Combine Uganda’s greatest wildlife encounter with its most peaceful lake: trek gorillas in Bwindi’s southern forest, then unwind among the islands and terraced hills of Lake Bunyonyi.
This four-day safari pairs a gorilla trek in Bwindi’s southern sector with a restful night at Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful lakes. It is a great choice for travellers who want gorillas without a rushed schedule, and for those who want to see more of the south-west’s scenery.
Rushaga, where you trek, has the highest number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi, which improves permit availability. Lake Bunyonyi is less than two hours away, with island lodges, canoe trips and cool highland air.
The road journeys are long but scenic, through the equator, the cattle country of Ankole and the terraced Kigezi highlands. For the gorilla background, read our Bwindi guide and gorilla trekking guide. For a version with the Shoebill instead, see the 4-day Mabamba shoebill and gorilla safari.
Leave early and drive south-west via the equator at Kayabwe, Masaka and Mbarara, where long-horned Ankole cattle graze beside the road. Lunch is taken on the way. After Kabale the road winds through terraced hills to Rushaga on the southern edge of Bwindi, where you arrive in the evening.
After an early breakfast you report to the Uganda Wildlife Authority office for the 7:30–8:00am briefing, where rangers explain the rules and assign each visitor to a gorilla family. A maximum of eight people visit each family per day.
You then walk into the forest with your ranger guide while trackers radio the family’s position. The trek can take anywhere from one to six hours on steep, muddy slopes. When you reach the gorillas you leave your bags and walking sticks with the porters, put on a face mask and spend one unforgettable hour watching them feed, groom and play from at least 10 metres away. You walk back out in the early afternoon and receive your trekking certificate.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the lodge, or take a short community walk to meet local farmers and craftspeople.
After a relaxed breakfast, drive through the hills to Lake Bunyonyi, arriving in time for lunch with views over the islands. In the afternoon, take a boat or dugout canoe trip around the islands, passing Punishment Island and Bwama Island while your guide tells their stories. Watch for kingfishers, weavers and crowned cranes, and enjoy a swim if you like: the lake has no crocodiles or hippos. See our Lake Bunyonyi guide.
Enjoy an early-morning view of mist lifting off the lake before driving back east through Mbarara and Masaka, stopping again at the equator if you wish. You reach Kampala or Entebbe in the evening.
Lodges shown match the quoted price. Ask us about mid-range and luxury upgrades.
It breaks the long drive back to Entebbe and gives you a restful day after the trek. The lake is beautiful, safe for swimming and full of birds.
Yes. Many travellers fly back from Kisoro to Entebbe on day four, which saves the long drive.
Rushaga or Nkuringo in the south, the closest sectors to Lake Bunyonyi. Rushaga has the most gorilla families.
It is at almost 2,000 m, so days are mild and evenings cool. Bring a fleece.
Yes. Mgahinga is about 1.5 hours from Rushaga; adding a day allows a golden monkey trek.
Yes. The Batwa community near Rushaga or the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga can be added on the afternoon of the trek or on the way to the lake.
June to August and December to February are the driest months for trekking and the sunniest at Lake Bunyonyi. April, May and November are wetter but bring Uganda’s US$600 low-season gorilla permit and a greener, quieter lake.
Wildlife 7 daysTwo of Uganda’s greatest wildernesses in one journey: the thundering Nile at Murchison Falls, then the wide, wild plains of Kidepo Valley in the far north-east.
Short break 4 daysRhinos on foot, chimpanzees in a mahogany forest, the most powerful waterfall on the Nile and the big game of Uganda’s largest park, in four unhurried days from Kampala.
Honeymoon 12 daysAdventure and romance: fly in to trek gorillas in Bwindi, see tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel, then fly to Zanzibar for Stone Town and six nights on the beach.
Change the dates, add a night, upgrade a lodge or combine it with Rwanda or Kenya. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll send a revised plan and price.
