6-Day Uganda Gorillas & Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Pickup : Entebbe Airport
Drop-off : Entebbe / Kigali Airport

Tour Overview

This Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi safari takes you through some of the most rewarding landscapes East Africa has to offer. In six days, you will roll across the open savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, scan the fig trees of Ishasha for lions that climb, and stand quietly before a mountain gorilla family in the tangled undergrowth of Bwindi. From there, the pace slows down as you drift onto the calm, terraced waters of Lake Bunyonyi, before the trip winds down through Entebbe or Kigali. Whatever your budget — economy, mid-range, or full luxury — Iconic Africa Safaris handles the logistics so your only job is to show up and take it all in.

Cost Includes

Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Lake Bunyonyi Activities
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes

Cost Excludes

International Flights
Accommodation Before and After your Trip
Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Sourvenirs
Tips & Porter Hiring

Travel Plan

Day 1: Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your Iconic Africa Safaris driver-guide will pick you up early, either from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Entebbe, and you’ll set off westward on a scenic drive of about 6–7 hours. Expect rolling green hills, busy little trading towns, and views over the Rift Valley escarpment as you go. There’s a quick stop in Mbarara for refreshments before you push on through Kasese, arriving in Queen Elizabeth National Park by mid-afternoon, ready to settle in.

Accommodation: Pumba Safari Lodge (Budget) | Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) | Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Half-Board

Day 2: Kasenyi Plains Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

You’ll be up at 6:00 AM for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where elephants, buffaloes, lions, and sometimes leopards share the grasslands with Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, topis, and impalas. In the afternoon, you’ll board a boat on the Kazinga Channel — widely considered one of Africa’s best wildlife cruises. Hippos wallow just below the surface, crocodiles sun themselves on the banks, pelicans crowd the shoreline, and elephants and buffaloes wander down to drink. Keep your camera close; there’s something worth photographing around every bend.

Accommodation: Pumba Safari Lodge (Budget) | Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) | Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full-Board

Day 3: Ishasha Game Drive & Drive to Bwindi

The day starts at 6:00 AM with a game drive through Ishasha’s southern sector, home to Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions, often found draped across fig tree branches while kobs and topis graze below, unaware. After roughly two hours exploring the area, you’ll hit the road for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, arriving mid-afternoon with plenty of time to rest before the highlight of the trip.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Budget) | Ichumbi Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full-Board

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

You’ll wake between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, have a solid breakfast, and head to park headquarters for the ranger briefing at 7:30 AM. Rangers walk you through the essentials: stay at least 10 metres from the gorillas, keep your voice down, skip the flash photography, and never touch them. By 8:00 AM, small groups of up to 8 trekkers per gorilla family set off into the forest with armed rangers, guided by live radio updates from trackers already out ahead. Depending on where the gorillas have wandered, the trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours. When you finally find the family, there’s usually a moment of stunned silence — then you get a full hour watching silverbacks beat their chests, infants tumbling around playfully, and the group grooming and feeding together. Afterwards, you’ll collect your trekking certificate and spend the rest of the day resting, browsing local crafts, or joining the optional Batwa Cultural Experience.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Budget) | Ichumbi Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full-Board

Day 5: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi & Full Day on the Water

A short 35–40 km drive through gorgeous highland scenery brings you to Lake Bunyonyi in about 1–1.5 hours, passing through Kabale town on the way. From here, the day is yours. Spend the morning canoeing across to Punishment Island or Bushara Island, then cool off with a swim in Africa’s second-deepest lake. In the afternoon, choose between a village walk or birdwatching among the more than 500 species recorded here. As evening sets in, settle onto the terraced hillside and watch the sun go down over the water.

Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget) | Arcadia Cottages (Mid-Range)

Meals: Full-Board

Day 6: Return to Entebbe or Kigali

Your final day is about choosing your route home. Heading back to Entebbe takes 9–10 hours, with a fun photo stop at the Equator in Kayabwe along the way. Alternatively, Kigali is only 4–5 hours away. If you go that route, you’ll have time to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, browse the Inema or Niyo Art Centres for local paintings and sculptures, or pick up fabrics, baskets, and fresh fruit at Kimironko Market before your flight.

Accommodation: None — available on request
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Answered FAQs

What makes Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi a great combination?

Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi pair intimate wildlife encounters with restful lakeside scenery. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi offers a rare, emotional close-up with mountain gorillas, while Lake Bunyonyi’s terraced islands provide calm after days of trekking and game drives. Together they balance active wildlife experiences with relaxation, ideal for multi‑day itineraries that showcase Uganda’s ecological and cultural variety.

Is Lake Bunyonyi safe and suitable for swimming?

Lake Bunyonyi is generally safe for swimming in designated areas, with clear water and many sheltered bays. There are no crocodiles or hippos in the main bathing areas, unlike some other Ugandan lakes, but always ask local guides where swimming is safest. The peaceful lake is an excellent complement to gorilla trekking on a Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi package.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

You don’t need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness helps, since the terrain in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is hilly, often muddy, and altitude adds to the exertion. Treks can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family is that day. Porters are available and genuinely worth hiring — they carry your bag, offer a steadying hand on steep sections, and their fee also supports the local community.

What's the difference between budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation on this trip?

Budget lodges like Pumba Safari Lodge or Gorilla Valley Lodge offer comfortable, clean rooms with the essentials and warm hospitality. Mid-range options such as Buffalo Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Safari Lodge, and Arcadia Cottages add more spacious rooms, better views, and higher-quality dining. Luxury lodges like Elephant Plains Lodge and Gorilla Safari Lodge bring premium finishes, prime locations, and elevated service throughout. Iconic Africa Safaris can tailor a Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi itinerary to whichever tier suits your budget and style.

What should I pack for Uganda Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi?

Pack sturdy hiking boots, quick-dry clothing, waterproof jacket, long-sleeve layers for insect protection, gloves, a hat, sunscreen and a small daypack. For Lake Bunyonyi, bring swimwear and a light sweater for evenings. Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens for wildlife, and a small amount of cash for crafts. These items keep you comfortable across both the gorilla trek and lakeside activities.