5 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Overview

This 5-day gorilla trek safari takes you to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to more than half the population of the remaining 720 mountain gorillas. Bwindi Forest offers a unique birding opportunity, cultural experiences, and the scenic allure of stunning hills. You will have the experience of a lifetime watching at close range these majestic apes as they feed and relax. Before crossing to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a great game viewing experience.

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kampala-Masaka road (7 hours drive). In route, make
a stopover at the equator for photography and Mbarara for lunch. Later, you will be transferred to Queen
Elizabeth National Park. It is roughly a 3 hours drive from Mbarara to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Day 2: Game Drive and Launch Cruise along Kazinga Channel

In the morning, enjoy a game drive to the Northern sector of the park–Kasenyi plains in search of
leopards and lions. As you drive along Kasenyi tracks, expect to encounter big herds of elephants,
buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks and giant forest hogs among others.
Return to the lodge for a hot lunch before undertaking a launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel at
2:00 pm. The launch experience will bring you closer to big herds of elephants, hippos and a plethora
of migrant and endemic birds among others. At 6:00 pm, return to the lodge for your dinner and
relaxation.
Main Destination: Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP)
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Day 3: Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park [Chimp Trekking]

After breakfast at 8:00 am, transfer to Ishasha the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in
search of tree-climbing lions. It is approximately an hour’s drive from Mweya to Ishasha Gate. At
10:00 am, lions begin climbing fig trees as they seek shelter in the tree branches from the scorching
sunshine and relax after a night and morning feast on the antelopes.
At 1:00 o’clock, transfer to Savannah Hotel for a hot lunch and later proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park for an evening Batwa (Pygmies) community walk.
NOTE: On this day you may choose to go for Chimpanzee tracking at Kalinzu Forest early in the
morning before you proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is found in south western Uganda in the district of Bushenyi. The
forest reserve is close to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kalinzu forest
reserve has abundant wildlife. Over 379 species of birds exist in the forest. There are six species of
primates.
Main Destination: Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP)
Accommodation: Silverback Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi NP

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking Adventure

Wake up very early in the morning for your breakfast and then hike to the park headquarters, which is
a few meters from your lodge for a briefing by the park ranger before commencing the gorilla trek at
8:30 am. Gorilla tracking is a strenuous exercise but is ranked the most rewarding wildlife experience.
The time taken to encounter these apes ranges from an hour to several hours depending on their
movement in the jungle.

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi NP

Day 5: Departure

After breakfast, transfer back to the airport either Entebbe or Kigali. It is more than 8 hours drive to
Entebbe from Bwindi; whereas it is a 4 to 5 hours drive to Kigali International Airport.
Main Destination: Entebbe (City)