What is the cost of Gorilla, Game & Hiking Safari in Uganda
The cost of Gorilla, Game & Mountain Hiking Safari in Uganda
This Uganda Gorilla, Game & Hiking Safari suits physically fit adventurers seeking challenging yet rewarding experiences. Priced at $6,090 per person (shared, budget accommodation), it’s customizable to mid-range or luxury styles. However, accommodation flexibility applies to most parks—Mount Elgon and Rwenzori Mountains maintain uniform standards across categories due to remote locations and trekking logistics.
The 23-day itinerary combines mountain expeditions with wildlife encounters: summit Wagagai Peak at Mount Elgon, trek to Sipi Falls, enjoy game drives at Murchison Falls, track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, conquer Margherita Peak (Africa’s third-highest) in the Rwenzoris, and experience classic safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including Kazinga Channel cruises and tree-climbing lions.
Day 1: Journey from Entebbe to Mount Elgon Region (Budadiri)
Your adventure begins with a scenic 4-5 hour drive from Entebbe to Mbale, covering 230 kilometers on well-maintained roads. The route takes you through Jinja, famous as the source of the River Nile, before continuing through beautiful countryside and bustling trading centers. Upon reaching Mbale town at the base of Mount Elgon, you’ll take a short one-hour drive to Budadiri, which serves as your starting point for the mountain trek.
Accommodation: Hotel Rostows
Meals: Half Board (Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2: Begin Mount Elgon Trek – Hunwick’s Camp
Trek Details: 7.1km hike with 1,162m altitude gain (5-7 hours)
Your mountain adventure starts at Elgon Trekkers Base Camp at 1,720m altitude. The trail leads through local farmlands growing coffee, maize, potatoes, and onions before reaching Kigoma Primary School. From here, you’ll climb steadily to the park boundary below the impressive 61-meter Nabunyifu Falls, which means “cold wind” in the local language.
The newly constructed trail features switchbacks that make climbing easier while offering stunning views of the community below and distant mountains. You’ll trek through the montane forest filled with massive Podocarpus trees and thick vegetation, crossing rivers and stopping for lunch at a shelter. The day ends at Hunwick’s Camp at 2,882 meters, where you’ll enjoy fantastic views across hills and valleys toward Masaba Summit.
Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Continue to Masaba Camp
Trek Details: 7.4km climb with 863m altitude gain (4-5 hours)
This day’s journey takes you from 2,882 meters to Masaba Camp at 3,745 meters. You’ll continue climbing through montane forest until reaching 3,200 meters, where the landscape opens up. This area once had abundant bamboo, but heavy use by local communities reduced it significantly. However, recovery efforts are underway, and you’ll see new bamboo shoots growing.
As you climb higher, you’ll pass through a newly discovered Giant Heather zone before entering the Heath or Moorland Zone. This area features open high-altitude grasslands, wildflowers, scattered Giant Heather, and rolling hills. After a rest break, you’ll complete the final two kilometers to Masaba Camp, which offers excellent views of grasslands, forests, and foothills. At night, you can see the lights of Mbale City in the distance.
Optional Activity: Climb 1.2km to Masaba Table, a flat rock formation 700 meters long and 200 meters wide at 4,000 meters altitude, surrounded by vertical cliffs and offering exceptional views.
Accommodation: Masaba Camp (camping)
Meals: Full Board
Day 4: Summit Wagagai Peak and Descend to Caldera
Trek Details: 6.4km ascent (576m gain) then 8km descent (2-3 hours each way)
This is your summit day! You’ll climb 576 meters over 6.4 kilometers to reach Wagagai Peak at 4,321 meters, the highest point of Mount Elgon. After celebrating your achievement and taking in the spectacular views, you’ll descend into the caldera to camp at Kaiyah Camp at 3,695 meters.
Accommodation: Camping in 2-person tents with mattresses
Meals: Full Board
Day 5: Trek to Mude Cave Camp
Trek Details: Approximately 4 hours of hiking
This day’s journey takes you from the caldera to Mude Cave Camp at 3,472 meters. The route goes via Mogongo and offers beautiful mountain views. The terrain is relatively flat and easy going until you encounter some steep hills near Uganda Pass before reaching your destination.
Accommodation: Mude Cave Camp
Meals: Full Board
Day 6: Descent and Transfer to Sipi Falls
Your mountain trek concludes as you descend along the original Sasa Trail through lush forest and tree ferns back to Elgon Trekking Services Basecamp in Bugiboni. After debriefing and saying goodbye to your mountain guides, you’ll transfer to Kapchorwa, home to the magnificent Sipi Falls. This hilly area features spectacular waterfalls and walking trails through villages and coffee-producing fields.
Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Day 7: Relaxation and Coffee Tour
After recovering from your mountain adventure, you have two options for the day. You can take a relaxing morning followed by an afternoon coffee tour of a local village, perfect for purchasing high-quality Ugandan coffee. Alternatively, you can hike to three waterfalls and try abseiling or rock climbing around historical islands for a more active day.
Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Day 8: Wildlife Safari and hike to the top of Murchison Falls
Your day begins with an exciting morning game drive through the park. You will have the chance to see amazing wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, and different types of antelopes. You might also spot warthogs and hyenas during your drive. While leopards live in the park, they are very hard to see, so you would be very lucky to spot one.
After your morning adventure, you will return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch break. In the afternoon, you will go on a guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls. This walk gives you stunning views of the powerful waterfall from above.
Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Journey to Kibale Forest National Park
On this day you will drive to Kibale Forest National Park. This journey takes about 5 to 6 hours through Uganda’s beautiful landscape. Once you arrive, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful forest setting at your lodge.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Kasese
This morning brings one of the trip’s most exciting experiences – chimpanzee trekking. You will hike through the thick forest with an expert guide to find these amazing animals. Once you find a group of chimpanzees, you will spend 1 full hour watching them in their natural home.
After this unforgettable experience, you will travel to Kasese town for an overnight stay before continuing your journey.
Accommodation: Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 11: Transfer and Trek to Sine Camp (2,596m)
On day 12, you transfer to the trek starting point at Trekkers Hostel in Kilembe to begin the hike. The trail starts with a steady climb through the Afro Montane Forest Zone, walking along the valley floor surrounded by tall forest trees. Along the way, you may see birds and wildlife such as blue monkeys and groups of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops. There is also a chance of spotting rare L’Hoest monkeys, which are culturally protected by the King or Omusinga. You might even hear wild chimpanzees in the distance. The forest is rich with diverse plant life including forest trees, bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, moss, and lichen-covered vines hanging from the tall trees, creating beautiful scenery. Near Sine Hut, just 200 meters away, are Enock’s Falls, a perfect spot for memorable photos.
Height gain: 1,146m | Distance: 9.5km | Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Accommodation: Sine Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Hike to Mutinda Camp (3,588m)
The hike continues through Bamboo and Heather-Rapanea zones, moving along a trail that meanders over small hills and ridges. You will cross several small streams and pass moss-covered waterfalls. At this high altitude, you’ll see unique plants such as Giant Heather trees with moss-covered trunks and Usnea lichen hanging from branches. Mutinda Camp is located near a small river and waterfall, perfect for a relaxing stop. In the afternoon, you may choose to summit Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters for panoramic views.
Height gain: 992m | Distance: 6.1km | Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Accommodation: Mutinda Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 13: Trek to Bugata Camp (4,100m)
The path to Bugata Camp can be boggy, especially during the wet season, but boardwalks help to cross the soggy areas. You will travel across Mutinda Valley, passing tussock grass, everlasting flowers, and giant lobelias. The trail climbs steeply to the Namusangi Valley (3,840m), which ends with dramatic waterfalls and great views of Mutinda Peaks. Bugata Camp is high above Bugata Lake on Bamwanjara Pass, with views over Lake Kopello and Weismann’s Peak. Nearby you can find many unique plants and possibly Red Forest Duikers, a subspecies found only in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Height gain: 474m | Distance: 8.6km | Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Accommodation: Bugata Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Trek to Hunwick’s Camp (3,974m) via Bamwanjara Pass (4,550m)
From Bugata Camp, you climb up and then descend slightly before heading to Bamwanjara Pass at 4,450 meters, where a hut offers shelter during bad weather. On clear days, you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail descends through valleys, bogs, and thick evergreen vegetation, including moss and giant groundsel, where you might see Malachite Sunbirds feeding. The path then climbs again over a ridge to reach Hunwick’s Camp, which overlooks Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismann’s Peak, and McConnell’s Prong.
Height gain: 457m climb, then descend 87m | Distance: 8.3km | Hiking time: 7–9 hours
Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 15: Trek to Margherita Camp (4,485m)
The route descends to Lake Kitandara, a stunning lake surrounded by beautiful vegetation. From the lake, the trail climbs up Scott Elliott’s Pass and then along a ridge to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters. The camp is sheltered by large rocks and was the same spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped during his 1906 climb to Margherita Peak.
