Plan A Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Distance And Time From Rwanda To Buhoma For Gorilla Trekking
April 16, 2026The plan to do gorilla trekking and wildlife safari in Uganda includes a tour in Murchison Falls National park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. One must obtain a gorilla permit to be allowed to participate in gorilla trekking for the day.
Preparing for this Uganda safari in advance is recommended because of the high demand for gorilla permits as part of the activities to do during this adventure. Booking in advance other safari supporting logistic too is recommended that is accommodation, transport and more.
Note the Uganda tourism season when you plan to travel in that is the peak season that is from June, to September and December to January or low tourism season that is March to May and November. When booking accommodation to use during gorilla trekking, it is best to reserve one within or closer to the area of Bwindi where your gorilla permit is booked.
Procedure To Use When Booking A Bwindi Gorilla Permit
- Book the gorilla permit in advance to avoid inconveniences at the last minute when they sell out. Despite the high demand for these permits, they have limited supply. It better to book the Bwindi gorilla permits atleast 180 days to a year in advance when competition is still low.
- Check gorilla permit availability on the dates of your choice that is it can be a confirmed date or tentative date.
- Book your gorilla permit as soon as you can because none is reserved without payment and first come first served basis is used to book these permits.
- Forward your personal information including full names as per your passport, nationality, date of birth and more. This information is used for verification on gorilla trekking day.
Highlights Of The Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Safari In Uganda
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2 Game Drive and Launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4 Game drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5 Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Day 6 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 7 Departure
Key Information About The Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Safari In Uganda
Reserve gorilla permit in advance
Maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla trekking family per day
Best time for gorilla trekking and wildlife safari in Uganda is the dry season that is June to September, December to January
Pack the right gorilla safari gears and do not forget light wear to put on when on a game drive under the scotching sun in Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals during gorilla and wildlife safari are included in itinerary
Elevation of Bwindi forest is at an altitude of 1160 meters above sea level and 2670 meters above sea level when headed for gorilla trekking.
Rain falls in Bwindi forest any time no matter the season without warning so do not forget to pack rain proof gorilla trekking gears
Hire a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition to use during the game drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Even when on transfer to Bwindi forest as the roads get messy in the countryside.
Full Itinerary of the Gorilla trekking And Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, start on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park from Kampala or Entebbe which may take about 5 hours drive for a distance of approximately 305 kilometers.
Along the way, you by pass the Karuma enjoying its scenic beauty, carry on and you can take an optional detour to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where Uganda is reintroducing rhinos and they are remotely being reserved in this area.
Enjoy a game drive as you drive into Murchison Falls National Park. Remember to catch up with time for ferry crossing which is hourly in case you are overnighting on the Paraa side of the park.
Check into your lodge
Accommodation Murchison Falls National Park: Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, Red Chillis Camp
Meals: Enroute
Transport: Road means
Day 2 Game Drive and Launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park
Rise up early and start on an early morning game drive on the tracks of Murchison Falls National Park. Taking the Buligi grassland track may open more opportunities to spotting a lion in action. Uganda cobs and other ungulates spend much of their day in this savanna grassland area of the park and lions sneak on them to catch prey.
While on game drive in Murchison Falls National Park you may spot lions, elephants, herds of cape buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, hartebeests, oribi, leopards, hyenas and more.
Later enjoy a relaxing afternoon launch trip from the comfort of the launch on the Victoria Nile. The banks of River Nile are the prime game viewing spots of Murchison Falls with chances of spotting crocodiles, hippopotami the permanent residents, lions, girafees, cape buffaloes, herds of elephants and more.
Return to your lodge
Day 3 Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, start driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the oil city in Hoima. Enjoy the amazing views especially the green cover, amazing water bodies, beautiful land forms and more.
Queen Elizabeth National Park sits on the floor of the rift valley with a backdrop of the rolling Rwenzori Massif. Queen Elizabeth National park is endowed by amazing features including crater lakes, variety of animals, birds, different vegetation zones and much more. It is a biosphere reserve
Arrive late afternoon and check into your lodge
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya safari lodge, Jacana Lodge, Bush Lodge, Katara Lodge, Simba safari Camp
Day 4 Game Drive And Launch Trip In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up for an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through the dense network of tracks. The upper Kazinga channel area is the prime game watching area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and when you take the Kasenyi track a savanna grassland area, there are chances of enjoying game drama. Lions normally prey on the ungulates that spend much of their day around the Kasenyi track.
During game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park, you may get to spot elephants, topis, waterbucks, bushbucks, mongoose, leopards, cape buffaloes and more. The Southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park also referred to as the Ishasha sector is home to the famous tree climbing lions.
Get on the afternoon launch trip along the Kazinga channel which is a magnet to several bird species including those that fly from as far as Europe. Several animals often find their way to the Kazinga channel banks to quench thirst or take a bath.
Return to your lodge
Day 5 Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National park which is about 160 kilometers from Mweya Peninsular or 64 kilometers via Ishasha sector. As you drive along, enjoy the various land forms that make up the features along the way as this is part of the wider Kigezi subarea that was affected by Volcanic forces that ended in the formation of several highlands.
As you get closer to Bwindi forest, you experience a drop in altitude as the weather becomes cooler. As Bwindi forest comes into full view, enjoy the dense green canopy that appear endless.
Check into your lodge
Note that when booking accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Bwindi you need to consider the area where your gorilla trekking permit was booked to avoid getting last minute inconveniences.
Day 6 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Take breakfast, carry your gorilla trekking gears without forgetting packed lunch as you report to the ranger station for briefing. Listen to the detailed information provided by wardens and ranger guides.
After allocating you a gorilla family, follow the ranger guide using the trails constructed by regular visitors. Even though time of locating the mountain gorillas is unpredictable, enjoy other forest dwellers like primates, different bird species, tree species and more.
Finally,as you get closer to the mountain gorillas, you hear them call out on each other as though sending warning signs as you approach. Wear a clean face mask and stand atleast 8 meters away from the mountain gorillas. Some gorilla family members may close the gap out of curiosity however desists from reaching out to touch them. Mountain gorillas are wild animals that may carry germs that can be past to humans.
Take photos, watch the mothers tender to their babies, juvenile play from the vines, silverback may emerge from the thick vines to show off his power and much more.
Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas so use it to the best of your interests.
Day 7 Departure
Drive back to Entebbe to catch up with your flight back home.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi
Time to take on gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi is had to determine as finding the mountain gorillas depends on factors prevailing in the forest.
No matter how much time you take to locate the mountain gorillas, keep your zeal to find the mountain gorillas up or focus on other forest dwellers. Although some tourists have located the mountain gorillas in two hours others spend more time. Upon locating the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them as they are habituated to be with humans for just that time.
