6 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari
Explore Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth, cruise the Kazinga Channel, search Ishasha for lions and trek mountain gorillas before a night beside Lake Bunyonyi.
Plan This Safari6 Days / 5 Nights / 3 National Parks / Private Safari
Savannah wildlife, shoreline encounters and Bwindi's gorillas.
Follow the southwestern Uganda circuit, spending 2 nights in Queen Elizabeth between Lake Mburo and Bwindi.
Lake Mburo
1 night, an afternoon game drive and a morning boat safari.
Queen Elizabeth
2 nights, Kasenyi game viewing, Kazinga and the Ishasha route.
Bwindi
1 night near your permit sector and mountain gorilla trekking.
Lake Bunyonyi
A lakeside overnight before returning to Kampala or Entebbe.
Watch from the vehicle, the boat and the forest trail.
Hippos surface beside the boat, buffaloes gather along the shoreline and a forest trail leads towards mountain gorillas. Over 6 days, the journey changes how you see Uganda's wildlife, moving between open plains, waterways and rainforest.
Begin with a game drive and boat safari in Lake Mburo National Park . Continue to Queen Elizabeth for 2 nights, leaving a full day for Kasenyi game viewing and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise before travelling south through Ishasha.
Your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is matched to the sector on your gorilla permit . Rangers lead the trek, then your driver takes you to Lake Bunyonyi for a quiet final evening.
The route suits travellers who want gorilla trekking alongside several wildlife experiences, with private road travel between stops. It includes long transfer days, especially the return journey. If chimpanzee tracking is also on your list, compare our 7 day Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi safari .
Safari Highlights
Look for zebras, impalas and other plains wildlife in Lake Mburo.
Take boat safaris on Lake Mburo and the Kazinga Channel.
Explore Queen Elizabeth's Kasenyi Plains on a morning game drive.
Search Ishasha's trees and grassland for lions.
Trek mountain gorillas with experienced Bwindi ranger guides.
Spend the final night beside Lake Bunyonyi after your trek.
Uganda wildlife and gorillas, day by day.
1 night near Lake Mburo, 2 in Queen Elizabeth, 1 near your Bwindi trekking sector and 1 at Lake Bunyonyi.
Entebbe or Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park
Meet your BLS Safaris driver guide in the morning and begin travelling west. Stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photographs when the day's timing allows, then continue towards Lake Mburo.
Allow around 4 to 5 hours from Kampala, with additional time from Entebbe and for longer stops. Have lunch along the route and check into Mpogo Safari Lodge.
Head into the park for an afternoon game drive. Look for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, topis and warthogs across the grassland and woodland.
Your guide follows the game tracks and pauses where wildlife is active. Return to the lodge for dinner and your first night.
Lake Mburo Boat Safari and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
Begin with breakfast arranged around the confirmed boat departure, then travel to the Lake Mburo landing point. Meet your crew and put on the life jacket provided.
Watch hippos surfacing nearby and look for crocodiles along suitable stretches of shoreline. Keep binoculars ready for fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and cormorants.
After the cruise, collect your bags and continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park . The journey passes farming areas and western Uganda's changing hills.
Allow roughly 4 to 5 hours for the road transfer, depending on the route, stops and lodge access. Check into Twin Lakes Safari Lodge for 2 nights and relax before dinner.
Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
Leave early for the Kasenyi Plains. Your guide searches the open country for Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and other wildlife.
Check the grassland and shaded areas for lions and other predators. Sightings depend on animal movements, so enjoy the wider wildlife of the plains while your guide explores.
Have lunch and a break before the afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise . Board at the landing point confirmed for your booking.
Watch hippos in the water and buffaloes along the banks. Elephants may come towards the shoreline, while waterbirds gather around feeding areas. Return to your lodge after the cruise.
Ishasha Wildlife Drive and Transfer to Bwindi
After breakfast, check out and travel south towards Ishasha. This sector adds open plains and tree-lined game tracks to your route through Queen Elizabeth.
Search suitable fig trees and nearby grassland for lions. They may be resting in the branches, on the ground or out of sight. Look for topis, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and other wildlife along the way.
Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , stopping for lunch as arranged. The road leaves the savannah and climbs into cultivated highlands and forest country.
For the listed Rushaga version, check into Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. Have dinner and prepare your boots, rain jacket and daypack. Your guide confirms tomorrow's departure and packed lunch.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have an early breakfast, collect your packed lunch and travel to the headquarters named on your permit. Register with the park team and attend the ranger briefing.
Walk into the forest with your ranger guides and trackers. Gorilla trekking may take several hours or much of the day, depending on the family's movements, terrain and walking pace.
When the gorillas are found, spend up to 1 permitted hour observing them. Watch feeding, resting and interactions within the family while following the ranger's directions. Keep the required distance and avoid flash photography.
Return to the trailhead and meet your driver. Continue to Lake Bunyonyi , allowing around 2 to 3 hours from the southern Bwindi area, depending on road conditions.
Check into Bunyonyi Safaris Resort. The evening is kept free so you can rest after the forest walk and transfer.
Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala or Entebbe
Have breakfast, check out and leave early for the return journey. Travel through Kabale and onwards towards Mbarara, with lunch and comfort breaks along the route.
Allow around 7 to 9 hours to Kampala, with additional time for stops, traffic and the final drive to Entebbe. An Equator stop can be included if missed earlier and the timing allows.
Your guide transfers you to your agreed hotel. Airport drop-off can be arranged when the confirmed flight time leaves enough room after the long drive.
For travellers extending their stay, our Uganda safari packages include more wildlife, primate and river adventures.
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
What's Included
- Private safari vehicle and fuel for the scheduled route.
- Professional English-speaking driver guide.
- Kampala or Entebbe pickup and drop-off as agreed.
- 1 night at Mpogo Safari Lodge.
- 2 nights at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge.
- 1 night at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for a Rushaga permit.
- 1 night at Bunyonyi Safaris Resort.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary and quotation.
- Park entry fees for the scheduled activities.
- Lake Mburo game drive and boat safari.
- Scheduled Queen Elizabeth game viewing.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Ishasha wildlife drive within the transfer schedule.
- 1 standard gorilla trekking permit per participating traveller.
- Park ranger services for the gorilla trek.
- Bottled drinking water during transfers and game drives.
- Applicable taxes included in the confirmed quotation.
What's Not Included
- International and domestic flights.
- Uganda visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Gorilla trekking porter hire.
- Tips for guides, rangers, boat crews and lodge staff.
- Alcoholic and premium drinks.
- Laundry and other personal expenses.
- Souvenirs and personal shopping.
- Optional night drives, guided walks and community visits.
- Lake Bunyonyi boating and canoeing.
- Accommodation before or after the safari.
- Services outside the confirmed quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about the permit, boat safaris, lodge locations and return journey.
1. Is the gorilla trekking permit included?
2. Are both boat safaris included?
3. Which Bwindi sector will we visit?
4. How demanding is gorilla trekking?
5. Are tree-climbing lion sightings guaranteed?
6. Does this safari include chimpanzee trekking?
7. Can children join, and what should we pack?
8. Can I fly out of Entebbe on Day 6?
Explore the plains. Cruise the channel. Trek the forest.
Share your travel dates, group size and preferred accommodation. BLS Safaris will arrange your gorilla permit, lodge stays, boat safaris and private road journey.