7-Day Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Encounter gorillas & other wildlife on this tour through savannah plains and West African jungles as you navigate Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Llake Mburo National Parks. This bucket-list experience takes you deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for an eye-opening encounter with highly endangered mountain gorillas.
You get to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park where your lodge overlooks the magnificent second largest national reserve in Uganda. Activities include lion tracking, chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and cruising on the Kazinga Channel. Finally, visit Lake Mburo National Park—the smallest savannah park in Uganda, known for over 350 bird species and 68 mammals.
You will drive to Bwindi National Park, home to 600 mountain gorillas and is one of the two remaining protected sites where this subspecies exists in the wild. Some of the family groups are habituated to human presence and will allow trekkers to observe them from a respectful distance.
Safari Summary
| Day | Itinerary | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Uganda | Boma Guest House | BB |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park | Elephant Hub Lodge | FB |
| Day 3 | Game Drives & Activities | Elephant Hub Lodge | FB |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Bwindi National Park | Gorilla Camp | FB |
| Day 5 | Gorilla Trekking / relaxation | Gorilla Camp | FB |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Lake Mburo | Mburo Safari Lodge | HB |
| Day 7 | Walking Safari / Departure | No accommodation (end of itinerary) | - |
Mid-range price guide: Final quotation is shared based on travel month, group size, and room setup (double/twin/single).
Meal plan legend: BB = Bed and Breakfast, HB = Half Board, FB = Full Board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Mid-range lodge examples (or similar): Elephant Hub Lodge, Gorilla Camp, Lake Bunyonyi Lodge, and Mburo Safari Lodge (subject to availability at booking).
What Is Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with professional driver-guide
- Park entry fees for listed itinerary activities
- Game drives and scheduled boat cruises as indicated
- Gorilla trekking permit and ranger briefing
- Accommodation and meals as listed (BB/HB/FB)
- Bottled drinking water during road transfers
What Is Not Included
- International flights and Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance and personal medical expenses
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Tips, souvenirs, and optional add-on activities
- Single-room supplement where applicable
- Any activity not specifically listed under "What Is Included"
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: 0.5-1.5 hrs airport transfer (traffic dependent)
- Meals: BB
- Included Activities: Airport pickup and private transfer
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Entebbe
On arrival at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to your guesthouse for relaxation and overnight.
Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have a chance to explore the local area or rest before your next adventure begins.
Accommodation Options (Entebbe)
Estimated per room/night, subject to season and availability.
- Budget Airport Guesthouse - from USD 35-60
- Mid-range Boma Guest House - from USD 90-140
- Luxury Hotel No. 5 - from USD 220-320
Meal Plan: BB
Optional activities on Day 1:
- Guided city tour of Kampala and local markets
- Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
- Boat ride to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Lake Victoria birdwatching, including chances to spot the shoebill stork
- Ndere Cultural Centre performances
- Uganda Museum and Kasubi Tombs cultural visit
- Craft shopping for local souvenirs and handmade products
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Approx. 6-7 hrs with equator and scenic stops
- Meals: FB
- Included Activities: Transfer, equator stop, and game viewing orientation
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Queen Elizabeth National Park
You’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth, the second largest National Park in Uganda, located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains. Enjoy game drives and search for elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, and antelopes. En route, stop at the equator for a fun photo opportunity and a chance to experience the Coriolis effect. Overnight at a lodge overlooking the park. Explore the park with sunrise game drives and an evening Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Transfer guide: Approx. 6-7 hours by road with an equator stop and scenic breaks.
Accommodation Options (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Estimated per room/night, subject to season and availability.
- Budget Pumba Safari Cottages - from USD 55-95
- Mid-range Elephant Hub Lodge - from USD 110-180
- Luxury Mweya Safari Lodge - from USD 240-380
Meal Plan: FB
Day 3: Game Drives and Kazinga Boat Cruise
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Short to moderate game-drive sectors in park
- Meals: FB
- Included Activities: Morning game drive, Kazinga boat cruise, evening game drive
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Queen Elizabeth National Park
In the morning, go in for a game drive in time to see the sun rise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park; Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog and many more.
