Uganda Safaris

Home » Uganda Safaris

Located in East Africa, Uganda also known as the “Pearl of Africa” is a landlocked country that has increasingly become a popular safari destination in recent years. From its lush forests and savannahs to its diverse and unique cultures, stunning landscapes and wildlife, Uganda has something to offer every kind of traveler.

In this article, we will explore some of the most popular activities and attractions that make Uganda a must-visit destination.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

One of the main attractions in Uganda is gorilla trekking. The country is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and visitors have the opportunity to trek through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides an unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with one of man’s closest cousins. Visitors are accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who help locate the gorillas and provide insight into their behavior and conservation efforts. This activity costs $700 per head for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. One needs to be physically and mentally fit to take part in this activity as it involves hiking to high altitude areas.

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda

Similar to gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is a unique and unforgettable adventure that allows visitors to witness the process of getting wild gorillas used to human presence. It is an immersive experience that offers a rare opportunity to observe and study these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

The gorilla habituation experience takes place in two national parks in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. These parks are home to more than half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, and visitors can choose to trek through either of these parks to experience the gorilla habituation process.

The gorilla habituation experience begins early in the morning, with visitors gathering at the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations governing gorilla habituation. Visitors are also assigned to a specific gorilla family group that they will be following during the habituation process. Each group is led by an experienced guide and a team of trackers who will help locate the gorillas.

The trek to find the gorillas can take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family group. Visitors will hike through the dense forest, up steep hills and through thick bushes, guided by their experienced guide and trackers.

Once the gorilla family group is located, visitors will spend up to four hours unlike the 1 hour granted to gorilla trekking, observing and studying the gorillas as they go about their daily activities. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the gorillas interact with each other, feed, play, and even take a nap.

During the habituation experience, visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from the gorillas, to avoid any direct contact with the animals, and to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the park authorities. Visitors are also required to wear protective gear such as face masks and gloves to avoid transmitting any diseases to the gorillas.

Chimpanzee Trekking

In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda is also known for its chimpanzee trekking opportunities. Kibale National Park is home to over 1,000 chimpanzees, and visitors can trek through the park’s forests to observe these primates up close. Visitors can also go on guided nature walks and bird watching tours in Kibale National Park, which is also home to over 375 bird species.

Culture Safaris

Uganda is home to over 50 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and traditions. Visitors can explore these diverse cultures by participating in cultural safaris, which include visits to traditional villages, interacting with local communities, and learning about local customs and traditions.

Some popular cultural safaris include visits to Batwa Pygmies in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Karamojong in northeastern Uganda and Bagisu in Eastern Uganda near Mount. Elgon.

Rhino Trekking Tour

Another popular activity in Uganda is rhino trekking. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in central Uganda, is the only place in the country where visitors can see rhinos in the wild. The sanctuary is home to over 20 rhinos, and visitors can go on guided walks to observe these endangered creatures up close.

Epic adventures

Uganda is a country with a diverse landscape that provides ample opportunities for adventure activities. Visitors can go white-water rafting on the Nile River, which provides a thrilling experience with rapids ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 5.

Other adventure activities include bungee jumping, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking to the top of Mount. Elgon, an extinct volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya.

Big 5 Safaris

Uganda is also known for its Big 5 safari animals, which provide visitors with the opportunity to see some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos. Some of the top national parks for Big 5 safaris include Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi district, Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district and Kidepo Valley National Park in Kaabong district.

Boat Cruises

Uganda is home to several lakes and rivers, providing ample opportunities for boat cruises. Visitors can take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which provides views of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Boat cruises are also available on Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and the Nile River whose source is in Jinja District.

Best Time to Visit in Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry season, which runs from December to February and from June to September. During this time, the weather is pleasant and the wildlife is easier to spot as they congregate around water sources.

However, gorilla trekking can be done year-round, and the rainy season (March to May and October to November) can provide a unique experience as the landscape transforms.

Book Your adventure

lioness lying on gray tree during daytime

10 Days Uganda Safari

3 Days Gorilla Tour In Uganda

5 Days Uganda Safari

3 Days Nyungwe Chimps Tour

6 Days Uganda Safari

8 Days Uganda Safari

More Safaris

UGANDA SAFARI F.A.Qs

Are there good tourist destinations in Uganda?

