Uganda Gorilla Trek & Wildlife Safari with Guide & Pickup

Summary

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, boat rides on Kazinga, and wild Uganda days

You’ll trek through misty forests in Bwindi to meet mountain gorillas face-to-face, cruise along the Kazinga Channel spotting hippos and birds, and search for wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park with a local guide by your side. With daily pickup and all permits included, this is one adventure you’ll remember long after you’ve left Uganda behind.

What’s the experience like?

We were already a bit bleary-eyed when our driver from Friendly Gorillas Safaris pulled up outside our Kampala guesthouse — I think it was barely sunrise. He grinned, handed us bottled water, and said something about “the Switzerland of Uganda” ahead. The drive to Bwindi took most of the day but honestly, I didn’t mind; we stopped at the Equator for those classic photos (I still have mine — hair sticking up everywhere), and then rolled through hills so green they almost looked fake. Kabale’s air felt cooler than I expected. By the time we reached the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there was this earthy smell — wet leaves, wood smoke from somewhere nearby. We stretched our legs on a short walk to Munyaga Waterfall, where blue monkeys darted overhead and someone pointed out a butterfly I’d never seen before.

The next morning was all nerves and excitement: gorilla trekking day. Our guide briefed us at the park HQ (I tried to repeat his Luganda greeting — he laughed kindly), then we set off into the forest with a small group and two rangers. It’s not an easy hike — roots everywhere, mist clinging to your skin — but when we finally found the gorilla family just sitting there munching leaves… well, I kind of forgot how tired my legs were. One young gorilla stared right at me for what felt like ages. Afterward, we drove through the Kigezi Highlands toward Lake Bunyonyi; terraced hillsides everywhere, kids waving as we passed. The boat ride on Bunyonyi was quiet except for birds calling across the water and the sound of paddles from locals heading home.

Leaving Lake Bunyonyi behind felt bittersweet but Queen Elizabeth National Park was waiting. We took a slow drive through Ishasha hoping for tree-climbing lions (no luck that day), then checked into our lodge near Mweya. The afternoon game drive was dusty and full of surprises: elephants lumbering past so close you could hear their breathing, warthogs dashing away with their tails straight up like antennae. Our guide seemed to know every animal by name or at least by story — he told us about a leopard that sometimes sleeps in an old fig tree near the road.

The Kazinga Channel boat ride is something I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. Hippos everywhere (they really do grunt constantly), buffaloes half-submerged along the shore, pelicans crowding together like they’re gossiping about us tourists drifting by. There’s this moment when you look back at the Rwenzori Mountains catching late sun and it just hits you how big everything feels out here.

On our last morning we visited Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee tracking — steeper than it looks from above! You get an hour with them if you’re lucky (we were), watching them swing between branches or just sit quietly chewing leaves while you try not to make too much noise stepping on twigs. After lunch it was back toward Kampala with another stop at the Equator for souvenirs; I bought a carved gorilla that now sits on my desk at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Transfer to Bwindi Forest

• Drive from Kampala to Bwindi Forest with Equator stop
• Evening nature walk to Munyaga Waterfall and primate viewing

Day 2 — Gorilla Tracking and Lake Bunyonyi

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
• Drive to Lake Bunyonyi and boat ride on the lake

Day 3 — Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park

• Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha
• Afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park

Day 4 — Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

• Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park
• Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

Day 5 — Chimpanzee Tour and Return to Kampala

• Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge
• Drive back to Kampala with Equator stop for shopping

Top questions

How long does it take to travel from Kampala to Bwindi?

The journey from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest takes about 7 hours by road.

Is gorilla trekking included in this Uganda safari?

Yes, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is included with a permit provided.

Are meals or drinks included during the tour?

The tour includes one bottle of distilled water per day; meals are not specifically mentioned.

What animals can I see during game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

You may see lions, leopards, elephants, hyenas, bush pigs, monkeys, warthogs, antelopes, buffaloes, hippos, and many birds.

Is hotel pickup included for this safari?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation is included at the start of your safari.

Can pregnant travelers join this Uganda wildlife safari?

No, it is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to physical demands.

Is public transportation available nearby during this trip?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby according to tour details.

How much time do you spend with chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge?

You spend about one hour observing chimpanzees during tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

What’s included

Your days include hotel pickup each morning by an English-speaking local guide who handles all logistics along the way; one bottle of distilled water per day keeps you going; your official gorilla trekking permit is covered too—so you can just focus on meeting those mountain gorillas without worrying about paperwork or extra fees.