5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari – Uganda’s Ultimate Primate & Savannah Combo
Experience the best of Uganda’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity on this 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari, a perfect blend of unforgettable encounters with endangered mountain gorillas and classic savannah game viewing. This short yet powerful Uganda safari is designed for travelers who want to combine the awe of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with the serenity and wildlife of Lake Mburo National Park, all within five days.
Beginning and ending in Entebbe or Kigali, this itinerary takes you deep into Bwindi’s misty rainforest, where you’ll track one of the world’s last remaining gorilla families, followed by a relaxing wildlife experience in Lake Mburo, Uganda’s smallest but most scenic savannah park, known for its zebras, giraffes, hippos, and walking safaris.
Led by a licensed expert from Nextgen Safaris Africa, this 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari offers smooth transfers, quality accommodation (budget to luxury), and exceptional guiding—making it one of the most rewarding short safaris in East Africa.
Whether you’re on a quick holiday, adding this to a larger East Africa trip, or fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing gorillas in the wild, this itinerary gives you the ultimate Uganda safari combo in just five unforgettable days.
Safari Highlights – 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari
Track endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda’s premier primate destination
Enjoy wildlife game drives and optional walking safaris in Lake Mburo National Park
Spot zebras, giraffes, hippos, impalas, elands, and over 300 bird species in Uganda’s most scenic savannah park
Travel with a licensed, professional guide from Nextgen Safaris Africa
Explore two distinct ecosystems: rainforest and savannah in a single short itinerary
Optional canoe ride on Lake Mburo or cultural visit in Bwindi community
Flexible start and end locations: Entebbe or Kigali
Accommodation options to fit all budgets: Budget / Midrange / Luxury
Ideal for wildlife lovers, short holiday travelers, and those seeking a gorilla and savannah safari combo in Uganda
Safari Ititnerary– 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe or Kigali – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari begins with a warm welcome from your Nextgen Safaris Africa driver-guide upon arrival at either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport. After a short briefing, you’ll begin your scenic transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park, yet rich in wildlife and uniquely free of predators—making it ideal for walking safaris and up-close wildlife encounters.
If starting from Entebbe, your journey will take you through the rolling hills of central Uganda, with a stopover at the Uganda Equator Monument for photos and optional lunch. If you’re arriving through Kigali, you’ll cross into Uganda via the Katuna or Cyanika border and drive through the Kabale region to reach Lake Mburo.
Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your selected lodge inside or near the park. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short evening game drive or simply relax with sundowner views over Lake Mburo’s shimmering wetlands and acacia-dotted landscape.
This first day of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari introduces you to Uganda’s peaceful savannah beauty and sets the stage for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation Options – Lake Mburo:
Budget: Leopard Rest Camp / Eagle’s Nest
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock / Arcadia Cottages
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge / Kigambira Safari Lodge
Transfer Duration:
Entebbe to Lake Mburo: ~5–6 hours
Kigali to Lake Mburo: ~6 hours (with border crossing)
Meal Plan: Lunch (if arrival is early), Dinner
Day 2: Morning Safari in Lake Mburo – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake up to the sounds of the wild as your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari continues with a morning game drive through Lake Mburo’s scenic savannah plains. This predator-free park allows for unique opportunities to spot zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, warthogs, and buffaloes, all set against a backdrop of rolling hills and lakes.
For those seeking a closer connection with nature, you may opt for a guided walking safari—an experience rarely possible in other Ugandan parks. Led by an armed ranger, you’ll track animals on foot and learn about the park’s ecology, plant life, and animal behavior in a more immersive way.
After your wildlife adventure, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, check out, and begin the scenic transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Your Nextgen Safaris Africa guide will ensure a comfortable drive with scheduled stops along the way, including photo breaks and a stop for lunch.
As you approach Bwindi, the landscape transforms into misty forested hills and terraced farmland, creating an awe-inspiring welcome to the next chapter of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari.
Check into your lodge near your assigned gorilla trekking sector—Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, or Ruhija—and enjoy a relaxed evening with views over the rainforest.
Accommodation Options – Bwindi:
Budget: Bwindi Backpackers Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Haven Lodge Buhoma
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Transfer Duration: ~6–7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (en route), Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – The Ultimate Primate Experience
Today is the most anticipated day of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari—a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Rise early and enjoy a light breakfast at your lodge before your Nextgen Safaris Africa guide transfers you to the park headquarters for the mandatory gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll learn about gorilla behavior, conservation, and how to conduct yourself around the gorilla family you’ll soon meet.
