by Canine Safaris Ltd, 2 min read
Western Uganda is built for a week-long road trip. Four very different places sit within a day's drive of each other, and starting in Mbarara trims hours from every leg. This sample itinerary shows a pace that works for most guests. Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and road works, so treat them as a guide.
Day 1: Arrive in Mbarara, then Lake Mburo
Arrive in Mbarara or fly into the Mbarara airstrip, and head to Lake Mburo National Park, under an hour away. Use the afternoon for a game drive or a boat trip. Sleep near the park.
Day 2: Lake Mburo, then Queen Elizabeth
Start with a sunrise nature walk with an armed ranger, as described in our Lake Mburo walk guide. After breakfast, drive roughly three hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park and settle in near the Kazinga Channel.
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth
Take a morning game drive in the northern plains and an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and elephants gather. Our 3 day Queen Elizabeth guide shows how to spend more time here.
Day 4: Ishasha, then Bwindi
Drive south to the Ishasha sector and look for lions resting in fig trees, then continue to your lodge near Bwindi. The Uganda Wildlife Authority lists Ishasha about 64 kilometres from the park. Go to bed early.
Day 5: Gorilla trek
Meet your ranger at the trailhead in the morning and trek to your assigned gorilla family, spending one hour with them. Rest in the afternoon and enjoy the forest views. Read what a gorilla trekking day is really like to prepare.
Day 6: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Drive through the highlands to Lake Bunyonyi. UWA lists about 95 kilometres from Kabale to Buhoma via Ruhija, roughly four hours on murram roads, so allow most of the day. Spend the evening on the water. Our Lake Bunyonyi guide suggests how.
Day 7: Bunyonyi to Mbarara
A relaxed morning canoe trip, then drive back to Mbarara, about three hours, in time for an evening flight or a transfer to Kampala. Consider another night in Mbarara if you want to visit an Ankole cattle farm before you go.
How to adapt it
- Swap Queen Elizabeth for Kibale if chimpanzees matter more than big game
- Add a day to include both Kibale and Queen Elizabeth
- Add Mgahinga for golden monkeys and volcano scenery
- Shorten the route to five days by dropping Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mburo
Budget and booking
Gorilla permits are the main cost and are limited, so choose your dates first. See our safari cost breakdown and book as early as you can. Our 3 day Bwindi gorilla trek from Mbarara covers the gorilla portion on its own.
Make it yours
Send us your dates and interests on the plan your trip page and we will tailor the route, the lodges and the pace.
Places in this post
Frequently asked questions
Is one week enough for western Uganda?
Yes, for four stops at a steady pace. Add days if you want to include Kibale or Mgahinga.
How long are the drives?
Between three and five hours on most legs. The roads in the highlands are slower.
Do I need to book the gorilla permit first?
Yes. Permits are limited, so fix your dates and book early, then build the rest of the trip around the trek.
Can this route be shortened?
Yes. Drop Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mburo, or use a charter flight for one leg.
Sources and further reading
- itinerary
- 7 days
- western Uganda
- gorilla trekking
- Lake Mburo
- Queen Elizabeth
