8 Days Queen Elizabeth Lake Mburo & Bunyonyi Safari

8 Days Queen Elizabeth Lake Mburo & Bunyonyi Safari

Wild Planet Safaris proudly presents the 8 Days Queen Elizabeth Lake Mburo & Bunyonyi Safari, an expertly crafted journey through western Uganda’s most spectacular landscapes and wildlife destinations. This safari begins and ends in Kampala and takes you deep into the heart of Uganda’s savannah parks, tropical rainforests, crater lakes, and highland scenery.

Throughout this adventure, Wild Planet Safaris combines thrilling wildlife encounters, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruises, cultural experiences, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you prefer luxury comfort or a budget-friendly adventure, we tailor this safari to match your travel style while maintaining exceptional service and authentic experiences.

This safari explores four major destinations:

• Lake Mburo National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Kibale National Park

You will also enjoy scenic moments near Lake Bunyonyi and interact with welcoming local communities. Wild Planet Safaris invites you to discover Uganda’s hidden treasures and create lifelong memories.

Safari Highlights

• Wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo National Park
• Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Cultural walk in the Batwa community
• Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
• Bigodi Wetland guided nature walk
• Scenic countryside drives and equator stopovers

Detailed 8-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park – Wildlife Viewing

Wild Planet Safaris will assign your professional driver-guide to meet you in Kampala at 7:00 am. After a short briefing, you will begin your journey west toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Along the way, you will stop at the Mpambire Drum Makers Center, where skilled artisans craft traditional African drums. You will also pause at the Uganda Equator for photographs and an educational demonstration.

Upon arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will enjoy lunch at your lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive. This compact yet wildlife-rich park covers 371 square kilometers and hosts large herds of zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, warthogs, oribis, hippos, crocodiles, and over 332 bird species.

Unlike other Ugandan parks, Lake Mburo offers excellent opportunities to see zebras grazing across open savannah landscapes.

After your game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options:

• Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
• Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
• Eagle’s Nest Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris will drive you southwest toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The scenic drive passes through Mbarara town and rolling terraced hills, offering stunning countryside views. Western Uganda’s landscapes feature lush greenery, cultivated farms, and dramatic highland scenery.

Upon arrival in Bwindi, you will check into your lodge and relax as you prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation Options:

• Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
• Silverback Lodge (Mid-range)
• Buhoma Community Campground (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Wild Planet Safaris ensures you rest comfortably before your life-changing gorilla encounter.

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Community Walk

Wild Planet Safaris will arrange your early breakfast before transferring you to the park headquarters for briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

At 8:00 am, you will enter the dense rainforest to track a habituated mountain gorilla family. Trekking may last between 2 and 8 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Experienced rangers will guide you through the forest while explaining animal behavior and conservation efforts.

Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants feed, groom, and interact creates a deeply emotional and humbling experience.

After trekking, you will return to your lodge to relax.

In the evening, Wild Planet Safaris will organize a community walk to visit the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers. You will learn about their traditional lifestyle, music, hunting techniques, and cultural heritage.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris will drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the famous Ishasha sector.

Ishasha is well known for its rare tree-climbing lions that rest in fig trees during hot afternoons. You will enjoy a game drive en route, searching for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and predators.

Upon arrival at your lodge, you will have lunch and relax before an afternoon game drive in the park’s northern sector.

Queen Elizabeth National Park protects diverse ecosystems, including savannah plains, crater lakes, wetlands, and forests. It hosts over 600 bird species and abundant wildlife.

Accommodation Options:

• Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)
• Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Mid-range)
• Bush Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Wild Planet Safaris will start your day early with a sunrise game drive. Early morning provides the best opportunity to spot lions, solitary buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, leopards, and hyenas.

After lunch at the lodge, you will head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and offers one of Uganda’s best wildlife viewing experiences.

During the cruise, you will observe:

• Large pods of hippos
• Nile crocodiles
• Buffaloes and elephants along the shores
• Pink-backed pelicans
• Malachite kingfishers
• African fish eagles

This boat safari ranks among the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation: Same as Day 4
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Morning Game Drive, Baboon Cliffs & Transfer to Kibale

After breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris will take you for another morning game drive before visiting the scenic Baboon Cliffs viewpoint. From here, you will enjoy panoramic views of crater lakes and rolling savannah landscapes.

After lunch, you will transfer to Kibale National Park, a 2–3 hour drive north.

Kibale National Park protects 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. The park also hosts nearly 300 bird species.

You will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options:

• Ndali Lodge (Luxury)
• Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Mid-range)
• Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Wild Planet Safaris will transfer you to Kibale headquarters for chimpanzee trekking briefing. At 8:00 am, you will begin your guided forest trek.

Tracking chimpanzees provides an exciting and interactive experience as you watch them swing through trees, communicate loudly, and socialize within their troops.

You may also encounter grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, bush babies, and colorful forest birds.

After lunch, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. This community-managed wetland offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, including sightings of the Great Blue Turaco. You may also spot bush pigs, otters, and additional primate species.

Accommodation: Same as Day 6
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Return to Kampala

After breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris will drive you back to Kampala via Mubende, passing scenic countryside landscapes.

You will enjoy lunch en route before continuing to Kampala. Your guide will either drop you at your hotel or transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

This marks the end of your extraordinary 8 Days Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo & Bunyonyi Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Why Travel with Wild Planet Safaris?

Wild Planet Safaris delivers personalized service, experienced guides, reliable 4×4 safari vehicles, and seamless logistics. We prioritize conservation, community engagement, and authentic African experiences.

This 8-day safari offers the perfect balance of adventure, wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and relaxation. Book with Wild Planet Safaris today and discover why Uganda truly deserves the title “Pearl of Africa.”

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