Uganda
The Pearl of Africa: gorillas, chimps and the Nile
Our home country and where most of our safaris run. In one trip you can track mountain gorillas in Bwindi, follow chimpanzees in Kibale, take a boat along the Kazinga Channel and stand above Murchison Falls.
Why Uganda
Uganda packs rainforest, savanna, crater lakes and snow-capped mountains into a country about the size of Oregon. Most visitors come for the mountain gorillas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwest are home to around half of the world's mountain gorillas.
How a Uganda safari usually runs
Most of our itineraries start at Entebbe International Airport and head west by road, often with a stop at the equator. A typical route links Lake Mburo or Queen Elizabeth National Park with Bwindi for gorilla trekking, and many guests finish with a few quiet days on Lake Bunyonyi. Longer trips go north to Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and the remote Kidepo Valley.
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking need permits issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Numbers are limited for each gorilla family every day, so we secure permits as soon as you confirm your trip. Your quote shows whether permits are included.
Parks and places
- Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkA steep, ancient rainforest in southwest Uganda and the country's best-known place to trek with mountain gorillas. Treks start from four sectors around the forest: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
- Jinja and the source of the NileThe town where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria, known for boat trips at the source of the river and white-water rafting.
- Kibale National ParkA rainforest park near Fort Portal and the best place in Uganda to track chimpanzees. It is home to 13 primate species, and the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is good for walking and birding.
- Kidepo Valley National ParkA remote valley park in Uganda's far northeast, near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. Few visitors make it this far, which is much of the appeal: wide grasslands, mountain backdrops and game drives in the Narus Valley.
- Lake BunyonyiA deep, island-dotted lake in the terraced hills of southwest Uganda and a calm place to rest after gorilla trekking. Canoes and boats reach the islands.
- Lake Mburo National ParkUganda's smallest savanna park and a convenient stop on the highway from Kampala to the west. It has the country's largest numbers of zebra, impala and eland, and you can explore by vehicle, boat, on foot or on horseback.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkUganda's smallest national park, on the Virunga volcanoes where Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo meet. Visitors come for gorilla and golden monkey tracking and volcano hikes.
- Mount Elgon National ParkAn old volcano on the Uganda–Kenya border with waterfalls, caves and quiet hiking trails. Sipi Falls on its lower slopes is a popular overnight stop.
- Murchison Falls National ParkUganda's largest national park, where the Victoria Nile forces through a narrow gorge on its way to Lake Albert. Game drives on the northern bank and a boat trip toward the base of the falls are the main draws.
- Queen Elizabeth National ParkWestern Uganda's classic savanna park, between Lake Edward and Lake George. Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel pass hippos, buffalo and elephants at the water's edge, and the southern Ishasha sector is known for lions that rest in fig trees.
- Rwenzori Mountains National ParkThe "Mountains of the Moon" on Uganda's western border: glaciers close to the equator, moss-hung forests and multi-day treks for experienced hikers.
- Semuliki National ParkA lowland forest in the Albertine Rift that feels more Central African than East African. The Sempaya hot springs and forest birding are the main reasons to visit.
- Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryA sanctuary between Kampala and Murchison Falls and home to Uganda's only wild rhinos, tracked on foot with rangers. Shoebill trips run in the nearby Lugogo swamp.
Uganda safaris
- 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Lake Mburo
- 7-Day Uganda via Rwanda: Golden Monkeys, Gorillas and Big Game
- 10-Day Best of Uganda: Gorillas, Chimps and Wildlife
- 9-Day Romantic Uganda Safari
- 9-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
- 7-Day Romantic Uganda Safari
- 10-Day Uganda: Jinja, Ziwa, Murchison & Kidepo
- 7-Day Chimpanzee, Wildlife & Gorilla Safari
- 3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
- 2-Day Lake Mburo Safari
- 4-Day Lake Victoria Yoga Retreat
Practical information
- Visas
Most visitors need a visa, applied for online through the official Uganda immigration portal before travel. Requirements depend on your passport; check them before you book flights.
- Time zone
East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3, all year. There is no daylight saving time.
- Getting there
International flights land at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about an hour from Kampala.
- Health
Vaccination and malaria advice depends on your health and itinerary. Check the CDC's current guidance for Uganda and talk to a travel clinic at least six weeks before you go.
Source: CDC Travelers' Health: Uganda
- Travel advice
Read your government's current travel advice for Uganda before you book and again before you travel.
Source: U.S. State Department: Uganda
Uganda questions
How many days do I need for gorillas and wildlife in Uganda?
Seven days is enough to combine chimpanzees in Kibale, a game drive and boat trip in Queen Elizabeth, and a gorilla trek in Bwindi. Nine or ten days leaves time for Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mburo without long back-to-back drives.
Can I combine Uganda with Rwanda?
Yes. Southwest Uganda borders Rwanda, so a trip can cross between Bwindi or Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park. Tell us in your request and we will plan the crossing.