7 Days Rwenzori Marathon and Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda

Combine the Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese with wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. This private seven-day itinerary is planned around the organiser’s announced race date. Event dates, distances, starting points and registration arrangements will be confirmed for the relevant edition before booking.

Event dates to be confirmed. Enquiries are welcome; race entry is separate unless expressly included in your quotation.

Safari highlights

• Participate in the internationally recognised Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese, Uganda
• Run against the spectacular backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains
• Choose from the official marathon, half-marathon or shorter race categories
• Enjoy assistance with race logistics, accommodation and local transfers
• Experience the lively race atmosphere and celebrations in Kasese
• Allow time for post-race rest and recovery before continuing your safari
• Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on a wildlife safari
• Cruise along the Kazinga Channel in search of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and waterbirds
• Travel through Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions
• Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Spend up to one hour observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural rainforest habitat
• Discover the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda
• Stop at the Uganda Equator for photo shoots
• Combine a memorable international running achievement with an African wildlife holiday

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Day 2: Entebbe to Kasese For Race Preparation

Day 3: Rwenzori Marathon Race Day

Day 4: Post-Marathon Recovery in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive – Transfer to Bwindi

Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Day 7: Return to Entebbe

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

On arrival at Entebbe, meet your Firante Gorilla Treks driver guide and transfer to your hotel. Get an introduction to the safari arrangements and the travel schedule to Kasese, where you will participate in the Rwenzori Marathon. The first day should be kept relaxed to avoid unnecessary fatigue before race day.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 2: Entebbe to Kasese and Rwenzori Marathon Preparation

After an early breakfast, leave Entebbe and travel west passing through Fort Portal Tourism City for a break shortly. Arrive in Kasese and check into your accommodation, ideally located close to the marathon's designated start point. Your guide will assist with practical arrangements for the following morning, including transport to the appropriate starting location on time. Enjoy an early dinner, organise your running equipment and allow sufficient time for rest.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 3: Rwenzori Marathon Race Day

Wake up early, enjoy a suitable pre-race breakfast. Your guide will assist with transfers to the designated assembly area according to the organisers' official race-day transport arrangements. He will let you go for the marathon and wait for you at the finish line to guide you further according to the program of the day. Expect large crowd of people as the event brings together professional athletes, recreational runners, running clubs and international visitors in the spectacular surroundings of Kasese. Having your guide for guidance will save you from any inconveniences. Following your finish, take time to cool down, rehydrate and enjoy the post-race atmosphere. Depending on the official event programme, you may attend finish-line celebrations among other organised activities or just return to the hotel for rest and recovery.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 4: Post-Marathon Recovery Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Begin the wildlife portion of the trip with a relaxed breakfast followed by transfer from Kasese to the park’s northern sector Kasenyi plains. This area consists of open savannah plains, crater filled lakes, tropical forests, wetlands and escarpments associated with the Albertine Rift Valley. The Kasenyi plains are rich in biodiversity including lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, kobs of which most may be spotted during your first game drive experience. Later, in the afternoon, you will embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. Here, you can watch wildlife comfortably from the boat. You may see large pods of hippos in the water and Nile crocodiles resting along the banks. Elephants and Cape buffaloes may also be seen approaching the channel to drink or feed. The surrounding wetlands support numerous water birds including African fish eagle, malachite kingfishers among others. The boat trip lasts for about 3 hours returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi

Wake up early in the morning and have a cup of Ugandan tea. Set out for a morning game drive before sunrise which may increase your chance of spotting predators and carnivores of Uganda. After the drive, return for breakfast at the lodge and on your way to Bwindi in southwest you will slow down for a wildlife drive in the Ishasha wilderness area famous for harboring Tree-Climbing Lions. Lions are sometimes seen resting in branches of fig trees above the ground. Arrive at your lodge, check in and prepare for the following morning's mountain gorilla trekking experience. The gorilla trekking sector always depends on the availability of gorilla permits. However, for this itinerary, the envisaged sector is Buhoma due to its connection from Ishasha and the return route towards Entebbe.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point with your packed lunch, drinking water and trekking gears. During the briefing, UWA rangers will explain the trekking procedures, forest conditions and accompany you into the forest in search of the gorillas. Hiking can be challenging due to the nature of terrain. As a result, trekking duration varies according to the movement and location of the assigned gorilla family. It can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours and for marathon participants, this experience should be undertaken having fully recovered. Porters are available and highly recommended for hire for those wanting assistance carrying a daypack or navigating challenging forest sections. When the gorillas are located, spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat. After the permitted viewing period, trek back through the forest and reunite with your driver guide. Return to the lodge for relaxation. After the trek, there are options to spend another night in Bwindi or on the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 7: Bwindi to Entebbe

After breakfast, leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and begin the return journey to Entebbe. Along the way, there’s a Uganda Equator stop where you can grab refreshments and shop for local crafts. Continue to Kampala or Entebbe. Depending on your onward travel arrangements, your driver-guide will drop you at Entebbe International Airport or your hotel. Due to a long road-transfer day from Bwindi, travellers should plan a late departure flight or request an additional overnight stay in Entebbe. End of your 7 Days Rwenzori Marathon and Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda.

Why Combine the Rwenzori Marathon with a Uganda Safari?

The Rwenzori Marathon brings international runners to one of Uganda's most scenic regions.

Rather than travelling to Kasese for the race and immediately returning home, this itinerary allows participants to experience some of the country's remarkable wildlife destinations.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is conveniently located near Kasese, making it a natural destination for post-marathon wildlife viewing.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park then provides the opportunity to experience mountain gorillas, one of Uganda's most celebrated wildlife attractions.

The result is a holiday that combines sporting achievement, African wildlife and mountain gorilla trekking in one journey.

Rwenzori Marathon: Race Distances and Participation

The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon has offered several running distances, including:

Full Marathon – 42.2 km

Half Marathon – 21.1 km

10 km Run

5 km Run

The full marathon has been associated with an Equator crossing and the shorter routes explore Kasese and spectacular routes like Kilembe.

Race categories, starting points, entry requirements, registration deadlines and official event dates must be confirmed directly with the organisers for the relevant edition.

Participation requires a valid race registration, which is separate from safari accommodation and gorilla trekking permits unless explicitly included in your confirmed quotation.

Post-Marathon Recovery and Gorilla Trekking

This itinerary allows time for recovery after race day before introducing more physically demanding activities.

The Kazinga Channel boat safari provides a relaxed wildlife experience, while the following day's game drive is undertaken from a safari vehicle.

Gorilla trekking takes place several days after the marathon.

However, mountain gorilla trekking may involve steep terrain, muddy trails and several hours of walking.

Travellers participating in the full marathon should assess their recovery and fitness before undertaking the gorilla trek.

For runners wanting additional recovery time, Firante Gorilla Treks can extend the safari with another night in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Bwindi.

Who Is This Safari Best For?

This seven-day marathon and gorilla safari is particularly suitable for:

International runners travelling to Uganda for the Rwenzori Marathon

Running clubs and organised sporting groups

Marathon participants who want to extend their stay in Uganda

Couples where one person runs and the other prefers sightseeing

Supporters accompanying friends or family members

Adventure travellers interested in both sporting events and wildlife

Visitors wanting to combine a destination race with mountain gorilla trekking

Travellers seeking a private, customisable Uganda holiday

Firante Gorilla Treks can arrange accommodation in Kasese, private transfers, wildlife activities and gorilla trekking permits according to your travel dates and preferred comfort level. We are an independent safari operator. Race registration and official event arrangements remain subject to the Rwenzori Marathon organisers' requirements and we are there to help you through all that.

Quotation and booking details

Request a personalised quotation based on your dates, group size and accommodation preference. Your written quotation will confirm the lodges, meal plan, trekking permits, transport, included activities, optional extras and exclusions before booking. No fixed package price is currently advertised.

Trekking duration, wildlife sightings and travel times vary. Final arrangements depend on permit availability, lodge location and local conditions. Where a long transfer or trek falls on your departure day, an additional overnight stay before flying is recommended.

Request a quotation

Planning advice: Gorilla trekking · Chimpanzee experiences · Safari destinations