Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Tour Combo

Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Tour Combo. If you could choose only one safari in Uganda, a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi tour combo would be a very strong candidate. It pairs the country’s most popular savannah park with the forest that shelters nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The two parks sit close together in southwestern Uganda, linked by the famous Ishasha sector where lions climb into fig trees. In just a few days you can enjoy game drives, a boat safari packed with hippos and elephants, and a life-changing hour with a gorilla family.

This guide covers everything you need to plan a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi tour combo in 2026: realistic costs, current permit and park fees, the best routes from Entebbe or Kigali, sample itineraries from three to seven days, where to stay at every budget, and the tips we share with our own guests at Pick and Transfer Safaris.

How Much Does a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Tour Combo Cost? The Quick Answer

A 4- to 5-day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi combo typically costs about US$1,800 to US$3,000 per person on a budget to lower mid-range level, when two travelers share a private 4×4 with a driver-guide. Mid-range trips usually cost US$3,000 to US$4,200 per person, and luxury trips more. These figures include the Uganda gorilla permit of US$800 per person.

Because the two parks are neighbours, this combo involves far less driving than pairing gorillas with Murchison Falls. That keeps transport costs down and gives you more time for wildlife.

Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Combo Cost Breakdown (2026)

Cost item	Price (foreign non-resident)	Notes
Uganda gorilla trekking permit	US$800 per person	Bwindi; book early
Gorilla habituation experience (optional)	US$1,500 per person	Four hours with a gorilla family
Queen Elizabeth park entry	US$40 per person per 24 hours	UWA tariff July 2024–June 2026
Kazinga Channel boat cruise	About US$30 – US$50 per person	Depends on operator
Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking (optional)	US$100 per person	Inside Queen Elizabeth
Private 4×4 with driver-guide and fuel	US$150 – US$250 per vehicle per day	Shared by the group
Accommodation	US$40 – US$400+ per person per night	Depends on comfort level

Fees can change after the UWA tariff period ends in June 2026, so confirm the latest rates when you book.

Why Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Are the Perfect Pair

Queen Elizabeth National Park is known as the Medley of Wonders. It covers savannah, swamps, crater lakes and forest gorges, and it is home to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, Uganda kob, hippos and more than 600 bird species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a steep, ancient rainforest that holds the largest population of mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Together they offer the two great experiences of an East African safari, big game and great apes, without long transfers. The Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth lies only a few hours from Bwindi’s Buhoma sector, so you can enjoy a game drive in the morning and arrive at your gorilla lodge by the afternoon.

The combination also balances effort. Game drives and the Kazinga Channel cruise are relaxing, while gorilla trekking can be a real workout. Pairing them gives you adventure and rest in one well-paced trip, which is why this route is one of the most requested itineraries in Uganda.

How to Get to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi

From Entebbe or Kampala: The drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about six to seven hours, usually via Masaka and Mbarara, with a stop at the equator. From Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi is a further two to four hours depending on the sector. This is the classic route for travelers flying into Entebbe.

From Kigali: Many travelers now fly into Kigali because it is closer to Bwindi’s southern sectors. You cross into Uganda, trek gorillas first, then drive north to Queen Elizabeth and either return to Kigali or continue to Entebbe. This saves a long day on the road compared with starting in Entebbe.

By air: Domestic flights link Entebbe with airstrips at Kasese or Mweya for Queen Elizabeth, and Kihihi or Kisoro for Bwindi. Flying in one direction and driving the other is a good way to save time on a short trip.

The Ishasha Route: The Key to This Combo

The Ishasha sector in the far south of Queen Elizabeth is what makes this combination work so well. It sits on the natural route between the park’s northern plains and Bwindi’s Buhoma sector. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which rest in the branches of large fig trees during the heat of the day. It is also quieter than the northern circuit, with herds of topi, buffalo and Uganda kob on open grassland.

