5 Days Uganda Big Five Safari and Gorilla Trekking Experience

The 5 Days Uganda Big Five Safari and Gorilla Trekking Experience is an immersive expedition that unites two of Africa’s most iconic wildlife adventures the search for the legendary Big Five and the unforgettable encounter with the mountain gorillas. Crafted exclusively by Deks Safaris and Tours, this journey leads through Uganda’s most breathtaking landscapes from the thundering Murchison Falls on the Nile River to the open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and deep into the mist-shrouded forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

 

Day

Activities

Accommodation

Day 1

 Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary and a Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 2

 Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park with Game Drives and Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 3

 Morning Road Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drives Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Day 4

 Morning Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 5

 Enjoy Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Afternoon Drive to Kigali Airport for a Flight Back Home None

Tour Quotation Based on a Solo Traveler and Mid-Range Basis: US$2,979

5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience

This 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari blend the thrill of African wildlife viewing with the serenity of Uganda’s lush wilderness. Each day unfolds like a storybook chapter: tracking rhinos on foot, witnessing the explosive power of the Nile as it crashes through a narrow gorge, cruising among hippos and crocodiles, spotting tree-climbing lions, and trekking through the ancient rainforests to meet a family of mountain gorillas.

Uganda’s charm lies in its diversity vast plains dotted with acacias, forests rich with primates, and wetlands teeming with birds and aquatic life. The safari delivers not only encounters with Africa’s Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino but also a chance to connect deeply with the untamed spirit of the Pearl of Africa. The itinerary emphasizes comfort, adventure, and authenticity combining mid-range lodges that blend into nature’s tranquility with guided experiences led by expert naturalists who understand every corner of Uganda’s wild heart.

As the 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari unfolds, each park reveals a new rhythm the deep rumble of Murchison Falls, the quiet roar of the savannah wind, and the hushed whispers of Bwindi’s ancient forest. This safari is not just travel; it’s transformation a personal narrative written in the language of wilderness and wonder.

 

Detailed 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary & Journey to Murchison Falls National Park

  • Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

The 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari begins upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where a warm welcome awaits from your professional guide from Deks Safaris and Tours. After a short briefing, you’ll embark on a scenic drive northwest toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most captivating park. The drive meanders through the lush countryside, dotted with farmlands, rural markets, and glimpses of daily Ugandan life.

Your first major stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a conservation haven dedicated to reintroducing rhinos to Uganda after their extinction in the 1980s. Here, you’ll undertake a guided rhino tracking walk a thrilling experience that allows you to approach these massive creatures on foot under the watchful eye of trained rangers. The feeling of standing meters away from a grazing white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) is humbling and exhilarating, a gentle reminder of Africa’s fragile wildlife legacy.

Arriving at Murchison Falls National Park

After this memorable 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari experience, continue the journey north, arriving at Murchison Falls National Park in the late afternoon. Before reaching your lodge, you’ll make a brief stop for a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, one of the most dramatic natural spectacles in Africa. The Nile River, wide and calm above the falls, squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge and plunges 43 meters with a thunderous roar, releasing a mist that shimmers in the sunlight.

As you stand on the rocks watching the water explode into the abyss, the power of nature becomes tangible. Later, check in at Pakuba Safari Lodge, a serene retreat nestled along the Albert Nile. The evening unwinds with dinner and the sounds of the wilderness perhaps a distant lion call or the grunt of a hippo echoing from the riverbanks.

Animals to Spot:

  • Southern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum)
  • Rothschild’s Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)
  • Olive Baboon (Papio anubis)
  • African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
  • Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

 

Uganda Big Five Safari and Gorilla Trekking

Th top of Murchison Falls

Day 2: Safari Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Nile

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Rise early for a morning game drive across the northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park. As the first rays of sunlight stretch across the savannah, the wilderness stirs to life. This is the best time to witness predators on the move lions (Panthera leo) returning from the night’s hunt or leopards (Panthera pardus) slinking into the thickets. The grasslands host a vibrant population of herbivores Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi), Jackson’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in peaceful herds.

The landscape alternates between open savannah, riverine forests, and acacia woodlands, providing habitats for countless bird species. You may also spot Abyssinian ground hornbills (Bucorvus abyssinicus) striding through the grass or grey crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum) dancing elegantly.

Boat Cruise Along the Victoria Nile

After a hearty lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. This slow, scenic journey unveils the aquatic ecosystem of the park hippos in their hundreds wallowing in the water, crocodiles basking on sandy banks, and elephants coming to drink at the river’s edge. The cliffs along the banks are nesting grounds for red-throated bee-eaters (Merops bulocki), while fish eagles patrol the skies.

As the boat approaches the base of Murchison Falls, the mighty Nile reveals its raw strength once more. The spray cools your face as you admire the sight of the river churning and crashing through the narrow gorge. Return to your lodge for dinner and a calm evening under the stars, with the night’s symphony of frogs and distant wildlife filling the air.

