About the Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari (5 days)
This 5-day safari pairs the savannah of Lake Mburo National Park with the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At Lake Mburo you enjoy a walking safari, game drives and a boat cruise. In Bwindi you trek mountain gorillas and visit the Batwa community.
It is a compact way to combine a gorilla trek with an easier first half of the trip, and a good fit if you want to see zebras and impalas on the way to Bwindi. Gorilla trekking is moderate to strenuous, and the minimum age is 15.
Planning tips: read our guides to gorilla permits in Uganda, Uganda visa requirements and what to pack. The gorilla permit and the park fees for the activities in the itinerary are included. Request a free quote and we will reply by email.
Read the full trip guide: Bwindi and Lake Mburo Safari (5 days)
Table of Contents
Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, tour operator at Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.
Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari: quick answer
This Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari takes five days and four nights. You start at Lake Mburo National Park with a walking safari, a game drive and a boat cruise, then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a mountain gorilla trek and a Batwa cultural experience before returning to Entebbe.
It suits travellers who want savannah wildlife and gorillas in a short trip, with the gorilla permit, park fees and a 4×4 safari vehicle included. A single traveller can join this trip.
Day-by-day route of the Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
Day 1: transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and walking safari
You leave Entebbe or Kampala early in the morning for a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park, passing small towns and rolling hills. You arrive in time for lunch before checking in at Rwakobo Rock Lodge. In the evening you go on a guided walking safari, an opportunity to get up close to zebras, giraffes, antelopes and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 2: game drive and boat cruise
You start with an early morning game drive through the savannah, searching for impalas, buffaloes, elands and leopards. The golden light of sunrise makes for excellent photography. After breakfast you relax at the lodge before an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo, with views of hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds.
Day 3: transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast you depart for Bwindi through picturesque rolling hills, banana plantations and lush forests, with brief stops for scenic views and local interactions. You arrive in the afternoon and check in at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, nestled within the forest, and rest before the trek.
Day 4: gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience
After an early breakfast you go to the park headquarters for a briefing on the gorilla trekking rules and guidelines. You then trek through the dense rainforest with guides who track the gorillas from their last known location. Once you find the family, you spend one hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat.
After lunch at the lodge you join the Batwa cultural experience, where you meet the Batwa community and learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting techniques and use of medicinal plants.
Day 5: transfer to Entebbe
After breakfast you check out and drive back to Entebbe or Kampala, with possible stops at the Equator for photos and souvenirs. You arrive in the afternoon, which ends the trip.
What you can see on the Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
At Lake Mburo you can look for zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, elands, hippos, crocodiles and many water birds. In Bwindi the main highlight is the mountain gorillas. Sightings are never guaranteed.
What is included
Included are the gorilla trekking permit, park entrance fees, game drives and a boat cruise in Lake Mburo, the Batwa cultural experience, a professional driver-guide, four nights’ accommodation in lodges, meals as per the itinerary, bottled water during transfers and all ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
International flights, visa fees, personal expenses such as tips, laundry and souvenirs, alcoholic beverages and travel insurance are not included.
How Afraeka plans your Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
We start with your travel dates and check gorilla permit availability first, because the permit date decides the rest of the route. We then confirm the lodges and send a quote by email.
For a longer trip, compare our Uganda safari packages, read about the Batwa cultural experience or browse all our Uganda safaris.
Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari FAQ
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes. The gorilla trekking permit and park entrance fees are included.
How long do you spend with the gorillas?
One hour once the family is found.
What is the Batwa cultural experience?
A visit to the Batwa community to learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting techniques and use of medicinal plants.
Related guides and sources
Read our guides to gorilla permits in Uganda, Uganda visa requirements and what to pack. For official information see the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or request a free quote for this Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari.
About this 5-day Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
This 5-day Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari combines two of Uganda’s most scenic national parks: Lake Mburo National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Experience thrilling wildlife encounters, from a walking safari, game drives and a boat cruise in Lake Mburo to an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi.
Cultural interactions with the Batwa community add a unique touch to this journey.
Day-by-Day Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo and walking safari – Depart Kampala or Entebbe for Lake Mburo National Park. In the evening, enjoy a guided walking safari to spot zebras, impalas and elands. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge.
- Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise – Start with an early morning game drive, then take an afternoon boat cruise on the lake to see hippos, crocodiles and water birds. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge.
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and settle in at your lodge, ready for gorilla trekking the next day. Overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience – After a briefing, trek through the misty forest to find a gorilla family and spend one magical hour with them. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest life. Overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
- Day 5: Departure – After breakfast, drive back to Kampala or Entebbe for your onward journey, with an optional stop at the Equator.
Why Choose This 5-Day Bwindi and Lake Mburo Safari?
- Combine two diverse parks in one compact itinerary.
- Ideal for travelers with limited time but wanting both savannah and gorilla trekking.
- Includes a meaningful cultural encounter with the Batwa people.
Booking information: Gorilla permits are subject to availability, so book early. Contact us for a personal quote.
Highlights
- Walking safari, game drives and a boat cruise at Lake Mburo National Park
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Batwa community visit
- Gorilla trekking permit included
