6 Days Gorillas, Chimps, and Wildlife Safari Uganda

From

$2189

6-Day Uganda Safari Adventure

From

$ 2189

Contact a Safari Expert

+256 (704) 324 972

Tour Overview

Uganda is a special place, famous for its many types of primates—especially the famous mountain gorillas that make this safari so amazing.

This 6-day Uganda safari takes you on exciting wildlife adventures and shows you the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda. Along the way, you’ll meet friendly Ugandan people who will make your trip even more memorable. You will stay in nice lodges and camps that are comfortable and beautiful. One of the best places you’ll stay is Mutanda Lake Resort, right by Lake Mutanda. Here, you can relax and enjoy stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes—a perfect way to rest after your adventures. Most activities in this trip are included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about extra costs. If you want more fun, Greenway Nature Tours can help you add special experiences like tracking lions with GPS in Queen Elizabeth National Park, canoeing quietly on Lake Mutanda, or riding mountain bikes next to zebras in Lake Mburo National Park.

Trip Highlights

See mountain gorillas up close in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Trek to find playful chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest.
Go on game drives to spot lions, elephants, and more in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Take a boat ride on Kazinga Channel to see hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Explore Lake Mburo by walking or biking among zebras and giraffes.
Enjoy a night safari to spot animals active after dark.
Travel through beautiful hills, villages, and stop at the Equator in Kayabwe.
Stay in cozy lodges with amazing views

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your exciting safari begins with a warm welcome from your professional guide, who will give you a detailed briefing about the journey ahead. You will then set off on a scenic drive of approximately 410 kilometers, taking around 7 to 8 hours, from Entebbe or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The drive is full of beautiful views. You’ll pass green hills and small villages where people live simple and happy lives. One of the most fun stops is at the Equator in Kayabwe, where you can take photos with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern. You can also check out small shops and buy handmade souvenirs.

Around midday, you’ll stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, often in Mbarara town, before continuing your journey. As you drive closer to the park, the scenery changes. The forests and hills turn into wide, open savannah grasslands. You’re now entering Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the best places in Uganda to see wild animals.

The park lies in the Great Rift Valley of Africa between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward, and it’s home to many animals and birds. In the middle of the park is the Kazinga Channel, a natural river that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This channel is full of life—you will see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many colorful birds during a boat ride.

To the west of the channel, the land is covered with old volcanic craters, and the deep green Kyambura Gorge hides a small group of wild chimpanzees. As you drive through the park, you may spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs, and even the shy giant forest hog. Bird lovers will be amazed—over 600 kinds of birds live here! When you arrive, check into your lodge and relax for a while. Later in the afternoon, you’ll go on your first evening game drive, a great chance to see animals as the sun begins to set.

Accommodation Options (Full Board/Half Board):
Budget: Bush Lodge – Banda (Half Board)
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge (Full Board)
Semi-Luxury: Katara Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Full board with drinks)

Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Activities

Today is a full day of adventure in Queen. You’ll go on a morning game drive, enjoy a tasty lunch, and take an exciting boat safari in the afternoon. It’s a day full of amazing animals, beautiful views, and fun memories.

You’ll start the day early with a morning game drive. As the sun rises, the park comes alive. The light is soft and golden, and many animals are still active after the night. You’ll drive through the open grasslands, looking for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and maybe even lions or leopards resting in the morning sun. The park is quiet and peaceful, with only the sounds of birds singing, animals calling in the distance, and your jeep moving slowly through the bush. It’s a special way to start the day and feel close to nature.

After the game drive, you’ll head back to your lodge for lunch. This is a good time to relax, enjoy the view, and think about all the animals you saw in the morning.

In the afternoon, you’ll go for a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, one of the best places in Africa to see animals up close. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is full of life. As you float along the water, you’ll see hippos playing, crocodiles lying in the sun, and buffaloes coming down to drink. If you’re lucky, elephants might also walk to the water and splash around. There are birds everywhere—bright kingfishers, tall herons, cormorants drying their wings, and the powerful African fish eagle flying above. The boat cruise is calm, beautiful, and full of great photo moments.

