5 Days Uganda Wildlife Tour — Gorillas & Big Game

Drive southwest (approx. 4–5 hours) to Lake Mburo National Park. Afternoon game drive focused on Burchell's zebra herds, eland, impala and Defassa waterbuck on the open valleys. Leopard are possible at dusk on the acacia ridges. Check in at your Mburo lodge for dinner. Mburo's Rothschild's giraffe were reintroduced in 2015 — herds now number 30+ individuals. Buffalo and eland favour the open valleys east of the lake. Drive time: Approx. 4–5 hours Meals: Lunch & dinner

Morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 3–4 hours). Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat safari — hippo pods, elephant and buffalo at the banks. Evening optional short drive on the Kasenyi Plains if time allows — lion and Uganda kob at dusk. Kasenyi Plains lion prides are most active 06:00–08:30 when Uganda kob graze the open grassland. Photographers favour the low-angle savannah light before the equatorial sun climbs high. Drive time: Approx. 3–4 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Pre-dawn game drive on the Kasenyi Plains — lion prides stalk Uganda kob; elephant, buffalo and spotted hyena are regular. Return for breakfast. Drive south — optional Ishasha tree-climbing lion stop if routing allows (approx. 2 hours from Mweya), or crater-lakes viewpoints near Katwe. Continue to Bwindi foothills (approx. 5–6 hours total). Katwe explosion craters near Queen Elizabeth offer volcanic lake viewpoints — flamingos at Lake Munyanyange are seasonal (wet months). Ishasha adds tree-climbing lions when routing south to Bwindi. Drive time: Approx. 5–6 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi — 2–8 hours round trip, one hour on contact. The forest climax after three days of savannah big game. Afternoon rest at the lodge. Bwindi sector lodges sit at 1,500–2,300 m elevation — pack warm layers for cold mornings. Forest elephants and giant forest hog sign appear on trails but are rarely seen on trek routes. Trek duration: 2–8 hours round trip Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner Accommodation: Same Bwindi lodge

After breakfast, return drive north (approx. 8–9 hours) via Mbarara and the Equator. Lunch en route; airport drop-off. Drive time: Approx. 8–9 hours Meals: Breakfast & lunch