How to Combine Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi with a Classic Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Looking to experience the best of Uganda in one unforgettable safari? Combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park gives you the perfect mix of jungle adventure and savannah game viewing. In just a few days, you can come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas, cruise past hippos and elephants on the Kazinga Channel, and search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector. This cross-park itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to maximize wildlife encounters while exploring Uganda’s most iconic national parks. This guide will show you how to plan it, what to expect, and why this combo is the ultimate African safari experience.
Combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park safari is a great opportunity to observe mountain gorillas and also the diverse wildlife in the savannah environment. The two expeditions take you through the scenic rainforest and vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect a sensational wilderness experience while combining gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park safaris.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla trekking is the prime adventure offered to nature enthusiasts on a tour in Bwindi National Park. In Bwindi, there are 4 main sectors to explore during a guided gorilla trekking and including Nkuringo, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Rushaga. The four regions in Bwindi consist of already habituated families of mountain gorillas, each with unique structures/social behaviors.
Gorilla families are allocated to visitors depending on the sector/region/area of interest for you to consider for gorilla trekking. The available gorilla families to visit include the Rwigyi group, Oruzogo, Mubare group, Habinyanja, Katwe, Christmas, Mukiza group, Bitukura gorilla family, Happy gorilla family, Nkuringo, and others.
During the actual gorilla trekking adventure, strictly 8 visitors get to visit one habituated gorilla family. The group of 8 visitors is assigned an experienced park ranger guide. Note, visitors with heavy treks, you are advised to hire a porter at the park offices.
What is expected of you to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Trekking gorillas in Bwindi leaves lots of memories for trekkers, but early preparation is required. Your readiness to have a round trekking experience with gorillas in the jungles includes getting yourself fit enough, observing the rules and regulations, packing right, and more.
- Getting yourself fit: Yes, trekking with gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda takes you on an exhilarating adventure, and you should be fit enough. Expect to embark on a moderate hiking adventure and enjoy at least 2-6 hours in the jungle. As you wind through the park searching for gorillas, you may come across muddy or slippery spots and high elevations. All these require a certain level of fitness to enable you to experience the best of gorilla trekking.
- The essential gear to pack. Carry the right gear for an epic gorilla trek. They should include a camera, snacks, water, insect repellents, sunscreen, a first aid kit, a daypack, waterproof hiking boots, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, and more.
- Briefing– Everyone is expected at the Bwindi National Park offices to get briefed about gorilla trekking guidelines. During the briefing, you get to know the acceptable ways of behavior while you interact with gorillas or search for these apes. The guidelines/rules are set to secure the lives of gorillas and also to ensure the safety of visitors.
- Purchase a gorilla permit. A valid gorilla permit is required for you to visit gorillas in Bwindi. You can book it at USD 800 per person for gorilla trekking in Uganda. In Rwanda, valid gorilla permits are issued at USD 1500 per visitor, and the cost covers the park entrance and park ranger guide fees.
Where to stay
Choose where to retire for a night in Bwindi after or before trekking gorillas. Top lodges to book for overnight stay in and around Bwindi include Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge, and Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour
Queen Elizabeth National Park safari offers exceptional wildlife tours in the savanna grassland setting. This Park is Uganda’s 2nd largest park and has its boundaries extend to districts of Kamwenge, Kasese, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The national park covers a big area of about 1978 sq. km. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts of its natural beauty, characterized by vast plains like Kasenyi, Ishasha, and others.
At Queen Elizabeth National Park, expect to explore the diversity of wildlife and bird life. The diverse wild animals to see on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park include lions (which include the tree-climbing lions), leopards, cape buffalo, elephants, bushbucks, hippos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, crocodiles, and giant forest hogs.
Primates that live in Queen Elizabeth National Park reside in the Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest. The different species of primates to encounter here include red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.
There are over 625 species of birds that live in Queen Elizabeth Park. These include, among others, the long-tailed cormorants, great white pelicans, elusive shoebill, intermediate egret, and goliath heron. The other bird species include saddle-billed stork, red-shouldered cuckoo shrike, African darter, cattle egret, pink-backed pelicans, African open bill, red-chested cuckoo, white-thighed hornbills, chocolate-backed kingfishers, double-toothed barbets, Temminck’s courser, and more.
Things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
A safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park allows you to enjoy a range of experiences. These include game drives, birding, nature or forest walks, boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking, and community visits. The park also offers the best lion trekking experiences, mongoose census, and others.
Suggested Travel Plan (Uganda Safari itinerary)
The 6-day safari is a perfect option for you to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park and also engage in the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can focus on game drives through the Kasenyi and Kazinga boat cruise. En route to Bwindi, you stand a chance to spot the tree-climbing lions plus other freely roaming wild animals.
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Day 1: Arrival & pick up at the Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
Today, expect to meet the driver guide at the Entebbe Airport. Have a warm welcome to the Pearl of Africa, and later, exit the airport for your hotel. This is where you will spend the night.
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Day 2: Transfer by road from Entebbe city to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Pick up from your respective hotel in Entebbe and start your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will drive through Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route or Mityana –Mubende- Fort Portal –Kasese route. Both routes allow you to make a stopover at the Equator crossing before you proceed to check in your respective lodges.
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Day 3: Guided game drive & boat cruise excursion with an expert
Game drive will be your first experience today, and expect to set off early enough by 6:00 am. Embarking on your game drive early enough allows you to catch up with early morning risers. During this early morning, they begin to become active for the day. A variety of wildlife will be spotted along the Kasenyi plains. These include elephants, Uganda Kobs, hyenas, warthogs, buffaloes, bushbucks, lions, birds, and then on a lucky day, you may spot leopards, etc.
The Kazinga boat cruise will begin in the afternoon. Exploring the Kazinga channel on a boat cruise allows you to spot lots of aquatic life. These include hippos, crocodiles, and water bird species.
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Day 4: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha sector
After a hefty breakfast, check out and today, expect to cross to Bwindi National Park. Drive through Ishasha, where you may find the lazing tree-climbing lions on the fig trees.
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Day 5: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural experience
Get up early to prepare and proceed to the park offices to meet the park official. You are expected to settle for a briefing after being cleared by the Uganda Wildlife Authority official in Bwindi. The briefing will focus on the guidelines to be observed during the gorilla trekking adventure. It also covers the allocation of gorilla groups and park ranger guides. The actual visit to see gorillas begins at around 8:00 am, and the trek may last for 2-6 hours. Long treks with gorillas in Bwindi cover a maximum of 1 hour for you to observe how these apes behave.
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Day 6: Departure
Your day begins with an early morning breakfast and later, check out. Begin driving back to Entebbe, taking the Mbarara route. En route, you will have a chance at Mbarara/Igongo Cultural Center, a photography moment at the Equator crossing, and then continue to Entebbe.
Conclusion: If you are dreaming of an African safari that features unique primate experiences alongside traditional big game viewings, then combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi with a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the ideal itinerary for you. This enriching journey transitions from Bwindi’s dense, misty jungles to the expansive plains and waterways of Queen Elizabeth, providing a prime opportunity to observe Uganda’s most renowned wildlife, including mountain gorillas, elephants, hippos, and lions.
At Native Africa Tours Ltd, we excel in expertly arranging these multi-park adventures, taking care of permits, transportation, and offering experienced local guides. Regardless of whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned safari enthusiast, this trip showcases a comprehensive view of Uganda’s natural beauty.
Are you ready to discover the wild heart of Uganda? Contact us today to design your personalized Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth safari experience.
