What does this 5-day gorilla and Lake Bunyonyi safari include?

The safari starts in Queen Elizabeth National Park with game drives (including the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions) and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. It then moves on to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and ends with relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, where you can canoe or go birdwatching.

What is included, and what is not?

Airport pick-up and drop-off, all ground transfers, accommodation, park entry fees, meals as per the meal plans and professional guides are included. International flights, visa fees, personal travel insurance, tips and alcoholic drinks are not.

5 Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Q: How fit do I need to be to trek the gorillas?

A moderate level of fitness is enough. Treks can last from about 2 hours to as long as 8 hours on steep, muddy forest trails, depending on where the gorillas moved overnight. Porters can carry your daypack and help you on steep sections.

Q: What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years. Trekking groups are limited to 8 visitors per gorilla family per day, and you spend one hour with the gorillas once you find them.

Q: What can I do at Lake Bunyonyi?

Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by terraced hills and is a calm place to recover after gorilla trekking. Popular activities are canoeing, birdwatching and simply relaxing with the views.

About the gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari (5 days)

This 5-day safari combines game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive through the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions, and a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It ends with time to relax at Lake Bunyonyi, with its terraced hills and island views.

It suits travellers who want savannah wildlife, a gorilla trek and a restful final stop in one short trip. Gorilla treks can take several hours on steep, muddy trails, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed. The minimum age for gorilla trekking 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.

Route map: 5-Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

1 Entebbe
2 Queen Elizabeth National Park
3 Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth NP
4 Bwindi, Buhoma sector
5 Lake Bunyonyi

Indicative route: pins show the areas visited, not exact lodge locations. Your final route is confirmed in your quote.

Read the full trip guide: Gorillas, Wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi Safari (5 days)

Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, tour operator at Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.

Gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari: quick answer

This gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari takes five days and four nights. You start in Queen Elizabeth National Park with game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and finish with a restful stop at Lake Bunyonyi.

It suits travellers who want savannah wildlife, a gorilla trek and a calm final stop in one short trip. Gorilla treks can take several hours on steep, muddy trails, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi on a gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

Day-by-day route of the gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

Day 1: transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport, or at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, with a signboard bearing your name. You then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular wildlife destinations, with over 95 mammal species, 10 primate species and more than 600 bird species. The drive includes stops for photos and lunch at a local restaurant.

You arrive in the late afternoon and check in, for example at Pumba Safari Cottages or a similar lodge. If time and energy allow, a short evening game drive looks for elephants, Uganda kob, warthogs and perhaps lions.

Day 2: morning game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

After breakfast, with views over the park from the escarpment, you set out on a morning game drive across the savannah for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and, with luck, lions. You return to the lodge for lunch and a rest.

Kazinga Channel boat cruise on the gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

In the afternoon you take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward. Large numbers of hippos, buffaloes, elephants and crocodiles gather along its banks, together with many water birds. It is one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in the park.

Day 3: Ishasha tree-climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi

You spend the morning in the Ishasha sector, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions resting in the fig trees. Keep an eye out for Uganda kob, elephants and perhaps a leopard.

Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector on a gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

You then drive to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 60 to 70 km and roughly 2 to 3 hours away. The roads are scenic but unpaved, with gravel and murram surfaces that can be bumpy in the rainy season, so a sturdy 4×4 vehicle is used. You pass rural villages, banana plantations and forested hills, and may see baboons or black-and-white colobus monkeys. After checking in you can relax and prepare for the trek.

Day 4: gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After an early breakfast you attend the briefing at the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers’ station in Buhoma, where your ranger guide explains the trekking rules, gorilla behaviour and safety. You then enter the ancient forest to find a habituated gorilla family. Expect anything from 2 to 7 hours on steep, muddy trails. Once you find the group, you spend one hour watching the gorillas feed, play and rest.

After lunch and a rest, you drive about 2 to 3 hours (80 to 100 km) to Lake Bunyonyi. The terraced hills rise to between 2,200 and 2,478 metres around calm water dotted with 29 islands. You check in at your lakeside accommodation and enjoy dinner as the sun sets.

Terraced hills and islands at Lake Bunyonyi at the end of the gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

Day 5: return to Entebbe from Lake Bunyonyi

You begin the day with breakfast overlooking the islands, then drive back to Entebbe International Airport, about 7 to 8 hours and 420 km. Lunch is at the Equator crossing, where you can stand in both hemispheres and take photos. You arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, in time for a departure flight or an overnight stay if needed.

What you can see on the gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

Queen Elizabeth is known for elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos and leopards, and the Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions. Bwindi shelters mountain gorillas, and Lake Bunyonyi is a good place to relax, canoe and watch birds. Sightings are never guaranteed.

The gorilla trek on this safari

Gorilla trekking needs a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and permits sell out in busy months. Contact us with your dates and we check availability and reserve your permit as part of your booking. Groups are limited to 8 visitors per gorilla family per day, and porters can carry your daypack and help on steep sections.

What is included

Included are airport pick-up and drop-off, all ground transfers, accommodation, park entry fees, the gorilla trekking permit, all meals as per the meal plans and professional guides.

International flights, visa fees, personal travel insurance, tips for guides and porters, and alcoholic beverages and personal expenses are not included.

How Afraeka plans your gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari

We start with your travel dates and group size and check gorilla permit availability first, because the permit date decides the rest of the route. Then we confirm your accommodation level and send a quote by email.

If you have more time, compare our Uganda safari packages, read about Uganda parks and lodges or browse all our Uganda safaris.

Gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari FAQ

What does this 5-day safari include?

