Where ancient rainforest meets the source of the Nile, Uganda is Africa's most intimate and extraordinary wildlife encounter.
Uganda defies easy description. The Pearl of Africa, as Churchill famously called it, is a country of startling contrasts and singular experiences that no other destination on the continent can replicate. Here, mist-covered volcanic mountains rise above equatorial rainforest, chimpanzees call from the canopy, and mountain gorillas move silently through bamboo groves at altitudes above 2,000 metres.
The gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is in a category of its own. Spending a permitted hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family, watching the silverback move through the undergrowth and juveniles tumble through the trees, is consistently described by travellers as the single most profound wildlife encounter of their lives. Uganda protects roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population across Bwindi and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, making it the premier destination on earth for this experience.
Beyond gorillas, Uganda rewards those who go looking. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers tree-climbing lions and enormous elephant herds moving across the Kazinga Channel floodplain. Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces itself through a seven-metre gap in the rock, is one of the most dramatic natural spectacles in Africa. And for birders, Uganda’s 1,000-plus species list includes the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, one of the most sought-after birds in the world.
Uganda is renowned for its diverse landscapes, which include lush rainforests, expansive grasslands, glistening lakes, and winding rivers. This variety of habitats provides an ideal environment for a wide range of wildlife, encompassing primates, big cats, plains game, and an abundance of bird species.
One of Uganda’s most significant attractions is its population of mountain gorillas, as the country is home to over half of the world’s remaining individuals of this species. It stands as one of the few locations on the planet where visitors can observe these incredible animals in their natural habitat. In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda is inhabited by more than a dozen other primate species, including chimpanzees.
For those seeking further exploration beyond the forests, Uganda’s savannah regions, such as Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls, offer unique wildlife experiences. Traditional game drives are complemented by boat safaris, a less common activity in other East African nations, providing visitors with a unique vantage point to observe wildlife along the shores and waterways.
Thoughtfully crafted by a dedicated Uganda destination specialist, you might spend splendid days gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, cruising the Kazinga Channel on a boat safari, or watching wildlife gather across the golden plains of Kidepo Valley National Park.
Our Uganda safaris are built around encounters that simply cannot be found anywhere else. Gorillas, chimpanzees, shoebills and so much more await in the Pearl of Africa.
A 10-day Uganda safari through Murchison Falls, chimp trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park and gorilla tracking in Bwindi. From $2,900…
A 3-day Uganda safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura…
A 3-day Uganda safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, followed by a relaxed stay at Lake Bunyonyi.…
A 3-day Uganda safari to Bwindi for gorilla trekking and Albertine Rift birdlife, followed by a canoe ride on Lake…
A 3-day Uganda safari to Murchison Falls, with rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary, game drives and a Nile boat cruise…
A 4-day Uganda primate safari combining Bwindi gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi and Kibale chimpanzee trekking with the Bigodi swamp walk.…
A 4-day Uganda safari to remote Kidepo Valley National Park, with game drives and a genuine Karamojong cultural encounter. From…
A 4-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with 2 nights full board at Buhoma…
A 4-day fly-in Uganda gorilla trekking safari, Entebbe to Bwindi via Kihihi, with 2 nights full board at Buhoma Lodge.…
A 5-day Uganda safari through Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi. From $1,400 per…
A 5-day Uganda safari to remote Kidepo Valley National Park, with rhino tracking at Ziwa and a genuine Karamojong cultural…
A 7-day Uganda safari combining Kibale chimp trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives and a boat cruise, and Bwindi…
A 7-day Uganda circuit through Kibale, Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Mburo. From $1,700…
Uganda offers a depth and intimacy of wildlife encounter that sets it apart from every other safari destination in Africa. These are the experiences that define it.
Permits are limited to eight people per gorilla family per day, making this one of the most exclusive wildlife experiences on earth. After a trek through Bwindi's ancient forest that can last anything from one to six hours, you are granted a single hour with a habituated gorilla family. It is an enc
Kibale Forest National Park is home to one of the highest densities of primates in Africa, with over 1,500 chimpanzees living within its boundaries. The full-day habituation experience allows you to spend four hours with a chimpanzee community as researchers work to accustom them to human presence,
A launch trip up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls is one of Uganda's great experiences. Hippo pods surface alongside the boat, enormous Nile crocodiles line the banks, and elephant and buffalo graze at the water's edge. The falls themselves, where the Nile compresses to seven metres
The shoebill is one of the most prehistoric-looking and highly sought-after birds in the world, and Uganda's Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria offers the best chance of a reliable sighting. A dugout canoe glides silently through the papyrus as your guide scans for the unmistakable outline
In the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, lion prides have developed the unusual habit of climbing into the branches of ancient fig trees to escape the heat and insects below. Watching a pride of lions draped lazily across the boughs of a fig tree is one of Uganda's most distinc
Where Lake Victoria empties into the world's longest river, the town of Jinja sits at one of geography's most storied locations
Permits are limited to eight people per gorilla family per day, making this one of the most exclusive wildlife experiences on earth. After a trek through Bwindi's ancient forest that can last anything from one to six hours, you are granted a single hour with a habituated gorilla family. It is an enc
Kibale Forest National Park is home to one of the highest densities of primates in Africa, with over 1,500 chimpanzees living within its boundaries. The full-day habituation experience allows you to spend four hours with a chimpanzee community as researchers work to accustom them to human presence,
A launch trip up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls is one of Uganda's great experiences. Hippo pods surface alongside the boat, enormous Nile crocodiles line the banks, and elephant and buffalo graze at the water's edge. The falls themselves, where the Nile compresses to seven metres
The shoebill is one of the most prehistoric-looking and highly sought-after birds in the world, and Uganda's Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria offers the best chance of a reliable sighting. A dugout canoe glides silently through the papyrus as your guide scans for the unmistakable outline
In the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, lion prides have developed the unusual habit of climbing into the branches of ancient fig trees to escape the heat and insects below. Watching a pride of lions draped lazily across the boughs of a fig tree is one of Uganda's most distinc
Where Lake Victoria empties into the world's longest river, the town of Jinja sits at one of geography's most storied locations
Uganda can be visited year-round, and gorilla trekking permits are available every day of the year. That said, the dry seasons offer more comfortable trekking conditions and easier movement between parks.
The two dry seasons, from December to February and from June to September, are generally considered the best times to visit. Trails are drier, forest paths more navigable, and the risk of heavy rain during a gorilla trek is reduced. June through September is the longer and more reliable dry window and coincides with peak season across East Africa.
The wet seasons, from March to May and October to November, bring lush green landscapes, excellent birding as migrant species arrive, and lower permit costs during certain periods. Gorilla trekking continues through the rains, and many travellers find the misty, atmospheric forest deeply evocative. Uganda’s compact size means it is possible to combine multiple parks in a single trip regardless of season, and our team can advise on the best routing for your travel dates.
Best time to visit Off-peak
Everything you need to know about planning your Safaris in Uganda safari, answered by our specialist team.
Speak with Martin and our specialist team. We'll listen to your vision, design something remarkable, and take care of every detail.
Your details are kept private and never shared with third parties.
