5 Days Gorillas & Tree-Climbing Lions (Uganda)

Early departure southwest via Masaka and Mbarara (approx. 8–9 hours). Equator stop at Kayabwe for photos and lunch, then continue through the Kigezi highlands to your Bwindi sector lodge — Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija or Nkuringo.

Evening at leisure; briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trek. The impenetrable forest rises steeply from the lodge — black-and-white colobus and L'Hoest's monkey are often visible in the garden margins.

The Kampala–Bwindi road via Masaka and Mbarara is fully tarmac to Kabale; the final 40–60 km to sector gates is murram. Allow a full day for the transfer — night driving on mountain roads is not recommended.

Pre-dawn breakfast and briefing at park headquarters. Your mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi typically takes 2–8 hours round trip — sector and family follow your permit allocation.

Safari activity | Mountain gorilla trekking

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

One hour with the habituated family on contact — silverback displays, juveniles playing, mothers nursing infants. Afternoon rest at the lodge; porters recommended on steep, muddy trails.

After breakfast, drive north to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 3–4 hours). Check in and lunch at your Ishasha lodge.

Safari activity | Ishasha tree-climbing lion search

Afternoon game drive scanning fig trees for Ishasha's famous tree-climbing lions — elephant bulls and Uganda kob along the Ntungwe River complete the savannah scene.

Afternoon game drive scanning fig trees and acacias for lions draped across branches. Elephant bulls, buffalo, topi and Uganda kob are regular along the Ntungwe River channels. The Ishasha sector covers roughly 100 km² of open fig-tree savannah — allow a full afternoon for a thorough circuit.

Pre-dawn and afternoon drives on the Ntungwe circuit — a full day maximises chances of tree-climbing lions, leopard at first light, and elephant herds crossing the river. Hooded vultures and Bateleur eagles are common overhead.

Between drives, rest at the lodge or take a guided walk along the river boundary (where permitted). Ishasha's open fig-tree savannah is among Uganda's most photogenic landscapes.

A full day in Ishasha doubles your chances of tree-climbing lions — individuals often shift trees between dawn and dusk. Side-striped jackal and banded mongoose are common on the Ntungwe circuit.

Final dawn drive for last lion sightings, then breakfast and checkout. Return north via Mbarara and the Equator (approx. 7–8 hours) to Kampala or Entebbe.

Lunch en route; airport drop-off for evening flights.