Discover the Wild Heart of Uganda in One Seamless Safari
If you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, why choose between lush rainforests and vast savannahs when you can have both? A Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari combined with a Queen Elizabeth National Park adventure offers the best of both world’s intimate encounters with endangered mountain gorillas and thrilling game drives through lion-stalked plains. This ultimate wildlife package showcases Uganda’s unmatched biodiversity and allows you to witness nature in its rawest, most awe-inspiring form , all in a single, carefully curated itinerary.
Why Combine Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth in One Trip?
Few destinations on the African continent offer the raw diversity that Uganda delivers, and no two parks capture that contrast better than Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Choosing a combined Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Uganda gives you the chance to experience both the untamed jungle and the open savannah in a single itinerary. In just a few days, you’ll trade the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi for the golden grasslands of Queen Elizabeth, without needing long drives or connecting flights across countries. The two parks are separated by less than 160 kilometers, making them ideal for a seamless road trip filled with discovery at every turn.
Where Bwindi offers the emotional, heart-pounding reward of standing face-to-face with a wild mountain gorilla, Queen Elizabeth delivers the thrill of game drives packed with elephants, hippos, buffalos, and even the elusive tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. The combination transforms your journey from a typical tour into a richly layered adventure — ideal for those seeking the most immersive Uganda safari package available.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Africa traveller, this pairing captures the essence of Uganda’s unique ecological beauty. It’s not just a trip – it’s a transformation.
Meet the Gentle Giants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Tucked away in the misty highlands of southwestern Uganda lies Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth -and the ultimate destination for a life-changing Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Bwindi offers a unique opportunity to observe these majestic primates up close, in their natural habitat. The Gorilla trekking experience itself is part of the adventure: guided hikes through tangled jungle terrain, alive with birdsong and bursting with dense tropical flora, until suddenly you encounter a gorilla family silently going about their day. Eye contact is inevitable. And unforgettable.
Visitors spend up to one hour with a habituated gorilla group, watching their expressions, witnessing their family dynamics, and often feeling unexpectedly humbled by how human they seem. It is raw. It is spiritual. And for many, it becomes the emotional highlight of their Uganda safari package.
To protect the gorillas, Gorilla trekking permits are required and group numbers are strictly limited. But this exclusivity only enhances the experience – few wildlife encounters on Earth compare to the stillness of meeting a silverback in the wild, deep in the vines of Bwindi.
Explore the Savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park
After the misty canopy of Bwindi, the journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where Uganda reveals its wilder, sun-drenched side. This iconic protected area is one of the most visited destinations in Uganda and for a good reason. It’s a dynamic landscape of rolling plains, crater lakes, acacia woodlands, and papyrus swamps, bursting with biodiversity and safari magic.
A typical Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari includes thrilling game drives across Kasenyi Plains, where herds of elephant, buffalo, antelope, and even prowling lions and leopards make frequent appearances. But the adventure doesn’t stop on land. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel offers front-row seats to yawning hippos, Nile crocodiles, and countless waterbirds like the African fish eagle and saddle-billed stork.
Just south of the park lies the Ishasha sector — home to Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions. Seeing these powerful cats draped across fig tree branches under the savannah sun is one of Africa’s most unusual and Instagram-worthy safari moments.
This leg of your Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari offers contrast, energy, and the thrill of exploration. It balances perfectly with the intimacy of Bwindi – two ecosystems, two sets of species, one unforgettable Adventure Safari in Uganda.
Itinerary Sample: 6 Days of Wild Beauty
To help you visualize what a Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Uganda might look like, here’s a sample six-day itinerary that seamlessly combines the best of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park into one unforgettable adventure:
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Land in Uganda and settle into your lodge for a restful overnight stay. Prepare for your journey into the wild.
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive west through scenic countryside toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, where chances of spotting lions, elephants, and antelope are high.
Day 3: Game Viewing & Boat Safari
Start with a sunrise game drive, then take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife. In the afternoon, drive south to Ishasha — home of the famous tree-climbing lions — before heading toward Bwindi.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Rise early for the crown jewel of your journey: a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari. Hike through dense forest with experienced guides to find and observe a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The experience is intimate, emotional, and unforgettable.
Day 5: Community Visit or Forest Walk
Use this day to connect with local Batwa communities or take a gentle nature walk within Bwindi. Reflect, unwind, or savor the forest one more time.
Day 6: Return to Entebbe & Departure
After breakfast, begin the scenic drive or catch a domestic flight back to Entebbe for your onward departure.
Best Time to Visit & What to Pack for This Uganda Safari
Uganda offers year-round safari opportunities, but timing your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari and Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari well can make all the difference in both comfort and wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit:
- June to September and December to February are the dry seasons and the most popular months for gorilla trekking and game drives. Trails are easier to navigate, and wildlife gathers more predictably around water sources in the savannah.
- The wet seasons (March–May & October–November) are lush and beautiful, but forest trails can be slippery and game can be trickier to spot. Still, this is a great time for birdwatchers and travelers seeking fewer crowds.
What to Pack:
- Sturdy hiking boots for forest trekking
- Rain jacket or poncho – even in dry months, Bwindi is a rainforest
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to guard against insects and rough vegetation
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses for open savannah
- Gloves (for gorilla trekking -to grip vines and protect your hands)
- A good pair of binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards -trust us, you’ll need them
- Daypack for water, snacks, and essentials while on the move.
The key is packing light but being prepared for both misty highlands and sun-soaked grasslands – your journey spans two worlds in one curated Uganda safari package.
Planning Your Adventure: Permits, Transport, and Costs
A seamless Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari starts with smart preparation. Here’s what every traveller should know when crafting their Uganda safari package:
Gorilla Trekking Permits
To take part in a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, travelers need a trekking permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
- Cost: $800 USD per person for foreign non-residents
- Availability: Limited daily — book at least 3–6 months in advance
- Included: Park entry, guide, and one hour with a habituated gorilla group
Let us handle your permit application to secure your preferred trek date and region.
Transport & Logistics
Your journey can be done by road or with a combination of scenic flights and short drives:
- By road: Kampala/Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth (~6–7 hours), then on to Bwindi (~3–4 hours from Ishasha)
- Domestic flights: Scheduled or Charter options to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips with ground transfers to Bwindi.
All our Uganda safari packages include comfortable 4×4 vehicles, experienced driver-guides, and airport pickups to streamline every step.
Safari Package Pricing
Costs vary based on group size, accommodation level, and itinerary length. Sample pricing:
- Mid-range combo package (6 days): $2,800–$3,500 USD per person Sharing room.
- Luxury safari upgrade: $4,000–$5,800 USD per person Sharing room.
Prices include permits, accommodations, meals, park fees, transport, guides, and activities.
Let Us Craft Your Uganda Safari
Whether you are drawn to the misty rainforests of Bwindi or the sun-soaked savannahs of Queen Elizabeth, our carefully curated Uganda safari packages are designed to immerse you in the pearl of Africa.
At Skymate, we do more than book lodges and schedule game drives. We listen to your travel dreams and turn them into personalized adventures -balancing wildlife, comfort, cultural connection, and seamless logistics.
From securing your Uganda gorilla trekking safari permits to designing off-the-beaten-path experiences in the Ishasha wilderness, we handle every detail with care and expertise. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, or a group of curious explorers, we tailor your journey so it feels intimate, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Start your Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Uganda experience today – reach out to our expert team and let the adventure begin. Book your dream African safari with us