7-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, paired with classic savannah game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Go beyond the expected.
A complete introduction to Uganda, combining a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with two full days of wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
- One gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Game drives across Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Optional chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge
- Scenic drive through the western Rift Valley
What's included
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- All park entrance fees on the itinerary
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe
Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your lodge for the night, with time to rest ahead of an early departure the next morning.
Day 2 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi
A full day's drive southwest through Uganda's central and western landscapes, with stops for photographs and a break at the equator crossing, arriving at your lodge on the edge of Bwindi in the late afternoon.
Day 3 Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Bwindi
An early start for your briefing at park headquarters, followed by a guided trek to find a habituated gorilla family. Trekking time varies depending on where the family has moved, with one hour permitted once found.
Day 4 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive north from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering through the scenic Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions, with a game drive en route to your lodge.
Day 5 Kazinga Channel and game drives
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A morning game drive across the park's open plains, followed by an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of the most reliable wildlife viewing experiences in Uganda for hippos, elephants and waterbirds.
Day 6 Optional Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking, return towards Entebbe
Queen Elizabeth National Park to en route
An optional early chimpanzee tracking excursion in the Kyambura Gorge, before beginning the return journey towards Entebbe, breaking the drive at a stop of your choosing.
Day 7 Return to Entebbe and departure
Entebbe
Continue the drive back to Entebbe, with time for last-minute shopping or rest before your onward flight.
Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Luxury & Private Safaris
Luxury Gorilla Safari: Lodges, Flights and Private Guiding
Where the best lodges are, how flights save days and how to spend longer with the gorillas.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
The Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Where to trek, when to go, how permits work and what the hour with the gorillas is really like.
Uganda Family Travel Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking Age Limit: Can Children Go?
The age rule explained, and what children under fifteen can do instead.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 7-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
Photo Gallery
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
Photo Gallery
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
Photo Gallery
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.
Photo Gallery
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited year-round. The drier months (roughly December–February and June–September) are generally easiest for trekking and game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower lodge rates. Gorilla trekking is possible in any month, since it happens in rainforest regardless of season.
Photo Gallery
What wildlife is Uganda known for?
Uganda is best known for mountain gorillas, it holds roughly half of the world’s remaining population, alongside strong chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and over 1,000 recorded bird species, an exceptional figure for a country of its size.
Photo Gallery