Game drives and a Kazinga Channel cruise in Queen Elizabeth, the Ishasha sector, a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi and a stay at Lake Bunyonyi.

How fit do I need to be to trek the gorillas?

A moderate level of fitness is enough. Treks last from about 2 hours to as long as 8 hours on steep, muddy trails.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

15 years. You spend one hour with the gorillas once you find them.

What can I do at Lake Bunyonyi?

Canoeing, birdwatching and relaxing with the views of the terraced hills.

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 gorillas wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi safari.

Destinations
Uganda
Activities
Adventure & Hiking, Big Game Safaris, Creative Experiences, Primate Tracking Experiences

Tour Overview

Embark on an immersive Gorillas Wildlife And Lake Bunyonyi Safari that takes you deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Start in Queen Elizabeth National Park with game drives spotting elephants, lions, hippos, and the rare tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Next, track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – an unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants in ancient rainforest.

End with relaxation at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by terraced hills. Canoe, birdwatch, or simply unwind amid stunning views.

This compact adventure perfectly blends wildlife, primates, and serenity – ideal for nature lovers.

Highlights

Queen Elizabeth game drive for elephants, buffaloes and Uganda kob
Kazinga Channel boat cruise for hippos, crocodiles and water birds
Ishasha sector game drive, known for tree-climbing lions
Mountain gorilla trekking from Buhoma in Bwindi
A night by Lake Bunyonyi and its terraced hills
Gorilla trekking permit included

Day 01 :

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your adventure begins upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport (or pick-up from your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala). Your friendly English-speaking driver-guide will meet you with a warm welcome and a signboard bearing your name.

We then set off on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular and diverse wildlife destinations. The park is home to a remarkable variety of habitats, supporting over 95 mammal species—including elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, and leopards—plus 10 primate species (such as chimpanzees) and more than 600 bird species.

Enjoy a relaxed journey through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, with stops for photos and a delicious lunch en route at a local restaurant.

Arrive at the park in the late afternoon. Check into your accommodation (such as Pumba Safari Cottages or similar) and unwind with stunning views over the savanna.

If time and energy allow, we’ll head out for a short evening game drive to spot your first wildlife—elephants, Uganda kob, warthogs, and perhaps even lions—before returning for dinner and a peaceful night under the African stars.

Day 02 :

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon boatcruise along Kazinga Channel

Start your day at Pumba Safari Cottages in the Kyambura area, perched on the escarpment with stunning views over Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy breakfast while watching for elephants at the waterhole below or soaking in the peaceful savanna sunrise.

After breakfast, set out on a morning game drive across the savanna for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and, with luck, lions. Return to your lodge for lunch and a rest.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward. Large numbers of hippos, buffaloes, elephants and crocodiles gather along its banks, together with many water birds. It is one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in the park.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 03 :

Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi

Embark on your morning adventure in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions lounging in the fig trees. Keep an eye out for Uganda kob, elephants, and perhaps an elusive leopard.

Then depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This rewarding route leads directly to the northern Buhoma sector—the closest and most convenient entry point from Ishasha.

The drive spans about 60–70 km and takes roughly 2–3 hours. The roads are scenic yet unpaved, featuring gravel and murram surfaces that can turn bumpy—especially in the rainy season. A sturdy 4x4 vehicle is essential for a smooth journey.

Wind through charming rural villages, lush banana plantations, rolling valleys, and forested hills. You may spot baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, or even forest elephants crossing the path.

The route passes via Kihihi town before descending into the Buhoma area.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge—options range from luxury eco-lodges like Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs to comfortable mid-range and community-run stays.

Enjoy a relaxing lunch or afternoon tea. Take time to unwind and prepare for tomorrow's gorilla trekking experience.

Buhoma provides easy access to several habituated gorilla families, with briefings usually held at the sector headquarters.

Day 04 :

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Begin early with breakfast at your lodge. Then head to the UWA rangers’ station in Buhoma for the morning briefing. Your ranger guide will explain trekking rules, gorilla behavior, and safety tips.

Next, enter the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for your gorilla trek. The duration and terrain vary depending on the gorilla family’s movements. Expect anything from 2 to 7 hours of hiking through steep, muddy trails. Once you locate the habituated group, enjoy a magical one hour observing these gentle giants up close as they feed, play, and rest.

Return to the lodge for a quick lunch (or packed option) and a well-deserved rest. Then check out and depart for Lake Bunyonyi (approximately 2–3 hours scenic drive, 80–100 km).

Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in the late afternoon. Marvel at the landscape: lush, terraced hills rising to 2,200–2,478 meters around calm waters dotted with 29 islands. Check into your lakeside accommodation, relax with stunning views, and enjoy dinner as the sun sets over this peaceful paradise.

Day 05 :

Return to Entebbe from Lake Bunyonyi

Start your final day with a peaceful breakfast at your lakeside lodge, enjoying breathtaking views of the beautiful little islands dotting Lake Bunyonyi right in front of you. Soak in the serene atmosphere one last time—perhaps with a cup of coffee as the morning mist lifts over the terraced hills.

After breakfast, check out and begin the scenic drive back to Entebbe International Airport (approximately 7–8 hours, 420 km). The journey winds through southwestern Uganda’s rolling hills, farmlands, and charming small towns.

Enjoy a relaxing lunch break at the Equator crossing—step into both hemispheres at once, capture fun photos with the equator marker, and perhaps shop for souvenirs or enjoy a quick coffee.

Continue onward, arriving in Entebbe in the late afternoon or early evening, perfectly timed for your departure flight (or an overnight if needed).

5-Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Lake Bunyonyi Safari