Home5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Safari

5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Safari

overview.

This 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Safari takes you to two major national parks in Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, and it’s home to the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located on the western side of the country, and it’s referred to as a medley of wonders.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a famous tourist destination; the park is home to over 1000 bird species and over 76 wildlife species, and it’s well-known for its tree-climbing lions found on the fig trees in the Ishasha sector. Some of the wildlife you should expect to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park include lions, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, elephants, warthogs, bush babies, hippos, crocodiles, and monkeys.

5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Safari

 

Safari breakdown

  • Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
  • Day 2: Gorilla trekking and community walk
  • Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
  • Day 4: Game drive and boat cruise at the Kazinga channel
  • Day 5: Departure

 

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Safari with Chosen Expeditions begins with a morning pick-up from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala. After a safari briefing, you will journey southwest through Uganda’s countryside toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The drive offers scenic views of rolling hills, traditional homesteads, and local markets. You may stop at the Equator for photos before continuing via Mbarara for lunch. As you approach Bwindi, the landscape becomes mountainous and lush, signaling your arrival in one of Africa’s most important primate habitats. Check into your lodge near the forest and relax as you prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking experience.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation option

Budget:

  • Gift of nature lodge
  • Broadbill forest camp
  • Wagtail lodge

Mid-range;

  • Gorilla Mist Camp
  • Silverback lodge

Luxury;

  • Gorilla safari lodge
  • Clouds lodge

 

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Community Walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned a habituated gorilla family and guided into the rainforest by experienced trackers.

The trek can take between two and six hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once located, you will spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching the silverback lead his group, mothers care for infants, and young gorillas play in the forest is a powerful wildlife encounter.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided community walk around Bwindi. Visit local villages, interact with residents, and learn about traditional livelihoods, farming practices, and crafts. This experience provides insight into how tourism supports local communities.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive north to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey offers views of crater lakes, open savannah, and rural landscapes. If passing through the Ishasha sector, you may have a chance to spot the famous tree-climbing lions.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and relax while enjoying views of the savannah or surrounding wilderness.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget:

  • irungu safari lodge
  • Ihamba safari lodge

Mid-range;

  • Bush camp
  • Park view safari lodge

Luxury;

  • Ishasha jungle lodge
  • Mweya safari lodge

Day 4: Game Drive & Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. During the drive, you may encounter elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and predators such as lions and hyenas. Your guide will provide insights into the park’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife behavior.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise offers excellent wildlife viewing, including hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants along the shoreline, and numerous bird species. The boat safari is one of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Departure

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Lunch will be enjoyed en route before arrival in the afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your safari with Chosen Expeditions.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Included in the safari

  • Gorilla permit
  • Park entry fees
  • Boat cruise
  • Community walk
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation to and from
  • Government taxes
  • Mineral water
  • Guide/driver’s allowance

Excluded in the safari

  • Laundry services
  • International/domestic flights
  • Tips
  • Telephone
  • Extra expenses not in the itinerary.