Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris · The House Journeys
Uganda's Iconic Five
Mountain gorilla, shoebill stork, tree-climbing lion, wild white rhino, chimpanzee. The flagship country journey.
Duration
10 nights
Group
2 to 10 guests
Fitness
Moderate
Best For
Bucket-list travellers, wildlife completionists, first-time Uganda guests with time
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Overview
Beyond the Big Five, Uganda has its own rare five. Mountain gorilla, shoebill stork, tree-climbing lion, wild white rhino, chimpanzee. Eleven days, one composed country journey, every stop earning its place.
This is Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris's flagship country journey and its answer to the Big Five: Uganda's own rare five, arranged intelligently across eleven days. The route is built around timing, access and realistic movement, not a brochure checklist.
Each encounter is given its own full day. The shoebill canoe opens the trip from Mabamba, the rhino walk follows at Ziwa, then Murchison Falls, Kibale chimpanzees, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions and Bwindi's gorillas as the anchor. One dedicated naturalist guide and private 4x4 carry the journey end to end.
Journey Highlights
All five iconic Uganda species, correctly sequenced
Mabamba, Ziwa, Murchison, Kibale, Ishasha, Bwindi
Private 4x4, dedicated naturalist guide throughout
Dawn shoebill canoe, walking rhino safari, Nile boat
Perfect For
Bucket-list travellers, wildlife completionists, and first-time Uganda guests with the time to do it once and do it properly.
Why Choose Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris
Every departure is private, your vehicle, your guide, your pace
Each itinerary designed personally by founder Vincent Arihoruhanga
A defined portion of every journey supports gorilla protection and community work, tracked through the Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris Ledger
UWA gorilla permits locked in the moment you confirm
Working with carefully selected lodges in the correct sectors
One dedicated concierge from first enquiry to final transfer
Day by Day
10 nights. Every day considered.
Day
01/11
Arrive Entebbe
Protea Hotel Entebbe, lakeshore
Arrive in Entebbe and meet your Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris representative. Overnight near the airport with a private briefing on the route, wildlife focus and travel rhythm.
Shoebill Canoe and Drive to Ziwa
Mabamba Wetlands to Ziwa Sanctuary
Begin at dawn in Mabamba Wetlands in search of the shoebill stork by canoe. After the wetland experience, continue north toward Ziwa for an overnight near the rhino sanctuary.
Wild White Rhino Walk
Ziwa to the Murchison region
Track wild white rhinos on foot with trained rangers at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Continue toward the Murchison region for rest and dinner.
Nile Safari and Wildlife Day
Murchison Falls NP
Explore the Nile and savanna landscapes with a boat safari or game drive depending on season and routing. This day gives the journey scale before it turns south toward the forests.
Transfer to Kibale
Murchison to Kibale Forest
Travel south-west toward Kibale Forest. The route moves from open savanna through tea country and into forested crater landscapes.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Kibale Forest NP
Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest with experienced field guides. The encounter introduces Uganda's primate richness and prepares the journey for its final gorilla chapter.
Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha
Kibale to Ishasha sector
Continue toward Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. The day is paced around game viewing and the seasonal movement of wildlife.
Tree-Climbing Lions to Bwindi
Ishasha to Bwindi, Buhoma sector
Spend the morning searching for Ishasha's tree-climbing lions before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Arrive at Trackers Safari Lodge for dinner and a gorilla briefing.
Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi, Buhoma
Report to the UWA briefing point for gorilla trekking. Once the assigned family is located, spend one hour with the gorillas in the forest. Your guide and porter support you throughout the day.
Forest Recovery and Conservation
Buhoma, Batwa or community day
A slower day in Bwindi. Choose a forest walk, the Batwa Cultural Trail, a community visit or a conservation conversation. This day lets the journey close with meaning rather than rush.
Return to Entebbe
Bwindi to Entebbe, road or fly-out
After breakfast, begin the return journey to Entebbe, or use a fly-out routing if quoted separately. Your Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris team supports onward travel arrangements.
Where You Will Stay
Hand selected for an unmatched experience.
Entebbe, lakeshore (Lake Victoria)
Protea Hotel Entebbe by Marriott
Edge of Kibale Forest, Fort Portal
Volcanoes Kibale Lodge
Crater lake above Fort Portal
Kyaninga Lodge
Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth NP
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Buhoma sector
Trackers Safari Lodge
Inclusions & Offers
PLAN YOUR DATES
Tell us your preferred travel dates and we’ll check current permit and lodge options before quoting your journey.
Ask about dates →CONSERVATION OFFER
A defined portion of every journey is committed to conservation and community support around Bwindi, tracked through the Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris Ledger.
Learn more →RETURNING GUEST
Returning guests receive a complimentary single supplement waiver on any journey.
UWA gorilla trekking permit ($800)
Uganda Wildlife Authority, $800 per person, secured at confirmation
Kibale chimpanzee tracking permit ($250)
Kibale Forest, 95% sighting success rate
Mabamba shoebill canoe
Mabamba Wetlands, guided by a local birding specialist
Ziwa rhino walking safari
Ziwa Sanctuary, the only wild rhinos in Uganda
Murchison Nile boat safari and game drives
Jinja, grade 5 rapids, the most technical stretch in East Africa
Ishasha tree-climbing lion drives
Queen Elizabeth NP, open-sided vehicle with expert tracker
10 nights full-board lodge stays across the country
Private 4x4 with dedicated naturalist guide throughout
UWA-licensed specialist naturalist guide, born and raised in the Bwindi region
Porter arrangement on the gorilla trek
All park, reserve and conservation fees
Listed UWA fees and Uganda park fees, including entrance and conservation levy
VIP airport meet and assist
Pre-trip planning call and WhatsApp concierge
Bwindi House Gorilla Safaris duffel bag and guest kit
Dates & Prices
Transport
Road included in the listed price. Optional fly-in routing skips two of the longer transfer days. Quoted on request.
Indicative dates and starting prices in USD per person, based on two guests sharing a double or twin room. Dates, permits, lodges and final pricing are confirmed on enquiry; the rows below are not live availability.
UWA gorilla permits are strictly limited. We secure yours the moment your booking is confirmed.
Journey Details
The practical picture.
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
2 to 10 guests
Duration
10 nights
Arrival City
Entebbe (EBB)
Permits
Included & secured
Connectivity
Lodges have WiFi
Meals
All meals included
Certified Guides
UWA-licensed
Not Included
Essential Information
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to Uganda. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
The gorilla forest sits at 1,600-2,200m. Light layers are recommended for evenings.
Photography is permitted during gorilla encounters. Flash is prohibited.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know.
Can't find what you're looking for? Our journey advisors are available by call or message seven days a week.
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