This 5-day safari trip is designed for the guest who has time only for a relatively short visit but wants to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular destination, in greater depth. You will have two days to seek out the leopards that roam the Kasenyi plains, encounter large herds of elephants and the vast array of other resident and migratory wildlife, as well as travel to the southern Ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lions of the region. You will even have time for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and see hippos, crocodiles and buffalo. This trip starts with a chance to track the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest plus visit with the Batwa people who share the same forest.
Itinerary
Arrival: You will be picked up either from the airport the day before the trip or from your hotel if you are already in Uganda. Please note, accommodations prior to or following the trip can be arranged at additional cost.
- Breakfast.
- Guide drives you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda).
- Brief stop at the equator in Kayabwe for photos.
- Continue to Mbarara for lunch.
- Drive past banana plantations and Kigezi hills.
- Reach Bwindi in the evening.
- Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: Bweza Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Havens
- Early breakfast.
- Lodge gives you packed lunch.
- Drive to park briefing point.
- Arrive by 7:30 am for safety briefing.
- Briefing starts at 8:00 am.
- Assigned ranger guide and small group.
- Trek into Bwindi forest for gorillas (4+ hours depending on gorilla location).
- One hour to photograph and observe gorillas.
- Hike back to ranger station.
- Receive Gorilla Trekking certificate.
- Drive back to lodge or visit Batwa (pygmy) communities.
Accommodation: Bweza Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Havens
- Early breakfast.
- Guide drives you to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 4.5 hours).
- Route through Kigezi district’s misty hills.
- See Karegyeya mythical rocks, Kitagata hot springs, tea plantations, and crater lakes.
- Check in at your lodge.
- Lunch and relaxation.
- Late afternoon game drive.
- Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Kazinga Wilderness Camp
- Early breakfast.
- Drive into the park for a 2–3 hour game drive in Kasenyi plains.
- Spot lions, kobs, elephants, buffalos, hyenas, and many birds.
- Return to lodge for lunch.
- Drive to Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise.
- See hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, water birds, and elephant herds.
- Great for close-up viewing and photography.
- Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Kazinga Wilderness Camp
- Early breakfast and check out.
- Guide drives you to Entebbe or Kampala via Mbarara.
- Lunch in Mbarara or Masaka (depends on departure time).
- Stop at Mpambire Drum Village.
- Stop at the equator.
- Continue to your destination (Entebbe or Kampala).
End of tour
