: These protect your legs from stinging plants and bugs.
Raincoat: It can rain at any time in the rainforest.
Garden Gloves: These help you hold onto branches while you hike.
Your Fitness: You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to walk for a few hours. The rangers go at the pace of the slowest person in the group. You can hire a local porter for a small fee to carry your bag and help you on steep parts.
What is Included
- Pick up and drop off at Entebbe
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Park entrance and Boat cruise.
- 4X4 Safari vehicle and fuel
- Full-time English-speaking Guide/Driver.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals at the lodge-breakfast-lunch-dinner
- Bottled drinking water while on safari.
What is Not Included
- International and domestic flight fares
- Uganda Visa fees
- Optional activities
- Tipping
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are in a group?
The gorilla trek is limited to eight people per gorilla family. For the rest of the trip, you will have your own private car and driver.
Can I see chimpanzees on this trip?
This specific route focuses on gorillas and savannah animals. If you want to see chimps, we can add a stop in Kyambura Gorge for an extra day.
Is it safe to see the lions?
Yes. You stay inside the 4×4 car during the game drives. The lions are used to the vehicles and will not bother you.
