Get in Touch
Saved tours: email me this list
Mountain gorilla resting in thick vegetation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda A young mountain gorilla eating leaves in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. A mountain gorilla eating beside a tree trunk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. A close-up of the face of a mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. A silverback mountain gorilla walking through grass at a forest edge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Forested hills and mountains in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. An older man in traditional dress near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. A mountain gorilla resting among leaves in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
0108

Uganda · Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi

4 Days Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Excellent on Tripadvisor
Request a quote
  • Duration4 days, 3 nights
  • Start & endKampala or Entebbe
  • Travel stylePrivate road safari or fly-in
  • Activity levelModerate to challenging
  • Altitude1,160 to 2,607 m
  • Minimum age15 years

Overview

The Rainforest and Lakeside Retreat

Discover two of southwestern Uganda’s most captivating destinations on a four-day safari that combines a mountain gorilla encounter with the peaceful beauty of Lake Bunyonyi. It suits couples, honeymooners, nature lovers and anyone who wants a slower-paced adventure.

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you trek with park rangers and guides in search of a habituated gorilla family. You then continue to Lake Bunyonyi, a highland lake of terraced hills and islands, where the pace slows with a guided canoe excursion, lakeside views and time to relax.

You can travel by road, or fly in to the airstrip serving your trekking sector (Kihihi or Kisoro) to save time. Accommodation can be tailored to a luxury, midrange or budget level.

Best forAdventure SeekersCouplesHoneymooners
DestinationsBwindi Impenetrable National ParkLake Bunyonyi

Highlights

  • Mountain gorilla trekking: Trek the ancient rainforest of Bwindi with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers to find a habituated gorilla family.
  • Lake Bunyonyi retreat: Unwind beside a picturesque lake surrounded by green hills, terraced slopes and islands.
  • Canoeing among the islands: Take a guided canoe excursion and learn about island communities and the lake's cultural significance.
  • Slow travel: Enjoy leisurely breakfasts, lakeside views and unhurried evenings.
  • Community experiences: Add a guided cultural visit, storytelling, performances or crafts, subject to availability.
  • Fly-in option: Take a domestic flight to Kihihi or Kisoro and cut the overland travel time.

Itinerary

Day by Day

4 days · 3 nights
Open a day to see it on the map
  • Tour durationAbout 9 to 10 hours by road
  • AccommodationLodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • MealsLunch & dinner

Your safari begins with a welcome from your Bespoke Safaris driver-guide, who goes through the journey ahead. You reach Bwindi by road from Entebbe or Kampala, leaving after breakfast and travelling southwest through the countryside, past rural settlements and cultivated hillsides, with a stop for refreshments or lunch. An early departure is recommended because the journey is long.

If you choose the fly-in option, you transfer to Entebbe International Airport for a domestic flight to the airstrip serving your trekking sector, which may be Kihihi or Kisoro. Your local driver-guide then takes you to your lodge.

You check in at your lodge near your trekking sector and rest, with a short nature walk or birdwatching around the lodge if time allows. Your guide briefs you on the next day’s trek, including the meeting point, clothing and equipment, and you enjoy dinner near the rainforest.

0102
  • Tour durationTrek of several hours, then a transfer
  • AccommodationLakeside lodge at Lake Bunyonyi
  • MealsBreakfast, packed lunch & dinner

Enjoy an early breakfast, then transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point. Park rangers register the group, explain the trekking guidelines and introduce the gorilla family assigned to you. You then enter the forest with trained rangers and guides.

The trek takes you through dense rainforest with towering trees, tangled vines and steep, sometimes muddy slopes. Its length and difficulty depend on where the gorillas are, so a reasonable level of fitness is important, and you can hire a local porter to help. When you find the gorillas, you spend the permitted viewing time, normally up to one hour, watching the family feed, groom, rest and play. Photography is allowed under the rangers’ instructions, but flash and touching the gorillas are not permitted.

After the trek, return to the briefing area for refreshments and a short rest, then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon or early evening, timed around when your trek finishes. You check in at your lakeside lodge for dinner with views of the water.

