5 Days Uganda Wildlife Tour — Gorillas & Big Game

Drive southwest (approx. 4–5 hours) to Lake Mburo National Park. Afternoon game drive — Burchell's zebra, impala, eland, topi and Rothschild's giraffe on the open valleys.

Safari activity | Lake Mburo afternoon game drive

Compact savannah drive through acacia woodland — zebra, warthog and leopard possible at dusk on Mburo's short circuits.

Check in at your Mburo lodge. African fish eagles and lilac-breasted rollers are common; the park is Uganda's only place for impala.

Lake Mburo entry is via Sanga gate — afternoon drives on the zebra track loop take 2–3 hours. The park is en route from Kampala to Bwindi and breaks the long southwest journey.

Morning boat cruise on Lake Mburo — hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds at close range. After breakfast, drive west to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 3–4 hours).

Safari activity | Kazinga Channel boat safari

Afternoon two-hour cruise on the channel — dense hippo pods, elephant and buffalo on the banks, and outstanding birding.

Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat safari — hippo pods, buffalo and elephant at the banks. Return to lodge for dinner.

The Kazinga Channel cruise departs from Mweya or Katwe landing sites — morning and afternoon departures both produce hippo, buffalo and elephant at the banks. Pied kingfishers hover above the water throughout the year.

Pre-dawn game drive on the Kasenyi Plains — lion, leopard, elephant and Uganda kob. After breakfast, drive south through Ishasha (optional tree-climbing lion stop) to Bwindi (approx. 5–6 hours).

Arrive at your gorilla lodge by evening. Briefing on tomorrow's trek.

The Queen Elizabeth–Bwindi transfer is the longest leg of the itinerary (5–6 hours). Ishasha lion stop adds 2 hours but is worth the detour for fig-tree predator photography.

Full mountain gorilla trek day — 2–8 hours round trip with one hour on contact. UWA rangers and trackers lead you through montane forest to your assigned habituated family.

Safari activity | Mountain gorilla trekking

Track a habituated gorilla family through Bwindi's montane forest — one hour with the group on contact, then your gorilla trekking certificate on return.

Afternoon rest at the lodge. Porters recommended on steep trails.

Gorilla trekking day — pack lunch, 2 litres of water and hire a porter at the trailhead. Walking sticks are provided free at most UWA briefing points.

After breakfast, return drive north via Mbarara and the Equator (approx. 8–9 hours). Lunch en route; airport drop-off for evening flights.