Uganda is the Pearl of Africa—Sir Winston Churchill’s phrase still rings true. From acacia-dotted savannahs to the emerald highlands of Bwindi, this land blends remarkable biodiversity with warm, welcoming culture. You’ll track mountain gorillas in misty forests, scan plains for elephants and lions, and savor a capital city buzzing with markets, music, and spicy street eats.

This 7-day, budget-minded safari starts and ends in Kampala and prioritizes value without compromising the big-ticket wildlife moments. Expect comfortable lodges, a dedicated driver/guide, and a realistic pace: Lake Mburo’s zebras, Queen Elizabeth’s wide horizons and hippo-thronged river, and Bwindi’s unforgettable gorilla encounter.

Practical notes: secure your Bwindi gorilla permit early (about US$800 for foreign non-residents as of 2025). Yellow fever vaccination proof is required for entry, and malaria prophylaxis is advised. Roads are bumpy but scenic; a 4x4 with an experienced driver pays off. You’ll pass the Uganda Equator for that classic photo—and strong coffee isn’t hard to find.

Kampala

Kampala sprawls over seven hills, a tapestry of Buganda heritage, contemporary art, faith landmarks, and splendid markets. Visit the grand Gaddafi National Mosque for panoramic city views, wander Nakasero Market’s fruit-and-spice alleys, and hear the drumbeat of modern Uganda in its cafés and bars.

Food is part of the story—try a “Rolex” (chapati + eggs + veggies), delicious grilled chicken, and fragrant luwombo stews. Coffee culture thrives too: expect rich arabica from the Rwenzori and Mount Elgon hills poured with pride.

• Stay (budget–mid): Search deals on VRBO Kampala or compare guesthouses on Hotels.com Kampala.
• Flights: Fly into Entebbe (for Kampala) with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical fares vary by season; allow 1–1.5 hours road transfer from Entebbe to central Kampala.
• Airport transfer: Book a reliable 24/7 pickup: Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer.

Day 1: Arrive in Kampala, get oriented, and taste the city

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your guesthouse. If you’re peckish, try Endiro Coffee (Acacia/Kisementi) for pour-overs and avocado toast, or 1000 Cups Coffee near Buganda Road for a Ugandan arabica sampler.

Evening: Dive straight into Kampala’s flavors on a thrilling food-focused ride: Nighttime Boda Boda Street Food Tour.

You’ll sample Rolex wraps, charcoal-grilled muchomo, and spiced tea while zipping between popular night spots with a local guide.

Late: If you prefer a sit-down dinner, Faze 3 serves reliable Indian and continental mains with city views; or try The Bistro in Kisementi for burgers, salads, and good cocktails—both are traveler favorites.

Lake Mburo National Park (gateway: Mbarara)

Lake Mburo is a compact gem—Uganda’s best place to see zebra and impala, with hippos lolling in papyrus-lined bays and fish eagles calling overhead. Because there are no elephants here, guided walking safaris are allowed, making for intimate wildlife encounters.

En route from Kampala you’ll cross the Equator at Kayabwe, a classic photo stop with craft stalls, coffee stands, and Coriolis-effect demonstrations.

• Stay: Search Mbarara (the nearest city) for value lodges and guesthouses on VRBO Mbarara and Hotels.com Mbarara. Many properties near Sanga Gate have on-site restaurants and budget bandas.
• Travel from Kampala: 3.5–4 hours (225–240 km) via Masaka Road in a 4x4 safari vehicle. Approx driver/vehicle hire: US$130–180/day including fuel (varies with season and group size).

Day 2: Kampala to Lake Mburo via the Equator

Morning: Depart Kampala by 7:30 AM. Break at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe for coffee and the famous sign. If you want a guided Equator experience, consider this easy option: Day Tour to the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe.

Pick up handmade crafts and try a cinnamon-spiked African tea.

Afternoon: Enter Lake Mburo NP (park fee ~US$40 pp/day) and take a 1.5–2-hour boat ride on Lake Mburo. Look for hippos, crocodiles, pied kingfishers, and African finfoot along the papyrus edges.

