Uganda Safari Tours

Uganda packs rainforest, savannah, snow-capped mountains and the source of the Nile into a country about the size of the United Kingdom. A single trip can take you from gorillas in Bwindi to the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, a boat trip beneath hippos on the Kazinga Channel, and chimpanzees in Kibale, with each park a few hours' drive from the next. Most safaris start and end at Entebbe International Airport, a short drive from our base in Entebbe town.

Uganda at a glance

Capital	Kampala. International flights arrive at Entebbe, about 40 km away.
Currency	Uganda shilling (UGX). US dollars are widely used for tourism.
Languages	English and Swahili are official, plus Luganda and many local languages.
Climate	Equatorial and mild, with two dry and two wet seasons.
Visa	An e-visa for most nationalities, or the East Africa Tourist Visa.
Health	Yellow fever certificate required, and malaria prevention advised.

Classic Uganda routes

Length	Typical route	Highlights
3–4 days	Entebbe – Bwindi – Entebbe (or fly in)	Gorilla trek, Lake Bunyonyi or Mutanda
5–6 days	Kibale – Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi	Chimps, Kazinga Channel cruise, Ishasha lions, gorillas
7–9 days	Ziwa – Murchison – Kibale – Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi	Rhinos on foot, the Nile falls, chimps, gorillas
10–13 days	The full circuit, with Lake Mburo and Jinja	Everything above, plus zebras, walking safaris and the source of the Nile

What makes Uganda different

• Primates: gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, and chimpanzees in Kibale, Budongo and Kyambura Gorge.
• Savannah: Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and remote Kidepo Valley.
• Rhinos: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda to see them, and you track them on foot.
• Birds: about 1,080 species, including the shoebill. See birding safaris.
• Mountains: the Rwenzori and Mount Elgon. See hiking safaris.

Before you book

Most visitors need a Uganda e-visa (or the East Africa Tourist Visa) and a yellow fever certificate. See the Uganda e-visa guide and yellow fever requirements. Our travel guide brings together safety, money, SIM cards and health advice.

Uganda's safari regions

The south-west: gorillas and lakes

Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga hold Uganda's mountain gorillas. Nearby Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda are the classic places to rest after a trek. Lake Mburo, with its zebras and walking safaris, breaks the long drive from Entebbe.

The west: savannah and chimps

Queen Elizabeth has the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions. Kibale has the best chimpanzee trekking in East Africa. Semuliki and the Rwenzori Mountains complete the Albertine Rift.

The north-west: the Nile

Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest park, has giraffes, big herds and the falls, with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way.

The north-east: wilderness

Kidepo Valley is remote, beautiful and home to cheetahs and ostriches. Pian Upe lies on the way.

The east: adventure

Jinja has rafting at the source of the Nile, and Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls offer hiking and coffee.

A classic 8-day Uganda itinerary

1. Day 1: arrive at Entebbe and rest by Lake Victoria. An optional Mabamba shoebill trip if time allows.
2. Day 2: drive to Kibale via Fort Portal's tea estates and crater lakes.
3. Day 3: chimpanzee trekking in the morning and Bigodi Wetland in the afternoon.
4. Day 4: to Queen Elizabeth, with an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
5. Day 5: a morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, then south through Ishasha's lion country to Bwindi.
6. Day 6: gorilla trekking.
7. Day 7: to Lake Mburo, with an evening boat trip or walking safari.
8. Day 8: return to Entebbe, crossing the equator.

This is close to our 8-day gorilla trekking and wildlife tour. Add Murchison Falls and Ziwa rhinos and it becomes the 12-day tour.

What a Uganda safari costs

Before permits, expect roughly US$150–250 per person per day for budget trips, US$250–450 for mid-range and US$500–1,000+ for luxury. Add US$800 for each gorilla permit (US$600 in April, May and November) and US$250 for a Kibale chimp permit. Group size matters: four people sharing a vehicle pay much less each than a solo traveller. See Uganda safari cost per day and gorilla permits.

Driving in Uganda: what to expect

Main highways are tarmac, but journeys are slowed by trucks, towns, speed bumps and police checkpoints. Park access roads are often murram (red-earth dirt) and can be slow after rain. We plan realistic driving days, usually 4–7 hours with stops, and suggest domestic flights where a drive would take a full day. Your guide narrates along the way, explaining crops, markets, history and wildlife, so the drives become part of the experience.

Is Uganda safe?

Uganda's safari circuit is well established and welcomes visitors from around the world every day. We monitor conditions, follow official guidance and plan routes accordingly. See is Uganda safe for tourists? and Uganda safety tips.

Uganda's top experiences

1. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga: one hour with a mountain gorilla family. See Uganda gorilla trekking.
2. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale: East Africa's best chimp sighting rates. See chimpanzee trekking.
3. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise: hippos, elephants and waterbirds at eye level.
4. Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, one of few places where lions habitually rest in trees.
5. The top of Murchison Falls, where the whole Nile forces through a 7-metre gorge.
6. Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa.
7. The shoebill at Mabamba Swamp, a half-day from Entebbe.
8. Rafting the Nile at Jinja.
9. Lake Bunyonyi by dugout canoe.
10. The Rwenzori: glaciers on the equator.

A longer list is in must-do activities in Uganda.

Culture on a Uganda safari

Uganda is home to more than 50 ethnic groups. Along the way you can meet Batwa communities near Bwindi and Mgahinga, Bakiga farmers on the terraced hills of Kigezi, Banyankole cattle keepers with their long-horned Ankole cattle, and the Karamojong pastoralists of Kidepo. In Kampala, the Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda kings and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine explain the country's history and faith. See cultural tourism in Uganda and the Batwa.

Uganda for different travellers

• First-time safari-goers: 7–8 days covering Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi.
• Photographers: longer stays, a gorilla habituation day, and golden-hour boat cruises.
• Birders: 10–14 days with a specialist guide. See birding safaris.
• Families: boat safaris, Lake Mburo and Ziwa. See family safaris.
• Couples: fly-in gorillas and island lodges. See honeymoon safaris.
• Solo travellers: see solo travellers' safaris.

Getting to Uganda

Entebbe International Airport has direct flights from Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Brussels, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kigali and Johannesburg, among others. Most long-haul routes need one connection. Uganda Airlines also flies regional and some long-haul routes. Arrivals are often late at night, so we book your first night in Entebbe, 10–20 minutes from the airport, and start the safari the next morning. See arriving at Entebbe Airport.

Food on safari

Lodges serve international menus, often with Ugandan dishes such as matooke (steamed green bananas), groundnut sauce, beans, chapati and fresh tilapia from the lakes. Rolex, a chapati rolled with an omelette, is the country's favourite street snack, and your guide will know the best roadside stop to try one. Tropical fruit is superb, especially pineapples, mangoes and small sweet bananas. Tell us about dietary needs in advance, and every lodge on your route will be informed.

Health and safety on a Uganda safari

A yellow fever certificate is required to enter Uganda, and malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most of the country. Drink bottled or filtered water, which we supply in the vehicle. Use insect repellent in the evenings. The highland gorilla areas are cooler and have fewer mosquitoes, but precautions still apply. Carry travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Your guide carries a first-aid kit and knows the nearest clinics and hospitals on every route. See malaria prevention and yellow fever requirements.

Frequently asked questions