Overview
Experience an unforgettable 8 Days Uganda Safari combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a safari in Lake Mburo National Park, and a Kampala downtown city tour.
This itinerary is designed for travelers who want to experience Uganda’s famous mountain gorillas while also enjoying classic African wildlife, scenic landscapes, cultural experiences, and the vibrant atmosphere of Kampala.
Starting and ending in Entebbe, the safari takes you from Uganda’s capital city and busy downtown streets into the lush forests of Bwindi, the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the wildlife-rich landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park.
The safari combines gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, cultural experiences, city sightseeing, and local community encounters, making it an excellent introduction to Uganda.
Safari Highlights
- Pick-up from Entebbe
- Kampala downtown city tour
- Explore Kampala's historical and cultural attractions
- Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Gorilla trekking experience
- Bwindi community or Batwa cultural experience
- Wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Evening game drive
- Morning game drive
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Opportunity to see zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, elephants, lions, hippos and other wildlife
- Uganda Equator experience
- Return transfer to Entebbe
Itinerary
8 Days Uganda Safari – Gorilla Trekking, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo & Kampala City Tour
Your 8 Days Uganda Safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel or Entebbe International Airport.
Meet your professional safari guide and begin your journey towards Kampala.
Start with a Kampala downtown city tour, exploring the busy streets and learning about the history, culture, and development of Uganda's capital.
Depending on time, visit some of the city's important attractions, such as the Uganda Museum, Gaddafi National Mosque, local craft markets, or historical sites.
You can also explore one of Kampala's lively local markets, where you will experience the daily life of the city and see a wide variety of fresh produce, clothing, crafts, and other goods.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing with the city tour.
In the late afternoon, transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kampala
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, leave Kampala and begin your journey towards southwestern Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes you through beautiful countryside, rural communities, farms, rolling hills, and spectacular landscapes.
Make a stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs, souvenir shopping, and refreshments.
Continue towards Bwindi through the scenic Kigezi Highlands, famous for their terraced hills and green landscapes.
Arrive at your lodge in the evening.
Your guide will brief you about the following day's gorilla trekking activity, including what to wear, what to carry, and the trekking rules.
Driving Time: Approximately 8–10 hours
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, prepare for the most exciting part of your Uganda gorilla safari.
Transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point, where you will meet the ranger guides and receive a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and forest safety.
Begin your trek into the ancient Bwindi rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek may take several hours depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. Along the way, you may encounter different species of monkeys, forest birds, butterflies, and unique plants.
Once you locate the gorilla family, spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural habitat.
Watching the gorillas feed, play, groom, and interact with each other is an unforgettable experience.
After returning from the forest, have lunch and relax at your lodge.
In the afternoon, visit a nearby community or participate in a Batwa cultural experience. Learn about traditional lifestyles, music, dance, crafts, and the relationship between local communities and the forest.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Enjoy scenic views of southwestern Uganda as you travel through the rolling hills and countryside.
Depending on the route and road conditions, the journey may pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park and have lunch before checking into your lodge.
In the late afternoon, enjoy an evening game drive.
As temperatures become cooler, wildlife becomes more active. Search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, and other wildlife.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Driving Time: Approximately 4–6 hours
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up early and prepare for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Explore the Kasenyi Plains and other wildlife-rich areas of the park.
Look out for:
- African lions
- Elephants
- Cape buffaloes
- Uganda kobs
- Waterbucks
- Warthogs
- Hyenas
- Leopards, if lucky
- Different antelope species
- Numerous bird speciesReturn to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.
- After lunch, head to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise.
- The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see large concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles along the water. You may also see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, monitor lizards, and many water birds along the shoreline.
- Return to your lodge in the evening.
- Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park.
Enjoy views of Uganda's beautiful countryside as you travel through southwestern Uganda.
Arrive at Lake Mburo National Park, check into your lodge, and have lunch.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a guided walking safari with a trained ranger.
Lake Mburo is one of the best places in Uganda for experiencing wildlife on foot.
During the walk, you may encounter zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, topis, warthogs, buffaloes, waterbucks, and many bird species.
The walking safari offers a different perspective from traditional vehicle game drives and allows you to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Lodge in Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up early for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
Explore the park's savannah landscapes while searching for wildlife.
Lake Mburo is particularly well known for:
- Zebras
- Impalas
- Giraffes
- Elands
- Topis
- Buffaloes
- Warthogs
- Waterbucks
- Hippos
- Numerous bird species
After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfasCheck out and begin your journey towards Entebbe.
Stop at the Uganda Equator if time permits for photographs, souvenir shopping, and refreshments.
Continue towards Entebbe and check into your hotel.
Spend the evening relaxing after your safari.
Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time to relax or take a short walk around Entebbe.
Your safari guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport in time for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your memorable 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari driver/guide
- Fuel and transportation throughout the safari
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance fees
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
- Lake Mburo National Park entrance fees
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Guided Lake Mburo walking safari
- Kampala downtown city tour
- Kampala city sightseeing
- Bwindi community/Batwa cultural experience
- Morning and evening game drives as specified
- Uganda Equator visit
Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Domestic flights
- Gorilla trekking porter fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks and other personal beverages
- Laundry services
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Telephone and communication expenses
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Medical and personal expenses
- Additional accommodation outside the itinerary
- Any services not specifically mentioned under inclusions
