4 Days Gorilla Trekking, Lake Bunyonyi & Queen Elizabeth Safari
Gorilla & Queen Elizabeth Safari
Safari Overview
This 4 Days Gorilla Trekking, Lake Bunyonyi & Queen Elizabeth safari combines close encounters with endangered primates, breathtaking scenery, and classic savannah wildlife. Journey deep into the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an awe-inspiring gorilla trekking experience, relax on the scenic shores of Lake Bunyonyi, and explore the wildlife-rich plains and waterways of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This safari perfectly balances adventure, nature, culture, and relaxation.
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Entebbe, Kampala, or Kigali and begin a scenic drive to southwestern Uganda. The journey takes you through rolling hills, terraced farmlands, and picturesque countryside.
Arrive in Bwindi in the afternoon, check in at your lodge, and enjoy some rest. In the evening, take part in a Batwa cultural experience, visiting local communities to learn about traditional forest life, hunting techniques, and indigenous customs.
Dinner and overnight stay in Bwindi.
Accommodation options
- Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp / Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
- Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge / Bakiga Lodge / Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a mandatory gorilla trekking briefing at 7:45 a.m. Accompanied by experienced rangers and guides, trek through dense rainforest vegetation in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take between 1 and 8 hours, depending on gorilla movements. Once located, you will spend a magical one hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, interact, and care for their young.
After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its cool climate and rolling hills. Enjoy a canoe boat ride, visit scenic islands, and hike to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the lake.
Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Bunyonyi.
Accommodation options
- Budget: Bunyonyi Safari Resort / Hawk’s Eye Lodge
- Mid-range: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort / Keije Bunyonyi Resort
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat Cruise & Game Drive
After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and drive north through the western arm of the Great Rift Valley toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy breathtaking views of volcanic landscapes and crater lakes along the way.
Arrive in the park in the afternoon, check in at your lodge, and enjoy lunch. Later, embark on a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for hosting one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. Expect sightings of elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife—perfect for photography.
In the evening, enjoy a guided game drive across the park’s open savannah, with chances to spot lions, elephants, Uganda kob, and other plains game.
Dinner and overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation options
- Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge / Engiri Game Lodge
- Mid-range: Bush Lodge / Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest & Return
Wake up early and drive to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by professional trackers, spend up to 4 hours searching for one of the forest’s six chimpanzee communities, home to over 300 individuals.
After the trek, begin your return journey to Entebbe or Kigali, with a lunch stop en route, arriving in time for your evening departure flight.
Safari Inclusions
- All ground transportation in a 4WD safari vehicle
- Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
- Park entrance fees
- Full-board accommodation
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- All meals as per itinerary
Safari Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, visas, travel insurance)
- Drinks and alcoholic beverages