The Best Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Experience Safari Package in Africa

The Best 7-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Safari Package

The Best Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Experience Safari Package in Africa. The Affordable Luxury 7-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Tour Itinerary.

The Best Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Experience Safari Package in Africa blends heart-stopping encounters with two of the continent’s most iconic predators into an affordable-luxury escape: imagine tracking habituated mountain gorillas through misty Bwindi forests, then swapping emerald rainforest for sun-drenched savannahs as expert guides and trackers take you on focused lion-tracking missions in Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha and Kasenyi plains. This carefully paced 7-day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking itinerary pairs comfortable, eco-conscious lodges and boutique camps with intimate, ethical wildlife experiences, excellent guiding, and small-group attention, so every sunrise, trek, and game drive feels personal, safe, and transformational.

This 7-day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking itinerary is designed for photographers, families, and discerning adventurers who want great value without sacrificing comfort, the Affordable Luxury 7-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Tour delivers maximum wildlife time with minimal transit stress: domestic flights or scenic drives reduce road hours; professional trackers and rangers increase success rates for close encounters; and each activity supports local conservation and communities. From pre-trek briefings and park permit logistics to sundowner drives and cultural village visits, the package is tuned to make your wildlife encounters unforgettable, responsible, and deeply rewarding.

Comprehensive Itinerary: 7-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Safari

Day 1 — Arrival, Domestic Transfer, and Lodge Orientation (Kampala/Entebbe → Kisoro/Kihihi / Bwindi area)

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport or Kampala and meet your private driver-guide for a short city briefing before boarding a scheduled domestic flight (or comfortable road transfer for those who prefer) west toward the foothills of the Rwenzori and the Bwindi region. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your boutique lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Spend the afternoon relaxing, unpacking, and enjoying a guided short nature walk to acclimatize and learn about the local flora, birds, and conservation work. Dinner at the lodge includes a briefing on the gorilla trek: what to expect, fitness level, park rules, and a chance to meet your gorilla trekking ranger team. Overnight in a well-appointed lodge with hot showers and sustainable credentials.

Day 2 — Gorilla Trekking Day (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)

After an early breakfast and final gear check, you’ll drive to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefings before setting off on foot with experienced rangers and a porter if needed. The day is centered on a guided trek in search of a habituated gorilla family; trekking durations vary (from two to six hours) depending on where the family is that day and the terrain. Once located, you will have the permitted one hour with the gorillas, a profoundly moving experience to observe social behaviour, infants, and adult silverbacks at close range while following strict ethical and safety protocols. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for a hot shower, debrief, and a relaxed dinner. Lodge staff will offer photography tips and suggest optional community visits for day three.

Day 3 — Community Visit + Transfer Toward Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha route)

Choose an optional second gorilla trek for a new group (ideal for keen photographers), or enjoy a cultural community walk and conservation visit to learn about local livelihoods, beekeeping, and gorilla guardianship projects; both options deepen your understanding of conservation impacts. After lunch, depart by scenic drive toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing terraced hills and rural market towns; expect a late afternoon arrival in a comfortable lodge or camp near Ishasha. En route, there’s time for photography stops and an evening game-viewing drive if time allows. Tonight’s dinner features local cuisine and an orientation to the upcoming lion tracking activities with your trackers and guides.

Day 4 — Lion Tracking in Ishasha + Sunset Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Rise early for a guided morning tracking excursion in the Ishasha sector, famed for its tree-climbing lions and relaxed prides; your team, composed of an experienced guide and local trackers, will interpret spoor, sightings, and pride movements to give you the best chance of close, safe encounters. Tracking may involve slow drives and short guided walks where permitted; trackers share ecological knowledge and behavior insights as you actively follow lion signs. After lunch, transfer to the Kazinga Channel area for a late-afternoon boat cruise, an incredible opportunity to photograph hippos, elephants at the water’s edge, and abundant birdlife while enjoying sundowners and commentary from your naturalist guide. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth’s comfortable lodge.

Day 5 — Full-Day Game Drive and Focused Lion Tracking (Kasenyi Plains and Western Sector)

Today is dedicated to immersive game drives across the Kasenyi Plains and western sectors, where lion sightings are frequent alongside elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and a host of plains species. Your guide will combine vehicle-based searches with strategic stops to observe predators and their prey, and, where appropriate, coordinate with ranger teams for focused lion tracking. This is a guided, conservation-minded pursuit, not disturbance, using knowledge of pride behavior, GPS tracking, and local intelligence to maximize sightings while respecting wildlife. A picnic lunch in the park, mid-day rest at the lodge, and an optional evening drive provide multiple chances to photograph lions in golden light. Return for dinner and a wildlife debrief.

Day 6 — Optional Cultural Experience, Birding, or Short Walks; Return Toward Kampala (or Fly to Entebbe)

After a relaxed breakfast, choose between a guided birding walk through park fringes, a community cultural visit to learn about the Batwa heritage or local crafts, or an early morning photographic drive to catch any last wildlife sightings. In the late morning, you’ll begin your return journey toward Kampala/Entebbe either by scheduled domestic flight or comfortable road transfer, with scenic stops for photography and visits to roadside markets and viewpoints. On arrival in the capital region, check into a city hotel for a final night; enjoy a farewell dinner highlighting Ugandan flavors and a slide-show recap of your week’s highlights, plus final packing and departure logistics reviewed with your guide.

Day 7 — Departure Day: Entebbe Botanical Gardens / Local Market Visit and Flight Home

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a final morning visit to Entebbe’s Botanical Gardens or a short shopping stop for handcrafted souvenirs and local coffee before transfer to Entebbe International Airport. Your guide will assist with check-in, baggage, and any last-minute customs or tax-free shopping. For those with later departures, we can arrange an optional behind-the-scenes visit to a conservation or community project near the airport to meet conservationists whose work your trip helped support. Depart with full memories, images, and a clear understanding of how your safari contributed to conservation and community livelihoods.

End of your 7-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lion Tracking Safari