A typical day starts with a morning game drive in Ishasha, followed by a picnic lunch and a two- to three-hour drive to Buhoma through hills and tea country. You arrive at your forest lodge in time to rest before your gorilla trek the next morning. Parts of the Ishasha road are rough, especially after rain, so a 4×4 is important.

Option 1: 3-Day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Express

This short trip works best if you start in Kigali or fly one leg.

Day 1 – Kigali to Bwindi (southern sector). Cross into Uganda and drive to a lodge near Rushaga or Nkuringo.

Day 2 – Gorilla trekking, then drive to Queen Elizabeth. Trek in the morning, then drive north to Queen Elizabeth for the night.

Day 3 – Game drive and Kazinga Channel, then return. Early game drive and a boat cruise before heading back toward Kigali or Entebbe.

This is a fast pace. If you have a choice, add a day.

Option 2: 4-Day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Classic

Day 1 – Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive west via the equator and Mbarara, arriving in time for an evening game drive or a relaxed dinner overlooking the park.

Day 2 – Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise. Morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains for lions, elephants and kob, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel past hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and abundant birdlife.

Day 3 – Ishasha tree-climbing lions and on to Bwindi. Game drive through Ishasha, then continue to Bwindi.

Day 4 – Gorilla trekking and return. Trek the gorillas in the morning, then drive back toward Entebbe or cross to Kigali.

Our 4 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari follows a similar idea. Kenlink Tours offers a 4 Days Uganda Primate Tour and a 4 Days Gorilla and Cultural Tour for comparison.

Option 3: 5-Day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari (Recommended)

Five days gives a comfortable pace with an extra night in the forest.

• Day 1: Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Day 2: Kasenyi game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
• Day 3: Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge or a crater lakes drive, then on to Ishasha.
• Day 4: Ishasha game drive and transfer to Bwindi, with an evening community walk.
• Day 5: Gorilla trekking, then return to Entebbe or transfer to Kigali.

Kenlink’s 5-Day Wildlife and Gorilla Safari is a good example of this length.

Option 4: 7-Day Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Kibale Safari

With a week, you can add the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park and relax at Lake Bunyonyi.

• Day 1: Entebbe to Kibale and Fort Portal.
• Day 2: Kibale chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk.
• Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth with an afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise.
• Day 4: Morning game drive, then Ishasha.
• Day 5: Ishasha to Bwindi.
• Day 6: Gorilla trekking.
• Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi stop and return to Entebbe, or cross to Kigali.

Our 7 Days Uganda Safari – One Week Tour covers chimps, Queen Elizabeth and more, and Kenlink runs a 7 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.

Top Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives on the Kasenyi plains. The open grassland north of the Kazinga Channel is the best area for lions, elephants, buffalo, warthogs and large herds of Uganda kob. Early mornings bring the best sightings.

Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This two-hour cruise between Lake George and Lake Edward passes one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, plus crocodiles, elephants and buffalo coming down to drink. Birders will love the pelicans, kingfishers and fish eagles.

Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Lions climbing trees is rare anywhere in Africa, and Ishasha is one of the few places you can see it regularly. Guides search the fig trees for lions resting in the branches.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Known as the Valley of Apes, this sunken forest gorge holds a small community of habituated chimpanzees. Tracking costs US$100 for foreign non-residents. Sightings are less certain than in Kibale, but the gorge itself is spectacular.

Crater lakes and salt mining at Lake Katwe. The Katwe explosion craters and the traditional salt pans at Lake Katwe add a cultural and scenic side to the park.

For a short trip focused on this park alone, see our 3 Days Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kenlink’s 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife trip.

Top Things to Do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking. The highlight of the trip. You join a small group of up to eight trekkers led by UWA rangers and spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family once you find them. Treks can take from one to eight hours.

Gorilla habituation experience. For a deeper encounter, the habituation experience lets you spend up to four hours with a family that is still getting used to people. It is available only in Bwindi and costs more.