Evening: Dinner at your lodge: expect grilled tilapia, matoke (plantain), and stews. If you’re staying outside the park, Igongo Cultural Centre (just north of Mbarara) is a top stop for a hearty local buffet and a quick brush with Ankole culture.

Day 3: Walking safari and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning: Guided walking safari with a park ranger (typically ~US$15–20 pp). Watch for plains zebra, impala, eland, and warthog at eye level—an unforgettable, low-impact way to start the day.

Afternoon: Drive 4–5 hours to Queen Elizabeth NP via Mbarara–Bushenyi–Kasese. Check in and rest. Lunch options en route include roasted goat at roadside grills and fresh chapati with beans.

Evening: Short golden-hour game drive near the Kasenyi plains. Expect Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants, and if luck strikes, a lion pride silhouetted against the Rwenzori “Mountains of the Moon.” Dinner at your camp—try a pineapple-chili salad and a cold Nile Special.

Queen Elizabeth National Park (gateway: Kasese)

Uganda’s most famous savannah reserve stretches from the Rift Valley escarpment to crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, which links Lakes George and Edward. It’s a big landscape: sweeping grasslands, acacia woodland, and a watery highway bristling with life.

Photographers love the boat cruise for hippo jaws and bee-eaters on reed perches; birders can rack up 200+ species in a weekend. The southern Ishasha sector is famed for tree-climbing lions.

• Stay: Browse budget camps and lodges around Kasese/Katwe on VRBO Kasese or compare on Hotels.com Kasese.
• Travel from Mburo (Mbarara): 4–5 hours by 4x4. Fuel/driver costs as above; park fee ~US$40 pp/day.

Day 4: Big game in Kasenyi + Kazinga Channel cruise

Morning: Dawn game drive on the Kasenyi tracks when predators are active. Scan for lions trailing kob herds, elephants marching to water, and elusive hyenas. Bring binoculars—bee-eaters and rollers add flashes of color.

Afternoon: Take the classic 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise (usually US$30–40 pp). It’s one of East Africa’s densest concentrations of hippos and waterbirds—expect buffalo, elephants drinking, and crocodiles sunning on the banks. Lunch near Mweya Peninsular or at your lodge.

Evening: Optional crater drive for vistas over explosion craters and Lake Katwe salt pans. Dinner ideas: many lodges serve set menus; in Kasese town, Tembo Restaurant is popular for stews and grilled meats.

Day 5: Ishasha tree-climbing lions and on to Bwindi

Morning: Early departure to the Ishasha sector (2–3 hours). With luck, you’ll spot the famous lions draped over fig branches—binoculars help in tall grass periods. The road then ascends into lush highlands.

Afternoon: Continue 2–3 more hours to Bwindi’s Buhoma or Ruhija sector (your gorilla permit determines the exact base). Check in, stretch your legs on a short village walk, and pack your daypack for tomorrow: 2–3 liters of water, snacks, gardening gloves, long trousers, gaiters if you have them.

Evening: Briefing at your lodge on gorilla trekking etiquette. Dinner at Buhoma Community Rest Camp restaurant is a great budget-friendly choice that supports local conservation projects.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (gateway: Kabale/Kisoro; bases: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo)

Part of the montane rainforest that saved the mountain gorilla, Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of moss-draped trees, tangled vines, and hidden streams. Trekking here is a rite of passage for wildlife lovers.

Besides gorillas, listen for black-and-white colobus and spot countless sunbirds and turacos. Local cooperatives weave baskets, roast coffee, and share Batwa forest knowledge—your visit supports livelihoods at the forest edge.

• Stay: For broad availability, search Kabale or Kisoro (both serve different Bwindi sectors) on VRBO Kabale / Hotels.com Kabale. Confirm you’re within 30–60 minutes of your assigned trailhead (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo).
• Getting here from Queen Elizabeth: 4–6 hours by 4x4 depending on sector and stops in Ishasha.
• Optional flight: If you prefer to fly back later, domestic hops run from Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips to Entebbe (1–1.5 hours). Search schedules on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com and coordinate transfers with your lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla trekking day

Early morning: Report to the park office by ~7:30 AM for briefing. Gorilla permits (about US$800) include ranger guides and trackers; porters (US$15–25) are highly recommended for your pack and to support local livelihoods. Trekking can be 2–7 hours round-trip depending on the family’s location and terrain.

