8-Day Uganda Flying Safari | Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife

An 8-Day Uganda Flying Safari | Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife. Immerse yourself in the lush rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the expansive savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park on this 8-Day Uganda Flying Safari across southern Uganda. Your expert driver-guide will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and transport you to a cosy accommodation upon your arrival. Acclimatisation to the local climate zone requires a night of relaxation at the lodge the following morning.

After a domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip (approximately 1.5 hours) on day three, you’ll have a beautiful 1.5 hour drive to your lodge on the outskirts of Bwindi, which is home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. You will spend two to six hours following the lead of knowledgeable park rangers as you traverse the thick rainforest in pursuit of a habituated gorilla family. The sight of the mother horses keeping a close eye on their young, the mighty silverback demanding respect, and the carefree babies tumbling through the underbrush create an unforgettable first impression. After the hike, relax at the lodge, go on a guided hike through the forest, or visit a local Batwa village to hear about their long-ago forest rituals.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most biologically varied regions in Uganda, is approximately a three-hour drive from Bwindi. Here you can go on game drives in search of animals including leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the renowned Ishasha tree-climbing lions. Hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of colourful birds can be seen on a leisurely boat ride down the Kazinga Channel. This adventure offers a luxurious and unforgettable safari experience in Uganda, complete with luxurious resorts, knowledgeable guides, and specialised safari vehicles.

8-Day Uganda Flying Safari Highlights

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda
Day 2: Leisure & Relaxation at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa
Day 3: Scenic Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Encounter & Forest Leisure
Day 5: Journey to the Savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Classic Game Drives & Kazinga Channel Cruise
Day 7: Another day to enjoy Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 8: Fly Back to Entebbe & Departure Home

A Detailed 8-Day Uganda Flying Safari | Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife

Day 1: Welcome to the pearl of Africa!

After you touch down at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), a friendly representative from Kabira Safaris Africa will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Entebbe. Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Victoria, the laid-back town of Entebbe is ideal for leisurely exploration. Your arrival time will determine the activities available to you; these may include shopping for souvenirs at local markets, taking a leisurely stroll around the stunning Entebbe Botanical Gardens, or relaxing on a boat tour on Lake Victoria. You have the rest of the day to unwind from your journey or continue seeing the town at your own pace. We can arrange for additional activities and transfers if you’d like.

Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa (or similar)
Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Leisure & Relaxation at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa

Let yourself fully immerse in the tranquil beauty of Lake Victoria as you spend the day at leisure at the magnificent Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, where you may adjust to the local time zone. You are free to take it easy and enjoy the day after a leisurely breakfast. Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, stroll around the verdant grounds, or simply relax by the pool while taking in breathtaking views of the lake. Leisurely boat rides on Lake Victoria, a game of golf on the championship course, or just taking it easy by the water are all available as optional extras. Indulge in a delectable meal at the resort before taking leisurely afternoon to relax and recharge. In the evening, enjoy a delectable dinner that has been expertly prepared, bringing a perfect close to a peaceful and rejuvenating day.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa (Standard Deluxe Room)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Scenic Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Your morning flight to Kihihi Airstrip is planned to depart from Entebbe Airport after breakfast. The picturesque ride will take little over an hour. Once you’re there, the drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO, will take you past rural settlements and up mountain roads. About 90 minutes is the time it takes to drive there. With more than 160 tree species, 345 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and 120 mammal species, Bwindi is one of the most diverse ecosystems in East Africa. Above all else, the park is a crucial location for conservation efforts on a global scale because it is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas that are still considered endangered.

Optional Activities:

Buhoma Community Village Walk – Support the local community while exploring the village on foot. Highlights include a visit to a traditional healer and a banana brewery.

Bwindi Forest Walk – Accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide, hike the forest trails to enjoy the rich flora and wildlife. A popular option is the 3–4-hour hike to the waterfall.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Encounter & Forest Leisure

One of the defining moments of your life will occur today. For ecotourists and wildlife enthusiasts everywhere, going gorilla trekking is an ultimate fantasy. Visit the park headquarters after breakfast at your resort for a briefing given by knowledgeable park rangers. Your adventure to see these magnificent mountain gorillas will start at eight in the morning as you follow the established paths through the dense jungle. One of the most remarkable wildlife encounters on Earth takes place in Bwindi, home to 500 gorillas—nearly half of the world’s remaining population.