Community and Batwa walks. Village walks around Buhoma and the southern sectors introduce you to local life, traditional healers, banana beer brewing and the history of the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants.

Forest walks and birding. Bwindi has hundreds of bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics. Ruhija is especially good for birders.

Gorilla Permits and Park Fees

Under the UWA tariff for July 2024 to June 2026, a Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs US$800 per person for foreign non-residents, and the gorilla habituation experience costs US$1,500. Queen Elizabeth park entry is US$40 per person per 24 hours. Gorilla permits are limited to eight people per family per day, so book well in advance, especially from June to September and December to February.

For this combo, Buhoma is usually the most convenient Bwindi sector because it is closest to Ishasha. If you start or end in Kigali, Rushaga or Nkuringo in the south make more sense. Our team checks permit availability and recommends the best sector for your route.

What Is Included in a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Package?

• A private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and fuel
• An experienced English-speaking driver-guide
• Your gorilla trekking permit
• Queen Elizabeth park entry and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Game drives and activities listed in your itinerary
• Accommodation at your chosen level
• Meals as listed, usually full board on safari
• Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
• Pickup and drop-off at Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali

Not usually included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, drinks, porters and optional activities.

Where to Stay: Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury

Queen Elizabeth: Budget travelers can stay at simple camps and guest houses near Katunguru and Kikorongo or around the Mweya Peninsula. Mid-range options include tented camps and lodges with views over the Kazinga Channel or crater lakes. Luxury lodges on the Mweya Peninsula and in Ishasha offer spacious rooms and excellent food.

Bwindi: Each sector has its own lodges, from budget community camps to beautiful mid-range forest lodges and top-end luxury lodges. Staying in the same sector as your permit is essential, because trekking starts early.

Near the southern sectors and Mgahinga, our own Ikoro Hotel in Kisoro offers comfortable, good-value rooms at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.

Best Time for a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Combo

Dry seasons (December to February and June to September): The best months. Forest trails are firmer for gorilla trekking, wildlife gathers near water in Queen Elizabeth, and the Ishasha road is easier to drive. This is also peak season for permits and lodges.

Wet seasons (March to May and October to November): Expect rain, especially in the afternoons, and muddy trails. The parks are lush and green, birdlife is superb, there are fewer visitors, and some lodges lower their rates. Gorilla treks run in all weather.

For most travelers, late June to September and December to February give the best balance. Budget-minded travelers who do not mind some rain can find good value in November and March.

What to Pack for Savannah and Forest

• Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in neutral colours
• Gardening gloves for gripping vines on steep trails
• A rain jacket and a warm fleece for cool forest mornings
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for game drives
• Insect repellent
• Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens (no flash near gorillas)
• A daypack, water bottle and energy snacks
• Your passport and Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

Hire a porter at the Bwindi trailhead. For a modest fee, they carry your bag, help you on steep slopes, and earn an important income for local families.

How Fit Do You Need to Be for Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla families move every day, so a trek can last from one hour to most of the day. Trails are steep, muddy and at altitude, but you do not need to be an athlete. If you can walk for several hours on hills, you will manage. A walking stick, a porter and a steady pace make a big difference. Tell the rangers at the briefing if you have health concerns, and they may assign you to a family that is easier to reach.

Popular Add-Ons to Your Combo

• Kibale chimpanzees: The best chimp tracking in Uganda, just north of Queen Elizabeth. See our 3 Days Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda.
• Lake Bunyonyi: A peaceful lake near Kabale, perfect for canoeing and resting after the trek.
• Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A fun, lighter trek in the Virunga volcanoes.
• Lake Mburo National Park: A good stop on the drive from Entebbe for zebras and boat trips.
• Murchison Falls: For a longer trip, our 10 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife adds Murchison Falls to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi.

For primate-focused alternatives, see our 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari and Kenlink’s 5 Days Chimps and Gorilla Safari or 8-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari.