In the afternoon, go for a boat cruise and expect to see massive pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and numerous bird species. Later in the evening, enjoy another game drive where you may spot species missed in the morning. Relax and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation Options (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Estimated per room/night, subject to season and availability.
- Budget Tembo Safari Lodge - from USD 50-90
- Mid-range Elephant Hub Lodge - from USD 110-180
- Luxury Elephant Plains Lodge - from USD 220-340
Meal Plan: FB
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Approx. 3-4 hrs depending on route and road conditions
- Meals: FB
- Included Activities: Transfer through countryside and community cultural dance (time permitting)
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The transfer takes about 3-4 hours and is a scenic journey through the countryside. On early arrival, enjoy spectacular dance performances by the community and later relax at your lodge.
Transfer guide: Approx. 3-4 hours depending on route and road conditions.
Accommodation Options (Bwindi)
Estimated per room/night, subject to season and availability.
- Budget Buhoma Community Rest Camp - from USD 60-100
- Mid-range Gorilla Camp - from USD 90-150
- Luxury Buhoma Lodge - from USD 360-600
Meal Plan: FB
Optional Activity; Community Tour
This sightseeing Village tour showcases how life unfolds in a typical Ugandan village. This trail will enable you have a taste of the Ugandan village lifestyle. You will meet with locals of many different generations and see the way of life in this developing country. The highlights of this cultural walk include a visit to traditional healers or medicine man. A visit to homes for a demonstration of a variety of food making skills such as how bananas are used to make various drinks both alcoholic and non- alcoholic.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Local transfers for briefing and trek, then transfer to Bunyonyi
- Meals: FB
- Included Activities: Gorilla trekking permit activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Lake Bunyonyi
Prepare for an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi. Track one of the habituated gorilla families and spend a magical hour with them. The next day, After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll be assigned a gorilla family based on fitness level and group size. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, moving through dense forest, vines, and steep terrain. Once the gorillas are located, you are allowed a magical one hour in their presence — observing their behavior, interactions, and family bonds. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for relaxation and reflection on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Evening relaxation at your lodge or, if time permits, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a scenic sunset and overnight by the lake.
Please Note: Gorilla permits should be booked 1-2 months in advance due to limited daily slots per sector.
Accommodation Options (same Gorilla Camp)
Meal Plan: FB
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Approx. 4-5 hrs including scenic stops
- Meals: HB
- Included Activities: Scenic drive with stops and transfer to Lake Mburo
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours and includes scenic stops along the way. Lake Mburo is known for its diverse wildlife and bird species, making it a great spot for an afternoon game drive or boat cruise upon arrival. Overnight at a lodge overlooking the park.
Lake Mburo is the smallest savannah park in Uganda, but it’s home to a surprising variety of wildlife including zebras, impalas, hippos, and over 350 bird species. Enjoy an afternoon game drive or boat cruise to spot the park’s unique inhabitants.
Accommodation Options (Lake Mburo)
Estimated per room/night, subject to season and availability.
- Budget Eagle's Nest - from USD 45-80
- Mid-range Mburo Safari Lodge - from USD 95-160
- Luxury Mihingo Lodge - from USD 320-520
Meal Plan: HB
Day 7: Lake Mburo & Departure
Daily Snapshot
- Drive Time: Approx. 4-5 hrs to Entebbe with equator stop (time permitting)
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (timing dependent)
- Included Activities: Walking safari and transfer to Entebbe for departure
- Overnight (Planned Tier): Departure day / optional Entebbe add-on night
Enjoy a morning walking safari, then transfer back to Entebbe for your flight home.
Transfer guide: Approx. 4-5 hours to Entebbe with an equator stop depending on timing.
Accommodation (End of Itinerary)
No accommodation is included on Day 7 as this is your departure day.
- Budget Optional add-on: Airport Guesthouse - from USD 35-60
- Mid-range Optional add-on: Papyrus Guest House - from USD 40-80
- Luxury Optional add-on: Protea Hotel Entebbe - from USD 220-340
Meal Plan: -
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Open the shared safari inquiry form to request details for this 7-day gorilla and wildlife itinerary. The duration is already attached.
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