About This Tour
This carefully designed adventure combines the excitement of mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the breathtaking scenery of Lake Bunyonyi, and the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The safari takes you from Uganda’s scenic savannah plains to the misty Virunga Mountains, offering a memorable combination of gorillas, wildlife, landscapes, culture and relaxation.
Trip Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga
- Relaxation and optional canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
- See Nile crocodiles and large concentrations of hippos
Your Ruku Safaris driver-guide will pick you up early from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Begin your journey towards southwestern Uganda. The drive takes you through Uganda's beautiful countryside, passing rural communities, farms, rolling hills and changing landscapes.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing towards Lake Bunyonyi.
Arrive in the afternoon and check into your lodge overlooking the lake. Relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the surrounding hills and islands.
Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Lodge/Resort
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing boat or traditional canoe excursion on Lake Bunyonyi.
The lake is surrounded by steep terraced hills and numerous small islands, creating one of the most picturesque landscapes in Uganda.
After the boat experience, continue towards Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and prepare for the following day's gorilla trekking adventure.
An optional community or Batwa cultural experience can be arranged depending on time.
Accommodation: Lodge near Mgahinga/Kisoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides and rangers.
Begin your mountain gorilla trekking adventure through the forests of Mgahinga.
The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movements of the gorilla family. The terrain can be steep, so a good level of physical fitness is recommended.
Once the gorillas are located, spend the permitted time observing them as they feed, interact, play and care for their young.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you may enjoy a cultural experience with the local community.
Accommodation: Lodge near Mgahinga/Kisoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave the Mgahinga region and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of southwestern Uganda, including terraced hills and rural communities.
After lunch, enter Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Look out for:
- African elephants
- Buffaloes
- Lions
- Uganda kobs
- Warthogs
- Waterbucks
- Antelopes
- Hippos
Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up early for a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains.
The early morning provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other savannah wildlife.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.
After lunch, embark on the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see large numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and water birds along the shoreline.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back towards Kampala or Entebbe.
Travel through the scenic countryside of western Uganda. Depending on your schedule, you may stop around Fort Portal for lunch or a short sightseeing experience.
Continue towards Kampala or Entebbe.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included/Exclude
The Cost Includes
- Drinking water
- Professional Guide
- Safari vehicle
The Cost Excludes
- Visa
- Tips
- Safari wear
- Medical and travel insurance
Tour Plan
This tour is designed for most fitness levels and involves a leisurely walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 miles over two hours. We maintain a relaxed pace with several stops for storytelling and photo opportunities. While it involves standing and walking on city sidewalks, the tour is not considered strenuous and is suitable for most active people.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as New York’s weather can be quite unpredictable. We encourage all our guests to check the forecast beforehand and to dress appropriately with comfortable shoes and perhaps an umbrella. In the rare event of extreme or dangerous weather conditions, the tour would be canceled, and you would be offered a full refund or rescheduling.
Comfort is key! We highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as you will be on your feet for the duration of the tour. Other than that, we suggest bringing a camera to capture the memories, weather-appropriate clothing like a jacket or hat, and your sense of adventure. A complimentary bottle of water will be provided for you by your guide.
While children of all ages are welcome, please consider that this is a two-hour tour filled with historical facts and stories that may not always hold the attention of very young children. The pace is manageable, but it does require continuous standing and walking. The tour is generally best suited for older children and teenagers with an interest in history.
