7 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
This 7 Days Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari is designed for travellers who want a balanced Uganda itinerary combining savannah wildlife, boat cruises, walking safari, gorilla trekking, and lake relaxation. The safari starts in Entebbe or Kampala and travels to Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi. The route gives a strong mix of wildlife and scenery without making the itinerary too long. Lake Mburo offers walking safaris, zebras, impalas, giraffes, hippos, and birdlife. Queen Elizabeth National Park adds game drives, the Kasenyi plains, Katwe Salt Lake, crater scenery, and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The journey then continues through Ishasha Sector for a chance to see tree-climbing lions before gorilla trekking in Bwindi. The safari ends with relaxation and a boat experience on Lake Bunyonyi before returning to Entebbe or Kampala, with an optional Kigali exit route available on request.
Safari Highlights
- Pick up from Entebbe, Kampala
- Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Uganda Equator stop en route
- Guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
- Optional boat trip on Lake Mburo
- Morning game drive in Lake Mburo
- Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Katwe Salt Lake visit
- Crater lakes scenery near Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Lion tracking or morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Transfer to Bwindi through Ishasha Sector
- Chance to see tree climbing lions in Ishasha, depending on wildlife movement
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Optional Batwa community experience
- Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and boat trip
- Return transfer to Kampala or Entebbe
- Optional Kigali exit route available on request
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1, Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Walking Safari
Depending on your location in Entebbe or Kampala, your safari driver guide will pick you up and start the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops along the way. You will stop at the Uganda Equator for photos before continuing towards western Uganda. On arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a guided walking safari with a ranger guide. This activity gives you a close ground-level experience of the park, with chances to see zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, topis, warthogs, buffalos, birds, and other wildlife depending on the route.
Optional activity: If you prefer not to do the walking safari, you may take a boat trip on Lake Mburo. The boat ride offers chances to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and animals that come near the lake to drink. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Eagles Nest Lodge, Mid-range Mpogo Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2, Lake Mburo Game Drive and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. During the game drive, you may see zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, buffalos, warthogs, topis, waterbucks, and many bird species. With luck, you may also see predators such as leopards. After the game drive, you will start the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon or evening, you may visit Katwe Salt Lake and the nearby crater lakes area, depending on time and road conditions. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Kazinga Wilderness Camp, Mid-range Elephant Hub Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3, Lion Tracking and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
You will wake up early and drive to the Kasenyi plains for a lion tracking experience or a morning game drive, depending on the final arrangement. Kasenyi is one of the best-known wildlife areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park and is often associated with Uganda kobs, lions, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, antelopes, and other savannah wildlife. If lion tracking is included and confirmed, the activity gives you a more focused chance to learn about the park’s lions and their movement. Sightings still depend on wildlife behaviour and park conditions. After the morning activity, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This cruise offers excellent chances to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, and many bird species along the channel banks. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Kazinga Wilderness Camp, Mid-range Elephant Hub Lodge, Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha
After breakfast, you will check out and start the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for an en route game drive. Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are not guaranteed because wildlife movement changes throughout the day. During the drive, you may also see elephants, buffalos, topis, antelopes, and other wildlife. After the Ishasha experience, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mid-range Buhoma Haven Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer to the park offices for a gorilla trekking briefing. The ranger guides will explain trekking rules, safety guidelines, and the gorilla family assigned to your group. After the briefing, you will enter the forest with ranger guides and trackers. Gorilla trekking can take about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family. The terrain can be steep and muddy in some areas, so a reasonable level of fitness is helpful. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them as they feed, rest, move, and interact in the forest. After the experience, your guides will lead you back to the starting point where your driver guide will be waiting to take you back to the lodge.
Optional activity: Depending on time and energy after trekking, you may take an optional Batwa community tour to learn about Batwa culture, traditional forest life, music, and community heritage. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge. Accommodation: Budget Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mid-range Buhoma Haven Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6, Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most scenic lake destinations. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on your lodge location, road conditions, and stops along the way. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore Lake Bunyonyi on a boat trip, visiting selected islands and learning about the lake’s history and surrounding communities. One of the best-known islands is Punishment Island, which is often included in local storytelling around the lake. Later, return to the lodge for relaxation, sunset views, dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Mid-range Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7, Transfer Back to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, you may take an optional high rope or zip-lining experience around Lake Bunyonyi, depending on time, availability, and your departure schedule. After the optional activity, you will start the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe with lunch en route. This is a long travel day, and arrival time depends on road conditions, traffic, and stops along the way. On arrival, your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel, residence, Entebbe International Airport, or another agreed location. This marks the end of your 7-Day Lake Mburo Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari. Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Pick up from Kampala or Entebbe
- Drop off in Kampala, Entebbe, or at Entebbe International Airport
- Transport in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up roof
- Fuel for the safari vehicle
- Full-time English-speaking safari driver guide
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Accommodation and meals as stated in the itinerary
- Park entrance fees
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Bottled mineral water during the safari
Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Optional Batwa community tour
- Optional high rope and zip-lining experience
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Tips for driver guides, ranger guides, and hotel staff
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, beverages, extra meals, insurance, and porter fees
