UGANDA SAFARI
Uganda Safari Tours and Gorilla Trekking Destinations
The Pearl of Africa. Mountain gorillas in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale and tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, all within one compact country.
10
NATIONAL PARKS
$800
GORILLA PERMIT
Jun-Aug
PEAK SEASON
Half
OF ALL GORILLAS
Entebbe
MAIN GATEWAY
WHY UGANDA
Where Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Savanna Meet
Uganda packs more variety into a short trip than almost anywhere in Africa. In a single week you can track mountain gorillas on foot in Bwindi, spend a morning with habituated chimpanzees in Kibale and finish on the savanna in Queen Elizabeth watching lions in fig trees.
It is also the value option for gorilla trekking. A Uganda permit costs less than half the Rwanda equivalent, and the parks are quieter. The trade off is driving time, since the roads from Entebbe to the southwest are long.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
Why Choose Uganda For A Safari?
Mountain Gorillas
Bwindi and Mgahinga hold about half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth, tracked in small groups of eight.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Kibale has the highest primate density in Africa and the most reliable chimpanzee sightings anywhere.
Tree Climbing Lions
The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth is one of only two places in Africa where lions habitually rest in trees.
The Source of the Nile
Jinja sits where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria, with white water rafting on grade five rapids.
WHERE TO GO
Top Uganda Safari Destinations
Uganda has ten national parks. These are the eight we run safaris to most often, each with its own guide covering wildlife, permits, best months and how to get there.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Home to roughly half the world population of mountain gorillas. Four trekking sectors, each with its own permits and terrain.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise and volcanic crater lakes.
Murchison Falls National Park
The Nile forced through a seven metre gap. Uganda largest park, with strong game viewing on the northern bank.
Kibale National Park
The best chimpanzee tracking in East Africa, with thirteen primate species in one forest.
Lake Mburo National Park
Compact and close to Kampala. Zebra, impala and the only place in Uganda for a walking safari at short notice.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorillas and golden monkeys on the Virunga slopes. Quieter than Bwindi with one habituated family.
BUDGETING
How Much Does A Uganda Safari Cost?
Budget for the permit first, because it is the single largest fixed cost and it does not vary with your standard of accommodation. A gorilla permit is currently USD 800 per person for foreign non residents, and a chimpanzee permit in Kibale is currently USD 250. Permit rates are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and change from time to time, so we confirm the current figure in writing with every quote.
Beyond permits, a mid range Uganda safari typically runs from USD 250 to USD 400 per person per day including a private vehicle, driver guide, park fees and full board. Budget camping trips come in lower, and the luxury lodges around Bwindi run well above it. A realistic first gorilla trip is eight to ten days, which allows Bwindi, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth without spending every day in the vehicle.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Uganda Safari, Key Questions
Reasonably fit rather than athletic. Treks in Bwindi run from one to six hours each way through steep, muddy forest at altitude. You can hire a porter at the trailhead for a small fee, which is both genuinely helpful and a direct income stream for the local community. Sedan chairs can be arranged in advance for those who need them.
As early as you can, and at least six months ahead for June to September or December. Only eight permits are issued per gorilla family per day, so availability rather than price is usually what decides your dates.
Most nationalities need a visa, applied for online in advance. If you are also visiting Kenya or Rwanda on the same trip, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries for one fee and allows multiple entries between them. We will tell you which option is cheaper for your route.
June to August and December to February are the dry seasons and the easiest months for trekking, since the forest trails are less slippery. Uganda sits on the equator, so temperatures are stable year round. The wet months of March to May and September to November bring lower rates and fewer people, at the cost of harder walking.
Yes, and it is a common pairing. Most travellers fly Entebbe to Nairobi or Kilimanjaro and add the Masai Mara or Serengeti after the gorillas. Allow at least twelve days for a combined trip so neither half feels rushed.
Plan Your Uganda Gorilla Safari
Tell us your dates and we will check live permit availability before we quote, so the itinerary you receive is one we can actually book.
TAILOR MADE SAFARI
Want to Know More? Talk to Us
Create an unforgettable memory with a customised Kenya or Tanzania safari. Tell us how you like to travel and our safari experts will shape the route around you, with no obligation.
Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com