Christmas 2026 · 4 nights
The Gilded Savanna: a 5-day festival wilderness escape
Five days in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi for the Christmas season: chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, a private cruise on the Kazinga Channel and a mountain gorilla trek.
Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National ParksPick-up from your hotel in Kampala
Two travellers sharing per person, 2 sharing$3,500per person
Fits Christmas 2026 (20 December 2026 – 2 January 2027)
Christmas week: Sun 20 – Sat 26 DecNew Year: Sun 27 Dec – Sat 2 Jan
Day by day
Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National ParkYour senior driver-guide collects you in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, charging ports and a cooler box. Stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photographs and coffee, have a hot lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara, then drive through savannah and banana plantations to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park at sunset, in time to check in at your lodge.
Kasenyi game drive and a private Kazinga cruiseAn early game drive on the Kasenyi plains for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and Uganda kob. Lunch back at your lodge. In the afternoon, a private two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George, past hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds, with elephants often at the shore.
Kyambura Gorge, Ishasha and BwindiWalk down into Kyambura Gorge, a forest below the savannah, to track chimpanzees with ranger guides. Then drive south through Ishasha, looking in the big fig trees for the lions that climb them, and on to the terraced, misty hills of Bwindi. You have a picnic or a lunch stop on the way, and spend the night at your lodge near the forest.
Gorilla trekking in BwindiBreakfast, then to the park headquarters by 7:30 am for the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing. You trek into the forest with expert trackers and a personal porter. Treks take from two to six hours, depending on where the gorilla family is, and you spend one hour with the gorillas once they are found. Back at headquarters you receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate, then rest or visit the spa at your lodge.
Bwindi to KampalaBreakfast on your private terrace above the forest, then check out and drive north. Lunch in Mbarara, then you reach Kampala in the evening, or go straight to Entebbe for an evening flight home.
Highlights
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
- A game drive on the Kasenyi plains and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
- A private two-hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a senior driver-guide and fuel
- 4 nights in luxury lodges, full board
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Kyambura chimpanzee tracking permit
- Queen Elizabeth park fees and game drives, including the Ishasha sector
- Private Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and porters
- Bottled water throughout the safari
Not included
- International flights and entry visas
- Alcoholic drinks, premium wines and laundry at the lodges
- Tips for driver-guides, rangers and lodge staff
- Travel insurance and personal items
Check permit availability
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and run out early. Pick a date to see what our team last confirmed with UWA.
Book this tour
Choose your group size and when you would like to go. The price updates as you choose.