Uganda packs more into one trip than almost anywhere in Africa. In a single safari you can trek to mountain gorillas, follow chimpanzees through the forest, watch elephants on the Kazinga Channel and stand at the top of Murchison Falls as the Nile forces itself through a gap seven metres wide. This is the guide we would give a friend before their first visit.
When to go
The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, are the easiest for trekking and game drives. Trails are firmer, roads are quicker and animals gather near water. The wetter months are greener and quieter, lodges are easier to book and the rain usually falls in heavy afternoon showers rather than all day. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking run all year.
The parks we pair most often
- Bwindi Impenetrable for mountain gorillas, with four trekking sectors in the south west.
- Kibale for chimpanzees, the best chimp tracking in East Africa.
- Queen Elizabeth for the Kazinga Channel boat trip and the lions of Ishasha.
- Murchison Falls for the falls, the Nile delta and classic savannah game.
- Kidepo Valley for wild, empty landscapes in the far north east, best reached by air.
A first safari of eight to ten days usually links Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Add Murchison if you have twelve days, or fly to Kidepo if you want somewhere very few visitors reach.
What it costs
At the time of writing a Uganda gorilla permit is US$800 per person and a chimpanzee permit in Kibale is around US$250. Permits are limited, so we secure them as soon as your dates are set. The rest of the cost depends on the lodges you choose, the length of the trip and whether you drive or fly between parks. Our sample safaris show a starting price for each route.
Getting in and getting around
Most visitors fly into Entebbe. Many nationalities apply for an e-visa before travel, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on one document. A yellow fever certificate is required. Distances look short on a map, but roads wind through hills, so we plan drives around lunch stops and viewpoints, or add short scheduled flights to save a day.
Our advice
Do not try to see everything. Two nights in each park gives you time to track animals properly and enjoy the lodge. Tell us what matters most to you and we will shape the route around it.