Looking for the ultimate Ugandan safari? This classic 5-day gorilla and wildlife safari route links the open savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park with the mist-covered mountain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. By traveling clockwise, you skip long, tedious drives and get straight to the action. You will spot big game on open plains, cruise past massive hippo pods along the Kazinga Channel, and search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. The journey ends in the ancient rainforest, where you stand just feet away from wild mountain gorillas. With expert local guides, reliable 4x4 land cruisers, and comfortable safari lodges, this trip offers an unbeatable mix of wildlife, comfort, and real adventure.

Tour highlights for 5-Day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Equator Monument Photo Stop

Scenic Rift Valley Drive

Kasenyi Savanna Game Drive

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

Ishasha River Congo Viewpoint

Kigezi Highlands Mountain Drive

Guided Rainforest Gorilla Trekking

One-Hour Mountain Gorillas

Official Gorilla Trek Certificate

Comfortable Rainforest Lodge Stays

Local Crafts Souvenir Shopping

Day-by-Day 5-Day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari tour

Day 1: Equatorial Crossing and Rift Valley Transfer

Day 2: Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Safari

Day 3: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Transfer

Day 4: Bwindi Rainforest Mountain Gorilla Trekking Expedition

Day 5: Kigezi Highlands Drive and Entebbe Return

Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your driver picks you up early from Kampala or Entebbe to get ahead of the morning traffic. Head southwest along asphalt roads through rolling farmland. Stop at Kayabwe to step across the Equator line, snap photos, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee. Resume the journey through Mbarara town, stopping for lunch before heading into the Albertine Rift Valley. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park by mid-afternoon, covering roughly 400 kilometers in about seven hours. Check into your lodge—such as Kasenyi Safari Camp or Mweya Safari Lodge—and unwind. End your day with a sunset drive through the Kasenyi tracks, keeping your eyes peeled for grazing herds of Uganda kob, waterbucks, and African elephants making their way across the savanna.

Day 2: Savanna Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Wake up to early morning tea before heading into the Kasenyi plains at dawn. This is the prime time to track lions returning from night hunts, elusive leopards, and large herds of Cape buffalo. Return to your lodge for a full breakfast and a few hours of relaxation. After lunch, head to the Mweya peninsula for a two-hour boat launch along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake George and Lake Edward and holds one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. Sail past bathing elephant herds, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of waterbirds like African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, and kingfishers. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and drinks around the campfire under the star-lit sky.

Day 3: Tree-Climbing Lions & Drive to Bwindi

Pack your bags and drive south toward the remote Ishasha sector of the park. This region is famous for its resident tree-climbing lions, which stretch out on the limbs of ancient fig and acacia trees to catch a cool breeze and spot prey. Spend the morning scanning the branches with your guide. Enjoy a packed lunch near the Ishasha River, watching hippos splash along the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the afternoon, head out on the unpaved mountain roads toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This 130-kilometer drive takes about four hours as you wind through steep terraced hillsides. Arrive at Buhoma or Ruhija, check into Mahogany Springs Lodge or Bakiga Lodge, and get a good night's rest.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Have a hearty breakfast and walk to the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 7:30 AM. Join fellow trekkers for a briefing on forest safety rules and get assigned to a specific habituated gorilla family. Accompanied by armed rangers and trackers carrying machetes, head up into the thick rain forest. The hike takes anywhere from one to five hours, covering steep, muddy trails through giant ferns and tangled vines. Once you track down the family, you have one full hour to observe them. Watch young mountain gorillas play in the foliage while massive silverbacks keep watch close by. Walk back to the trailhead to receive your trekking certificate, then return to your lodge for a warm shower, dinner, and a well-earned rest.

Day 5: Journey Back to Kampala or Entebbe

Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast overlooking the misty forest canopy. Board your 4x4 vehicle and begin the 500-kilometer return journey to central Uganda. Travel back through the Kigezi highlands, often called the "Switzerland of Africa," passing local banana plantations and bustling roadside markets. Stop in Mbarara town for a buffet lunch featuring local organic dishes. Continue past Masaka, stopping at craft markets along the route to pick up hand-carved souvenirs and traditional drums. Reach Kampala or Entebbe International Airport by late afternoon or early evening, taking roughly eight to nine hours of total travel time. This marks the end of your memorable Ugandan wilderness adventure.

🟢 Tour Includes

• 🦍 Gorilla Trekking Permit: UWA permit for mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi.
• 🚗 4x4 Safari Transport: Full ground transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser/Van with fuel.
• 👨‍✈️ Professional Driver/Guide: Services of an experienced English-speaking local guide.
• 🏨 Full Board Accommodations: All mid-range or luxury lodge stays and meals.
• 🛥️ Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: 2-hour boat launch ticket along Kazinga Channel.
• 🦁 Park Entrance Fees: All park entries to Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha sectors.
• 🧭 Game Drives: Guided morning and evening savanna game viewing drives.
• 💧 Drinking Water: Bottled mineral water throughout the entire safari journey.

🔴 Tour Excludes

• ✈️ International Flights: Airfare to and from Entebbe International Airport.
• 🛂 Visas: East Africa Tourist Visa or Uganda entry visa fees.
• 🍷 Alcoholic Beverages: Soft drinks, beers, wines, and spirits at lodges.
• 💵 Tips & Gratuities: Tips for safari drivers, lodge staff, and park rangers.
• 🧳 Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, laundry services, phone calls, and snacks.
• 🩺 Travel Insurance: Personal medical, cancellation, and baggage insurance.