6-Day Ultimate Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Overview
Experience the absolute best of Uganda on this 6-day “Ultimate” safari, seamlessly combining primate encounters with big game viewing. This unforgettable journey takes you to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree-climbing lions and a boat cruise, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to track Mountain Gorillas. You will also explore the savannah plains of Lake Mburo National Park. Staying in mid-range lodges and luxury tented camps, this itinerary offers a perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and wildlife diversity.
Safari Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
After an early breakfast, you will depart Kampala and drive west to Kibale Forest National Park (approximately 5–6 hours). The drive takes you through beautiful tea plantations and the traditional homelands of the Tooro kingdom. You will stop at the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes region for stunning views and lunch. In the afternoon, you may take a guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (optional) to spot birds and monkeys. Check into your mid-range lodge on the edge of the forest for dinner and overnight.
Chimpanzee Tracking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
Start the day with an early morning Chimpanzee Tracking expedition in Kibale Forest. You will trek into the jungle to locate a habituated community of chimps, watching them play, feed, and interact. After this thrilling experience, return to the lodge for breakfast. You will then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. You will see hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, and elephants bathing on the shores. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains to look for lions, leopards, and buffalo. Afterward, you will drive through the remote southern Ishasha sector of the park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch while searching for these cats lounging in large fig trees. Continue the journey southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (the drive is scenic but can be bumpy). Arrive at your lodge near the park boundary in the evening for dinner and a restful night.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Today is the highlight of your trip. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your Gorilla Tracking adventure. Trekking through the dense, steep rainforest can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, but the moment you find the Gorilla family, the hour spent observing them is magical. You will watch them feed, groom, and play. Afterward, return to the lodge for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing or taking a community walk to the local Batwa Pygmy village (optional). Dinner and overnight.
Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the misty morning atmosphere of the forest. You will then drive east to Lake Mburo National Park (approximately 4–5 hours). The journey offers stunning scenery of the hills and terraced farming of southwestern Uganda. After checking in and having lunch, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive or a boat ride on Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda with eland, impala, and zebra, and it is famous for its large hippos and crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Lake Mburo to Entebbe/Kampala
Start the day with an early morning walking safari or game drive in Lake Mburo, accompanied by an armed ranger. This is a fantastic opportunity to see zebras and giraffes up close on foot. After breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala (approx. 4 hours). You will stop at the Equator Monument for photos and lunch. Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your ultimate Ugandan adventure.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Five nights accommodation in selected lodges or tented camps
- Round trip transport from Kampala or Entebbe in a safari vehicle
- Services of a professional English speaking driver guide
- One gorilla trekking permit per person (eight hundred US dollars)
- All game drives and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- All park entrance fees for Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- All government taxes and bottled water during game drives
Excluded
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and personal insurance (mandatory)
- Tips and gratuities for driver guide, rangers, and trackers
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs and laundry
- Dinner and overnight stay in Kampala or Entebbe on the last day
- Optional chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
