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Yes, you can! The Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. The park’s vast plains and diverse ecosystems provide a perfect habitat for these iconic animals. Whether you’re on a game drive or a guided walking safari, the chances of spotting these magnificent creatures are high.

As of July 1, 2024, the cost of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for Rest of Africa and UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens. This fee covers the permit but excludes accommodation, transportation, and other activities. Despite the cost, the experience of observing these gentle giants up close is priceless and contributes significantly to the conservation efforts of these endangered species.

Serengeti for the Wildebeest Migration: The best time to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti is from June to October. During these months, millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds, creating a spectacular natural phenomenon.

Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking: The ideal time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. These periods offer more manageable trekking conditions and a higher chance of encountering gorillas.

Both Serengeti and Bwindi are rated among the top wildlife and gorilla trekking destinations in Africa due to their unique offerings:

Serengeti National Park: Known for its vast savannahs, diverse wildlife, and the Great Migration, the Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for any safari enthusiast.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas, Bwindi offers an unparalleled gorilla trekking experience. The park’s dense forests and rugged terrain add to the adventure, making it a top destination for primate lovers.

Combining a Serengeti wildlife safari with a gorilla trekking holiday in Uganda offers a comprehensive African safari experience. This combination allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds: the thrill of big game viewing in the Serengeti and the intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi. It’s an African safari that caters to diverse interests and provides a deeper understanding of Africa’s rich biodiversity.

To Serengeti: Our travellers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania and then take a domestic flight to one of the airstrips in the Serengeti. Alternatively, you can drive from Arusha, which takes about 6-7 hours. You can then connect to Entebbe International Airport by flight or opt for a road trip from Serengeti to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

To Bwindi: The nearest international airport to Bwindi is Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda. From there, you can take a domestic flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips, followed by a road transfer to Bwindi. Alternatively, you can drive from Kampala, which takes about 8-10 hours.

Both Serengeti and Bwindi are considered safe for tourists. However, it’s essential to follow the guidelines provided by your tour operator and local authorities. Always stay with your group, avoid wandering off alone, and adhere to the rules and regulations of the parks.

Both destinations offer a range of accommodation options, from budget campsites to luxurious lodges. These accommodations are strategically located to provide comfort, proximity to the parks, and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Many lodges also feature curio shops where you can purchase souvenirs and local crafts.

When on a safari in Serengeti National Park, it’s crucial to follow these rules:

• Honour the speed limit while on game drive in the Tanzania National game parks to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is not accepted unless permitted by relevant authorities.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them? Some of them may charge at you when you sound the dangerous vehicle horn.
• Don’t come with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting an infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunition in the park is not acceptable because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or anyone in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Do not pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tire prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced 
• All the park gates are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that were almost extinct due to constant poaching from the locals, but with the coming and conservation ideas of Uganda Wildlife Authority, gorillas survived. With the help of the government of Uganda, some rules have been set up to continue conserving the natural habitat of the Mountain gorillas. The rules are to be followed by all who intend to go for a gorilla trek for your safety and the safety of the gorillas, and these include:

• Uganda’s gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years, and no one below that age will be allowed to trek the gorillas.
• Feeding of the Mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• After locating the gorillas, the trekkers are allowed a maximum of an hour with the gorillas studying their behavioural patterns and taking photos and videos.
• You need to keep a distance of about 7 to 10 meters away from the gorillas.
• Gorillas are not used to flash photography, so make sure that you turn your camera flash off before taking photos.
• A maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek the assigned gorilla families.
• Holes 30 cm deep are to be dug and covered for hikers planning on using the toilet because there are no toilets within the national park.
• Avoid littering the national park with rubbish by leaving it the way you found it.
• Do not in any way get close to the gorillas to avoid passing on infections in case you are sick.
• No one can eat, smoke, or drink with the gorillas.
• Avoid staring at the gorillas in the eye, don’t put on sunglasses, and in cases where the gorillas approach you, follow the instructions given to you by the guides.

a Serengeti safari and gorilla trekking in Uganda, consider packing the following essentials:

• Pack some warm clothes like sweaters for when the weather drastically changes.
• A raincoat is necessary whether you are travelling in the dry or wet season.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers protect your skin from insect bites, keep you warm, and protect your skin from tree scratches. The clothes packed should be neutral or in brown, khaki, and green colours. Avoid blue, any other brightly colored clothes, and black. Also, make sure to avoid jeans.
• First aid kit fully packed with all the medicines prescribed by your doctor, bandages, spirit, iodine, cotton, tummy ache medicines, pain killers, and other things needed to treat scratches during the trek.
• Gaiters, socks, and garden gloves are needed. The socks are used to keep you warm, and during the trek, trousers are tucked into the socks to prevent insects from crawling up your pants. The garden gloves and non-surgical gloves protect your hands from tree scratches during the trek, and the adjustable gaiters are mainly used during the wet season.
• Strong ankle-length boots are necessary to keep your feet steady on the trek, especially during the wet season. They should be well-fitting to avoid blisters and waterproof if you can get them.

Other items that you need to pack include a refillable water bottle, flashlight, extra batteries, camera and extra lenses, binoculars, wet wipes, biodegradable toilet paper, scarf, sandals, sunscreen, insect repellent, a sun hat, and toiletries, among others.

Booking a safari to Serengeti and Bwindi with Dav Safaris is straightforward. Check our packages, and choose the best suits your interests and budget. Our experienced team will assist you in planning every detail of your trip, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable adventure.

Note that the Uganda Wildlife Authority prints only limited permits daily, so booking early for your trip is important. After purchasing your permit, expect to track gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Whether you opt for a 3 days gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or a longer itinerary, you need to book the Serengeti Safari and gorilla trekking safari in advance because of the high demand for gorilla permits and easy planning. Contact Us to help you book the gorilla permit and organise your entire safari to Uganda, depending on your budget. Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor to make the right decision.