5 Days Lake Mburo, Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi Uganda Safari
from $1,950
This safari is perfect for travelers seeking a diverse Ugandan adventure combining wildlife, gorilla trekking, dramatic landscapes, and relaxing lakeside experiences. Explore the wildlife-rich plains of Lake Mburo National Park, trek through the ancient forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an unforgettable mountain gorilla encounter, and unwind beside the beautiful waters of Lake Bunyonyi. The combination of wildlife, primates, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences makes this a rewarding 5-day Uganda safari.
Safari Details: 5 Days Lake Mburo, Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi Uganda Safari
Overview
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
Safari Type: Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Lakeside Adventure
Start Point: Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda
End Point: Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda
Main Activities: Game drive, wildlife viewing, gorilla trekking, rainforest exploration, boat/canoe experience, birdwatching, cultural experiences
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Lodge
Best Time to Visit: June to September & December to February
The 5 Days Lake Mburo, Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi Uganda Safari combines wildlife, mountain gorilla trekking, rainforest exploration, and relaxing lakeside scenery into one memorable journey through southwestern Uganda. The safari begins with wildlife experiences in Lake Mburo National Park, continues to the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a mountain gorilla trek, and ends with time to relax and explore the scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Mburo provides a contrasting start to the safari, with open savannah landscapes and opportunities to see zebras, impalas, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbuck, and numerous bird species. Depending on the itinerary, travelers can enjoy a game drive or another guided wildlife experience before continuing toward the southwestern highlands.
The highlight of the journey is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage landscape is known for its ancient montane rainforest, exceptional biodiversity, and habituated mountain gorilla families. A guided trek takes you through the forest in search of a gorilla family, offering an opportunity to observe these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
Depending on the gorilla permit and itinerary selected, trekking can take place in one of Bwindi's main sectors, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo. The surrounding communities also provide opportunities to experience local culture and learn more about life around the forest.
After the gorilla trek, the safari continues to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's most scenic highland lakes. Surrounded by rolling hills and numerous small islands, Lake Bunyonyi provides a peaceful setting to unwind after the trek. Travelers can enjoy a canoe or boat experience, birdwatching, scenic views, or simply relax at their lakeside accommodation.
By combining Lake Mburo wildlife, Bwindi gorilla trekking, rainforest scenery, Lake Bunyonyi, and cultural experiences, this 5-day Uganda safari offers a varied itinerary for travelers who want to experience several highlights of southwestern Uganda in one trip.
Detailed Itinerary: 3 Days Gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi
After breakfast at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, meet your professional safari guide and begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park in southwestern Uganda.
Drive through Uganda’s changing countryside, passing local communities, farms, trading centres and scenic landscapes. Depending on your departure time, you may stop along the way for refreshments, photography and lunch.
Continue toward Lake Mburo, one of Uganda’s most accessible savannah parks and a destination known for its zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, warthogs and other wildlife. The park also offers beautiful acacia landscapes and views around its lakes and wetlands.
Upon arrival, enter the park and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the park tracks as your guide helps you identify animals and explains the ecosystem.
Later, continue to your lodge for check-in, relaxation and dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge in or near Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Lake Mburo – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up early for breakfast before enjoying a morning wildlife experience in Lake Mburo National Park.
Depending on your itinerary and wildlife interests, you may take a morning game drive to look for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, elands, giraffes and other species. Alternatively, a guided nature or walking experience can be arranged where available.
After the morning activity, return to the lodge, check out and begin the journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The drive takes you through the scenic landscapes of southwestern Uganda, with rolling hills, cultivated farmland, rural communities and increasingly mountainous terrain as you approach Bwindi.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing toward your selected Bwindi gorilla trekking sector. The journey provides an excellent opportunity to experience Uganda beyond its national parks and see everyday life in the countryside.
Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening. Check in, relax and prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the following day.
Your safari guide can brief you about the trek, help you prepare your hiking gear and explain what to expect during the gorilla experience.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the appropriate Bwindi gorilla trekking briefing point.
After registration and a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and guides, begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the dense rainforest.
The trek can involve steep, uneven and sometimes muddy terrain. Trekking time varies depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family being tracked.
As you walk through Bwindi's ancient forest, your ranger guides will help you understand the rainforest ecosystem and identify signs of gorilla activity. Along the trail, you may also encounter birds, primates, butterflies, forest plants and other wildlife.
Once you locate your assigned habituated gorilla family, enjoy the permitted viewing experience while observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat. You may see them feeding, resting, grooming, playing or moving through the forest.
After the gorilla trek, return to the briefing point and meet your safari guide. Depending on the timing and your energy levels, have lunch before departing for Lake Bunyonyi.
Drive through the beautiful highland landscapes of southwestern Uganda toward Lake Bunyonyi, arriving later in the afternoon or evening.
Check in at your lakeside lodge and relax after the day's gorilla trekking experience. Enjoy views across the peaceful lake and its surrounding hills.
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Explore Lake Bunyonyi – Relaxation & Optional Activities
After breakfast, spend a relaxing day exploring the beautiful surroundings of Lake Bunyonyi, one of southwestern Uganda's most scenic highland lakes.
The day can be tailored around your interests. You may enjoy a peaceful boat or canoe excursion on the lake, taking in views of the surrounding hills and islands while learning about local communities and life around the lake.
For travelers interested in culture, a community experience can provide an opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about the traditions and livelihoods of communities in the Lake Bunyonyi area.
You can also simply relax at your lodge, enjoy the scenery, take photographs or unwind after the gorilla trekking experience.
Lunch can be enjoyed at the lodge or arranged as part of your day's activities.
In the afternoon, continue enjoying the lake and surrounding landscapes before returning to your accommodation for dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the return journey from Lake Bunyonyi toward Kampala or Entebbe.
Travel through the scenic countryside of southwestern Uganda, passing rolling hills, farms, local communities and rural settlements along the way.
Depending on your departure schedule, you may stop for photography, refreshments or lunch during the journey.
Continue toward Kampala or Entebbe while enjoying your final views of Uganda's countryside.
On arrival, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or to your hotel if you are extending your stay in Uganda.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Trip Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- 4 nights' accommodation in selected safari lodges
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle for the duration of the safari
- Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- Fuel and transportation throughout the safari
- Lake Mburo National Park entrance fees
- Game drives in Lake Mburo National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi boat/canoe experience, where included in the selected package
- Airport transfers to and from Entebbe, where applicable
- Bottled drinking water during safari drives
- Park and tourism-related government fees applicable to the included activities
- All scheduled activities mentioned in the itinerary
- En-route stops for photography and sightseeing where time allows
Trip Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and other purchases
- Alcoholic and other premium beverages
- Tips and gratuities for guides, lodge staff and other service providers
- Porter fees for gorilla trekking, if a porter is requested
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Expenses caused by itinerary changes requested by the traveler
- Any other services or activities not specifically listed under inclusions
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What our travelers say
Robert KVerified
Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
Maltes TravellerHighly recommended We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
bharti nExceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable. From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
vjparGreat service from this local company We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
Adam John SmithMagical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025! I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
MadhviVerified
.gorilla trek Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
mo-marvinSuch a wonderful experience!! My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
Katelyn OA must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication. We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
HoehlenhonkAnimals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
Dilip PUGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star