Tour Overview
The definitive Ugandan safari circuit connecting the classic Great Rift Valley savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park with the mist-shrouded montane rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This 7-day expedition delivers Uganda's ultimate wildlife contrast: dawn predator tracking on the Kasenyi plains, a leisurely boat safari along the hippo-packed Kazinga Channel, tracking rare tree-climbing lions in the remote fig trees of Ishasha, and the deeply moving experience of walking through ancient rainforests to spend an unforgettable hour with a wild mountain gorilla family.
Every departure is private, operated in custom-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers with pop-up observation roofs, accompanied by certified senior naturalist guides, and hosted in handpicked luxury eco-lodges perched along wildlife corridors and misty cloud forest ridges.
Tour Highlights
Multi-Destination Safari Extensions
Extend your journey across additional wildlife reserves, alpine lakes, or tropical island coasts before or after your main safari. Select any extension to dynamically update your complete journey timeline, duration, and quotation.
Highland Relaxation Extension
+2 Days / 1 Night
Lake Bunyonyi Scenic 29-Islands Extension
Unwind beside tranquil, bilharzia-free waters with traditional dugout canoes.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Base Itinerary: 7 Days / 6 NightsDay 1: Entebbe / Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Equator
Morning pickup from Entebbe or Kampala by your private naturalist driver-guide. Travel southwest through scenic Ugandan countryside, stopping at the iconic Uganda Equator monument in Kayabwe for photography and water-flow Coriolis demonstrations. Continue through the lush cattle corridor of Ankole with views of iconic long-horned cattle. Ascend into the western Albertine Rift Valley, arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon. Check in to your luxury lodge perched along the rift escarpment and enjoy a sunset crater drive overlooking Lake Katwe salt lake.
Day 2: Kasenyi Savanna Predator Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Dawn departure onto the Kasenyi plains when lion prides and spotted hyenas actively stalk Uganda kob mating leks. Spot massive herds of Cape buffalos, bush elephants, and defassa waterbucks. Return to the lodge for midday relaxation. In the afternoon, board the famous 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat safari connecting Lakes George and Edward. Glide within meters of immense pods of hippos, bathing elephant families, basking Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species including African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, and fish eagles.
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Northern Sector to Southern Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, embark on a scenic southern game drive passing through the central wilderness into the untamed Ishasha sector. Ishasha is world-renowned for its unique population of tree-climbing lions that spend sweltering afternoons draped across giant sycamore fig trees and acacia limbs. Conduct an afternoon game drive scanning the tree canopies and open savannas for lions, topis, and herds of buffalo. Check into your luxury safari camp along the river.
Day 4: Ishasha Morning Game Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Early morning final game drive in Ishasha for another opportunity to photograph tree-climbing lions and topis against golden sunrise light. After a bush breakfast, begin the dramatic scenic ascent out of the rift valley floor into the steep, terraced Kigezi highlands known as the 'Switzerland of Africa.' Wind upward into the ancient, mist-shrouded rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check into your boutique cloud forest lodge with private verandas overlooking the canopy.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The crown jewel of your expedition. After an early breakfast, transfer to UWA park headquarters for a comprehensive briefing by veteran rangers on gorilla etiquette and tracking safety. Enter the dense, tangled jungle alongside armed rangers and trackers who locate your assigned habituated gorilla family. Trekking times range from 2 to 6 hours through steep rainforest slopes. Once located, spend one awe-inspiring hour observing the colossal silverback, playful juveniles, and nurturing mothers in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for a celebratory evening and hot shower.
Day 6: Bwindi Forest Nature Walk & Batwa Cultural Experience
Enjoy a relaxed morning surrounded by singing rainforest birds. Join a guided nature walk along the Munyaga River trail to discover pristine waterfalls, rare orchids, and colorful Albertine Rift butterflies. In the afternoon, embark on an authentic Batwa cultural experience led by indigenous elders who share ancient survival skills, medicinal plant lore, archery, and traditional polyphonic music. Evening dining beside a roaring stone fireplace at your lodge.
Day 7: Scenic Return Drive to Kampala / Entebbe or Flight Transfer
After breakfast, begin the scenic return journey to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport, passing through the green rolling hills of Kigezi and Mbarara with a stop for lunch. Alternatively, optional scheduled domestic flight transfer from Kihihi airstrip direct to Entebbe Airport (1 hour). Arrive in the late afternoon with memories of Africa's greatest savanna and primate treasures.
Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi & Island Canoeing Lake Bunyonyi Extension
Relaxing boat ride across the 29 islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
Scenic Return to Entebbe Airport Lake Bunyonyi Extension
Travel back via the Equator for your international flight.
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
- Official Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trekking Permit ($800 USD value per person)
- All national park entry fees & conservation levies for Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi
- Kazinga Channel boat safari launch trip
- Extensive private game drives in Kasenyi and Ishasha sectors
- Private custom 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and fuel
- Services of a certified professional English-speaking naturalist driver-guide
- 6 nights luxury lodge & tented camp accommodation (full board)
- All meals on safari (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Complimentary bottled mineral water in the vehicle throughout
- Guided Batwa cultural heritage encounter
- Entebbe airport arrival and departure transfers
What's Excluded
- International airfare and entry visas to Uganda ($50 USD)
- Travel and medical evacuation insurance (mandatory)
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking (recommended $15-20 per porter)
- Premium alcoholic beverages and luxury personal items
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, rangers, trackers, and lodge staff
Accommodation & Ground Logistics
Eco-Luxury Lodging
Handpicked luxury safari lodges and tented camps featuring private en-suite verandas, gourmet bush dining, and breathtaking wilderness vistas.
Custom 4x4 Cruisers
Purpose-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers with 360-degree pop-up game-viewing roofs, USB charging sockets, onboard cooler fridge, and binoculars.
Frequently Asked Questions
The trek involves walking across uneven rainforest terrain, steep muddy slopes, and thick vegetation at altitudes between 1,160 and 2,600 meters. Treks typically last between 2 and 6 hours depending on gorilla movements. A moderate level of fitness is required, and local porters are readily available to carry your daypack and assist on steep sections.
Lions in Ishasha (and Lake Manyara in Tanzania) are famous for climbing large sycamore fig trees to escape the intense daytime heat on the ground, avoid biting tsetse flies, and gain an elevated vantage point over grazing savanna herds.
