People sometimes compare Uganda to Kenya and Tanzania, which are better known for their safaris, but that comparison leaves out something important. Those places are known for their large savannas and amazing wildlife populations while Uganda adds a forest component that is truly amazing. In this area, you can see mountain gorillas in a highland rainforest and then look out over open plains where elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and predators move around.

You will feel close to the world in Bwindi; it is green, quiet and there will be dripping leaves, bird calls, and the soft movement of trees above you in the forest. Soon, Queen Elizabeth will clear the sky, revealing grasslands, lakes, and the outline of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.

The culture part will make it feel less like you're only passing in Uganda. People who come to the area around Buhoma can learn about the history of the Batwa and Bakiga people, whose traditions and ways of life are closely linked to the forest. Instead of only taking pictures of the landscape, you'll have time to listen, ask questions, and get to know the people who live there.

The safari will also be made for travelers who want to be comfortable but don't want their trek to feel too much like a formal vacation. Long road transfers will be cut down by domestic flying, and private ground transportation will connect airstrips, parks and lodges. Flight times can change depending on operational conditions and flight schedules, so the exact times will be confirmed when the safari is booked.

The result will be a short but very different five-day uganda safari that includes one of the most amazing primate experience in Africa, a real cultural link, wildlife on the savanna, and a safari on the water. 

Difficulty Level

For the mountain gorilla trekking, this safari will require moderate physical fitness. When you go gorilla trekking in Bwindi, you'll be going through a forest that isn't level, with steep parts, mud, roots, lots of plants, and changing elevations. The trek could last anywhere from two to seven hours, based on where the gorilla family is that day.

People who are travelling should be able to walk for hours at a time on rough ground. Using trekking poles and a porter can make the trip easier, especially on sections that are wet or steep. In Uganda, you have to be at least 15 years old to go gorilla trekking.

Aside from that, the safari won't be too active. Seeing animals from a car and taking a boat ride will not require much physical effort. Guests who have trouble moving around should talk to the safari planner about their needs before making a reservation so that the right arrangements can be made.