5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari from Kigali

5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari from Kigali offers an exciting mix of gorillas and game. You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track mountain gorillas and explore Queen Elizabeth National Park. This safari begins and ends in Kigali, making it ideal for travelers short on time. Along the way, enjoy scenic drives, game drives, and a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. You’ll spot elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, and more. You also get the choice of gorilla trekking or a full-day habituation experience. If you love nature and wildlife, this trip is designed just for you.

NOTE: This adventure can be customized to fit the budget and other preferences of the traveler

Day 1: Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the morning, your guide will pick you from Kigali Airport or your hotel. Start the drive towards Uganda, passing through Kabale’s beautiful rolling hills and stunning landscapes. After crossing the border, stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying views of crater lakes in Bunyaruguru. On arrival, check in at your lodge and relax for a short while.

Later in the evening, head to the Kasenyi plains for a thrilling game drive. Expect to see antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, and sometimes lions or leopards. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Drive time: About 6 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Bush Lodge

• Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Parkview Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Wake up early and return to the Kasenyi area for another game drive. Search for animals missed on the previous day. Look out for hyenas, Uganda kobs, elephants, warthogs, and more.

Head back to the lodge for a hearty lunch. In the afternoon, drive to the Kazinga Channel jetty.

Enjoy a boat cruise on the channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat ride offers views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes along the shoreline.

You’ll also see a variety of birds like kingfishers, pelicans, and African fish eagles. After the cruise, return to the lodge for swimming, relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Bush Lodge

• Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Parkview Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, check out and begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This forest is home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Enjoy beautiful scenery along the drive, including terraced hills and distant volcanoes. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way.

Arrive at your lodge in Bwindi in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge. Later, enjoy dinner and prepare for the gorilla adventure ahead.

Drive Time: 5 to 6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge

• Mid-Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge

• Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Kiho Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking or Habituation Experience

Start your morning with an early breakfast. Carry your packed lunch and walk to the park headquarters for briefing.

Your guide will explain the rules of tracking mountain gorillas. The park team will assign you a gorilla group based on your fitness, age, and interest.

Follow the ranger through the forest in search of a gorilla family. The trek might take between 30 minutes and several hours depending on the location of the gorillas.

As you hike, your guide will share information about the forest’s birds, trees, and mammals. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend one hour with them.

Take photos and quietly observe their feeding, playing, and interaction. Later, return to the park office to receive your trekking certificate.

In the evening, relax at the lodge or visit the nearby community before dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge

• Mid-Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge

• Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Kiho Lodge

Day 5: Return to Kigali for Departure

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and begin your drive back to Rwanda.

Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and enjoy scenic views during the journey. There will be time to buy souvenirs or take photographs at roadside craft markets.

You will be dropped at your hotel in Kigali or at Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. This marks the end of your 5-day gorilla and wildlife safari.

Drive Time: 4 to 5 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Tour Highlights

• Visit Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks

• Choose between gorilla trekking or habituation

• Enjoy boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

• Game drives with views of elephants, lions, and buffaloes

• Travel in 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs

Important Information

• Accommodation is included

• The tour starts and ends in Kigali

• Solo travelers are welcome

• Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15

• Customization available on request

• Extra nights before or after tour available at extra cost