9-Day Uganda Highlands & Gorilla Trekking Safari

Overview—9-Day Uganda Highlands & Gorilla Trekking Safari

The 9-Day Uganda Highlands & Gorilla Trekking Safari is a journey through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes, combining the rugged beauty of the highlands with one of the world’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences—trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This adventure is designed for travelers who want more than just a glimpse of Uganda’s natural treasures. It offers time to explore crater lakes, rolling tea plantations, and highland scenery, while also including game drives, cultural experiences, and the rare chance to spend an hour with gorillas in their misty jungle home.

Over the course of nine days, the safari takes you from Entebbe through the western highlands, into the wildlife-rich savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and finally to the ancient rainforest of Bwindi. Along the way, you will encounter a variety of wildlife, enjoy the tranquility of crater lakes, and immerse yourself in the charm of Uganda’s countryside. It is a journey that blends scenic landscapes with thrilling primate adventures, leaving you with memories of both the land and its gentle giants.

Explore More

Start Your Tailored Trip Now.

Let us plan every detail of your journey so you can travel in comfort and ease

Get Trip Quote.

Imvelo Means Nature

To Truly Experience Africa, One Must Walk With Imvelo, Respecting The Rhythm Of Nature In Every Step.

#NatureSafaris

Detailed Itinerary —9-Day Uganda Highlands & Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you are welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may explore the botanical gardens or enjoy a quiet evening on the shores of Lake Victoria before dinner and overnight in Entebbe.

Day 2: Transfer to Fort Portal Highlands

After breakfast, you depart for western Uganda, driving through lush landscapes of tea estates, banana plantations, and rolling hills. By midday, you arrive in Fort Portal, a town set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. After checking into your lodge, you can explore the crater lakes region, taking gentle walks along the lakeshores while enjoying views of the surrounding highlands. Dinner and overnight are at a lodge near Fort Portal.

Day 3: Explore Fort Portal and Rwenzori Foothills

This day is dedicated to exploring the beauty around Fort Portal. You may hike in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” or visit cultural sites in the region. The day offers both scenic beauty and cultural discovery, with plenty of opportunities for photography. You return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you drive south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route offers sweeping views of crater lakes and fertile valleys before opening up to the savannah plains. Arriving in the park, you check into your lodge and enjoy a relaxed afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi plains, where elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes graze against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge within the park.

Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Your morning begins with a game drive, offering chances to spot lions, leopards, and large herds of Uganda kob. After lunch, you embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel teems with hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife, while elephants often gather on the banks to drink. You return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, you depart Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the Ishasha sector, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The journey continues south into the highlands, where the dense forests of Bwindi rise into the mist. By late afternoon, you reach your lodge at the edge of the forest, with dinner and overnight surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This is the highlight of your safari. After breakfast, you report to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your trek into the forest. The hike can take several hours, but the reward is extraordinary. When you encounter your assigned gorilla family, you spend an unforgettable hour watching them—silverbacks displaying quiet power, mothers caring for their young, and playful juveniles tumbling through the vegetation. After trekking, you return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight are once again in the forest’s cool embrace.

Day 8: Relaxation and Exploration of the Highlands

After the intensity of gorilla trekking, this day is designed for relaxation and lighter exploration. You may take a village walk to meet local communities, enjoy guided nature trails near your lodge, or simply rest while taking in views of the forest and surrounding highlands. It is a day to absorb the atmosphere of Uganda’s southwest before your journey back. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 9: Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, you check out and begin the return drive to Entebbe. The journey takes you once again through Uganda’s highlands and farmlands, with a stop for lunch and a pause at the Equator crossing for souvenirs and photographs. By evening, you arrive at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your nine-day adventure.