5 Days Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Safari

Tour Highlights

Experience the trip of a lifetime with Tarec Gorilla Safaris. This 5‑day itinerary is designed to immerse you in the raw beauty of Uganda’s most iconic landscapes. From the silent, misty heights of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the sun‑soaked savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, every moment is crafted for discovery.

Day 1: The Journey to the Gorilla Highlands

Your Tarec guide will meet you at your hotel or Entebbe Airport to begin the scenic drive southwest. We make our first stop at the Uganda Equator crossing for a fun geographical experiment and photos. After a traditional lunch in Mbarara, the landscape transforms into the lush, terraced “Switzerland of Africa.” You’ll arrive at the edge of the ancient Bwindi forest in the late afternoon, just as the mist begins to settle over the canopy.
Accommodation: Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Broadbill Forest Camp; Mid‑Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp; Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp / Buhoma Lodge.

Day 2: Encountering the Gentle Giants

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on trekking etiquette. Accompanied by expert UWA rangers, you will enter the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 7 hours depending on the gorillas' movement. Once located, you will spend one unforgettable hour watching the silverback lead his family, mothers grooming their young, and juveniles playing. It is a profound, soul‑stirring connection with our closest wild relatives.
Accommodation: Same as Day 1.

Day 3: Through the Land of Tree-Climbing Lions

We bid farewell to the forest and drive north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. We enter through the Ishasha Sector, a remote region famous for its Tree‑Climbing Lions. You’ll scan the massive Sycamore Fig trees for lions lounging on the branches – a behavior unique to this region. Along the way, we’ll also spot herds of buffalo and the elegant Uganda Kob. We reach the northern sector of the park by evening.
Accommodation: Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages / The Bush Lodge (Tents); Mid‑Range: Enganzi Game Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge; Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge.

Day 4: Savannah Majesty & The Kazinga Channel

Start the day with a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where the morning light is perfect for spotting lions and leopards on the hunt. After lunch, we take a 2‑hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lakes Edward and George and boasts the world’s highest concentration of hippos. You’ll get incredibly close to elephants bathing, giant Nile crocodiles, and a dizzying array of colorful water birds.
Accommodation: Same as Day 3.

Day 5: Chimpanzees in the "Underground Forest"

On our final morning, we descend 100 meters into the Kyambura Gorge, a stunning “sunken” rainforest amidst the savannah. Here, we track habituated Chimpanzees. Hearing their pant‑hoot calls echoing through the gorge is an electric experience. Following the trek, we begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, stopping for lunch and a final look at the beautiful Ugandan countryside.

Safari Inclusions & Exclusions