4 Days Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife

From AUD $2,656 per person 4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Combine your gorilla adventure trek with visits to other wild animals.

4 Days Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Parks

Tour overview

The 4 days Gorilla trekking and wildlife safari will start from Kampala and end in Kampala-Uganda. You will visit some of the most famous National Parks in Uganda such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is located in Southwestern Uganda and covers an area of 331 Sq km, it is a home to 12 Gorilla families, 348 bird species, 163 tree species, 120 mammals, 220 butterfly species, 27 chameleon species, and 1000 flowering plants among others.

Also different other primates are found here such as the white and black colobus monkeys and Chimpanzees. Queen Elizabeth National Park, this park is located 376 km away from Kampala covering an area of 1,978 Sq km. It is home to over 95 species of mammals, 10 species of primates and over 500 species of birds, and it’s famous for the amazing boat cruise and game viewing.

Activities to do during the trip

  • Gorilla trekking (A gorilla permit is required which goes for $800 per person)
  • Launch/Boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
  • Game drive in Kasenyi trail/Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge
  • Photography around the Equator

Detailed Itinerary

Why this safari works

This trip suits travellers with only a few days who want a gorilla trek and some savannah wildlife in the same visit. It starts and ends in Kampala, with one full day for gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then a drive through the Ishasha sector to Queen Elizabeth National Park. There you take a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, and on the last morning you choose between a game drive on the Kasenyi trail and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Highlights

  • Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Drive through the Ishasha sector, known for tree-climbing lions
  • Two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
  • Morning game drive on the Kasenyi trail or chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
  • Photo stop at the equator

Your route

  1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  2. Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda · 1 night
  3. Kampala Uganda · Departure

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1
    Misty forested hills with tea in foreground, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

    Early in the morning after your breakfast your driver/guide will meet you at your hotel, and he will take you through the details of your trip. Thereafter, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is located in the southwestern part of Uganda for gorilla tracking. You will have a stopover at the equator to take photos and the other one in Mbarara to have your lunch. Along the way you will see a lot of sightings such as the beautiful scenery as you approach the park, this park is also endowed with a lot of plant and animal species like the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, forest elephants, birds, and waterfalls though Mountain gorillas are most popular. Check-in at the lodge, unwind, have dinner and an Overnight.

    • Drive to Bwindi
    • Lodge near Bwindi
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  2. Day2
    Silverback gorilla profile in dense vegetation, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla Tracking -Bwindi forest

    On this day you will need to be very early, by 6:00am you should be up, have breakfast, and pack your lunch. Drive ahead reaching the Park headquarters, where you will be briefed by the ranger guide concerning what to do and not to do while in the park. Thereafter proceed with the ranger to look out for the mountain gorillas, this involves hiking up and down rugged paths whereby you will need to be physically fit and also carry a walking stick. Also you can use the local porters to carry your luggage. When you meet these gentle giants follow what your ranger guide tells you especially standing 6 meters away from them as you watch the mothers feed the young ones, the juveniles playing and the silver backs guarding the territory. How long this search will take is based on where the gorillas are located and feeding from so it can take 2-8 hours. Also don’t forget to carry enough water, a rain coat, sturdy shoes, long sleeved trousers, and snacks. Return back to your lodge after trekking. In the afternoon you may choose to relax at the lodge or go for a walk through the Batwa community/homesteads, see how they live and enjoy their cultural performances through dance and drama.

    • Gorilla tracking
    • Lodge near Bwindi
    • Breakfast, packed lunch
  3. Day3
    Two hippos in water close-up, Uganda

    Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha Sector

    After your early breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park passing through the Ishasha sector which is the southern sector of the park. Along the way you will have sights of different animal species including; the birds, bushbucks, elephants, gazelles, buffaloes, monkeys, and kobs, but the tree climbing lions are most common. On your arrival, check in at the lodge and enjoy your lunch, as you prepare to engage in a launch/boat cruise on Kazinga channel in the afternoon. This boat trip takes 2 hours and will give you an opportunity to watch different water animals closer, some of the animal species include; hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes along the banks. Also birds like the Saddle billed stork, African fish eagle, pink backed pelicans, Pied and malachite kingfisher, African Skimmer and the shoebill that’s if you are lucky. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.

    • Ishasha drive, Kazinga cruise
    • Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. Day4
    Elephant with birds on back, kob behind, Uganda

    Morning Game drive/Chimpanzee tracking and Depart to Kampala

    Take your breakfast in the morning. This day being your last, you may opt for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi trail where you will have chance to see animals such as the lions, warthogs, elephants, topis, buffaloes among others, also during this morning you will observe a number of different bird species or choose to visit the Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee tracking. Thereafter, start off your tour to Kampala, you will stopover in Mbarara for Lunch. After lunch, proceed to Kampala whereby you will reach in the afternoon.

    • Game drive or chimps
    • Breakfast, lunch

Safari Cost

Accommodation typeQuote per person, 2 paxQuote per person, 4 pax
Basic accommodationAUD $3,157AUD $2,656
Superior accommodationAUD $3,612AUD $3,112
Deluxe accommodationAUD $4,749AUD $4,249

Prices are per person in Australian dollars. Ask us for a quote for your dates and group size.

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Gorilla Permits
  • Chimpanzee Permits
  • Bottled Water
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Boat Rides
  • Cultural Tours
  • All Activities Mentioned

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International flight fare
  • Entry Visas
  • Laundry services
  • Tips
  • Alcoholic Drinks

Frequently asked questions

Where does the safari start and end?

It starts and ends in Kampala. Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel on Day 1 and you arrive back in Kampala in the afternoon of Day 4.

How long can the gorilla trek take?

The search can take 2 to 8 hours, depending on where the gorillas are feeding. You need to be physically fit, and a walking stick and porters help on the rugged paths.

What can I do after the gorilla trek?

In the afternoon you can relax at the lodge or take a walk through the Batwa community to see how they live and watch their dance and drama.

What will I see on the Kazinga Channel?

The boat cruise lasts 2 hours and passes hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes along the banks, plus birds such as the African fish eagle and pink-backed pelicans.

Is there a choice on the last morning?

Yes. You can take a morning game drive on the Kasenyi trail to look for lions, elephants and buffaloes, or go chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

What should I pack for Bwindi?

Carry enough water, a raincoat, sturdy shoes, long trousers and snacks for the trek.