0104
  • Tour durationCanoe excursion and free time
  • AccommodationLakeside lodge at Lake Bunyonyi
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast overlooking the lake. After the gorilla trek, today is deliberately slow and gives you time to unwind and explore at your own pace.

In the morning you meet a local guide for a canoe excursion across the lake, taking in the islands, terraced hillsides and scattered settlements, and learning about the lake’s cultural significance and the lives of nearby communities. The length can be adapted to your interests, subject to weather and water conditions, and safety arrangements are confirmed before you set off.

Back at the lodge you can read, take photographs or relax on the terrace. In the afternoon, choose a guided nature walk, birdwatching with a local guide, a community visit to learn about local food and crafts, or a quiet lakeside lunch. Optional activities can be arranged at extra cost where applicable. You then enjoy dinner and a peaceful second night by the lake.

  • Tour durationAbout 9 to 10 hours by road
  • MealsBreakfast & lunch

Enjoy a final breakfast beside the lake, with time for a short walk or a viewpoint before you check out. If you have time, you can request a brief cultural stop, arranged in advance so it does not delay the return journey.

By road, you meet your driver-guide and set off for Kampala or Entebbe. The drive is long, so an early start is advisable, with comfort breaks and a lunch stop along the way. If you chose the fly-in option, you transfer to the airstrip for a scheduled domestic flight back to Entebbe, timed with the flight operator.

If you connect to an international flight the same day, allow plenty of time for transfers and check-in. Where the schedules do not give a comfortable connection, an extra night near Entebbe may be advisable.

0101

This itinerary is a guide. Your gorilla trekking date and sector are confirmed when the permit is secured, and the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi is timed around when your trek finishes.

Before you go

Tour Details

Ask our team a question
  • Gorilla trekking permit for one trek per traveller, subject to confirmation and availability
  • Accommodation for 3 nights, as quoted
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Private safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Airport or airstrip transfers where applicable
  • Guided canoe excursion on Lake Bunyonyi, where included in the selected package
  • Bottled drinking water during scheduled road transfers and activities
  • Government taxes and fees stated in the quotation
  • Pre-departure assistance and coordination of the booked activities
  • International flights
  • Uganda visa fees and other immigration costs
  • Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
  • Domestic flights, unless the fly-in package is chosen
  • Porter fees for gorilla trekking, unless stated otherwise
  • Optional cultural visits, community experiences and nature walks not in the quotation
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs and drinks
  • Alcoholic and premium drinks, unless in the meal plan
  • Accommodation upgrades, single-room supplements and additional nights
Day 3Guided nature walkExplore the lakeside with a local guide, arranged at extra cost where applicable.
Day 3BirdwatchingLook for birds with a local guide, arranged at extra cost where applicable.
Day 3Community visitLearn about local food, crafts and daily life, arranged at extra cost where applicable.
Day 4Cultural stopA brief stop on request, arranged in advance so it does not delay the return journey.

Not included in the price unless your confirmed itinerary lists them.

Gorilla trekking runs all year. The drier months, December to February and June to September, usually make the trails easier underfoot. The rest of the year is greener and quieter, with more rain.

  • Book gorilla permits well in advance, because trekking dates and sectors must be confirmed before accommodation and transport are finalised.
  • Fly-in options depend on the airstrip serving your sector, flight schedules, luggage limits and availability.
  • Canoeing and other lake activities depend on weather, water conditions and local safety arrangements.
  • Trekkers must be 15 or older.
DifficultyModerate to challenging

Gorilla trekking involves walking on uneven, steep and sometimes muddy terrain, and treks can last several hours. Day 2 can be physically demanding, so the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi is kept flexible. Porters can be hired locally to help with your daypack.

  • Hiking boots with good grip
  • Long trousers and long-sleeved clothing
  • A lightweight waterproof jacket
  • Gardening gloves for gripping vines
  • Insect repellent
  • Drinking water and a small daypack

Most visitors need a visa for Uganda. Check your own requirements well before you travel, and speak to your doctor about recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention.

Follow the rangers’ instructions: no flash photography, do not touch the gorillas, and do not trek if you have an illness that could be infectious. The gorilla permit supports the regulated conservation and tourism framework around these endangered animals.

