3-Day Gorilla Trekking Adventure & Lake Mburo Wildlife

This unforgettable safari combines two of Uganda's remarkable national parks, each offering a unique and rewarding wildlife experience.

At Lake Mburo National Park, a scenic savanna landscape provides excellent opportunities to encounter large herds of zebras and antelopes, along with elands, Cape buffaloes, giraffes, and many other wildlife species.

The journey then continues to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, renowned worldwide for its exceptional mountain gorilla trekking experiences. Beyond the iconic gorillas, the forest shelters a rich variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, L'Hoest's monkeys, forest elephants, several antelope species, and an impressive diversity of birds.

Together, Lake Mburo and Bwindi offer an extraordinary blend of open-savanna wildlife and immersive rainforest encounters, making this safari a truly memorable Ugandan adventure.

• Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Night Game Drive in Lake Mburo National Park
• Horseback Riding or Nature Walk in Lake Mburo National Park

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), or from your residence in Entebbe or Kampala, you will be welcomed by our safari guide, who will brief you on the itinerary and prepare you for the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After a short check-in and overview, you set off on a full-day drive to southwestern Uganda, covering roughly [8] hours, with a lunch stop in Mbarara Town en route.

The road trip is long, but it offers a rewarding cross-section of Uganda's countryside. You travel through open savannah plains, pass traditional homesteads and small trading centers, and skirt areas of tropical rainforest alive with birds and greenery. As you near Bwindi, the landscape shifts into the famous terraced hills of Kigezi—layered, green slopes and deep valleys that helped earn Uganda its name, the "Pearl of Africa." There are plenty of scenic spots along the way for short photo stops and to stretch your legs.

You arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon or early evening and proceed to your lodge. The remainder of the day is at leisure: settle into your room, take in the forest views, and relax as you get ready for the next day's gorilla trekking adventure. Dinner will be served at the lodge, followed by overnight.

Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner

Accommodation Options:

After an early breakfast, make your way to the park headquarters, where veteran rangers lead a detailed pre-trek briefing, outlining tracking protocols, conservation etiquette, and essential safety measures. Once you've been assigned a gorilla family and the guidelines are clearly understood, shoulder your packed lunch and step into the misty forest, beginning an immersive gorilla trekking adventure through tangled vines, towering trees, and the heart of the primates' natural habitat.

The trek may take four hours or longer, depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family. Prepare for an exciting and physically demanding hike through the dense rainforest, navigating steep, muddy, and sometimes slippery trails while surrounded by mist-covered vegetation. A packed lunch will be enjoyed along the way, deep within the forest.

The highlight of the day comes when you finally encounter the magnificent mountain gorillas. Spend up to one hour observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat, witnessing their social interactions and daily behavior while taking memorable photographs. After this unforgettable experience, begin the journey to Lake Mburo National Park.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and take some time to relax and refresh. After dinner, embark on an exciting night game drive accompanied by your guide. The nocturnal safari offers an opportunity to discover wildlife that becomes active after dark, including hyenas, leopards, bush babies, and a variety of antelope species. Depending on the conditions and sightings, you may also encounter impalas, Uganda kobs, zebras, waterbucks, giraffes, Cape buffaloes, elands, and other fascinating wildlife.

Return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest after an adventurous day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options:

After an early breakfast, set out for a guided morning community walk in the countryside surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. This region is home to traditional cattle-keeping communities famous for their striking Ankole long-horned cows, giving you a close-up look at authentic pastoral life. You may observe local methods of milking, grazing, and making dairy products such as ghee and cheese, along with other day-to-day activities on the homesteads.

After the walk, check out of your lodge and drive back to Entebbe International Airport in time for your journey home. We recommend booking an evening departure from 7:00 pm onwards to allow for a relaxed transfer. En route, you will pause at the Uganda Equator for the classic experience of standing on Latitude 00 with a chance to take photos and browse local craft stalls.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch