5 days Uganda Safari to Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Park

Overview

This 5 day Uganda safari is a 4 nights/ 5 day safari in Uganda offering a thrilling wildlife game viewing encounter in Queen Elizabeth National Park specifically tree climbing lions in Ishasha and a life changing Gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to half the world’s population of mountain gorillas and an unbelievable number of bird species.

This safari will begin with a journey into the mighty Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Mountain Gorilla trekking. This untouched forest park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breath-taking natural beauty, unique ecological significance and incredible biodiversity. Its rugged landscape features, dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. Aside from the majestic Mountain Gorillas, there are other attractions in Bwindi including over 120 mammal species, 10 species of primates, 350 species of bird and a variety of colourful butterflies.

From Bwindi, you shall head to the scenic Queen Elizabeth NP for game drives in search of its famous tree-climbing lions as well as other big game like Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, and Waterbucks plus other mammals. Here, we’ll also enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the spectacular Kazinga Channel to view one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world and several of the park’s 610 bird species.

Summary of safari

Day 01: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 02: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 03: Drive to Ishasha for an evening game drive

Day 04: Morning and afternoon game drives in Ishasha

Day 05: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for your flight out.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

You will be picked up and briefed by your driver guide who will then drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will pass several small towns, roadside markets, have a stop at the Equator crossing and Lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 8-9 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Lodging:

Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs

Mid-range/Moderate: – Silverback Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma

Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp

DAY 2: GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking etiquette and experience. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of trekking your gorilla family.

Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest. Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required.  Gorilla trekking can take from 2 hours to 8 hours so one needs to prepare for both. During your gorilla trekking adventure, you’ll also enjoy the breath taking natural scenery of Bwindi and a chance to see other fantastic creatures that inhabit Bwindi including monkeys, colorful montane butterflies, and unique forest birds that will have you wishing your trip was a little bit longer.

You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities and then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and then have dinner and overnight at your Lodge.

Accommodation:

Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs

Mid-range/Moderate: – Silverback Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma

Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal Plan: Full board

Things to note

• Contact time with gorillas is limited to one hour
• Trekking is limited to participants 15 years and over
• Hiking shoes are recommended
• If you’re unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you will not be allowed to trek gorillas.
• Minimum distance to keep with gorillas is 10 meters

DAY 3: DRIVE TO ISHASHA SIDE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you will take a scenic drive from Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, relaxation followed by a late afternoon game drive in Ishasha in search for tree climbing lions and other wild game whose chance of seeing them will highly depend on your luck of the day.

DAY 4: MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES IN ISHASHA

After breakfast, you will embark on the game drive in search of the legendary tree-climbing lions. These mystifying creatures are commonly seen lazily relaxing on branches of fig trees in the afternoon, staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs and buffalos that are grazing in the open Ishasha plains.

Tree-Climbing Lions are not something that you will encounter on any African safari and Ishasha plains are one of the best places to witness the spectacle. The sector also supports other wild game including waterbucks, kobs, Buffaloes and elephants. You may also drive to River Ishasha to see the border of Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and then evening game drive in Ishasha.

Highlight of the day: – Encountering the rare tree-climbing Lions in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.

Accommodation:

Upmarket/Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Midrange/Standard: Enjojo Safari Lodge

Budget/Basic: Enjojo Safari Lodge/Topi todgo

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: DRIVE BACK TO KAMPALA/ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Having explored all parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight with a lunch stop at the Equator crossing. There are also craft centres at the site where you can get yourself a souvenir as remembrance of your safari.

END OF TOUR