Speak to us | +256 703 999252
Arrive Africa Safaris
5 Days in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi

Private Journey • Uganda

5 Days in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi

View Itinerary

Overview

About this journey

Discover Mountain Gorillas, Tree-Climbing Lions and Uganda's Incredible Wildlife

Safari Overview

Experience the best of Uganda on this unforgettable 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari, combining two of the country's most iconic destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This exciting Uganda safari offers the perfect blend of mountain gorilla trekking, wildlife game drives, boat cruises, bird watching, and cultural experiences. Encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat, search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and enjoy spectacular wildlife viewing across the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.


Along the journey, you will witness breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills, traditional villages, diverse birdlife, and some of Africa's most remarkable wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species.

Safari Highlights

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Wildlife Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Search for the Famous Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Batwa Cultural Experience (Optional), Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography, Scenic Drive Through Southwestern Uganda, Opportunities to Spot Four of Africa's Big Five, Professional Safari Guide and 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Highlights

What you'll experience

  • In the remote Ishasha sector, lions routinely drape themselves across the broad branches of fig trees. Your guide, Felix Atugonza, knows the trees by name and the prides by face.

  • A two-hour cruise along the channel linking Lakes George and Edward brings you within metres of Nile crocodiles, African skimmers, and pods of hippopotamus rolling in the shallows.

  • One hour with a habituated gorilla family — a silverback chewing wild celery, infants play-wrestling in the undergrowth — more than justifies every muddy step of the approach.

  • Over 600 species have been recorded in Queen Elizabeth. The papyrus fringe alone yields shoebills, African finfoots, and black-and-white casqued hornbills before breakfast.

  • The western rift valley spreads below your tent as the sky turns mauve. Crater lakes dot the floor three hundred metres down, and the smell of woodsmoke drifts from the kitchen fire.

Why choose us

Why choose a Private Journey?

This itinerary was built around the question our guides ask before every trip: what will you still be telling people about in ten years? Two answers kept coming up — the moment you lock eyes with a gorilla, and the absurd sight of a lion asleep in a fig tree. This safari delivers both, without padding.

Private Vehicle, Your Pace

No shared departures, no waiting on other guests. When the lions are in the tree you stay until you are ready to leave.

Guides Who Know the Ground

Felix Atugonza has guided in Queen Elizabeth for eleven years. He can identify a bird by its shadow. His network of ranger contacts means you hear about sightings before they appear on any radio channel.

Conservation-Minded Travel

Your gorilla permit fee funds the Uganda Wildlife Authority's mountain gorilla protection programme. We also contribute a portion of every booking to the Bwindi Community Hospital trust.

Itinerary

your day-by-day journey

Day 1Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your safari adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from Kampala, Entebbe, or your preferred location. After a briefing from your professional safari guide, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa's most renowned gorilla trekking destinations.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Uganda's beautiful countryside, passing rolling hills, local villages, agricultural landscapes, and vibrant towns. A stop will be made for lunch en route before continuing to the park. Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas

Mid-Range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Luxury: Gorilla Resort Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Optional Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a detailed gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Begin your once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience through the dense rainforest. The trek may take between 1 and 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, encounter colorful birds, butterflies, forest mammals, and unique plant species. Once you locate the gorillas, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch silverbacks, playful juveniles, and nurturing mothers while taking memorable photographs. After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Batwa community, where you will learn about the traditions, music, dances, and history of the original forest inhabitants. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation: As Above

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's premier wildlife safari destinations. Your journey takes you through the famous Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. Enjoy an exciting game drive as you search for lions resting in giant fig trees, alongside buffaloes, elephants, topis, and Uganda kobs. After lunch, continue to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge

Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Wake up early for a rewarding wildlife game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Look out for: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hyenas, Various bird species. Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Expect to see: Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffaloes, Waterbirds, African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Pelicans. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: As Above

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy scenic views of western Uganda and stop at the Uganda Equator for photography, souvenir shopping, and lunch. Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Keywords,Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari, Bwindi Gorilla Safari, Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari, Uganda Wildlife Safari, Gorilla Trekking Uganda, Tree-Climbing Lions Uganda, Uganda Big Five Safari, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Safari Holidays, Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Uganda, Luxury Uganda Safari, Uganda Adventure Tours, African Safari Experience, Uganda Primate Safari, Best Uganda Safari Packages, Mountain Gorilla Tours Uganda, Uganda Birding Safari, Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour, Uganda Safari Packages

Breakfast

Extensions

+2 Days

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

Add two nights at Kibale Forest House and a full morning tracking chimpanzees through Kibale National Park — the primate capital of Africa, with thirteen species in one forest.

View Details
No image
+2 Days

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Instead of one hour, spend a full day with a gorilla family that is still being habituated to human presence — raw, less scripted, and genuinely rare.

View Details
No image
+3 Days

Murchison Falls and the Nile

Fly north and watch the entire Nile squeeze through a seven-metre gap at Murchison Falls, then spend two days tracking the Big Five across the park's broad savanna.

View Details
No image

Dates & Prices

Prices in USD, including internal air, per person, double occupancy.

  • Jun 12 – Jun 16
    $4,850Available
  • Jul 10 – Jul 14
    $4,850Available
  • Aug 7 – Aug 11
    $4,850Available
  • Sep 4 – Sep 8Offer
    $4,650Available

Minimum Age

15 years for gorilla trekking (Uganda Wildlife Authority requirement)

Safari Duffel

Soft-sided bags only on charter flights; maximum 15 kg per person in the hold plus a small daypack

First Group Event

Meet and assist at Entebbe International Airport, 07:30 on Day 1

Last Group Event

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, approximately 14:00 on Day 5

Guaranteed Departures

All departures are private and run with a minimum of 1 guest

Alternate Sightseeing

Gorilla permits are allocated by Uganda Wildlife Authority and confirmed 60 days before departure. In the rare event of a permit issue, we substitute a second game drive and a full forest walk with a credit toward a future trek.

Stay Connected

Join Our Journey

Get weekly travel stories, photo essays, and expedition updates delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime