7 Days Uganda Short Holiday – Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, set out for a guided excursion through the Bigodi Wetlands, a remarkable community-led conservation activity in Kibale Forest National Park. The 2-hour walk offers an intimate way to experience Uganda's natural environment while supporting local conservation and community initiatives. You will see primates such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Birds and vegetation are in plenty. Later visit the Banana man a famous local brew maker, so funny and hilarious. Experience local dances and craft making by the women in the community before heading back for lunch at the lodge.

The drive to Queen Elizabeth national park is about two hours only that will usher you into one of Uganda's most celebrated wildlife areas and depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity for an evening game drive through the park, with possibilities of encountering elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and Uganda kobs.

Optional experience: You can chose to explore Kibale forest in search of the chimpanzees and other primate species. Note that Chimpanzee permits are subject to availability and should be secured in advance.

Accommodation: Irungu Forest lodge – Budget Level
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer Time: Approx. 2 hours

Rise early for breakfast before heading into the Kasenyi Plains for a morning game drive. This expansive savannah landscape is known for its wildlife and provides a good opportunity to encounter some of Queen Elizabeth National Park's most iconic animals. Keep your eyes open for lions, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes, with the possibility of spotting the elusive leopard. The sunrise, open savannah and abundant wildlife also create wonderful moments for photography and birdwatching.

After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, set out for a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward. From the water, wildlife can be seen at close range. Large hippo pods gather along the banks while Nile crocodiles bask nearby, and elephants, buffaloes and a variety of bird species can be seen along the channel. The cruise offers a completely different perspective of Queen Elizabeth's wildlife and landscapes. After the boat trip, return to the lodge, freshen up and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Irungu Forest lodge– Budget Level
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer Time: N/A

Enjoy an early breakfast, with a packed breakfast option available where necessary, before heading out for another game drive across the Kasenyi Plains. The morning offers another opportunity to search for wildlife, including Cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs and other species that inhabit the plains. From Queen Elizabeth, continue southwards towards the Ishasha sector, a remote and scenic part of the park particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions. Seeing these lions resting high in the branches is one of the memorable wildlife encounters in this part of Uganda. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, the search itself takes you through a beautiful landscape where elephants, buffaloes, topis and Uganda kobs may also be encountered.

After exploring Ishasha, continue towards the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival, check in and take the evening to rest. Tomorrow brings one of the highlights of your Ugandan adventure the unforgettable experience of trekking mountain gorillas through the ancient forest.

Accommodation: Ride For a woman – Budget Level
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer Time: Approx. 5–6 hours

Today is dedicated to one of Uganda's most extraordinary wildlife experiences, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After breakfast, prepare your packed lunch and proceed to the ranger station for briefing by the park authorities. You will receive important information about trekking guidelines before being assigned to a gorilla trekking group. The trek begins at around 8:00am and takes you deep into the forest in the company of experienced ranger-guides. The duration of the trek varies depending on the location and movements of the gorillas through Bwindi's rugged terrain, steep slopes and sometimes muddy trails that make it super adventurous. Once your gorilla family is located, you will have the opportunity to spend a precious hour observing these remarkable and endangered primates as they feed, play, rest and interact within the forest.

After the encounter, begin your return back to the lodge. You will receive a certificate to commemorate your gorilla trekking experience before settling in for a well-earned evening of rest. If you complete the trek early and still have the energy, join the women to weave, cook or saw some clothes as you have a 1 on 1 talk with them.

Accommodation: Ride For A Woman – Budget Level
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer Time: N/A

After a relaxed breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park. The park offers a chance for one to break the long journey from Bwindi to Entebbe but with an opportunity to explore more in the savannah. Despite it being the smallest small national park, it supports a variety of wildlife that you will see, including zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, buffaloes and the elusive leopard, alongside an impressive range of bird species. Upon arrival, check in at the lodge and take some time to rest.

As the day begins to cool, venture into the park in search of wildlife and enjoy the changing light across the savannah. The evening drive provides a final opportunity to encounter Uganda's wildlife before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

Optional experience: For those looking for a different perspective of the park, a night game drive can be arranged at an additional cost, offering the opportunity to search for nocturnal wildlife rarely encountered during daytime safaris.

Accommodation: Hyena hill lodge – Budget Level
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer Time: Approx. 5.5 hours

Begin your final morning with breakfast before heading to the park's visitors' centre to meet your ranger-guide for a guided walking safari. A walking safari offers and immersive and intimate connection with the African wilderness. Away from the safari vehicle, you become more aware of the smaller details of the landscape, animal tracks, birds, butterflies, insects and the sounds of the surrounding bush. Accompanied by an armed ranger, the 2–3-hour walk will bring you close to zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and different species of antelope. It is a unique way to experience the park and provides a perspective that is difficult to achieve from inside a vehicle.

After the walking safari, return to the lodge for checkout before beginning your journey towards Entebbe International Airport. Along the way, make a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, where you can enjoy lunch and, if interested, browse the local shops for souvenirs. Continue to Entebbe for your departure flight, recommended for flights scheduled from around 7:00pm onwards.

Your 7-day Ugandan adventure comes to an end, leaving you with memories of gorillas in the forest, wildlife across the savannah, scenic landscapes, people connections and the warm spirit of the Pearl of Africa.

Accommodation: Recommended on request
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer Time: Approx. 4 hours