Welcome to this amazing 6-Day Uganda Gorillas and Birding Safari, which will take you deep into the wilderness of Uganda, combining gorilla trekking in the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, cultural immersion with the Batwa people, rewarding birdwatching, and a classic safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi is not only home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas but also a paradise for birders with more than 350 species recorded. After your time in Bwindi, you will head to Queen Elizabeth, famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and the spectacular Kazinga Channel boat safari. This 6-day Uganda Gorilla and Birding Safari ensures that you will enjoy the primate encounters, birding, cultural and game drives that will make the whole adventure a seamless one.
Highlights of the itinerary
- Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Bwindi
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Experience
- Day 3: Full-day Birding in Bwindi
- Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park –
- Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
- Day 6: Return to Entebbe and Departure
Details of the Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Bwindi
On your arrival in Entebbe or Kampala, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide, who will brief you about the journey. You will then set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive will take you through scenic landscapes of rolling hills, terraced farmlands, and lively rural communities. You will enjoy a lunch stop en route before continuing into the misty highlands of southwestern Uganda. By evening, you will arrive at your lodge, where you will check in, relax, and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trek. Your guide will take you through a pre-briefing that includes what to carry for the next day’s gorilla trekking.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Experience
This morning, you will have an early breakfast and then head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will be assigned park guides and rangers who will take you on the gorilla trekking experience, and later, you will venture into the thick rainforest to search for a gorilla family. The trek may take 2–6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, but once you find them, you will spend one magical hour observing their daily routines, feeding, grooming, and interacting under the watchful eye of the silverback.
In the afternoon, you will engage in a Batwa cultural experience, where you will meet members of the Batwa community. You will listen to their stories, watch traditional dances, and learn about their ancient forest lifestyle before they were relocated from Bwindi. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Full-day Birding in Bwindi
Today you will spend the entire day birding in Bwindi. After breakfast, you will be guided by a professional birding guide along well-known trails where you will look out for sought-after species, including the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, Black-billed Turaco, and many others. Bwindi’s dense forest and varied habitats make it a paradise for both avid birders and casual nature lovers. You will enjoy a packed lunch in the forest and continue birding until late afternoon. In the evening, you will return to your lodge for a relaxed evening and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive
Have an early breakfast at the lodge and later check out. Begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through scenic highlands and rolling plains. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, you will take a short game drive or relax at the lodge while soaking in the views of the park’s savannah landscapes. This transition day will give you a taste of Queen Elizabeth’s beauty, preparing you for the next day’s adventures. Return to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
You will start the day with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains, where you will have a chance to spot a variety of animal species such as elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs, lions, leopards, and warthogs. After the drive, you will return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat safari. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is one of the best places in Africa to view hippos and crocodiles at close range. You will also see large herds of elephants coming to drink, buffalo cooling off, and a wide range of water birds such as pelicans, kingfishers, cormorants, and fish eagles. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Return to Entebbe and Departure
After breakfast, you will begin your return journey to Entebbe, passing through small towns. You will have lunch en route and make a stop at the Uganda Equator for photos and souvenirs. Later in the afternoon, you will continue to Entebbe. Check in for your departure and conclude your 6-Day Uganda Gorillas and Birding Safari.