Animals to Spot:

  • African Lion (Panthera leo)
  • Leopard (Panthera pardus)
  • African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
  • Uganda Kob (Kobus kob thomasi)
  • Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
  • Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
  • Jackson’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni)

 

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Game Drive in the Savannah

Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Today’s journey leads south toward the stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse savannah ecosystem. The long scenic drive passes through the Albertine Rift Valley, lush farmlands, and small villages that paint an authentic portrait of rural Uganda. The ever-changing scenery ensures that the road itself becomes part of the 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari experience, with possible en-route sightings of monkeys, hornbills, and roadside markets full of tropical fruits.

Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon and embark on an evening game drive through the Kasenyi Plains. These wide, open grasslands are a magnet for predators, thanks to the dense herds of Uganda kob and buffalo. Lions often lie in ambush here, while elephants graze gracefully near the crater lakes. You might even catch a glimpse of a leopard resting in an acacia tree.

The park’s contrasting habitats savannah plains, crater lakes, and wetlands support a remarkable array of wildlife. The Kasenyi sector is also one of the best places to photograph large herds against the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon.”

As the sun dips below the horizon, the plains glow in gold and crimson hues. The rhythmic calls of African nightjars signal the approach of dusk. Return to Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, perched on a hill overlooking the twin crater lakes a perfect spot for a sundowner drink before dinner.

Animals to Spot:

  • African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
  • African Lion (Panthera leo)
  • Leopard (Panthera pardus)
  • Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
  • Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
  • African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
  • Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)

Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

After breakfast, set out for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth’s southern sector, known as Ishasha, a landscape of fig trees and open plains that is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. These unique cats are often seen draped over branches, lazily surveying their kingdom below a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa.

The route offers more than lions; it’s also excellent for spotting Topi antelope (Damaliscus lunatus), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and Elephants (Loxodonta africana) along the riverbanks. Birders will enjoy sightings of African fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer) and grey kestrels (Falco ardosiaceus) circling above.

After the drive, continue southwest toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse forests on the planet. The journey winds through terraced hills and mist-covered valleys until you arrive at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, set at the edge of the forest.

Evenings here are magical the forest hums with the sound of insects, frogs, and distant nightjars, while the cool mountain air carries the scent of earth and rain. A campfire dinner at the lodge provides the perfect prelude to tomorrow’s extraordinary adventure: meeting the mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

Animals to Spot:

  • Tree-Climbing Lion (Panthera leo nubica)
  • African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
  • Topi Antelope (Damaliscus lunatus)
  • Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa)
  • Olive Baboon (Papio anubis)
  • Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)

 

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Transfer to Kigali for Departure

Accommodation: None (Departure)

The climax of your 5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari dawns today an encounter with one of the world’s most profound wildlife experiences: gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early breakfast, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a briefing on trekking guidelines and conservation efforts. Accompanied by expert trackers, you’ll begin the trek into the heart of the rainforest, following trails scented with wildflowers and rich with bird calls.

The trek can take anywhere between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location, and every step is filled with wonder butterflies flutter through the sunlight, and forest duikers dart through the undergrowth. When you finally reach the gorilla family, all fatigue fades. You will spend an unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants watching a silverback’s watchful gaze, the playful antics of juveniles, and the nurturing tenderness of mothers.

This intimate encounter with Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) is deeply moving and humbling. Few experiences on Earth rival the emotion of looking into the intelligent eyes of these close relatives of humankind.

After your trek, you’ll descend back to the trailhead, where your guide awaits for a scenic drive across the border into Kigali, Rwanda, for your departure flight. Reflect on the journey the power of the Nile, the silence of the forest, and the eyes of the gorilla symbols of a continent that still beats wild and free.

Animals to Spot:

  • Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
  • L’Hoest’s Monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti)
  • Black-and-White Colobus (Colobus guereza)
  • Forest Duiker (Cephalophus nigrifrons)
  • African Golden Cat (rare sighting) (Caracal aurata)

5 Days Uganda Big Five and Gorilla Trekking Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

  • All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver/guide
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
  • All park entrance fees and conservation permits
  • Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
  • Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile
  • Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Government taxes and VAT

 

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights to and from Uganda or Rwanda
  • Entry visas and travel insurance
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses (laundry, tips, drinks, etc.)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Extra accommodation before or after the safari
  • Souvenirs and personal shopping
  • Gratuities for guides, porters, and lodge staff

 

Conclusion by Deks Safaris and Tours

The 5 Days Uganda Big Five Safari and Gorilla Trekking Experience by Deks Safaris and Tours is more than a journey it’s a soulful immersion into the heart of Africa’s wilderness. From rhinos grazing in the Ziwa Sanctuary to the thunder of the Murchison Falls, from lions stalking the Kasenyi Plains to the profound stillness of a gorilla encounter every moment redefines adventure.

This itinerary perfectly blends the excitement of the African savannah with the mystery of the rainforest, offering both the thrill of the chase and the peace of reflection. For travelers seeking comfort, authenticity, and connection with nature, this safari promises not just memories, but a transformation the kind only Africa can offer.

 

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