Then, with a team of expert rangers and trackers, you’ll head into the dense, mystical rainforest—Bwindi’s famously tangled terrain. The trek may take 2 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are that day. Along the way, you’ll pass under canopies filled with birdsong, spot rare flora, and possibly encounter other primates like colobus monkeys or forest duikers.
When you finally find the gorilla group, you’ll spend one awe-inspiring hour in their presence—watching them feed, rest, play, or care for their young just meters away. It’s an emotional, humbling experience and the absolute pinnacle of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari.
After the trek, return to your lodge for a late lunch, rest, and certificate presentation. The afternoon is yours to relax or enjoy an optional Batwa cultural visit, where you can learn about the Indigenous forest people who once lived in harmony with the gorillas.
Accommodation: Same as Day 2
Budget: Bwindi Backpackers Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Haven Lodge Buhoma
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge / Four Gorillas Lodge / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Trekking Duration: 2–6 hours + 1 hour gorilla viewing
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch (during trek), Dinner
Day 4: Scenic Return to Lake Mburo – Sunset Game Drive or Canoe Ride
After breakfast, your Nextgen Safaris Africa guide will lead you on the return journey to Lake Mburo National Park, retracing your route through Uganda’s verdant highlands. This drive offers another chance to enjoy the country’s breathtaking scenery—rolling hills, banana plantations, and rural life—creating a relaxed and visual transition from the forested world of gorillas back to open savannah.
Upon arrival at Lake Mburo, check into your lodge and refresh. In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on a sunset game drive in the park’s golden light—a chance to capture stunning photos of zebras, topis, elands, impalas, and giraffes grazing against a backdrop of glowing acacia trees and distant hills.
Alternatively, for those seeking a more peaceful water-based experience, you may opt for a guided canoe ride on Lake Mburo. This excursion offers sightings of hippos, water birds, and incredible reflections of the surrounding landscape, especially as the sun begins to set.
This scenic and restful day marks the final evening of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari, offering a perfect wind-down from the emotional highs of gorilla trekking.
Accommodation Options – Lake Mburo:
Budget: Leopard Rest Camp / Eagle’s Nest
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock / Arcadia Cottages
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge / Kigambira Safari Lodge
Transfer Duration: ~6–7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (en route), Dinner
Optional Activities: Sunset game drive or canoe ride
Day 5: Transfer Back to Entebbe or Kigali – End of Safari
After a leisurely breakfast with the sights and sounds of Lake Mburo in the background, your Nextgen Safaris Africa guide will accompany you on your return transfer to either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport, depending on your departure plan.
As you drive through the scenic countryside, take time to reflect on the unforgettable moments that defined your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari—the intimate hour with wild gorillas in Bwindi, the peaceful savannah plains of Lake Mburo, the rich birdlife, and the warm hospitality of Uganda’s people.
If returning via Entebbe, you’ll have another chance to stop at the Equator monument for lunch, souvenirs, and a final photo op before continuing to the airport for your evening flight.
If exiting through Kigali, you’ll cross back into Rwanda via the Katuna or Cyanika border, with time to explore the hills and landscapes that link these two East African gems.
Arrive at the airport in time for check-in, with your camera full and your spirit fulfilled—having completed a perfectly paced and powerfully rewarding 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari.
Transfer Duration:
Lake Mburo to Entebbe: ~5–6 hours
Lake Mburo to Kigali: ~6 hours (with border crossing)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (en route)
Ready to Book Your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari?
Don’t miss this unforgettable adventure that combines Bwindi gorilla trekking with the open plains of Lake Mburo National Park. With expert guides, smooth transfers, and carefully selected lodges, this 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari is the perfect short Uganda safari for primate lovers and nature seekers.
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Included/Exclude
Airport transfers (Entebbe or Kigali)
Professional English-speaking driver-guide from Nextgen Safaris Africa
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with fuel
4 nights’ accommodation (Budget, Midrange, or Luxury options)
All meals as indicated in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
One gorilla trekking permit per person (valued at $800)
All park entrance fees (Bwindi and Lake Mburo)
Game drives and optional walking safari in Lake Mburo
Bottled drinking water during drives
Ranger and guide fees
Government taxes and VAT
International flights
Uganda or Rwanda visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses (laundry, tips, souvenirs, etc.)
Optional activities (canoeing, Batwa cultural visit)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Accommodation before/after the safari (can be arranged on request)
Tour Plan
Last Minute Deals
Charming and Luxury Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Explore the Hidden Gem
