The 5 Days Flying Safari to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park by Gorilla Tour Rwanda is an exciting journey combining mountain gorilla trekking, spectacular landscapes, and classic African wildlife viewing. This carefully planned safari allows you to explore two of Uganda’s most remarkable conservation areas while reducing long road journeys through convenient domestic flights. You will visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its diverse wildlife, beautiful savannah plains, crater lakes, and scenic Kazinga Channel.
Day 1: Fly from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, your Gorilla Tour Rwanda representative will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport or the designated domestic flight terminal for your scheduled flight to southwestern Uganda. Depending on the flight arrangements, you will land at an airstrip serving the Bwindi region, such as Kihihi or Kisoro. The particular airstrip will depend on your gorilla trekking sector and the availability of flights. During the flight, you can enjoy spectacular aerial views of Uganda’s rolling hills, rural settlements, cultivated landscapes, and forested highlands.
Upon arrival, your safari guide will meet you and arrange your transfer to your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After checking in, you will have time to relax, enjoy lunch, and admire the beautiful surroundings. Bwindi is home to a remarkable population of endangered mountain gorillas, along with forest elephants, numerous bird species, butterflies, and other wildlife. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a guided community walk or a cultural experience with local residents, learning about traditional livelihoods and the relationship between surrounding communities and the forest. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure, including what to pack, the expected physical demands, and the park’s conservation guidelines.
Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge.
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will rise early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about mountain gorilla behaviour, trekking regulations, forest conservation, and the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the gorillas. Experienced rangers and trackers will lead you into the dense rainforest to search for one of Bwindi’s habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek can take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location, the terrain, and the prevailing weather conditions.
As you make your way through the forest, you will encounter ancient trees, tangled vegetation, colourful butterflies, and a variety of bird species. Your guide will help you interpret signs of wildlife activity, including footprints, feeding sites, and nests. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will spend up to one hour observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat, watching their social interactions, feeding habits, and movements through the forest. This intimate wildlife encounter is often the highlight of a Ugandan safari and provides a deeper appreciation of mountain gorilla conservation.
After the trek, you will return to the park headquarters and transfer to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Depending on your energy levels and the time available, you may enjoy a guided village walk, visit a local craft centre, or learn about the cultural traditions of communities living around Bwindi. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at your lodge and prepare for your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park the following day.
Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Fly from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will enjoy the final views of Bwindi’s forested hills before transferring to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled domestic flight towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on the flight schedule and your location, your arrangements may involve a flight serving the Kasese or Mweya area, or another suitable regional airstrip. Your tour operator will confirm the most practical routing when booking your safari. Flying between destinations significantly reduces travel time and gives you more opportunities to enjoy Uganda’s scenery and wildlife.
Upon arrival, your local safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to your lodge within or near Queen Elizabeth National Park. The landscape changes dramatically as you leave the mountainous rainforest behind and enter a region of open savannah, rolling plains, wetlands, crater lakes, and acacia woodland. After checking in and enjoying lunch, you will have time to relax while taking in views of the surrounding wilderness. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive through a suitable section of the park.
During the game drive, keep watch for African elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbucks, and a variety of antelope species. Lions and, in certain areas, leopards may also be encountered, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. Your guide will explain the park’s ecosystems and help you identify wildlife and bird species along the way. If your arrival schedule does not allow sufficient time for a game drive, the activity can be arranged for the following morning. You will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of Uganda’s wildlife country.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
You will begin the day with an early breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your guide will select the most suitable wildlife-viewing area according to seasonal conditions, recent sightings, and your lodge’s location. The Kasenyi Plains are particularly well known for Uganda kob and opportunities to spot lions, while other park sectors offer different habitats and wildlife encounters. As the sun rises over the savannah, you will explore the plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, and other animals moving through the grasslands.
Throughout the drive, your guide will share information about animal behaviour, predator-prey relationships, birdlife, and the conservation challenges facing Uganda’s wildlife. You will have opportunities to stop at suitable viewing points for photographs and to appreciate the vast landscapes of the park. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast or brunch, depending on the schedule, followed by time to relax before your afternoon activity.
Later, you will head to the Kazinga Channel for a scheduled boat cruise along this natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to observe large concentrations of hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous waterbirds along the banks. You may see African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, and other bird species feeding or resting near the water. The boat provides a different perspective from the morning game drive, bringing you close to wildlife gathered along the shoreline. After the cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Morning at Leisure and Departure
After breakfast at your lodge, you will enjoy the final moments of your safari in the beautiful surroundings of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on your domestic flight schedule, you may have time for a short morning game drive or a relaxed nature experience around the lodge. If you are fortunate, you may spot elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, or a variety of birds before leaving the park. Alternatively, you can enjoy the lodge’s views, take photographs, and reflect on your gorilla trekking and wildlife encounters.
After checking out, your driver-guide will transfer you to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe. The exact departure airstrip and flight arrangements will depend on the available domestic services and your final travel plans. During the flight, you can enjoy another aerial perspective of Uganda’s varied landscapes, from the open plains of the western region to its green countryside and lakes. Upon arrival at Entebbe, you will connect with your international departure flight or be transferred to your hotel or another agreed location, depending on your onward arrangements.
Your five-day flying safari concludes with memorable experiences of Uganda’s mountain gorillas, savannah wildlife, and scenic waterways. Gorilla Tour Rwanda can assist with additional accommodation, airport transfers, or an extension to another Ugandan destination if you wish to continue exploring the country.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Items Included in the Safari Package
- Domestic flights between Entebbe and the Bwindi region, and between the Bwindi region and Queen Elizabeth National Park, subject to confirmed flight schedules and routing.
- Domestic flight from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Entebbe on the final day, subject to the agreed itinerary and available services.
- Airport and airstrip transfers as specified in the itinerary.
- Ground transportation in a suitable safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Two nights of accommodation in the Bwindi area and two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Meals as specified in the daily itinerary.
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person, provided it is explicitly included in the confirmed quotation.
- Guided game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park as described in the itinerary.
- A scheduled boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
- Applicable park entrance fees for the included activities.
- Services of local guides and rangers during the included activities.
- Bottled drinking water during scheduled road transfers and safari activities, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
- Applicable taxes and service charges included in the confirmed quotation.
Items Excluded from the Safari Package
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees and other immigration charges.
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation and cancellation cover.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, and additional drinks.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, lodge staff, rangers, and other service providers.
- Optional activities not specified in the itinerary.
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking, if required.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary.
- Excess baggage charges or additional luggage handling fees imposed by domestic airlines.
- Costs arising from flight changes, missed connections, or itinerary amendments outside the agreed package.
- Any services not specifically listed under the included items.