5 Days Gorilla and Whitewater Rafting: The 5 Days Bwindi and Jinja safari is a great adventure tour taking you to two incredible destinations in Uganda. The safari is tailored for travelers seeking to immerse in Africa’s typical jungle and real adventure. It takes you through the scenic countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable national park in the far southwestern part of Uganda and then transfer to Jinja in Eastern Uganda to face your fears while rafting at the Nile. The two destinations are far apart from one another but the road trip experience is worth it.

Tour highlights

• A transfer from Kampala to Bwindi with scenic views of vast plains, hills, tea and banana plantations and waterbodies
• Stopover at the equator for the water experience and photography moment
• Gorilla trekking- a great time of walking around the impenetrable rainforest and a precious one hour with the gorillas
• Another scenic drive when transferring from Bwindi to Kampala overnight.
• Kampala City tour and souvenir shopping.
• After breakfast connect to Jinja, for a Whitewater rafting adventure and return to Kampala. End of trip

Detailed itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi

After having breakfast, you will meet your safari driver and go through a short briefing, then drive out of Kampala to the west. The first stopover will be at Kayabwe for the equator experience before you proceed through the plains of Lake Mburo National Park to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch. Depending on your gorilla trekking sector, the drive can take 9-11 hours. Kabale in southwest Uganda welcomes you with stunning views of rolling hills and the Virunga volcanoes at a distance. Meal plan: lunch and dinner

Accommodation: booked lodge in Bwindi

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest

With an early morning breakfast and packed lunch, you will head to the park offices of the trekking sector in Bwindi for a briefing about gorilla trekking. Individuals are grouped and allocated gorilla families to trek with the guidance of a park ranger and guide. The duration of the trek is unpredictable because it all depends on the location of the gorilla family being tracked. When you come across the gorillas, you will stay in their company for a maximum of an hour; watch them go on with their day-to-day activities, take those photos for memories, and learn about their behaviors.

After the once-in-a-lifetime hour, return to the park offices, pick up your gorilla trekking certificates, and then drive back to the lodge. If the trek ends early, you can choose to go for a tour in the Batwa community in the late afternoon or evening. Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: overnight at the lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Kampala.

After staying in the beautiful Kigezi region for 2 nights, you will check out of your lodge and get on the highway back to Kampala.

It’s a full day drive punctuated with brief stops at places of interest. Arrive in Kampala in the evening, and check in at your lodge for Dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: overnight at the booked lodge in Kampala

Day 4: Whitewater rafting

After breakfast, transfer to Jinja for the  Whitewater rafting along the Nile River in Jinja; you will be orientated for guidance and safety while on water, get ready with the rafting gear and get onto the raft. With the guide, sail through the calm water and proceed to the turbulent sections of the rapids. 

After the tiresome yet thrilling experience, you will get back to your lodge, freshen up, have dinner, and rest. Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: booked lodge/Hotel

Day 5: Kampala City Tour

After breakfast, with your guide go for a half-day Kampala city tour through the city highlights. Places to be visited include historical sites, Galleries, and markets among others.

Rest of the day at leisure or transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End of tour

The safari includes;

• Gorilla permit at US$700 per person per trek
• Transport in safari vehicle
• English-speaking safari guide
• Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
• Activities as per itinerary
• Drinking water

The tour excludes

• Visa and airfares
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuity
• Items of personal nature