5 Day Mountain Gorillas and Safari with Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After your early morning breakfast, your driver/guide will pick you up and together you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is a very big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda.

This drive will take you to southwest Uganda by road, cross the equator and then have a stop in Mbarara for your lunch. There after you will continue with the drive through the savannah grasslands to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The scenic drive through Kigezi highlands (commonly referred to as the “Switzerland of Uganda”) and banana plantations will take you to the gorilla sanctuary of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

You will arrive in the evening and just check in your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight as you prepare for the gorilla trekking experience the next day.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will gather at the respective park headquarters for a briefing at 08:00 and eventually start your gorilla trekking encounter. You will follow the trails of your respective gorilla family traversing the forest within hilly forested landscapes and deep saddles. The hills are forested with mature trees and dense undergrowth that have earned it the name 'impenetrable'. During Uganda gorilla tracking, trackers are advised to carry the raincoats as well as the boots since the weather is always unpredictable. There are also porters who carry the luggage on behalf of the guests at a small cost. Getting one is highly recommended.

Once you come face to face with these awesome gorillas, the rangers will also guide you on how to handle them, most especially by giving them a six-meter distance as you play around with them. Kindly note that it’s also not so easy to predict the time to be taken while trekking and this will mainly depend on the location of some families since some stay really far from the headquarters.

The gorilla trekking encounter tends to last two to eight hours, inclusive of a one-hour direct encounter with them. Seeing the critically endangered apes as they forage and socialize, the young gorillas rolling themselves on tree branches, and the silverback demonstrating his authority, is a moment of wonder that derives remarkable excitement.

After the trek, you will go back to the headquarters for your gorilla trekking permits and then to your lodge for lunch and transfer to Bunyonyi for evening relaxation.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and an evening game drive

After your delicious breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your lodge. And together you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for more adventure. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located 526 km north of Lake Bunyonyi in the Albertine rift of western Uganda.

You will reach the park in the afternoon. You check in to your lodge for relaxation as you prepare for an evening game drive. Your guide will pick you up after you have relaxed briefly and you will then go for an evening game drive to experience the wildlife here. Look out for lions, elephants, African Cape buffalo among others. Drive back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Early morning game drive and a launch cruise at Kazinga Channel

After your delicious early morning breakfast, you will set out for a game drive searching for the extremely beautiful and striking animals here at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Be sure to spot animals like hippos, elephants, chimpanzees, zebras, buffaloes, hyenas, lions and many more. Retire to your lodge for lunch and relaxation as you prepare for a boat cruise in the evening.

The driver will pick you up at 2:00 PM for a very enjoyable and rewarding activity, the boat cruise. This will reward you with views of wild game like hippos, Nile crocodile, buffaloes, and some birds like the Heron green shank, wood sand piper, water thick knee, African alone spoon bill, the African fish eagle and many others. Drive back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Transfer back to Entebbe for your flight

After having an early breakfast, you will check-out and start your journey back to Kampala, passing through rolling hills with terraces. Also you will have a great time viewing the lush vegetation of the different areas you will go through.

You will have lunch in Mbarara and another stop will be at the equator where you will have an opportunity to take fascinating photos. Also feel free to buy some crafts and souvenirs. You will then continue, arriving at Entebbe/Kampala late in the afternoon. Your driver/guide will drop you off at your hotel or at the airport to catch your flight. And that will mark the end of your wonderful gorilla and wildlife safari experience.