5 Days Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Wildlife and Batwa Culture
A 5 days Uganda safari is a short trip from Kampala or Entebbe that combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. It also includes a cultural visit with the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi.
In five days you can see mountain gorillas, lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, zebras and impalas. The standard gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents and is included in this package.
This guide covers the day-by-day itinerary, distances and drive times, gorilla permit costs, where you stay, what is included, and answers to the questions travellers ask most.
5 Days Uganda Safari at a Glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days, 4 nights |
| Start and end | Kampala or Entebbe |
| Parks visited | Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo |
| Main activities | Gorilla trekking, Batwa cultural encounter, game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, nature walk |
| Gorilla permit | USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents, included |
| Minimum age for gorilla trekking | 15 years |
| Best time to go | June to September and December to February |
| Transport | Private 4×4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide |
| Accommodation | Budget, mid-range or luxury lodges |
Brief Itinerary of the 5 Days Uganda Safari
| Day | Route and activity | Approximate drive |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | 8 to 10 hours |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking in Bwindi | None |
| Day 3 | Batwa cultural encounter, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park | 3 to 4 hours |
| Day 4 | Morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Game drive only |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Lake Mburo, nature walk, return to Kampala | 7 to 8 hours in total |
Short on time? See our 2 Days Uganda Safari or the 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Detailed Itinerary of the 5 Days Uganda Safari
Day 1: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at about 6:30 am. After a short safari briefing, you drive southwest to Bwindi, a journey of 8 to 10 hours with stops.
The route crosses the Equator at Kayabwe, where you can stop for photos, and breaks for lunch in Mbarara. From there the road climbs into the terraced hills of Kigezi, past banana plantations, tea estates and rural villages.
You arrive in the late afternoon, check in and have dinner. In the evening your guide explains what to expect on the trek and which of the Bwindi gorilla trekking sectors your permit covers.
- Distance: about 460 to 520 km depending on the sector, 8 to 10 hours
- Meals: breakfast at your hotel, lunch en route, dinner at the lodge
- Luxury lodges: Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp
- Mid-range lodges: Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Budget lodges: Bwindi View Bandas, Broadbill Forest Camp
Compare more options in our guide to accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and our list of budget lodges in Bwindi.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2 is the highlight of the safari: gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protects roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
After an early breakfast you report to the park headquarters by 7:30 am for a ranger briefing. Trekkers are then divided into groups of up to eight people, and each group is assigned one of the habituated Bwindi gorilla families.
The trek takes 2 to 6 hours, sometimes longer, depending on where the gorillas spent the night. Find out more in our guide to how long the trek to see gorillas takes. Once you find the family, you spend one hour watching them feed, groom and play from a distance of about 7 metres.
Gorilla trekking tips:
- Wear sturdy hiking boots, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Bring gardening gloves for gripping vines and thorny vegetation.
- Carry at least two litres of water, a packed lunch, a rain jacket and a camera. Flash photography is not allowed.
- Hire a gorilla trekking porter to carry your bag and help on steep sections.
- Read how fit you need to be for gorilla trekking and how to prepare for gorilla trekking before you travel.
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge, packed lunch on the trek, dinner at the lodge
- Accommodation: same lodge as Day 1
Day 3: Batwa Cultural Encounter and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The morning is spent with the Batwa, often called the “Keepers of the Forest.” The Batwa lived as hunter-gatherers in Bwindi for thousands of years, until the forest became a national park in 1991. You can read the full story in our Batwa history guide.
Batwa guides lead you along a forest-edge trail and show how they hunted with bows and arrows, gathered honey and medicinal plants, and made fire without matches. The visit ends with traditional songs, dance and storytelling. The visit fee helps support Batwa families living around the park.
After lunch you drive 3 to 4 hours north to Queen Elizabeth National Park. When road conditions allow, the route passes through the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions.
