5 Days Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Park

Tour Overview

5 Days Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Park : A Uganda safari that combines an encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas, a calm sail on the waters of the second deepest lake on the continent, and viewing a variety of beautiful herds of zebras, giraffes, Uganda kobs, and waterbucks among others. The 5 days Uganda safari takes us to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park for gorilla trekking and a Batwa community visit, Lake Bunyonyi for a canoe ride, and then to Lake Mburo national park for a horseback ride adventure and wildlife viewing.

The three safari destinations in this package expose travelers to Uganda’s most sought wildlife treasures, the spectacular scenery of the Kigezi and western regions, the amazingly friendly local people, and the beautiful variation in weather conditions of the regions.

Tour highlights

A scenic long drive from Kampala to southwestern Uganda
Equator experience, photo moment while straddling at the equator monument
Gorilla trekking
Meet the Batwa pygmies
Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
Boat cruise in Lake Mburo national park
Game drive
Horseback riding

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable national park

This first day of the safari starts with a meet-up with your safari driver just after you are done with your breakfast, and set off to Bwindi, a journey of 8-11 hours depending on your sector of trekking. We will briefly stop at the equator line crossing for a photo moment posing with one leg in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern.

Continue through Mbarara where we will also have lunch and proceed to Kabale, then Bwindi. The long drive rewards with fascinating views of banana and tea plantations, the rolling hills of Kigezi, and the long horned cattle of Ankole.

We will arrive at the lodge in the evening, freshen up, have dinner and rest

Male plan: lunch and dinner

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour

With all the energy, super excited, get up, have breakfast and pack our lunch then head to the park offices. We will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking just before the guide divides us into groups and gorilla families to trek allocated. Hit the trails with a ranger guide and start the search for the giants- the mountain gorillas. The walk around the forest offers a chance to sight other residents such as monkeys and different bird species.

Walking sticks offered at the park offices help to easily get through the hilly sections of Bwindi. The moment the gorillas are spotted, start the countdown of the one hour allowed with them. Nothing compares to the astonishing moment spent with the mountain gorillas; watching how the silverback heads its family, members take care of their young ones, and sometimes they are encountered after a long day of searching for food and therefore in a relaxed mood. Take as many photos with them as you can, it is an adventure worth it.

Depending on the end time of the trek, we can head to the Batwa community. The Batwa pygmies are welcoming and will perform some of their cultural dances as well as narrate some stories about how they lived in Bwindi forest along with the gorillas. In the evening, we return to your lodge and rest.

Meal plan: Full board

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo national park

Early morning, we will have breakfast at the lodge and check out. Drive to Lake Bunyonyi and straight to the jetty where we will meet the sailors and guides ready to take us for the canoe ride. It is such a thrilling experience to sit in a wooden dugout canoe and sail on Lake Bunyonyi. The views, the breeze, and the history are interesting.

On return, we meet our safari guide and set off to Lake Mburo National Park. Check in to the lodge, have dinner, freshen up, and rest.

Meal plan: Full board

Day 4: Morning game drive and a boat cruise

After breakfast at the lodge, we set out for a game drive. The park has the largest number of zebras in Uganda and they will be commonly seen. At a glance, we will see some lakes in the region, then other wildlife including giraffes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and various bird species. Return to the lodge after the game drive, have lunch and go for a boat cruise.

The 2 hours boat ride is mostly about watching wildlife including hippos, crocodiles, birds and analyzing the vegetation types around the lake. Back to the lodge, have dinner, and go through the photos of the trip as we make the most memories while in the wilderness.

Meal plan: Full board

Day 5: Horseback riding and return to Kampala

Sitting on the back of a horse and going through the vast plains decorated with different mammal species is an exciting experience. After the horseback ride, we drive out of the park and return to Kampala. En-route lunch and arrive in Kampala in the afternoon.

Meal plan: Half board

End of Tour

Tour includes;