5 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari
Tour Overview
5 Days best Uganda safari to see Uganda gorillas and tree climbing lions is a special Uganda primate and wildlife safari package. On this trip itinerary, expect to enjoy the best of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and lion tracking in Kasenyi track in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure is unique in the sense that you get a chance to search for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The interaction with mountain gorillas involves exploring more about their behaviors, body gestures, and taking pictures.
On gorilla trekking in Bwindi, there are 4 main sectors to begin your search journey to see mountain gorillas. They include Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sectors with each having already habituated gorilla groups.
Lion tracking in Kasenyi involves searching for the lions in the wild to explore their behaviors. The advantage with this is that you have a chance to go off track unlike the normal game drives. As you search for lions, there will be plenty of other wildlife to be encountered including African elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, and bird species. The 5 days tour in Uganda will start with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park and ends with Bwindi mountain gorilla safaris.
Tour Details
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla trekking
- Lion tracking in Kasenyi
- Up close with mountain gorillas
- Lion encounter in the wild
- Stopover at the key sites en route
- Delicious meals prepared by experienced chefs
- Comfortable accommodation for overnight stay
- Travel by road in our classic 4×4 tourist vehicle
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer by road to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2: Lion tracking & boat cruise
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Park to Bwindi with en route Ishasha game drive
Day 4: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural experience
Day 5: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer by road to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early in the morning, expect to have a delicious breakfast and after, you will get briefed on what to expect on your special 5 days gorilla trekking and lion tracking safari. After the briefing, you will board a 4×4 vehicle and expect to head to Queen Elizabeth National Park your first destination as per your travel plan.
Today, you will be driving via one of the scenic routes starting from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route. It will be 7-8 hours’ drive inclusive of stopover visits to the Equator crossing for photography and this will be at Kayabwe. After the equator relaxation, you will proceed to Mbarara for lunch break then continue up to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
On arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will be dropped off to the lodge for you to check in. In the evening, you will have dinner and later retire for the night.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant plains Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Budget: Bulbul Lodge/Simba Camp
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Travel time: 7-8 hours
Day 2: Lion tracking & boat cruise
Have a hefty breakfast and after, meet your driver for pick up then proceed with the memorable lion tracking experience. Spend great time exploring the Kasenyi plains the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park with researchers and trackers. As you look out for the lions, there will be other wildlife to encounter including elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, buffaloes, and many bird species.
After great exploration about lion behaviors, expect to get back to the lodge where lunch will be provided. In the afternoon, you will be heading to engage in the Kazinga Channel launch cruise experience. This will be 2-3 hours experience along the Kazinga Channel and expect to explore aquatic life, especially hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The common water birds to spot include long-tailed cormorants, pink-backed pelicans, great white backed pelicans, open-billed stork, African jacanas, and others.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant plains Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Budget: Bulbul Lodge/Simba Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Park to Bwindi with en route Ishasha game drive
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, you will be transferred to Bwindi National Park. En route, expect to make a stopover at the Ishasha sector for a guided game drive for you to search for the tree climbing lions plus many other mammals. You will also enjoy packed lunch in the wild and later, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When you get to Bwindi, you will check in your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay. Use your evening to organize the essential items to be used the following day on actual gorilla trekking.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural experience
It is a day to embark on a lifetime mountain gorilla trekking adventure and today, you will gather at the park offices for briefing. The briefing will mainly focus on gorilla trekking guidelines, allocation of gorilla families, and park ranger guides. Later on, expect to hit the jungle to search for a family of mountain gorillas. About 2-6 hours will be spent in the jungle searching for mountain gorillas but this may depend on the speed of visitors, location of gorillas, and nature of the habitat.
When you come across a family of mountain gorillas, you will spend a maximum of one hour observing how these apes behave-their feeding habits, mating, copulation, etc and also take pictures. After the close interaction with gorillas, expect to walk back and get your gorilla trekking certificate.
Next will be connecting to the lodge for relaxation and you will leave again for the Batwa cultural experience late in the afternoon. At the Batwa community, you will be exploring more on the Batwa pygmies’ traditions, cultures, and unique practices.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Departure
Today will mainly include breakfast and check out of your respective accommodation. After, expect to start your journey back to Entebbe City, about 8-9 hours’ drive and marks the end of the tour.
End of tour
Inclusions
- Lion tracking
- Gorilla trekking
- Ground travel in a 4WD vehicle
- Accommodation and meals
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide in Uganda
- Bottled water
Exclusions
- Tips
- Laundry services
- Telephone bills
- Travel Insurance
- Visas, passports, shopping, and other expenses of personal nature