- Distance: about 160 km, 3 to 4 hours
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge, lunch after the Batwa encounter, dinner at the lodge in Queen Elizabeth
- Luxury lodges: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge
- Mid-range lodges: Elephant Plains Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge
- Budget lodges: Simba Safari Camp, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Day 4: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park covers 1,978 square kilometres of savannah, forest, crater lakes and wetlands. It supports around 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species. See our guide to the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park for the full list.
Morning game drive. You set off at about 6:30 am for the Kasenyi plains, the park’s best area for lions. Large herds of Uganda kob graze here and attract predators. You are also likely to see elephants, buffaloes, warthogs and waterbuck, and with luck a leopard.
Afternoon boat cruise. After lunch and a rest, you take a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This 32 km waterway links Lake Edward and Lake George and holds one of Africa’s largest concentrations of hippos. Expect Nile crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants along the banks.
Birdwatching. The cruise is also one of the best spots for birdwatching in Uganda. Look out for African fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers and African skimmers.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge
- Accommodation: same lodge as Day 3
Planning a longer stay? See our 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari.
Day 5: Lake Mburo National Park Nature Walk and Return to Kampala
You leave Queen Elizabeth after an early breakfast and drive 3 to 4 hours to Lake Mburo National Park. At 370 square kilometres it is Uganda’s smallest savannah park, and the only park in Uganda where you can see impalas.
Because the park has no elephants and very few large predators, it is one of the few places in Uganda where you can explore on foot. An armed ranger leads your nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park through acacia woodland and open grassland. You may see zebras, impalas, elands, topis, giraffes and buffaloes.
After lunch you continue to Kampala, arriving in the early evening. Your guide drops you at your hotel or at Entebbe International Airport.
- Queen Elizabeth to Lake Mburo: about 190 km, 3 to 4 hours
- Lake Mburo to Kampala: about 240 km, 3.5 to 4 hours
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge, lunch at Lake Mburo
If you would prefer to stay overnight, our 2 Days Lake Mburo National Park Safari adds a boat cruise and a game drive.
End of the 5 Days Uganda Safari.
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
Included:
- Accommodation for four nights as per the itinerary
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Park entry fees for Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo
- Batwa cultural encounter, game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise and guided nature walk
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle, fuel and an English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Pre-departure information and briefing
Not included:
- International flights and Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Porter fees, tips and gratuities
- Drinks at the lodges, laundry and souvenirs
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Costs caused by events outside our control, such as road closures or severe weather
How Much Does a 5 Days Uganda Safari Cost?
The cost of a 5 days Uganda safari depends on your lodge category, group size and travel month. The gorilla permit is the largest fixed cost. Daily rates below cover transport, accommodation, meals, park fees and guiding, with the gorilla permit priced separately.
| Safari style | Guide price per person per day |
|---|---|
| Budget | USD 150 to 300 |
| Mid-range | USD 300 to 600 |
| Luxury | USD 600 and above |
Gorilla Permit Prices
| Visitor category | Standard permit | Low season: April, May, November |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident | USD 800 | USD 600 |
| Foreign resident | USD 700 | USD 500 |
| Rest of Africa | USD 500 | Not listed |
| East African citizen | UGX 300,000 | Not listed |
Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled. For the full breakdown, read how much a gorilla permit costs in Uganda and the revised Uganda gorilla permit costs for 2026 and 2027.
Travelling on a tight budget? Compare our budget gorilla safari packages. Looking for top-end lodges? See our luxury Uganda gorilla trekking safaris.
Best Time for a 5 Days Uganda Safari
The best time for a 5 days Uganda safari is during the two dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February. Forest trails are drier, roads are easier, and animals gather near water in the savannah parks.
Gorilla trekking runs all year. April, May and November are wetter, but lodges are quieter and the gorilla permit drops to USD 600 for foreign non-residents.
What to Pack
- Clothing: lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral tones, a fleece for cool mornings and a rain jacket. See which safari colours to wear.
- Footwear: waterproof hiking boots for the trek and comfortable shoes for the vehicle and lodge.
- Safari gear: binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Documents: passport, visa and yellow fever vaccination certificate.
For a full checklist, read what to pack for an East African safari.
Visa, Health and Safety
- Visa: most visitors need an e-visa, applied for online before travel. Check the Uganda visa and entry requirements. If you are also visiting Rwanda or Kenya, see our East African Tourist Visa guide.
- Health: a yellow fever certificate is required on arrival, and malaria prevention is advised. See the recommended vaccinations for travellers to Uganda.
- Gorilla health rules: you cannot trek if you have a cold, flu or other contagious illness, because gorillas catch human diseases easily.
- Safety: all three parks on this route are well established and patrolled. Read more in is Uganda safe for tourists.
How to Book Your 5 Days Uganda Safari
Gorilla permits are limited to eight per gorilla family per day, so book three to six months ahead for the dry seasons. Since March 2026, permits are only secured once full payment is made, so we confirm your permit before anything else.
Send us your travel dates, group size and preferred lodge category through our contact form. We check Uganda gorilla permit availability and reply with a quote, usually the same day. You can also read our step-by-step guide on how to book gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Why Choose a 5 Days Uganda Safari?
Five days is the shortest trip that fits gorillas, a classic savannah safari and a cultural visit into one route without flying. It suits first-time visitors, couples and small groups who want Uganda’s main highlights in under a week.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: one hour with a mountain gorilla family
- Batwa cultural encounter: forest skills, history and music from Bwindi’s first people
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: lions, elephants and hippos on a game drive and boat cruise
- Lake Mburo National Park: zebras, impalas and giraffes on foot
Frequently Asked Questions About the 5 Days Uganda Safari
Is 5 days enough for a Uganda safari?
Yes. Five days is enough to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, go on a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and walk among zebras in Lake Mburo. If you also want chimpanzees or Murchison Falls, look at our long Uganda safaris.
How much is a gorilla permit on this safari?
A gorilla permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. In April, May and November the foreign non-resident rate is USD 600.
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking is moderately demanding. Trails are steep, muddy and at 1,200 to 2,600 metres above sea level, and the trek lasts 2 to 6 hours. Rangers match groups to gorilla families by fitness, and porters are available. Older travellers can read our guide to gorilla trekking for the elderly.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years. Younger children can still join the Batwa encounter, game drive, boat cruise and nature walk.
Will I see the Big Five on a 5 days Uganda safari?
You can see four of the Big Five on this route: lions, elephants, buffaloes and, with luck, leopards. Rhinos live at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is on the road to Murchison Falls. Read more about the Big Five animals and what to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Can the 5 days Uganda safari start in Kigali?
Yes. Bwindi is about four to five hours by road from Kigali, which is shorter than the drive from Kampala. See our options for a Uganda safari from Kigali.
Is gorilla trekking worth the cost?
Most travellers say it is the highlight of their trip to Africa. We weigh up the price against the experience in is gorilla trekking worth it.
Related Uganda Safaris
- 3 Days Gorillas and Batwa Pygmy Tour: gorillas and Batwa culture only
- 4 Days Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi Safari: gorilla trekking with two relaxed days on the lake
- 5 Days Gorillas and Murchison Falls Safari: gorillas plus the Nile and the falls
- 5 Days Kibale and Bwindi Gorilla Safari: chimpanzees and gorillas in one trip
- 6 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari: an extra day for more wildlife viewing
- 10 Days Uganda Safari: a longer route through more of Uganda’s parks
Browse all our Uganda gorilla safaris, short Uganda safaris and Uganda private tour packages.
Plan Your 5 Days Uganda Safari
A 5 days Uganda safari gives you mountain gorillas, savannah wildlife and Batwa culture in one compact route. Permits for the dry seasons sell out early, so contact Uganda Wildlife Tours with your dates and we will check availability and build your quote.