Highlights
One hour with a wild mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
Boat cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel
Cultural visit with a local Batwa community
Small-group travel with a dedicated 4x4 and guide
Journey Details
- Start / End
- Entebbe International Airport, Uganda → Kampala, Uganda
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep (dry) and Dec–Feb (short dry spell)
- Languages
- English, French, German (on request)
- Guide
- Expert Local Guide
- Group Size
- 2–12
- Accommodation
- Luxury
About This Journey
The itinerary opens in Entebbe and closes eight days later in Kampala, but the centre of gravity is a single morning in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a habituated gorilla family sets the pace for everything else on the route. Everything before that morning is transit and acclimatisation; everything after it is decompression through open savannah.
Between the two forest days, the route drops into Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives through the Ishasha sector’s tree-climbing lions and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, buffalo, and elephant gather along the water’s edge in numbers that a forest itinerary alone could never show. A short cultural stop with a Batwa community near the park boundary adds context the wildlife-only days don’t cover.
It’s built for travellers who want the single best wildlife encounter East Africa offers — the gorilla trek — without giving up the wide-open game-drive experience that draws most people to Africa in the first place. Eight days is enough to do both properly without the itinerary feeling rushed between them.
The Route Ahead
Every stop, stay and meal — laid out so you know exactly what each day holds.
Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Kampala
Met at Entebbe International Airport and transferred to Kampala for an overnight stay and a briefing on the days ahead.
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A long, scenic drive south-west through terraced hillsides, arriving at the lodge in time for a rest before the trek briefing.
Gorilla Trekking Day
An early start into the forest with rangers and trackers, culminating in one hour with a habituated gorilla family.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive north into open savannah, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive through the Ishasha sector.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
A morning game drive followed by an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, dense with hippos, buffalo, and elephant.
Batwa Cultural Visit & Drive to Lake Mburo
A morning cultural walk with a local Batwa community, followed by a drive to Lake Mburo for a change of pace.
Lake Mburo Game Walk & Return to Kampala
A guided walking safari (rare in East Africa, permitted here due to the absence of dangerous predators), then the drive back to Kampala.
Departure
A final free morning in Kampala before transfer to Entebbe International Airport for departure flights.
Route & Destinations
Departure Dates & Pricing
| Departure | Return | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 12 Sep 2026 | 19 Sep 2026 | ✅ Available 6 spots left | Gorilla permit included |
| Sat, 07 Nov 2026 | 14 Nov 2026 | ⚠️ Limited 2 spots left | Gorilla permit included |
| Sat, 16 Jan 2027 | 23 Jan 2027 | ✅ Available 8 spots left | Gorilla permit included |
What's Included
- Gorilla trekking permit
- 7 nights accommodation as specified
- All ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout
- Park entrance fees
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Full board while in national parks
- Bottled water during game drives
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items of a personal nature
Frequently Asked Questions
East Africa — including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania — welcomes hundreds of thousands of international visitors every year, and the overwhelming majority return home with wonderful memories and no safety issues.
The main tourist areas (national parks, gorilla trekking zones, established lodges, and well-travelled routes) are generally very safe when you travel with a reputable operator. Crime against tourists is relatively rare in these environments. Like any destination in the world, larger cities require normal urban awareness, especially after dark.
Safety can vary by country and by region, and the situation can change. For this reason we always recommend that you check the latest official travel advice from your own government’s embassy or foreign office before you book and again closer to your departure date. This is the most reliable and up-to-date source of information.
At Tuntu Safaris we take safety extremely seriously. We use experienced local guides, well-maintained vehicles, carefully selected lodges, and proven routes. Your wellbeing is our highest priority from the moment you arrive until you leave.
This is one of the best questions you can ask, and the answer depends on the kind of experience you want.
Uganda is ideal if you want exceptional variety in a single country. Here you can trek mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees, enjoy classic game drives, boat safaris, and beautiful scenery — all without excessive travel days. It feels less commercial than some of its neighbours and offers outstanding value, especially for gorilla trekking.
Rwanda is perfect for a short, high-end, polished trip focused on mountain gorillas. The infrastructure and service standards are excellent, and the experience is very exclusive.
Kenya and Tanzania are the classic choices for big open savannahs, large numbers of the Big Five, and (in season) the Great Migration. They deliver the iconic “endless plains” safari experience many people picture when they think of Africa.
Many of our guests combine two countries. Uganda + Rwanda is a particularly popular pairing for primate lovers. We’re happy to help you decide based on the length of your trip, your interests, and your budget.
Uganda can be visited year-round, but conditions change with the seasons.
The two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — are generally considered the best times for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Trails are less muddy and hiking is more comfortable. Wildlife viewing in the savannah parks is also excellent during these months as animals gather around water sources.
The rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) bring lush green landscapes, excellent birdwatching, fewer visitors, and sometimes better availability of gorilla permits and lodge rooms. Trekking is still very possible, though you should expect some mud and rain.
If your main goal is comfortable gorilla trekking, aim for the dry seasons. If you prefer quieter parks and don’t mind a bit of rain, the green seasons can be wonderfully rewarding.
A standard gorilla trekking permit in Uganda currently costs USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents. This allows you one hour with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
A gorilla habituation experience permit (which lets you spend up to four hours with a group still being habituated) costs USD 1,500.
Permits are limited and sell out quickly in peak season, so we recommend securing them as early as possible. We handle the entire permit booking process for our clients.