Five days gorilla and game safari tour in Uganda. If you have just five days in Uganda and want to see both mountain gorillas and classic African wildlife, this is the trip for you. A 5 days gorilla and game safari tour in Uganda pairs the country’s two most celebrated experiences: an intimate hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and thrilling game drives, a hippo-filled boat cruise and the famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Five days is the sweet spot for travelers who are short on time but don’t want to compromise. It’s long enough to enjoy each park properly, yet short enough to fit into a business trip, a Rwanda or Kenya extension, or a single week of annual leave. At Kenlink Tours, it’s one of our most requested itineraries, and our 5-Day Wildlife and Gorilla Safari has introduced hundreds of travelers to the magic of Uganda.

In this guide, we walk you through the full day-by-day itinerary, alternative routes, what’s included, permit costs, the best time to travel, what to pack and answers to the questions travelers ask us most. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect from five unforgettable days in the Pearl of Africa.

5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari at a Glance

This tour starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala and follows a scenic loop through southwestern Uganda. Here’s a quick overview of the route before we dive into the details:

Day	Destination	Main Activities	Overnight
1	Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park	Scenic drive, equator stop, evening arrival	Queen Elizabeth
2	Queen Elizabeth National Park	Morning game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise	Queen Elizabeth
3	Ishasha sector to Bwindi	Tree-climbing lions game drive, transfer to Bwindi	Bwindi
4	Bwindi Impenetrable National Park	Gorilla trekking, optional community walk	Bwindi
5	Bwindi to Entebbe or Kampala	Return drive or flight, optional Lake Mburo stop	End of tour

• Tour style: Private, tailor-made safari in a 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide
• Start and end: Entebbe or Kampala (Kigali start also available)
• Best for: First-time visitors, couples, families with teens, photographers and travelers short on time

Why a 5-Day Gorilla and Game Safari Works So Well

Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa where you can trek mountain gorillas and enjoy a Big Game safari without long internal flights. Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park sit next to each other in the southwest, linked through the remote Ishasha sector, so the transfer between them becomes a game drive in itself.

This geography means five days delivers more than many longer safaris elsewhere. You’ll see elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, hippos, crocodiles and, with luck, lions and leopards. Then you’ll step into one of the oldest rainforests on earth to spend an hour with our closest gentle relatives. You can learn more about the country’s highlights on our Uganda destination guide.

A five-day itinerary also strikes a good balance between activity and rest. Unlike rushed two- or three-day gorilla trips such as our 3-Day Uganda Gorillas Safari, you get time to enjoy each lodge, take photos without hurry and arrive at your gorilla trek rested and ready.

If you’d like to read more about the two parks on this tour, Pick and Transfer Safaris has helpful guides to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 1: Entebbe or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala by your Kenlink Tours driver-guide. After a short briefing, you’ll set off southwest along the Masaka road, leaving the bustle of the city behind for green rolling hills, banana plantations and roadside markets selling fresh fruit and roasted maize.

Your first stop is the Uganda Equator line at Kayabwe, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere, watch the famous water experiment and browse local craft shops. The journey continues through Masaka and Mbarara, the heart of Ankole cattle country, where you’ll spot the striking long-horned Ankole cattle grazing beside the road.

After lunch in Mbarara, you’ll drive west through tea estates and the dramatic Kichwamba escarpment before descending into Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short en-route game drive, with elephants and buffalo often seen near the main road. Check in to your lodge, relax with a drink as the sun sets over the savannah and enjoy dinner.

Driving time: about 6 to 7 hours, including stops Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Today is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited savannah park, covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers of grassland, woodland, crater lakes and wetlands.

You’ll rise early for a morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, the best time to see predators on the move. These open grasslands host large herds of Uganda kob, which attract lions and, occasionally, leopards. You’ll also look for elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, warthogs, bushbuck and spotted hyenas, along with birds such as grey crowned cranes and martial eagles. Your guide knows the area well and stays in contact with other guides to track down the best sightings.

After lunch and a rest at your lodge, you’ll head to Mweya for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is home to one of the largest concentrations of hippos in Africa. From the boat, you’ll see pods of hippos, huge Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffalo drinking at the water’s edge and an astonishing variety of birds, including pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, pelicans and saddle-billed storks. It’s one of the most relaxing and photogenic experiences in Uganda.