If you want to make the day even more special, there are a few extra things you can do. In the morning, instead of a regular game drive, you can join a wildlife researcher to help track lions or leopards using special GPS collars. This is a fun and educational way to learn about how people protect the animals in the park.

You can also choose to have a private boat safari in the afternoon. With a private boat, you can move at your own pace, get closer to the animals, and enjoy quiet time with your guide and travel companions. After a day full of excitement, you’ll return to your lodge for a warm dinner and a quiet night. As you listen to the sounds of nature all around, you’ll remember this wonderful day in the wild heart of Uganda.

Accommodation:
Budget: Bush Lodge – Banda (Full Board)
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge (Full Board)
Semi-Luxury: Katara Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Full board with drinks)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest & Travel to the Magical Lake Mutanda

This morning starts with an exciting adventure.

You will go chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest, a green, tropical jungle filled with birds, monkeys, butterflies, and over 300 chimpanzees. With a guide, you’ll walk through the forest, listening for chimp sounds in the trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a group of chimpanzees and watch them play, eat, and swing from branches. It’s a fun and unforgettable experience!

After the trek, you’ll begin your scenic drive to Lake Mutanda, one of the most beautiful places in East Africa. On the way, you’ll see green hills, sparkling crater lakes, thick forests, and coffee farms. As you get closer, you’ll spot the tall Virunga Volcanoes rising in the distance. The views are truly amazing.

Where you stay tonight depends on your travel style. If you are on a luxury safari, you will stay in Buhoma, near the northern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s about three hours from Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you’re on a budget safari, you’ll go to Kisoro, a friendly town about five hours away. Those on a midrange or semi-luxury safari will travel around five and a half hours to reach the stunning Mutanda Lake Resort, which sits right on the lakeshore.

Lake Mutanda is like something out of a storybook. It’s quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by mountains and forests. It’s also the perfect place to start your gorilla trekking adventure, with Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks nearby. These parks are home to the rare and gentle mountain gorillas. There are many fun things to do around the lake.

You can ride a dugout canoe, go kayaking or paddleboarding, or enjoy a sunset boat cruise with a drink in your hand as the sun goes down behind the volcanoes. In Mgahinga National Park, you can hike up a volcano or look for golden monkeys in the bamboo forest. In Bwindi, you can take a quiet walk in the rainforest, visit a local village, or meet the Batwa pygmies, the people who used to live in the forest with the gorillas. If you have something special in mind—like photography, hiking, or meeting local people—talk to us.

Accommodation:
Budget: Travellers Rest (Breakfast)
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Half Board)
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage (Half Board)
Exclusive: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Full board with drinks)

Day 4: The great gorilla trek!

Today is often described as the most emotional and unforgettable day of any Ugandan safari—the moment you come face to face with a mountain gorilla in its wild home. In the early morning, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a mysterious and ancient rainforest that shelters nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Your gorilla trekking adventure begins with a detailed briefing from expert guides who will prepare you for the trek ahead. Then, led by experienced rangers who understand every trail and sound of the forest, you’ll set off into the dense jungle. Following signs such as broken bamboo stalks, fresh droppings, and recently used nests, your group will track a specific gorilla family. And then, in a quiet moment of awe and wonder, you will find them—a majestic silverback sitting protectively among his family, watching you with calm, wise eyes. This encounter is deeply moving, stirring powerful feelings of connection and respect. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you forever.

For those seeking an even deeper connection, the gorilla habituation experience offers a rare chance to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family—twice the time of a regular trek. Accompanied by researchers who are slowly helping the gorillas get used to humans, this small-group experience is limited to just four people, making it an intimate and extraordinary opportunity to observe unique behaviors few ever see.

If you are not trekking today, there are many wonderful ways to enjoy the area. At Lake Mutanda, you can swim in clear, safe waters where playful otters sometimes appear. For more active guests, paddleboarding, kayaking, or sailing on the lake offer peaceful ways to take in the stunning views and spot birds.