Starting Your Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Combo from Kigali

Kigali is often the smartest gateway for this combo. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi’s southern sectors takes about four and a half to six hours, much shorter than from Entebbe. A popular plan is to fly into Kigali, trek gorillas in Rushaga or Nkuringo, drive north to Queen Elizabeth for game drives and the Kazinga Channel, then return to Kigali or continue to Entebbe for your flight home.

Our short gorilla safaris starting from Kigali include the 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari from Rwanda and the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimps Safari Starting from Rwanda, both of which can be extended to Queen Elizabeth. Kenlink offers a 5-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali to Uganda. If you visit both countries, the East Africa Tourist Visa allows multiple entries between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on one visa.

Money-Saving Tips for This Combo

1. Book your gorilla permit early to secure your date and avoid costly changes.
2. Share the vehicle. Groups of three or four pay much less per person.
3. Mix accommodation levels, saving luxury for one special night.
4. Use the Ishasha route to combine a game drive with your transfer to Bwindi.
5. Consider Kigali as your gateway if you trek in the southern sectors.
6. Travel in the shoulder season for lower lodge rates.
7. Book with a local operator to avoid international commissions.
8. Keep the extras simple. The gorilla trek, a game drive and the Kazinga Channel cruise already make an outstanding trip.

If you prefer to drive yourself, Kenlink Tours offers 4×4 car hire and our partner site arranges self-drive safaris in Uganda. Gorilla permits must still be booked in advance.

How to Book Your Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Tour Combo

1. Send us your dates, group size and budget through our contact page.
2. Choose your trip length and starting point: Entebbe or Kigali.
3. Secure your gorilla permit with a deposit.
4. Receive your final itinerary with inclusions and packing advice.
5. Travel with your driver-guide from start to finish.

Learn more about us, explore our wildlife safaris, long trips and destinations, or read Kenlink’s overview about Uganda.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Combos

How many days do I need for Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi?

Four to five days is ideal for most travelers. Three days is possible if you start in Kigali, and seven days lets you add Kibale chimpanzees and Lake Bunyonyi.

How much does a Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi safari cost?

A 4- to 5-day combo typically costs about US$1,800 to US$3,000 per person on a budget to lower mid-range level for two travelers sharing, including the US$800 gorilla permit. Mid-range and luxury trips cost more.

How far is Queen Elizabeth National Park from Bwindi?

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth is about two to three hours from Bwindi’s Buhoma sector. From the park’s northern area around Mweya, allow about four to five hours to reach Bwindi.

Will I see tree-climbing lions?

Ishasha is one of the best places in Africa to see tree-climbing lions, but sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will search the fig trees where the lions usually rest.

Which Bwindi sector is best for this combo?

Buhoma is usually the most convenient because it is closest to Ishasha. If you start or end in Kigali, Rushaga or Nkuringo in the south are better choices.

Can I start this combo from Kigali?

Yes. Kigali is closer to Bwindi’s southern sectors than Entebbe, so many travelers fly into Kigali, trek gorillas, visit Queen Elizabeth, and return to Kigali or continue to Entebbe.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

The minimum age is 15 years. Younger children can enjoy game drives and the Kazinga Channel cruise in Queen Elizabeth.

When should I book my gorilla permit?

Book as early as possible, ideally three to six months ahead for the dry season. Permits are limited and your whole itinerary is built around your trekking date.

Final Thoughts: Uganda’s Classic Safari Combination

A Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi tour combo delivers the best of Uganda in a short, well-paced trip. You can watch lions resting in fig trees, cruise past hundreds of hippos on the Kazinga Channel, and spend an unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas in one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Because the two parks are neighbours, you spend less time on the road and more time enjoying wildlife, which makes this combo great value for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike.

When you are ready to plan, contact Pick and Transfer Safaris for a free, no-obligation quote, explore our 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, or browse more trips on our homepage.