Mountain gorilla trekking is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding wildlife encounters in the world. Although chimpanzees are more closely related to humans, mountain gorillas have proved to connect more to people than any other creature. Nothing prepares you for being stared at by a giant gorilla.
This 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Serengeti Safari offers you an opportunity to encounter these rare apes in addition to unmatched wildlife experiences in Africa’s most renowned national park – Serengeti in northern Tanzania.
See the detailed itinerary for this Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Serengeti Wildlife Viewing below.
6-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Serengeti Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 3: Transfer to Kigali, Outbound Flight to JRO International Airport
- Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
- Day 5: Game Drive in Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- Day 6: Morning Boat Ride & Departure
Detailed 6-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Serengeti Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Explore Uganda’s best travel destinations with stopovers to capture moments and take a few photos.
The first stopover will be made at the equator, where you will have a chance to stand in both hemispheres. Grab a cup of coffee to rejuvenate your energy ahead of the long journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Along the way, enjoy landscapes in the countryside, farmlands, and banana plantations. These offer chances for photography and stretching to ease the trip. Have lunch in Mbarara and proceed southwest to check in at your lodge in the evening.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to different species of primates, including red colobus and red-tailed monkeys, and, of course, the endangered mountain gorillas.
Beneath the forest canopy is a habitat for an array of butterflies and numerous bird species like the native broadbills, Great Blue Turaco, joyful greenbul, olive long-tailed cuckoo, and many Rwenzori and Albertine Rift endemics.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to Uganda’s most famous primates, the mountain gorillas. Have breakfast at 7:00 am, get your trekking gear ready, attend a pre-trek briefing at the headquarters, and proceed to the gorilla trek starting point.
Together with a ranger guide, a porter (who may be hired to carry your luggage), and gorilla trackers, you set off into the misty jungle to begin the search for mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking duration may be unpredictable but usually lasts 1-8 hours, depending on the location of the allocated gorilla family and the weather.
Nothing matches the joy of meeting face-to-face with these mighty creatures; find them deep in the jungles, watch them feed, play, breastfeed, and care for the juveniles.
This experience will soon be cut short when your one-hour maximum duration comes to an end. Retreat back to the starting point and join your driver to transfer back to the lodge.
Relax in the afternoon, and in the evening, head to the neighboring Batwa communities for an epic cultural encounter.
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali, Outbound Flight to JRO International Airport
Leave Bwindi Forest this morning and transfer to Kigali airport. Traverse through the Kigezi highlands, and make a stopover at Lake Bunyonyi to view one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, learn about its history, and continue the drive to the Katuna border. Cross the border and head for Kigali city.
The city is Africa’s cleanest and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan towns; have lunch in the heart of the city and take a short city tour or do some souvenir shopping. Drop off at the airport and catch a connecting flight to Tanzania – Arusha airport.
Meet with your Tanzania safari guide, who will pick you up from the airport and drive you to the hotel in Arusha.
Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Have breakfast as early as 6:00 am and depart from Arusha in a 4×4 popup-roof safari land cruiser, heading for Serengeti National Park. The journey takes about 4-5 hours, and you will arrive at Serengeti via Ngorongoro gate and check in at the lodge.
Have lunch and relax as you prepare for an evening game drive within the beautiful plains of Serengeti.
Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly a destination with the highest concentration of elephants in all East African national parks.
It also boasts a magnificent number of mammals, including greater and lesser kudus, sable antelope, buffaloes, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and roan antelopes, which can be easily sighted in the Miombo woodland.
Later, return to your safari lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Game Drive in Serengeti & Ngorongoro
This day you will have a full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These two places are among the best for wildlife viewing in the world.
You will find all the big five game animals here with a lot of ease. You will have an overnight stay at Lake Eyasi.
Day 6: Morning Boat Ride & Departure
Have an early breakfast at your lodge and depart for an exciting boat ride on Lake Eyasi. After this boat cruise, you will exit Ngorongoro Conservation Area and proceed with your drive to Arusha to catch your flight back home.
End of the 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Serengeti Safari.