Height gain: 510m | Distance: 5.1km | Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Accommodation: Margherita Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 16: Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m)
An early start is necessary on this day to avoid afternoon storms common above 1 pm. Wake at 2 am, have breakfast, and begin climbing at 2:30 am. The climb is challenging as the outer glacier is becoming steeper and thinner due to global warming, with some ice caves beneath. Safety is a priority, so there is a strict turnaround time of 10 am. Less experienced climbers can stay on Stanley Glacier and enjoy views from a rocky outcrop near Alexandra Peak. After reaching the summit, descend back to Hunwick’s Camp via Margherita Camp.
Height gain: 624m climb, then 1,134m descent | Distance: 3.8km up, 8.9km down
Approximate hiking time: 4–6 hours up, 3–5 hours down to Margherita Camp, and 3–4 hours to Hunwick’s Camp
Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 17: Descend to Kiharo Camp (3,430m)
From Hunwick’s Camp, start by climbing a ridge toward McConnell’s Prong with excellent views before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters. From there, the trail crosses below Weismann’s Peak to the Nyamwamba River confluence, flowing toward Lake George. Optionally, climb Weismann’s Peak (4,620m) for spectacular views on clear days. After crossing the river, the trail descends into a deep valley with cliffs and dense vegetation, passing glacial debris left by melting glaciers.
Height gain: 530m climb, then 1,075m descent | Distance: 11km | Hiking time: 4–7 hours
Accommodation: Kiharo Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 18: Final Descent and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The last day’s trek descends from Kiharo Camp down to the park gate and Trekkers Hostel, covering about 16 km to the park gate plus 2.2 km to the basecamp. The trail follows the Nyamwamba Valley, a beautiful area filled with waterfalls, deep forest, moss-covered rocks, and sweeping valley views. Wildlife such as duikers, primates, hyrax, and many bird species may be spotted. The descent takes 5 to 8 hours, so an early start is recommended for onward travel. After the trek, you debrief, receive certificates, and transfer to Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park for an overnight stay and dinner.
Height loss: 1,980m descent | Distance: 18.2km total | Hiking time: 5–8 hours
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 19: Game Drives and Boat Safari at Kazinga Channel
Start your morning with an early game drive in the Kasenyi sector. This area is well known for its large number of Uganda Kobs, which attract predators like lions and leopards. It is a great place to see big cats in the wild. Besides big cats, Kasenyi has a variety of bird species such as the yellow-throated longcrow and the grey-crowned crane. You also spot large animals like elephants and buffaloes in this sector.
In the afternoon, relax on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and offers excellent opportunities to see hippos and crocodiles. Many different bird species can also be seen during the cruise, making it a peaceful and exciting experience.
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 20: Ishasha Sector and Crater Lakes
Begin the day with a visit to the Ishasha sector. This area is famous for the unique tree-climbing lions, offering a rare wildlife sighting. It is an excellent spot for lion lovers and wildlife photographers.
In the afternoon, explore the Crater Lakes region. This area features beautiful volcanic craters filled with savanna grasses and acacia trees, providing a different kind of landscape to enjoy and photograph.
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 21: Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Embark on a scenic drive to southwestern Uganda, traversing the beautiful countryside until you reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Upon arrival, settle into Gorilla Valley Lodge for a well-deserved rest and prepare yourself mentally for tomorrow’s extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure. The evening offers time to relax and build anticipation for this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.
Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 22: The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Today marks the pinnacle of your African safari experience. Your day begins at 5:30 AM East African Time with an early breakfast before heading to the briefing center, arriving no later than 7:00 AM. The mandatory briefing session runs from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, where rangers provide essential guidelines and safety instructions.
The trek through Bwindi’s ancient mountain forests commences immediately after briefing. Depending on your assigned gorilla family’s location, the hike can range from a brief 30 minutes to an intensive 6-hour journey. Expert rangers accompany you throughout, clearing pathways and ensuring safe passage through the dense vegetation.
The magical moment arrives when you encounter your gorilla family. You’ll spend one precious hour observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat—watching them feed, play, and interact. This intimate wildlife experience creates memories that last forever.
After trekking, return to Gorilla Valley Lodge to rest and recuperate. Optional afternoon activities include community visits or the enriching Batwa Cultural Experience, offering insights into local indigenous traditions.
Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 23: Departure
Journey directly from Bwindi to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of your Ugandan adventure.
Accommodation: None but available upon request (additional charges apply)
Meal Plan: Half Board
Tour Costs Includes the Following:
- Transportation (Car, Guides, Fuel)
- All Activities in Itinerary
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit ($250)
- Gorilla Trekking Permit ($800)
- Accommodation & Meals
- Park Entrance Fees
- Portering Services
- Technical Climbing Gears on the Summit Days
- Transfers to and from the starting point
- Bottled Drinking Water
Tour Costs Excludes the Following:
- Insurances
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Personal Equipments During Hiking