Midday: You’ll spend a magical hour with a habituated gorilla family—observe quietly, keep 7–10 meters, masks may be required. Photographs are allowed (no flash). It’s emotional and humbling; take it in.

Afternoon/Evening: Return to base for your certificate and a late lunch. If energy allows, walk to a nearby community project (e.g., basket-weaving or coffee roasting demos) or simply rest with a cup of locally grown arabica. Dinner at your lodge; try goat stew with matoke or beans and posho.

Day 7: Bwindi to Kampala (or Entebbe) via Equator stop

Morning: Depart early for the 8–10-hour return drive via Mbarara and Masaka. Bring road snacks: groundnuts, fresh pineapple, chapati. If your flight is same-day, aim for an evening departure from Entebbe.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs again at the Equator for last-minute crafts and a celebratory coffee. Continue to Kampala/Entebbe. If you’re staying an extra night near the lake, this gentle add-on is lovely: Entebbe Equator Line Tour & Lake Victoria Sunset Boat Ride.

Evening: Back in Kampala, celebrate with a final dinner: Cafe Javas (multiple branches) for dependable, budget-friendly plates and juices, or Piato for a relaxed sit-down with kebabs and curries before departure.

Optional bonus for birders (best if you overnight in Entebbe)

With a spare half-day, seek Uganda’s most sought-after bird in Entebbe’s wetlands: the shoebill. Book this focused trip: 1/2 Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tour.

Depart early to ride papyrus channels with expert boatmen—chances are high for a close, respectful encounter.

Meals & coffee highlights along the route

• Kampala: Endiro Coffee (Kisementi) for single-origin pours; 1000 Cups Coffee for tastings; Rolex stands for a cheap, tasty classic; Faze 3 or The Bistro for sit-down dinners.
• Masaka Road: Equator cafés pour strong brews; try chapati with beans at roadside kiosks.
• Mbarara: Igongo Cultural Centre for local buffet (try millet bread and ghee); Agip Motel for quick grills.
• Kasese/QENP: Lodge restaurants near Mweya and Katwe offer set menus; Tembo Restaurant in Kasese town for stews and curry.
• Bwindi: Buhoma Community Rest Camp and Ride 4 a Woman Café for homestyle meals that support community initiatives.

Budget & practical tips

• Estimated per-person costs (sharing, budget style): Driver/4x4 and fuel: US$60–90/day pp in a group of 3–4; Lodges/guesthouses: US$40–120/room/night; Park fees: ~US$40 pp/day (Mburo, QENP); Boat cruises: US$30–40; Gorilla permit: ~US$800 (book early); Meals: US$10–20/day if eating simply at lodges or local cafés.
• Gear for gorillas: Sturdy hiking boots, long socks and trousers (for nettles), light gloves, rain jacket, 2–3L water, snacks, small first-aid kit. Porters are invaluable and affordable.
• Health & entry: Yellow Fever certificate required; malaria prophylaxis recommended; carry cash for park tips and village crafts (mobile coverage is patchy).

Good-to-know add-ons from Kampala

• City insights: If you arrive a day earlier, consider a guided walk that leans into history and markets.
• Nile day trips: Jinja is a favorite for rafting and the Source of the Nile—keep it for a future visit or add a day pre/post safari.

Included Viator activities in this itinerary

• Nighttime Boda Boda Street Food Tour
• Day Tour to the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe
• Entebbe Equator Line Tour & Lake Victoria Sunset Boat Ride
• 1/2 Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tour (optional if overnighting in Entebbe)

For international and any domestic flights, compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. For Kampala stays before/after, check VRBO Kampala and Hotels.com Kampala.

In seven days you’ll sweep from Kampala’s lively streets to Lake Mburo’s zebra-dotted plains, across Queen Elizabeth’s broad savannahs, and into Bwindi’s emerald heart for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek. With smart routing, community-minded stays, and an adventurous spirit, this budget safari delivers Uganda’s greatest hits without the hefty price tag.