4 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Night Safari
Explore Lake Mburo after dark, cruise its wildlife-lined shores, trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and end beside the islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
Plan This Safari4 Days / 3 Nights / Gorilla Permit Included / Private Safari
After-dark wildlife, a gorilla forest and a night beside the lake.
Travel southwest from Entebbe through Lake Mburo and Ruhija, then stay at Lake Bunyonyi before the return journey.
Lake Mburo
1 night, a guided night game drive and a boat trip the following morning.
Ruhija, Bwindi
Continue into the highlands and stay near your gorilla briefing point.
Gorillas and Bunyonyi
Trek in Bwindi, then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for your final night.
Return to Entebbe
Travel back through southwestern Uganda, with lunch and comfort stops along the way.
Follow the wildlife from open woodland to mountain forest.
A spotlight catches movement beside the track, and your guide slows to see what has emerged after dark. Lake Mburo opens the journey with a different kind of game drive before the route climbs towards Bwindi's gorilla forest. Over 4 days, you travel between savannah, rainforest and Lake Bunyonyi's island-dotted water.
Your first stop is Lake Mburo National Park . The evening outing focuses on wildlife active after sunset, while the following morning's boat trip takes you along the lakeshore. Travellers interested in the after-dark experience can read more about night game drives in Uganda .
Continue to Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , where Gorilla Mist Camp provides your overnight base. A gorilla permit for the matching sector keeps the lodge and morning reporting point aligned. Rangers lead the trek, with up to 1 hour for viewing once your family is found.
The final night is spent at Lake Bunyonyi, with a boat outing arranged around your post-trek arrival. The route suits travellers who want several wildlife experiences within a short break and are comfortable with long road transfers. For more time between destinations, explore our longer Uganda safari packages .
Safari Highlights
Explore Lake Mburo after sunset on a guided night game drive.
Cruise Lake Mburo for hippos, shoreline wildlife and waterbirds.
Travel into the Kigezi highlands and stay in Bwindi's Ruhija area.
Trek mountain gorillas with experienced park rangers.
Spend up to 1 permitted hour watching a gorilla family once located.
End with a lakeside night and a boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi.
Uganda, day by day.
1 night near Lake Mburo, 1 night in Ruhija and 1 night at Lake Bunyonyi, followed by the return drive to Entebbe.
Entebbe to Lake Mburo and a Night Game Drive
Meet your BLS Safaris driver guide at your Entebbe hotel and begin travelling west towards Lake Mburo National Park . Airport pickup is also possible when your arrival time allows the onward journey.
Allow around 4 to 5 hours for the drive, with extra time for traffic, lunch and other stops. An early start leaves time to settle into Mpogo Safari Lodge before the evening activity.
After an early dinner, head out for the arranged night game drive with a park guide. Move slowly along the tracks as the spotlight searches the woodland edges and open ground.
Look for animals active after dark, including genets, bush pigs and other nocturnal wildlife. Leopards occur in the park, but a sighting is never guaranteed. Return to the lodge after the drive.
Lake Mburo Boat Trip and Transfer to Ruhija, Bwindi
Have breakfast and travel to the landing point for your morning boat trip on Lake Mburo. Watch for hippos surfacing in the water and crocodiles resting along suitable stretches of shoreline.
Keep your binoculars nearby for African fish eagles, kingfishers and other waterbirds. Your boat crew follows the agreed route while keeping a safe distance from wildlife.
After the cruise, collect your bags and continue southwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park . Stop for lunch along the way as the road climbs through cultivated hills and highland settlements.
Allow around 5 to 6 hours for the transfer to Ruhija, depending on road conditions and stops. Check into Gorilla Mist Camp and prepare for the next morning's trek.
Your guide will confirm the reporting time, packed lunch and short transfer to the briefing area. Set aside your hiking boots, rain jacket and daypack before dinner.
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Start with an early breakfast, collect your packed lunch and head to Ruhija's gorilla trekking reporting point. Complete registration and meet the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger team for the briefing.
Your rangers explain how to behave in the forest before leading you towards your allocated gorilla family. Allow roughly 2 to 7 hours for the outing, with longer treks possible. Gorilla movements, trail conditions and walking pace affect the duration.
Once the gorillas are located, spend up to 1 permitted hour observing them. Watch the family feeding, resting or moving through the vegetation. Follow your ranger's directions, keep the required distance and avoid flash photography.
Walk back to the trailhead and meet your driver. Eat your packed lunch at a suitable point during the day, then begin the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Allow around 2 to 3 hours for the drive, depending on the route and road conditions.
Check into Bunyonyi Safaris Resort. If you arrive with enough daylight and conditions allow, take your included boat trip among the nearby islands. Otherwise, rest this evening and enjoy the boat outing early on Day 4.
Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe
Wake early for breakfast beside the lake. If the included boat trip did not take place yesterday, take a short morning outing before beginning the return road journey.
Travel between nearby islands and look back towards the cultivated hills above the shore. Wear the life jacket provided throughout the trip, then return to the resort to collect your bags.
Leave for Entebbe, allowing around 8 to 9 hours on the road, with additional time possible for traffic and stops. Have lunch along the route and take suitable comfort breaks.
An Equator photo stop can be included when the day's timing allows. Continue to your agreed Entebbe hotel, or to the airport only when your confirmed flight time leaves a generous margin.
Your safari ends at drop-off. For more time to explore the country, our Uganda safaris include longer wildlife and primate journeys.
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
What's Included
- Private safari vehicle and fuel for the scheduled route.
- English-speaking safari driver guide.
- Entebbe pickup and drop-off as agreed.
- 1 night at Mpogo Safari Lodge.
- 1 night at Gorilla Mist Camp in Ruhija.
- 1 night at Bunyonyi Safaris Resort.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Lake Mburo park entry for the scheduled activities.
- Guided Lake Mburo night game drive.
- Lake Mburo boat trip.
- 1 standard gorilla trekking permit per participating traveller.
- Park ranger services for the gorilla trek.
- Applicable park fees for the scheduled gorilla experience.
- 1 short Lake Bunyonyi boat trip.
- Bottled drinking water during road transfers.
- Applicable taxes and service charges in the quotation.
What's Not Included
- International and domestic flights.
- Uganda visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Gorilla trekking porter hire.
- Tips for driver guides, rangers and lodge staff.
- Alcoholic and premium drinks.
- Laundry and other personal expenses.
- Souvenirs and personal shopping.
- Optional community visits, canoeing and extra activities.
- Accommodation before or after the safari.
- Services outside the confirmed quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about the gorilla permit, night drive, lodge locations and the journey home.
1. What makes this different from a 3 day gorilla safari?
2. Is the gorilla permit included?
3. Which Bwindi sector is used?
4. How demanding is gorilla trekking?
5. Will we see a leopard on the night drive?
6. When does the Lake Bunyonyi boat trip take place?
7. Can children join, and what should we pack?
8. Can I fly out of Entebbe on Day 4?
Explore after dark. Trek the forest. Rest beside the lake.
Send your travel dates, group size and Entebbe pickup details. BLS Safaris will coordinate your gorilla permit, night safari, lodge stays and boat trips.