6-Day Gorillas & Queen Elizabeth
Gorillas with a proper safari attached: two nights on the Kazinga flats for game drives and a boat cruise, the Ishasha tree-lions, then Bwindi — and a last night on Lake Bunyonyi to wind down.
A good first safari: enough big-game time to feel like more than a gorilla add-on, without a punishing amount of driving.
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- From
- USD 2,680 pp
- Effort
- Moderate · strenuous on the gorilla day
- Permits
- 1 gorilla permit (USD 800); all park activities as listed
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb
- Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth NP
A long first drive through the western rift to the Kazinga plains, arriving in time for sundowners over the Rwenzori foothills.
- Game drive & Kazinga Channel
Kob, elephant, buffalo and lion on the Kasenyi plains at first light; in the afternoon, a launch along the Kazinga Channel past hippo pods and hundreds of birds.
- Ishasha → Bwindi
Slow morning game drive under the Ishasha fig trees for the tree-climbing lions, then up into the Bwindi highlands.
- Gorilla trek
The trek day — a habituated gorilla group, one hour, and the certificate back at the trailhead.
- Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi
Down to the terraced shore of Lake Bunyonyi — no bilharzia, no crocs, just a swim, a canoe or a book.
- Bunyonyi → Kigali / Entebbe
An easy transfer out via the Cyanika border, or the flight back across Uganda.
- Permits
- 1 gorilla permit (USD 800); all park activities as listed
- Guide
- Private English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Vehicle
- 4×4 safari Land Cruiser, fuel & all park entry fees
- Activities
- Every trek, game drive, boat cruise & walk in the day-by-day
- Lodging
- 5 nights · Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi, full board on safari
- Meals
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on the final day
- Transfers
- Airport pickup & drop-off, bottled water in the vehicle
- Flights
- International flights; optional local hops (Kihihi / Kisoro)
- Visas
- Uganda e-visa (USD 50)
- Personal
- Tips, porters (~USD 20 per trek), drinks, laundry, curios
- Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required to travel)
The Kazinga boat cruise is the best two hours of birding and big-game viewing in the country — bring a long lens.
Price by group size
| Travellers | Per person (twin) | Single supp. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | USD 3,890 | — |
| 2–3 travellers | USD 2,680 | USD 350 |
| 4–6 travellers | USD 2,410 | USD 350 |
| 7–8 travellers | USD 2,250 | USD 350 |
Keep looking
The direct route: forest-edge lodge, one dawn trek, out again. For tight windows done right.
The quieter park. One gorilla family, plus a troop of golden monkeys in the bamboo.
Four hours with a semi-habituated group and the research team. Limited permits, USD 1,500.