5-Day Gorillas & Wildlife Safari – Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi

An extraordinary 5-day journey that captures the very best of Uganda's wildlife riches. Begin in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa's most biodiverse protected areas, where 95 mammal species roam sweeping savannahs, sunken crater lakes, and fever-tree woodlands. A morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains puts you in the path of lions, elephants, buffaloes, and the endearing Uganda kob — and an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel delivers one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife experiences, with the world's highest concentration of hippos and over 600 bird species.

From Queen Elizabeth, your journey winds south through the green hills of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient equatorial rainforest. Here, almost half the world's remaining mountain gorillas make their home. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: guided by expert trackers into the misty forest, you'll spend one precious hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family, observing silverbacks, mothers with their young, and playful juveniles going about their daily lives in the wild.

This safari is designed for travelers who want both the classic African savannah experience and the deeply moving encounter with great apes — all within a compact, logistically smooth 5-day itinerary. Led by experienced English-speaking driver-guides, travel is in a private 4WD Land Cruiser. Accommodation is in intimate, well-positioned lodges that put you as close to nature as possible.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most physically demanding — and most rewarding — activities in African wildlife tourism. Treks typically last between 2 and 8 hours in steep, sometimes muddy rainforest. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Pack waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and long-sleeved tops (protection against stinging nettles and vegetation), a light rain jacket, and gardening gloves for gripping vegetation on steep slopes. Bring your passport for registration at the park gate. Most lodges provide walking sticks. A small waterproof daypack for water, snacks, and camera protection is strongly recommended. Children under 15 are not permitted on gorilla treks. The effort is absolutely worth it — coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla silverback is an experience that stays with you forever.

Uganda offers year-round gorilla trekking, but the two dry seasons provide the best conditions. The main dry season runs from June to September; the shorter dry season covers December to February. Trails are drier, the forest is easier to navigate, and photography is better in clear weather. The rainy months of April, May, and November are designated low season — treks are muddier and harder, but permits are cheaper ($600) and lodges are quieter. For wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the dry seasons are also optimal as animals congregate around water sources.