If you’d like more time here, our 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 3 Days Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park explore the park in more depth.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, you’ll travel south into the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, one of only a few lion populations in Africa that regularly rest in the branches of large fig and acacia trees. Spotting a pride lounging high above the grass is one of the highlights of any Uganda safari.

The Ishasha plains are also excellent for topi, Uganda kob, buffalo and elephants, and the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere makes for wonderful photography. After a picnic lunch, you’ll continue through farmland and forested hills to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the afternoon. Settle into your lodge, enjoy the sounds of the forest and get an early night ahead of the big day.

Driving time: about 3 to 4 hours, with game viewing in Ishasha Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the highlight of your 5 days gorilla and game safari. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Visitors are divided into small groups of no more than eight, each assigned to a habituated gorilla family.

With your ranger guide and armed escorts, you’ll set off into the forest. Trackers go ahead to locate the gorillas, and your trek can take anywhere from one to six hours, through dense vegetation, along muddy trails and across steep ridges. When you find the family, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour watching the silverback, mothers, juveniles and tiny infants feed, groom and play just a few meters away. It’s an emotional, often life-changing moment that no photograph can fully capture.

After the trek, you’ll receive a gorilla trekking certificate and return to your lodge for a well-earned rest. In the afternoon, you can join an optional community walk or visit the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants, to learn about their traditional way of life. Combining culture and gorillas is a popular choice, as on our 4 Days Uganda Cultural and Gorilla Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 5: Return to Entebbe or Kampala

After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll begin the journey back to Entebbe or Kampala. The route passes through the beautiful Kigezi highlands, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” for its terraced hills. If time allows, you can stop at Lake Mburo National Park for a short game drive to see zebras, impalas and eland, species not found in Queen Elizabeth.

You’ll pause at the equator again for any last souvenirs before arriving in Entebbe or Kampala in the evening, where your driver will drop you at your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.

Travelers who prefer to avoid the long drive can take a scheduled domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip to Entebbe, which takes about an hour.

Driving time: about 8 to 10 hours, or 1 hour by air Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Alternative Route: 5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari Starting From Kigali

Many travelers are surprised to learn that Kigali International Airport in Rwanda is closer to Bwindi’s southern sectors than Entebbe is. The drive from Kigali to Rushaga or Nkuringo takes about four to five hours, compared with nine or more hours from Entebbe. This makes Kigali an excellent gateway for a five-day gorilla and game safari.

A typical Kigali-based route looks like this:

• Day 1: Kigali to Bwindi (southern sector) via the Katuna or Cyanika border
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
• Day 3: Drive north through Ishasha to Queen Elizabeth National Park, searching for tree-climbing lions
• Day 4: Morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Day 5: Return to Kigali, or continue to Entebbe for your flight home

Our 5-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali to Uganda follows this pattern. If you only have a day or two, see our 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Starting from Kigali or Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour Starting from Kigali.

Travelers starting in Kigali can also trek gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where the Virunga volcanoes provide a dramatic backdrop and golden monkey tracking is available. Learn more about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Alternative Route: Gorillas and Lake Mburo National Park

If you’d prefer shorter drives, you can swap Queen Elizabeth for Lake Mburo National Park, the closest savannah park to Kampala. Lake Mburo is the best place in Uganda to see zebras, impalas and eland, and it offers rare activities such as walking safaris, horseback safaris and boat trips on the lake where hippos and crocodiles are common.

This version suits travelers who want a gentler pace or who have already visited Queen Elizabeth. It typically includes a night at Lake Mburo on the way to Bwindi and a relaxing stay at Lake Bunyonyi after the gorilla trek. You’ll miss the tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel, but you gain more relaxed travel days and unique walking safaris.

Can I Add Chimpanzees to a 5-Day Gorilla and Game Safari?

Yes, though it makes the schedule busier. By starting in Kibale Forest National Park, home to around 1,500 chimpanzees, you can track chimps on the morning of Day 2, enjoy a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth on Day 3, trek gorillas on Day 4 and return on Day 5. Learn more about Kibale Forest National Park.

Our 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda and 5 Days Chimps and Gorilla Safari are built exactly this way, and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari is another good example.