There are various destinations all over Uganda that are unique and home to world-class activities like gorilla trekking only done in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. The prestigious Queen Elizabeth National Park owns rare species lions, the tree climbing lions which rest on top of tree branches while Murchison Falls National Park has the most powerful waterfalls in the world.

Other unique features that visitors can spot while in Uganda include the source of the Nile among another place.

Is cash preferred as a method of transacting or even cards can work?

Payment of most services in the country is preferably by cash and better if in local currency. Foreign currency and credit / debit cards are only accepted by big supermarkets and hotels.

Which languages are used in Uganda?

English is the official language used in the country and vastly spoken by almost everyone in the major cities however, there are over 65 ethnic groups that own distinct languages in the country.

How is the security in the country and around national parks?

Generally, Uganda offers a safe space for tourism to flourish with secure borders and various internal security agencies. Visitors who are going to engage in activities like gorilla trekking are escorted by armed soldiers to offer extra protection against any risk that might befall them during the tour.

Can one make safari arrangements privately or through a safari company?

Travel agencies are best preferred for providing epic safari packages than those organized individually since they have experience and know the hotels and destinations that offer great services at affordable costs.

Better yet, most times tour agencies have relationships with accommodation owners and service providers in the area which can all be a challenge to visitors who arrange their trips personally.

Are there other interesting activities in Uganda aside from gorilla trekking?

There are a variety of activities that visitors can engage in while in Uganda including golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking, white water rafting, wildlife viewing and other outstanding activities like bird viewing, mountain climbing, etc.

What is the best time to visit Uganda?

Uganda generally has a tropical type of climate with wet and dry season that occurs interchangeably. All the activities that require trekking and game drives are best done during the dry season hence visitors should book their safaris in the months stretching from June to October and December to February?

Does gorilla trekking tour have an age limit?

Apes charge easily even though those that are exposed to visitors are habituated that is why gorillas and chimpanzees are only trekked by individuals that are 15 years and above.

In Uganda, is it possible to fly to the destination of your choice?

Some of the destinations like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo national park have airfields close to them, therefore tourists can fly to the nearest airstrip and access the national parks closely via road transport.

This can be through scheduled flights or chartered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to any landing site close to the destination.

Is there electricity and internet in most national parks?

Most hotels in national parks have power and free Wi-Fi, therefore visitors can connect to their people back home. Some tented camps use lanterns, candles and it is advised that tourists come along with their flashlights while on Uganda safaris.

adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Is it okay to tip off service providers and how much is it supposed to be?

It is absolutely okay for tourists to tip off any service providers in Uganda that serve them to their satisfaction like tour drivers, waiters, security personnel, bar tenders porters, rangers, etc. 10$-20$ is ideal.

Where do children stay as their parents are engaging in gorilla tracking or chimpanzee trekking adventures?

Tracking chimpanzees from Kibale forest national park simplifies life for a parent as they have a variety of children activities that can occupy the young ones as their parents are engaging in chimpanzee trekking.

Kids can engage in viewing wildlife, butterflies, take part in simple guided walks, painting, among other activities.

Does the cost of gorilla trekking permits reduce during off season?

The cost of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $700 per person, either during peak season when it shines proficiently and during wet / off season. However, tourists who would love to minimize on their cost of their safari should consider traveling during wet season because the cost of hotels and other services reduces to attract many visitors.

What kind of food is available in Uganda?

There are different types of delicious food in the country since it is blessed with over 64 ethnic groups. There are international cuisines in the country like Chinese food, Indian foods, English foods, Italian foods, sea food among others. Tourists can also try and enjoy different local foods that are served in hotels like matooke, yams, meat stew, Rolex among others.

What vaccinations are tourists supposed to take before coming into the country?

The occurrence of Covid-19 pandemic throughout the world in 2020 made it compulsory for most countries to only receive visitors who have covid- 19 vaccination certificates and hence this rule applies even in Uganda.

Other vaccination that tourists should get before coming to the country include the yellow fever vaccine (mandatory), malaria vaccine, and Hepatitis B.