A motorboat cruise at sunset, with a glass of wine in hand, is especially magical. For those wanting to stretch their legs, scenic walks through the hills or challenging hikes up one of the Virunga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are great choices. Mgahinga is also home to lively golden monkeys, which you can track through the bamboo forests, offering fun and lively wildlife encounters. If you complete your gorilla trek today, consider staying an extra night at Lake Mutanda. It’s a beautiful place to rest and reflect on your incredible experience.

Accommodation:
Budget: Travellers Rest (Breakfast)
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Half Board)
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage (Half Board)
Exclusive: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Full board with drinks)

Day 5: On to Lake Mburo National Park

With deep emotions and lasting memories, you say goodbye to Lake Mutanda this morning.

The magic of the past few days—the unforgettable encounter with gentle mountain gorillas, the peaceful calm of the lake, and the dramatic beauty of the Virunga volcanoes—will remain with you forever. This is the heart of Central Africa that Dian Fossey so passionately described in Gorillas in the Mist—a land of profound natural beauty, strength, and serenity.

Today’s journey takes you across the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda as you make your way to Lake Mburo National Park. You will travel along the main road linking Rwanda with Kampala and Kenya, passing through rural villages, lush banana plantations, terraced hills, and bustling roadside markets. The changing landscapes continue to surprise you, revealing yet another unique face of Uganda’s diverse geography.

Upon arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will enter a very different world. Though smaller than Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo offers an intimate and scenic safari experience. Its varied habitats include acacia woodlands, open grasslands, rocky outcrops, and wetlands, all centered around the shimmering lake that gives the park its name. It is the only place in Uganda where you can see both impalas and the large eland antelope, and it also hosts zebras, giraffes, topis, warthogs, buffaloes, crocodiles, leopards, and hippos.

This evening, you will settle into your comfortable lodge and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. For those still eager for adventure, there is the option of a thrilling night safari. Just after sunset, you will set out into the bush with a spotlight, guided by an experienced ranger. Exploring the wilderness at night offers a fascinating new perspective. With some luck, you might see galagos (bush babies) leaping through the trees, spotted hyenas prowling quietly, or even catch a rare glimpse of a leopard—one of Africa’s most elusive predators.

After a day of travel and discovery, you will end your evening embraced by the soothing sounds of the wild—the chirping of crickets, the distant calls of nocturnal birds, and the occasional grunt of a hippo echoing across the lake.

Accommodation:
Budget: Eagles Nest (Breakfast)
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock (Full Board)
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge (Full Board)

Day 6: Walking or mountain bike safari in Lake Mburo

Your last morning in Uganda starts with one more adventure in the wild. Lake Mburo National Park is special because it has no lions or elephants, so it’s safe to explore up close by walking or biking.

After waking up to the sounds of nature and fresh morning air, you can choose to join either a walking safari or a mountain bike safari. If you pick the walking safari, you’ll go out with a friendly guide to quietly watch animals like zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, topis, and elands. Walking lets you see the little things—animal tracks, insects, birds, and plants—that you might miss when driving. If you love birds, this is a great chance to spot some of the 310 bird species in the park, including colorful bee-eaters, hornbills, and fish eagles.

If you want something more active, the mountain bike safari is a fun way to explore the park. You’ll ride on trails through open grasslands and rocky hills, maybe seeing zebras eating by the side of the road or impalas running through the trees. The hills and views make the ride exciting and refreshing.

If you are staying at Mihingo Lodge, you can also try a horseback safari. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, this quiet ride lets you get close to the animals without any engine noise. Horseback safaris can’t be booked ahead, depend on availability, and are only for guests under 90 kilograms.

After your morning adventure and a good breakfast, you’ll start the drive back to Entebbe. On the way, you’ll cross the equator one last time—a perfect moment for a final photo and to think about all your amazing experiences in Uganda. The scenery will change from wild nature to villages and then to the busy areas near the city. By late afternoon or early evening, you will reach Entebbe, where your guide will take you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!