5 Days Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Safari

Day 1: Scenic Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your 5 Days Bwindi  safari adventure begins with a warm pick-up from Entebbe or Kampala, followed by a scenic drive westward through Uganda’s picturesque countryside. As you journey, enjoy changing landscapes — from the sprawling Luwero Triangle to the lush tea plantations around Fort Portal and the spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon.” En route, you’ll pass traditional homesteads, vibrant markets, and roadside crafts that showcase Uganda’s rich culture.
Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, one of East Africa’s finest wildlife reserves. After checking into your lodge and a brief rest, head out for a late afternoon game drive in the park’s northern plains. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and, with luck, majestic lions or stealthy leopards emerging as the sun sets. Return to your lodge for a delicious dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

Overnight: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 2: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Wake up to a beautiful savannah sunrise and enjoy an early breakfast before setting out for a morning game drive in the famous Kasenyi Plains. This open grassland is teeming with wildlife and offers some of the best chances to spot predators. Look out for large herds of Ugandan kobs — their presence often attracts lions on the hunt. You may also encounter elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, and a variety of antelope species. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the park’s prolific birdlife, including the grey crowned crane and colorful bee-eaters.
Return to your lodge for a hot lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-km natural waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward. This unforgettable cruise brings you close to hundreds of hippos, massive crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants quenching their thirst, and a stunning variety of birds like the African fish eagle, pelicans, and kingfishers. It’s a photographer’s paradise! After the boat trip, enjoy the sunset back at your lodge.

Overnight: Same lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 3: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, check out and drive south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its rare tree-climbing lions. These unique lions can often be spotted draped over the branches of ancient fig trees, a behavior found in only a few places in Africa. As you game drive through this remote sector, keep watch for topis, buffaloes, and other plains game.
Continue your journey as the landscape transforms — passing terraced hills, misty valleys, and small farming communities. By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sanctuary for nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Settle into your lodge nestled in the forest, enjoy the crisp mountain air, and prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Day 4: Once-in-a-Lifetime Gorilla Trekking Experience

Rise early for a hearty breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. After being assigned to a gorilla family, set off on foot with experienced guides and trackers into the dense jungle. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, and leads you through thick foliage, tangled vines, and steep ridges — all part of the adventure.
When you finally encounter the gorilla family, you’ll spend a magical hour watching them in their natural habitat. Observe the silverback’s powerful presence, the playful antics of the youngsters, and the quiet grace of the females. This face-to-face meeting is often described as one of the most profound wildlife experiences in the world. After the trek, return to your lodge to rest, reflect, and savor the achievement.

Overnight: Same lodge in Bwindi

Day 5: End Of Your 5 Days Bwindi Safari

After breakfast, begin your return journey back to Entebbe or Kampala. The drive offers more chances to admire Uganda’s scenic countryside, dotted with banana plantations, drum-making villages, and roadside fruit markets where you can make quick stops.
If you prefer a faster, more comfortable option, a domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip back to Entebbe can be arranged at extra cost. Arrive in the evening with unforgettable memories of your Ugandan safari — from the roar of lions in the savannah to the deep, soulful gaze of mountain gorillas in the rainforest.