A Complete Guide for the 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday from Kampala City

This 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday offers a captivating journey to experience the classic wildlife of the African savannah and the remarkable gorillas of the rainforest. Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, hippos, and more on game drives and boat cruises. In Bwindi, trek through dense forests and steep slopes for an unforgettable face-to-face encounter with endangered mountain gorillas.

Despite being a relatively short holiday, this safari showcases the absolute highlights of African wildlife, making it perfect for those with limited time. In addition to the wildlife, you’ll experience the rich culture of local Ugandans and learn about their customs and traditions. Explore the detailed day-by-day itinerary to envision your adventure. Remember, our trips are fully customizable and can be tailored to your specific needs.

5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday Highlights

• Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 2: Wildlife Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 5: Drive back to Kampala

 

Detailed 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday

Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

The 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday driver/guide will pick you up in the morning from your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. You’ll then head west, driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Fort Portal. The journey, taking around 8 hours, will take you through the Ugandan countryside, with its small towns, villages, roadside markets, and lush greenery.

You’ll have a stopover in Fort Portal town for lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The final stretch of the drive offers stunning views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges. You’ll arrive at Queen Elizabeth in time for an evening game drive, where you’ll have the chance to spot hippos, buffalos, elephants, and more. After the game drive, you’ll check in at the lodge and unwind from the day’s adventures.

• Accommodation: Bush Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 2: Wildlife Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you’ll set out for an early morning wildlife safari game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park’s diverse ecosystem, including grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters, is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. With the majestic Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, you’ll have excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, bushbuck, leopards, giant forest hogs, Topi, Cape buffalos, Uganda Kobs, and defassa waterbuck.

After lunch, enjoy a 2–3-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This cruise will take you through areas with possibly the highest concentration of hippos, and you’ll likely see many animals drinking at the water’s edge.

The cruise offers fantastic opportunities for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. The prolific birdlife is colorful and impressive, with more than 600 different species.

• Accommodation: Bush Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today after breakfast, you will have the 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. The 6-hour drive takes you through the scenic Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its terraced hills and picturesque views.

You will have a lunch stop en route before arriving at the lodge. Settle in for dinner and rest up for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This day promises to be one of the most memorable of your 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. In small groups of not more than 8, you will set off into the dense forest with experienced guides to track a gorilla family pointing out previous signs of gorilla trekking activity such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

The trek can be challenging, with steep and muddy paths, but the reward is well worth the effort. Upon finding the gorillas, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to spend an hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch as they play, feed, and interact, gaining insight into their daily lives. After this unforgettable encounter, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the evening, visit the local Bakiga and Batwa communities to learn about their traditions and way of life.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Drive back to Kampala

After an early breakfast, your 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday driver/guide will set out on a long 9-hour drive from Bwindi to Kampala. The journey transitions from the cooler mountainous altitude of the Kigezi Highlands to the lower undulating landscape of Ankole and Buganda. Here, large farms and plantations are interspersed with villages and small towns.

Throughout the journey, you’ll have several planned stopovers, including the equator crossing in Kayabwe for photo opportunities. Depending on your flight schedule, your guide can arrange additional stopovers as needed.

You should arrive in Kampala by early evening, allowing ample time to freshen up before departing Uganda.

• Accommodation: None (Last day)
• Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch

End of 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday

5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Holiday Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions;

• Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
• All fuel for the tour
• English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
• Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
• Park entrance fees for all National parks
• All activities described in the itinerary
• 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
• Drinking water throughout the safari.

Exclusions;

• International airfares
• Entry visa Uganda
• Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
• A porter. Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.
• Personal (medical/travel) insurance
• Tips and gratuities to rangers, drivers/guides, porters, hotel staff, etc.
• Expenses of a personal nature (e.g., drinks, laundry, optional activities.)

Related East Africa Safaris of Interest – Jackal Adventures