5 Days Trip to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forests

This 5-day safari trip includes a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a gift of nature with its vast grazing savanna population and its tree-climbing lions, coupled with a trek into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track and observe the endangered mountain gorillas.

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park

Following an early breakfast, you will meet your safari guide who will then drive you to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, first making a stop as you cross the equator (a great photo op), and then a second stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Centre, and continuing on through the stunning hillside punctuated by tea plantations.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury) / Parkview Safari Lodge (midrange) / Simba Safari Camp (budget)

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise

After an early breakfast, your safari guide will take you on a game drive through the Kasenyi plains mating ground where you most definitely will see kobs. This area is also renown as an expanse where lions and other predators stalk the kobs. Expect to see a variety of wildlife, such as buffaloes, kobs and waterbucks, as they graze.

After the drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch which will be followed later in the afternoon by a boat cruise in the Kazinga Channel. Undoubtedly, you will see hippos and crocodiles, but also most likely elephants and buffaloes and many of the 600 bird species found in Queen Elizabeth Park such as kingfisher, pelicans and commorants.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury) / Parkview Safari Lodge (midrange) / Simba Safari Camp (budget) 

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Following an early breakfast and check out, your guide will drive you to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via a route that passes through Ishasha where, if luck is on your side, you will spot some climbing lions sunbathing in the trees. A lunch break will be taken en route prior to an expected arrival at Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (luxury) / Haven Lodge (midrange) / KFC-Must (budget)

Day 4: Gorilla tracking

Following an early breakfast, you will be driven to the park headquarters where the rangers will brief you regarding appropriate human behavior during the tracking. Armed with a packed lunch, water and other necessities, you will set off on your trek to track the gorillas. Tracking can take 2 to 6 hours (though we’ve had guests who have found their family in 45 minutes). Once you have located your family, you will have 1 hour to photograph and observe them. Upon exiting the forest, you will have the option either to visit with the local Batwa community or return directly to the lodge. Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (luxury) / Haven Lodge (midrange) / KFC-Must (budget)

Day 5: Transfer to Entebbe/Kampala

Following an early breakfast and check out, you will embark on your return to Entebbe or Kampala, as per your plans. En route, you will stop for lunch at Ishanyu food centre and then continue to either Entebbe or Kampala.

End of trip.

Trip includes:

• Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary

• Safari 4x4 vehicle

• Drinking water

• Airport or hotel transfer on the first and last day

• Driver/Tour guide

• Fuel for the entire trip

• All park entrance fees

• Hand sanitizer

Trip excludes:

• International and/or internal flights

• Visa

• Tips

• Food and beverages not otherwise indicated

• Laundry

• Gorilla tracking permit (to be booked and paid for in advance; preparation upon request)