17 Day Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari

Day by day

The journey, morning by morning

1. 1

   Arrival in Uganda

   Arrival at Entebbe, where your guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel for a briefing.

   Entebbe
2. 2

   Transfer to Kibale National Park

   A scenic drive through the countryside to Kibale, with a lunch stop en route.

   Kibale National Park
3. 3

   Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to the Rwenzori

   A morning chimpanzee tracking expedition in Kibale, then a transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
4. 4

   Rwenzori hike — orientation

   Arrival at the Rwenzori base camp to meet the ranger guides and porters, with a short acclimatisation hike.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
5. 5

   Rwenzori hike — initial ascent

   The climb begins through lower-elevation forest, with changing vegetation and valley views.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
6. 6

   Rwenzori hike — higher altitudes

   Steeper ascents into the sub-alpine zone of rocky outcrops and early glacial features.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
7. 7

   Rwenzori hike — glacier country

   A trek towards glacial formations over a mix of rocky and frozen ground.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
8. 8

   Rwenzori hike — alpine zone

   A full day of hiking in the alpine zone across rugged slopes.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
9. 9

   Rwenzori hike — summit views

   A day at high elevation exploring alpine meadows and rocky ridges.

   Rwenzori Mountains National Park
10. 10

    Rwenzori hike — descent

    A gradual descent from the alpine zone back into lower vegetation.

    Rwenzori Mountains National Park
11. 11

    Rwenzori hike — return

    Completion of the descent to base camp, with a debrief.

    Rwenzori Mountains National Park
12. 12

    Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

    A drive from the Rwenzori down to Queen Elizabeth and a check-in at the lodge.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park
13. 13

    Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise

    An early game drive in the Kasenyi sector, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park
14. 14

    Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

    A scenic drive to Bwindi, with time to prepare for gorilla trekking.

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
15. 15

    Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

    A day of gorilla trekking, with an hour spent with a gorilla family.

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
16. 16

    Transfer to Lake Mburo and evening game drive

    A drive to Lake Mburo National Park and an evening game drive for zebras, impalas and giraffes.

    Lake Mburo National Park
17. 17

    Return to Entebbe

    A drive back to Entebbe with a final stop at the Equator before departure.

    Entebbe

Good to know

Questions travellers ask about this trip

How long is the 17 Day Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari and where does it start and end?

17 days across Uganda, beginning and ending in Entebbe.

How fit do I need to be for this safari?

Moderate fitness is enough for most travellers. Both forest treks can last from one to several hours depending on where the family has moved to that morning, on steep and often muddy forest ground; porters are available and recommended, and the pace is set by the group. Everything else on this itinerary is done from the vehicle or on level ground.

When is the best time to take this trip?

June to August and December to February suit it best for the gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable. The two drier windows mean firmer trails and easier trekking — June–July is driest. Permits are limited daily; book well ahead, especially for these months. The route runs year round — the wetter months are greener and quieter, and only the forest walking really changes with the season.

What is the minimum age for the gorilla trek?

15, set by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and not something an operator can waive. Younger children can still travel with you — we build the rest of the itinerary around the trekking day.