Extending Your Safari Beyond Five Days

If you can add a few more days, the possibilities expand quickly. Our 7 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari adds chimpanzees and more relaxed time, while the 8-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari covers Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo at an easy pace.

For travelers who want to include Uganda’s largest park, the 10 Days Uganda Adventure Safari Itinerary adds Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a narrow gorge. See the Murchison Falls National Park guide for more on what awaits there.

What’s Included in the 5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari

Every Kenlink Tours safari is private and tailor-made, so inclusions can be adjusted to your needs. A standard 5-day gorilla and game safari usually includes:

• One gorilla trekking permit per person
• Park entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Game drives in Kasenyi and Ishasha
• Four nights’ accommodation in your chosen lodge category
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Fuel and all ground transport
• Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
• Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off

Usually not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, tips, porter fees, drinks at lodges, optional activities and personal expenses.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cost and How to Book

The gorilla permit is the most important part of your booking. Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are limited to eight visitors per habituated gorilla family per day, which keeps the experience intimate and protects the gorillas.

At the time of writing, a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs around US$800 per person for foreign non-residents. Rates for foreign residents and East African citizens are lower. For comparison, a gorilla permit in Rwanda costs around US$1,500, which makes Uganda the best-value destination for gorilla trekking. Permit prices are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change, so we always confirm current rates at the time of booking.

During the busy months of June to September and December to February, permits can sell out several months ahead. We recommend booking at least three to six months before your trip. Once you confirm your safari, our team secures your permit directly, matching the Bwindi sector to your itinerary so you never face an unnecessary long drive.

How Much Does a 5-Day Gorilla and Game Safari Cost?

The total price of a 5-day gorilla and game safari depends on several factors:

• Accommodation level: budget, mid-range or luxury lodges
• Group size: vehicle and guide costs are shared, so the price per person drops as the group grows
• Season: some lodges offer lower rates in the wetter months of March to May and November
• Optional extras: domestic flights, the Gorilla Habituation Experience or cultural activities

For most travelers, the gorilla permit, park fees and private vehicle make up the largest part of the budget. Budget travelers can reduce costs by choosing simple lodges or joining one of our group tours, while confident drivers can explore independently with our 4×4 car hire service.

For an accurate price, contact our team with your travel dates, group size and preferred lodge level, and we’ll send you a free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.

Best Time for a 5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari in Uganda

Uganda’s equatorial climate makes it a year-round safari destination, with daytime temperatures in Queen Elizabeth usually between 18°C and 28°C and cooler conditions in Bwindi’s highlands.

The dry seasons of June to September and December to February are the most popular. Forest trails are firmer for gorilla trekking, and animals in Queen Elizabeth gather near water, making game drives very rewarding. These months are also the busiest, so book early.

The wet seasons of March to May and October to November bring short, heavy showers, usually in the afternoon. Trails can be muddy, but the landscapes are lush, visitor numbers are lower and some lodges offer discounts. Birding is outstanding as migratory species arrive. Gorillas don’t migrate, so trekking success remains high all year.

What to Pack for Your Gorilla and Game Safari

This safari takes you from warm savannah to cool, damp rainforest, so pack layers. Our guides recommend:

• Waterproof hiking boots with good grip for muddy forest slopes
• Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in neutral colors such as khaki, green or brown
• A lightweight rain jacket for the forest and occasional showers
• Garden gloves to protect your hands from nettles and thorny vines
• Gaiters or long socks to tuck trousers into and keep ants out
• A warm fleece or sweater for chilly mornings and evenings in Bwindi
• Binoculars for game drives and birdwatching
• A camera with spare batteries and memory cards (no flash near gorillas)
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and sunglasses
• A small waterproof daypack for water, snacks and your packed lunch on trekking day

Don’t forget your passport, Uganda visa, yellow fever vaccination certificate and travel insurance documents.

How Fit Do I Need to Be for Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking is the most physically demanding part of this safari, but you don’t need to be an athlete. Bwindi’s terrain is hilly and often muddy, with altitudes between roughly 1,160 and 2,600 meters, and treks can last anywhere from one to six hours.

A reasonable level of fitness makes the day much more enjoyable. Regular walking, hiking or climbing stairs in the weeks before your trip will help. On trekking day, we strongly recommend hiring a porter at the trailhead. Porters carry your daypack and help you over steep or slippery sections, and the fee directly supports local families. Walking sticks are usually provided free.

If you have limited mobility, let us know in advance. Rangers try to assign easier-to-reach families where possible, and a sedan chair service carried by local porters is available in some sectors.

Where Will I Stay on This Safari?

We offer each 5-day gorilla and game safari in three accommodation levels, so you can match the trip to your budget:

• Budget: clean, comfortable guesthouses and simple safari bandas near park gates
• Mid-range: en-suite cottages and safari tents with hot showers, good food and lovely views, our most popular option
• Luxury: exclusive lodges with private verandas, gourmet dining and spa treatments, overlooking the Kazinga Channel or Bwindi’s forest canopy

Whatever level you choose, our team personally inspects every lodge we recommend, so you can trust that each night will add to your experience. Wherever possible, we choose community-friendly properties that employ local staff and support conservation.

Responsible Gorilla Trekking and Conservation

Your safari directly supports conservation. A share of every gorilla permit goes to communities living around Bwindi, funding schools, health centers and clean water projects. This revenue-sharing model has turned local people into guardians of the forest and helped Uganda’s mountain gorilla population grow steadily, one of Africa’s great conservation success stories.

You can make an even bigger difference by following the trekking rules: keep at least seven meters from the gorillas, speak quietly, never eat or drink near them and stay home from the trek if you feel unwell, since gorillas can catch human illnesses. Hiring a porter and buying crafts from local cooperatives also put money straight into community hands. At Kenlink Tours, part of our profits supports the Kigezi Foundation, which cares for orphaned children in southwestern Uganda.

Why Book Your 5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari With Kenlink Tours

Since 2010, Kenlink Tours has designed private safaris across Uganda, Rwanda and East Africa. Our team spends every day of the year on the road, personally checking lodges, routes and park conditions, so the advice we give is first-hand and honest.

We are licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and work directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to secure gorilla permits. Our experienced driver-guides know where the Ishasha lions like to rest, how to time the Kazinga Channel cruise for the best light and how to prepare you for a safe, rewarding gorilla trek. Every itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to your dates, budget and interests. You can read more about our story on the About Us page.

Want to compare short safari styles? Pick and Transfer Safaris offers a focused 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, a 4 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari and a longer 7 Days Uganda Safari one-week tour. For travelers who want gorillas in two countries, our 5 Days Uganda Rwanda Double Gorilla Safari is a memorable alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is five days enough for gorillas and a wildlife safari in Uganda?

Yes. Five days is the ideal length for trekking gorillas in Bwindi and enjoying game drives, a boat cruise and the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, without feeling rushed.

What animals will I see on a 5-day gorilla and game safari?

Besides mountain gorillas, you can expect elephants, buffalo, hippos, Nile crocodiles, Uganda kob, waterbuck, topi and warthogs. Lions, including the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and leopards are often seen, along with hundreds of bird species.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

The minimum age is 15 years. Younger family members can enjoy the game drives, boat cruise and nature walks while older travelers trek.

Can I see the Big Five on this safari?

Queen Elizabeth National Park has four of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Uganda’s only rhinos live at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which can be added to a longer itinerary.

Is gorilla trekking guaranteed?

Sightings are not formally guaranteed, but Uganda’s success rate is above 95 percent because trackers locate the gorilla families before each trek begins.

Can the tour start in Kigali instead of Entebbe?

Yes. Starting in Kigali shortens the drive to Bwindi’s southern sectors and makes it easy to combine Uganda and Rwanda in one trip.

Book Your 5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari Tour in Uganda

A 5 days gorilla and game safari tour in Uganda delivers the best of Africa in less than a week. You’ll cruise past hundreds of hippos on the Kazinga Channel, search for lions resting in the fig trees of Ishasha, watch elephants cross the savannah and, finally, sit quietly in the presence of a mountain gorilla family deep in Bwindi’s ancient forest.

With limited gorilla permits available each day, early planning is the key to securing your preferred dates. Let our experienced team handle the permits, lodges and logistics while you focus on the adventure.

Ready to meet the gorillas and wildlife of Uganda? Contact Kenlink Tours today for your free, tailor-made 5-day gorilla and game safari itinerary, and one of our safari experts will reply within 24 hours.