Uganda gorilla trekking safaris – Uganda wildlife safaris

This 6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari is an epic Uganda safari that takes you to some of the best safari destinations in Uganda. Trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi’s impenetrable national park. This primeval forest is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda has over 500 members making up more than half of the world’s gorillas in the wild.

More to that, visit the small but wildlife-rich national park in Uganda. Lake Mburo national park is famous for its vast herds of impala and zebra. The park is home to plenty of other wildlife that can be seen on nature walks, game drives, and horseback safaris.

Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the western rift valley. Although the park is home to plenty of wildlife, Queen Elizabeth is mostly famous for its tree-climbing lions. These can be spotted in the Ishasha sector of the park.

6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari highlights

Gorilla trekking

Game drives in Lake Mburo national park

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park

Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park

6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park and evening game drive

At the beginning of this 6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, you will have a briefing about your gorilla and wildlife safari. Driving along the Kampala-Masaka road, we will stop at the equator for a late breakfast. Take some photos at the equator monument before proceeding to Lake Mburo. This small national park is located in the western district of Kiruhura. On arrival in Lake Mburo, you will check into the lodge and have a delicious lunch.

Later in the evening, embark on a game drive on the various tracks found in the park. On this game drive, you have amazing wildlife encounters. Some of the wildlife to be seen include; buffalo, leopards, giraffes, hippos, impala, zebra, topi, eland, and many more. This game drive will last up to 3 hours after which you will return to the lodge for the night.

Day 2: Morning nature walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

On the day of this 6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, we will embark on the plains of Lake Mburo for a nature walk. On this nature walk, you will be escorted by an experienced game ranger. He/she will provide you with all the information about the park and its inhabitants. More to that, the ranger will answer all your questions about the park and the wildlife. You will have 3 hours walking alongside amazing wildlife like zebra, impala, warthogs, eland, and giraffes. Return to the lodge, check out, and depart for Queen Elizabeth national park.

The drive to Queen Elizabeth offers amazing scenery of the tea plantations in Bushenyi and the tropical forest of Kalinzu. The mesmerizing beauty of the vast rift valley is unmatched as you reach Queen Elizabeth. Check into the lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. The evening game drive offers spectacular wildlife sightings. Queen Elizabeth has one of the best biodiversity in Uganda. This ranges from swamps, lakes, tropical forests, and savanna plains. These habitats are home to amazing wildlife that is seen on game drives and boat cruises. This evening game drive allows you to have wildlife encounters with animals such as; lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalo, elephants, and plenty of antelopes. This game drive will last up to 4 hours. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Proceeding a restful night, you will have an early breakfast before proceeding onto the savanna plains of Kasenyi. This sector has antelope mating grounds that attract predators like leopards, hyenas, and lions. More wildlife species that are found in this sector include elephants, hippos, and buffalo. This furthermore gives you an opportunity to see the wildlife you may have missed the previous day. This morning game drive will last up to 4-5 hours. After which we will return to the lodge for an early lunch.

The afternoon boat cruise is our next safari activity for the day. This boat cruise takes place on the Kazinga channel. This channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise is both relaxing and adventurous. Plenty of wildlife like elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and plenty of bird species. With over 600 bird species, this cruise offers amazing birding experiences for bird lovers. After the 2-hour cruise, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening and night.

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park

On day 4 of this 6-Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, enjoy a warm breakfast before transferring to Bwindi impenetrable national park. This drive takes you through the Ishasha sector which is famous for the tree-climbing lions. With luck, we will spot the big cats on the low branches of the fig trees. The rest of the drive offers spectacular rift valley scenery with terraced hills and tea plantations. On arrival in Bwindi, check into the lodge and enjoy the fresh air from the lush green tropical forest.

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi’s impenetrable national park

Gorilla trekking is Uganda’s most popular safari activity. Truly so, this safari activity allows you to trek through the impenetrable forest in search of mountain gorillas. Begin the day with a warm breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for the briefing. Here, we are given the guidelines for gorilla trekking. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trek into the forest. You will be divided into groups of 8 to trek different gorilla families. With enough drinking water, a packed lunch, and a walking stick, you will be led into the forest by rangers.

You will trek through the lush green forest in search of these gentle primates. On making contact, you will be allowed an hour to view and observe them in their natural habitat. You will be able to take pictures and videos with the flash mode on your camera disabled. Observe them eat, play and relate with one another. Depending on the location of these gorillas, the gorilla trekking expedition will last up to 8 hours. Return to the lodge, relax, and enjoy a beautiful evening.

Day 6: Transfer to Kampala

This is the last day of your 6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari. After a warm and delicious breakfast, we will depart Bwindi for Kampala. The scenic drive through Kabale offers memorable views of the rolling and terraced hills. Lunch will be served at Igongo cultural center in Mbarara. Proceed to Kampala and on arrival, the guide will drop you at your hotel, residence, or airport. This will mark the end of your 6 Day Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari.

What to carry for your gorilla trekking safari

Waterproof jacket or poncho in case it rains.

Comfortable hiking shoes/boots.

Plenty of drinking water

Energy bars/snacks

Insect repellent

Plenty of sunscreens

Long-sleeved shirt and trousers

Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking

Keep a distance of 7 meters between you and the gorillas at all times.

Keep your mask on during the encounter with the gorillas to prevent communicable diseases

Avoid direct eye contact with the gorillas as this can be construed as intimidation

Keep your voice low during your interaction with the gorillas

Stay as a group during your interaction with the gorillas to avoid confusion within the gorilla family

Do not drink or smoke in the presence of the gorillas.

Switch off the flash mode on your phone or camera

Safari inclusions

Gorilla permits

Full board accommodation

An English-speaking guide

Transportation throughout the safari

All safari activities

Bottled drinking water