4-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari from Kampala

Track mountain gorillas, then watch hippos and lions from a boat and a jeep

A 4-day guided safari from Kampala combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with wildlife game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi. Private transportation, an English-speaking guide, and all lodging are included. The itinerary moves through three distinct ecosystems in four days, ending with a return transfer to Kampala.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth

• Pick up in Kampala after breakfast
• Stop at the Equator for photos and handicrafts
• Drive through Rwenzori Mountain range
• Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Check-in and have lunch at lodge
• Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Evening game drive along Channel track
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi

• Breakfast and check-out
• Early morning game drive on Kasenyi Tracks
• Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha
• Spot tree-climbing lions and other wildlife
• Arrive at Bwindi and relax
• Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi cruise

• Early breakfast and ranger briefing
• Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest
• One hour gorilla observation and photography
• Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via Kigezi Highlands
• Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi exploring islands
• Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Day 4: Transfer back to Kampala with cultural stop

• Breakfast and depart Lake Bunyonyi
• Lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre with museum visit option
• Drive to Kampala with stop at Equator for photos and shopping

The experience

Your safari starts with a pickup in Kampala after breakfast and a drive south through the Rwenzori Mountain range to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You'll stop at the Equator for photos and local crafts, then arrive in the park for an afternoon game drive along the Kazinga Channel before checking into your lodge. That evening you board a boat cruise on the channel itself, where the water holds the highest concentration of hippos in Africa along with crocodiles and wading birds at close range. An evening game drive follows before dinner and your first night.

Day two starts before dawn with a game drive along Kasenyi Tracks to spot cape buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and topi in their morning movements. After breakfast you transfer northeast to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a five-hour drive that passes through Ishasha, where tree-climbing lions rest in the acacia branches. You arrive at Bwindi in the evening and rest before the trek.

On day three a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger briefs you before dawn, then leads you into the rainforest to track mountain gorillas. The trek length depends on where the gorillas have moved, but once found you spend one hour observing and photographing them at close range. After the trek you drive through the Kigezi Highlands to Lake Bunyonyi, known as the lake of a thousand islands for its 29 islands scattered across the second-deepest lake in Africa. You take an afternoon boat cruise, then return to your lodge for the night.

Day four is the return journey. After breakfast you drive back to Kampala via Mbarara, stopping at Igongo Cultural Centre for a traditional lunch and an optional visit to the cultural museum. You can make another stop at the Equator for final photos and gift shopping before arriving in Kampala in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and an onboard restroom.
• a live guide in English.
• all lodging at Enganzi Game Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp and Bunyonyi Eco Resort.
• gorilla trekking permit and Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger briefing.
• game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and Lake Bunyonyi.
• park entry fees.
• traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre on the return day.
• pickup and drop-off in Kampala.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lulu safaris, uganda

Is this one for you?Book this if you have four days and want to see gorillas, big game, and lake wildlife without choosing between them: the fixed route covers three parks in sequence with private transport and a guide handling navigation.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What's the mountain gorilla trekking actually like in Bwindi?

After a ranger briefing at dawn, you hike into the rainforest to locate the gorillas. The trek length varies depending on where they've moved that day. Once you find them, you have one full hour to watch, photograph and observe these mountain gorillas in their habitat at close range.

How much wildlife will I see on the game drives?

Queen Elizabeth National Park's game drives target cape buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, topi, kob, warthog, waterbuck and hyena, plus abundant birdlife. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise offers close views of hippos, crocodiles and water birds. The Ishasha section is known for tree-climbing lions.

What happens on the boat cruise at Lake Bunyonyi?

The afternoon cruise explores the lake's 29 islands and takes you across the second-deepest lake in Africa, giving you time to photograph the landscape and islands from the water before returning to your lodge.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

This is a private tour with your own vehicle and guide throughout the four days, so the pace and stops are set for your group alone.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and an onboard restroom, all lodging, a live English-speaking guide, park entry fees, the gorilla trekking permit, and the boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and Lake Bunyonyi are included.

Do I need to be fit for the gorilla trek?

The trek is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does involve hiking through rainforest terrain on uneven ground. The actual distance and difficulty depend on where the gorillas are located on the day you trek.