Guest reviews

What Our Guests Say

Excellent on Tripadvisor
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Adventure00681786045 profile picture 
 
 
 Adventure00681786045 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
A must have experience!
I recently went on a couples tour and it is a wonderful experience throughout. Our tour guide extended great hospitality and was very knowledgeable on many topics while giving the tour. He gave very interesting facts the entire tour, there was never a dull moment. I would highly recommend for anyone looking to have a similar experience.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Sarah A profile picture 
 
 
 Sarah A 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
It was such a Blast
Amazing experience with Bespoke Safaris (U) Ltd. The guide was professional, friendly, and made our trip smooth from start to finish. Everything was well organized, and his knowledge and hospitality made exploring Murchison Falls even more special. I Highly recommend them for anyone looking for a memorable safari experience.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Nomad06633789421 profile picture 
 
 
 Nomad06633789421 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
Low cost, local tours by young Ugandans who are knowledgeable and committed.
I was visiting Acholi in March and my Ugandan colleagues recommended Bespoke Safaris and dropped me off at the park where I had booked a low cost hotel for myself and my Bespoke guide in the hotel in the park. I only had 2 days. The guide drove up from Kampala and met me that evening. He was extremely knowledgeable about he park and animals I could see, I only had one day and had to be back in Kampala that night. We set off that evening and again at 0530, I had a safari tour car to myself and he ensured I saw everything, antelope, monkeys, lions, cheetah, giraffe, hippos, elephants and more. He was extremely knowledgeable, we seemed to be first everywhere, he knew all the other guides and they supported each other in ensuring we all had the best experience. He then drove me back to Kampala. What I really liked was that this is a young Ugandan owned and managed company and I felt I was supporting young entrepeneurs as well as having a great experience. I will use them again and see more of this beautiful country.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Brian T profile picture 
 
 
 Brian T 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
A Trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel,Hot Springs, ETC
Adventuring with Bespoke Tours and Travel-SMC LTD wasn’t just a tour but also an astounding experience,Our driver James was such an amicable man and well familiar with vast options of where and when I should tour, I visited several places including Queen Elizabeth National Park, saw , Lions,,Leopards, Elephants,,etc .The Twin lakes , The hot springs , Kazinga Channel with aquatic animals like Crocodile ,etc. He chose the best hotels for us with the best Menu and our safety was always his first priority . I highly recommend their service
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Bernard M profile picture 
 
 
 Bernard M 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
We wanted to highly recommend this amazing company! Our experience working with them was outstanding. During our planning phase everything went extremely well. We worked with James Mutabazi, He was able to promptly respond to our questions and requests. Every single detail was handled extremely well. He made our dreamed itinerary a reality. James made our trip unforgettable. The hotels, transportation, driver,at the same time our guide , the food and environmental calmess and activities exceeded our expectations! We learned so much during our trip that we are still processing all the information we received and all the experiences we lived. Thank you for making our trip to the "pearl of Africa" a remarkable one Uganda being home, it still has a special place in my heart and mind. Thanks to Beskope tours and travel company
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Ramprasad N profile picture 
 
 
 Ramprasad N 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified 
Fantastic service and Great memories
We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for organizing such a memorable and smooth trip for us. Everything was well-planned — from the accommodations and transportation to the sightseeing spots and local experiences. We truly enjoyed every moment of our journey

Plan this trip

Make This Trip Yours

Every itinerary is a starting point. Tell us your dates, budget and interests and we’ll reshape it around you.

James Mutabazi, Founder and CEO of Bespoke Safaris

Prefer to talk it through?

James Mutabazi

Founder & lead itinerary planner

+256 754 263 462Call or WhatsAppinfo@luxurysafariuganda.comEmail us

Get your free itinerary & price

Free, with no deposit until the plan is right. We usually reply within one business day.

Tour page: Request a quote

By sending this form you agree to be contacted about this trip. We never share your details.

Tour Inquiry (Footer Popup)
Tour Inquiry (Top Bar Form)

Last step

Where should we send your itinerary?

Leave your details and James will personally build a day-by-day plan and quote around your trip, and get back to you within 24 hours. No payment, no obligation.