5 Days Uganda Chimpanzees Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi
About This 5-Day Safari
This compact safari combines two primate experiences with wildlife and a lakeside overnight. Travel from Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth for chimpanzees and a Kazinga Channel cruise, then continue to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. The final night is at Lake Bunyonyi before the road journey back. The programme packs substantial distances into five days, so it is designed for travellers who prioritise these experiences over a slower touring pace.
- Chimpanzee trekking in the Queen Elizabeth region
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Morning wildlife drive before travelling to Bwindi
- A ranger-led gorilla trek
- An overnight at Lake Bunyonyi
- Return journey via the Equator
Where You Will Go
The places this safari visits, in the order you will reach them.
A calm, terraced-hill lake in the south-west dotted with islands, ideal for canoeing and birdwatching.
Savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, with hippos, elephants and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest in south-western Uganda and home to around half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Day By Day Itinerary
Every day is planned by our local team and can be adjusted to your pace.
Travel west to Queen Elizabeth
Leave Kampala or Entebbe in the early morning for Queen Elizabeth National Park. A lunch stop around Mbarara provides a break from the road. Reach your accommodation and take time to settle into the safari rhythm. An evening or night wildlife drive is optional, with availability and cost confirmed separately rather than assumed after the transfer.
Forest primates and Kazinga Channel
Attend the briefing for your confirmed chimpanzee tracking site in the Queen Elizabeth region. The guided search takes you through forest habitat, with sightings dependent on the chimpanzees’ movements. Rest and have lunch before the scheduled Kazinga Channel boat excursion. The afternoon shifts the focus to hippos, waterbirds and animals approaching the shoreline.
Wildlife drive and road to Bwindi
Head out early for a wildlife drive before leaving Queen Elizabeth. Open plains offer opportunities to watch antelope and other mammals as the day begins. Continue towards Bwindi after the morning outing, keeping the road schedule realistic. Check into accommodation near your trekking sector and organise your gear before dinner.
Gorilla trekking then Lake Bunyonyi
Meet the Bwindi ranger team for your gorilla trek and follow the briefing instructions. Walk through the forest to find the allocated family, allowing for uneven ground and a variable search time. After returning and freshening up, travel towards Lake Bunyonyi if the day’s timing remains suitable. The lakeside overnight offers a quieter setting after the active forest experience.
Return through southwestern Uganda
Enjoy breakfast beside Lake Bunyonyi before beginning the drive back. Travel through the highlands and continue towards Mbarara for a lunch break. Stop at the Equator crossing if the road schedule allows. Finish at your agreed Kampala or Entebbe drop-off point, with sufficient margin for any onward travel.
Where You Will Stay
Lodges are subject to availability. If a lodge is full we replace it with one of an equal standard. For gorilla trekking, the lodge is matched to the sector of your confirmed permit.
Elephant Hab Lodge
Bakiga Lodge
Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Practical Planning
Things worth knowing before you book.
The chimpanzee site, expected to be Kyambura Gorge, must be named in the final quotation and matched to permit availability.
The transfer to Lake Bunyonyi follows gorilla trekking and may need adjustment after an unusually long trek.
An arrival night before Day 1 and a late flight or overnight after Day 5 make the schedule more practical.
Best Time To Go
Dry seasons run from December to February and June to September: easiest trails and best game viewing. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the 5 Days Uganda Chimpanzees Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi?
The package includes Scheduled road transfers and guiding for the agreed itinerary; accommodation for the scheduled nights; meals shown in the confirmed meal plan; entry fees and scheduled core activities confirmed in the quotation; one gorilla trekking permit and one standard chimpanzee trekking permit per eligible participant, subject to confirmation and availability. It does not include international flights and any travel before or after the agreed programme; visa costs and personal travel insurance; tips, laundry, personal purchases and drinks not expressly included; optional activities, upgrades and additional nights; meals outside the confirmed meal plan; personal porter hire for the gorilla trek unless expressly included.
Where does the 5 Days Uganda Chimpanzees Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi start and end?
The journey starts with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport and finishes with your transfer back to the airport for your departure flight.
Do I need a gorilla permit?
Yes. Mountain gorilla trekking requires a permit and the number of permits is limited each day, so we recommend booking as early as you can, especially for the dry months of June to September and December to February. Giravex reserves your permit once your dates are confirmed.
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
Most visitors need a visa. Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, which allows travel between all three on one visa. We will confirm exactly what applies to your passport when you book.
When is the best time to take this safari?
Dry seasons run from December to February and June to September: easiest trails and best game viewing. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Giravex itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace, budget and interests. Tell us what you would like to change and a trip specialist will tailor it for you.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send a quote request or message us on WhatsApp. A trip specialist will reply with availability and a detailed quote for your group size and dates.
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