7-Day Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

You'll be met at Entebbe International Airport by your Nature Link Safaris representative and transferred the short 5-minute drive into town, or on to Kampala (roughly 40km/1 hour depending on traffic). This first evening is unhurried — a chance to rest after the flight and meet your driver-guide before the safari begins in earnest tomorrow. Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge or Boma Guest House, both set on Lake Victoria's shoreline. Meals: Dinner.

After breakfast, it's roughly a 300km, 6-hour drive west, passing through papyrus swamps, the Kampala–Fort Portal highway, and thick equatorial forest with the Rwenzori Mountains rising on the horizon. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through Kibale's crater lakes region for volcanic scenery and cultural stops in surrounding villages, followed by a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, one of Uganda's best community-run birding sites. Overnight at Chimpanzee Guest House, overlooking a dramatic crater lake beneath the "Mountains of the Moon." Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

An early start for chimpanzee trekking through Kibale's tall canopy forest — considered Africa's premier location for reliable wild chimp sightings. In the afternoon, drive roughly 130km (2.5 hours) south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, with game viewing along the way. Overnight at Mweya Lodge or Katara Lodge, both perched on the escarpment above the park's lake systems. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

A dawn game drive covers Queen Elizabeth's open plains, home to large herds of elephant and Uganda kob, plus a chance at giant forest hog and the park's 600+ recorded bird species. After lunch, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel — the narrow waterway linking Lakes Edward and George — brings you close to some of Africa's densest concentrations of hippo and buffalo. Overnight again at Mweya or Katara Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today's roughly 230km drive crosses some of East Africa's most dramatic terrain, from highland rainforest toward the volcanic hills where mountain gorillas live. En route, stop at Kyambura Gorge before continuing with packed lunches to the Ishasha sector, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. An afternoon game drive here is followed by the final stretch through tea plantation country into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Overnight at Engagi Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After an early breakfast, report for an 8:00am briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before setting off into the forest to track your assigned gorilla family. Bring a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and sturdy boots — the terrain is steep and often muddy, and trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours before you reach the group. Once located, you'll spend up to one hour observing the gorillas feeding, resting, or moving through the undergrowth. Hiring a local porter is optional but recommended, both for the practical help and to support the local economy. Overnight again at Engagi Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

An early morning departure for the roughly 500km, 8-9 hour drive back to Entebbe, with a lunch stop at Mbarara and photo stops at the Equator crossing and the Mpambire drum-making village, a good last chance for souvenirs. On arrival, transfer directly to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.