The length of a typical trek might vary from forty-five minutes to eight hours, and the weather can be hot and humid. Nevertheless, the wait is well worth it when you get to see the gorillas in Bwindi. Observing, petting, and photographing these majestic creatures while staring into their expressive brown eyes is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There are a lot of animals to see on the trail, but the gorillas are definitely the main attraction. Other animals you might see include chimpanzees, monkeys (both blue and red-tailed), guereza, l’Hoest’s, fire-footed rope, carruthers’ mountain, rustenzori sun, and red-legged sun squirrels. Your gorilla trekking certificate will be waiting for you at the beginning of the trail when you get back to the starting point. After that, you can have a picnic lunch and then head back to the resort to relax or go exploring the Bwindi neighbourhood.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Journey to the Savannahs of Queen Elizabeth

Leaving the verdant Bwindi Hills behind, after breakfast you’ll make the three- to four-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s golden savannah plains. As you make your way through the park, keep an eye out for animals. You might even see the renowned tree-climbing lions of Ishasha relaxing in the branches. By the time you get to your lodge, lunch will be on the horizon. You will have a short break before setting out on an afternoon game drive to discover the breathtaking scenery of “Queen,” as the locals and safari enthusiasts often refer to it. It was rechristened two years after its 1952 founding to honour a visit by Queen Elizabeth II; the original name was Kazinga National Park.

The 1,978-square-kilometer Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches from the northeastern shore of Lake George to the southwest shore of Lake Edward, with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. The park’s popularity among Ugandans is well-deserved. Expansive grasslands, lush woods, rich wetlands, and picturesque crater lakes nestled amid undulating hills are all part of its varied ecosystem. A photographer’s dream, this area is home to more than 600 bird species and 95 different kinds of mammals. Your first game drive will end with a return to the lodge for some downtime, dinner, and a good night’s sleep.

Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Classic Game Drives & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Your morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains will begin after breakfast at the lodge. The Kasenyi Plains are home to some of the most spectacular wildlife in Africa. Be on the lookout for a wide variety of animals, including elephants, buffalo, kob, bushbuck, hippos, warthogs, gigantic forest hogs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and Nile crocodiles, among many smaller species. Among the most picturesque sections of the park, particularly in the warm light of dawn, this region is teeming with wildlife and offers breathtaking views.

A wide variety of birds, including the shoebill, African hobby, Rüppell’s vulture, bateleur, brown snake eagle, peregrine falcon, grey kestrel, African skimmer, black bee-eater, great blue turaco, great white pelican, papyrus gonolek, Pel’s fishing owl, and many more, will delight birdwatchers.

Returning to the lodge for some downtime and lunch follows the wildlife drive. The boat excursion on the Kazinga Channel will begin at 2:00 pm, so in the afternoon you will be directed to Mweya Jetty. Do not miss this must-do activity; you will get up close and personal with hundreds of hippos and buffalo, and you may even spot elephants lounging on the beach. From the safety of the boat, you may observe the channel’s abundant waterbirds and Nile crocodiles in all their natural splendour.

Following the cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to go on a brief game drive along the channel track before heading back to the resort for some down time and dinner. You deserve a good night’s sleep after such an eventful day.

Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Another day To Enjoy Queen Elizabeth National Park

Visiting the most biodiverse national park in Uganda is the focus of today’s activities. The day will start with a game drive around the park, where you can see animals and beautiful scenery.

There are creatures in Queen Elizabeth National Park, but there are also beautiful landscapes. As you wind your way around Crater Lake Drive, you’ll see breathtaking views of old volcanic craters brimming with azure water. You can see for miles, and the sky seems to go on forever. In the late afternoon, when the sun sets and the sky is golden, this trip takes on an otherworldly quality.

You are free to spend the afternoon lounging around the pool of your lodge. Another boat safari is an option if you’d rather keep moving.

Other optional activities include:

Predator Tracking:

Permit a park biologist to lead you on a unique morning safari. Through scientific observation, you may learn about lion prides and leopards in this one-of-a-kind event. You can be sure to see lions (and leopards when they’re seen) because they’re tracked using radio collars. The biologist can even lead you off the beaten path to get a better look. Research in the park is being supported by this activity.

Kyambura Gorge Trekking:

Kyambura Gorge is an 11-kilometer chasm that cuts through the savannah, and it is a breathtaking place to trek. Wildlife such as chimpanzees and snakes call the verdant tropical rainforest that runs beside the Kyambura River inside the gorge home. The hike is the most exciting part since rangers hope to see chimpanzees, but there’s no certainty (around a 50% possibility). The exciting journey is enhanced by the fact that the trail involves climbing and scrambling.

Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Fly Back to Entebbe & Departure Home

After breakfast, you will be driven to Kasese Airstrip by your driver-guide. Here, you will say goodbye and board your domestic aircraft back to Entebbe. You can avoid a seven-hour car trip by taking a beautiful flight, which takes about an hour and forty-five minutes. You will be able to take in breathtaking panoramas of Lake Victoria and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains as you fly over Uganda. A lot of people say that the flight is the most exciting part of their vacation. If your international flight doesn’t take off until later in the evening, our driver-guide will be there to greet you when you land in Entebbe and take you to a hotel in the area. You are welcome to take it easy, use the reserved day room to freshen yourself, and have lunch or dinner whenever you like. We can help you make reservations if you need them, but you’ll have to pay for your own meals and lodging during the day. Your transfer to Entebbe International Airport will take place later so that you can continue your flight home.