Tulambule Uganda Safaris

How Much Does A Safari In Uganda Cost? 2023 Guidelines

A safari in Uganda costs anywhere between $100 and $900 per person per night.  A Uganda budget safari averages $100 per night, mid-range $200, and luxury $300. The extreme top-safaris in Uganda can easily go up to $800 per night, or more! A permit to see gorillas of Uganda costs US $ 700 per person per day.

There is literally a safari to suit every budget.

The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling. US dollars are, however, widely accepted and it is a good idea to travel with a small supply of both to use for curios, tips, and optional extras like drinks at your safari lodge. Exchange Rate at the time of publishing: US$1 = UGX 3,680.57 (Ugandan Shillings). This will change so check close to your departure.  

Uganda Safari Cost (Per Person Per Day)

The costings table here gives an instant overview of how much the average safari in Uganda will likely cost, allowing you to quickly choose the type of safari you can afford. Uganda safaris on our site range from 1 day to 21 days in length.

	Budget	Mid-range	Luxury	High End
Group	225	275	550	N/A
Private	275	425	600	750

Rates in USD $

Excluding additional costs like international flights, tips and personal items

Additional Costs Explained

The following list covers some additional Uganda safari costs – some obvious, some less so – that you might need to add into your overall budget of Uganda safari.

Factors Influencing The Cost Of A Safari In Uganda

Now you have considered the additional safari costs, you can start to look at all those other variables that can influence overall Uganda safari cost.

1. How many days you want to do a safari in Uganda

We hardly need to state that the length of time you spend on a safari in Uganda has a direct impact on how much it is going to cost you.

And the more days you spend on a Uganda safari (with the same company), the less you are going to end up paying on a per day basis.

2. When you want to go

Another thing to consider when planning your a safari in Uganda is the season.

High season refers to the high-tourist season. High safari season in Uganda correlates with the dry season where game viewing is at its best and of course the gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Roughly speaking the Uganda safari high season runs from June to October and December to February.

The high safari season means greater demand, which translates to reduced availability, and so higher prices. If you want to keep costs down, try visiting during a park’s off season.

While this can mean less visible wildlife and, if it’s the Wet season, occasionally washed out roads, it does bring significantly lower prices, less tourists, and gorgeously lush countryside.

3. Group Size

When booking your Uganda safari, numbers can make a big difference. For a simple safari example, a lone traveler will shoulder the full transport cost of a safari vehicle over the number of days it is hired.

However, 7 people sharing a safari van at $150 a day can reduce this expense to just over $21 each. This can be extrapolated over the full length of the trip. From airport transfers and drivers and safari guides.

Any expense that can be shared can be reduced by adding more people to your safari. The trick here is to find a balance between having a more intimate experience and sharing expenses between your group. 

4. What level of accommodation you are comfortable with?

As with any holiday, accommodation is going to eat up the lion’s share of your budget.

There is a wide variety of accommodations with various amenities available throughout Uganda and prices vary as much as the styles.

Within Uganda national parks, you can go budget with just the essentials or scale up to a luxury safari experience.

Just remember that exclusivity comes at a premium and you’ll pay more staying in high end safari lodges and camps.

5. Do you have specific interests or hobbies?

Would you like to focus on photography and birdlife? Or maybe you would like to spend a week climbing Rwenzori Mountains? Otherwise, how about gorilla trekking?

More specialized activities and excursions can raise the Uganda safari price, as you will need to factor in additional costs, such as for gorilla permits, private guides, equipment, and so on.

6. How do you want to get around?

Depending on which mode of transport you prefer, either flying or going by road, it will affect the cost. Flying to any safari destination in Uganda is more costly than to traveling by road.

However, a fly-in Uganda safari enables you maximize your time by spending more time in the selected park experiencing the African wilderness. It is all about determining what is best for you and your budget.  

Air transfers departing from Entebbe International Airport to your chosen destination are what are referred to as fly-in safaris.

At the time of writing a budget air transfer from Entebbe to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for example, would cost upward of $236 for a return ticket.

On the other hand, you can hire a minivan for US$50 per day or a 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser at around US$ 80 per day.

3 Budget Myths for Your Uganda Safari 

When booking/planning your Uganda tour there are a few budget travel myths that need to be corrected. These travel myths relate to safari agents, package deals, and the do-it-yourself.

Myth: Tour Operators are expensive

The reality is that tour operators have a wealth of experience to draw on.

Their networks within safari travel circles mean that they’ll have access to special deals, transfers, room availability, and the latest news and reviews from safari destinations.

They are there to assist you in finding the best deal for your budget. Being able to assemble your Uganda safari itinerary from start to finish gives them the bargaining power to find the best Uganda safari deals. 

Myth: Safari Package deals are cheaper

Though safari package deals do offer you one “all-in” safari price, and might make your trip convenient and affordable, it also locks you into certain activities and destinations that have a ridged price structure.

A tailor-made Uganda safari is not just tailored around you and your safari interests, but also your budget.

A bespoke Uganda safari enables you to decide where to pull your budget safari strings and where to splurge for those special experiences at the top of your safari bucket list.

Myth: A “Do-it-yourself” Safari will be cheaper

A lot of independent travelers refuse to use tour operators.

There is a belief that the DIY safari experience, in addition to being less expensive, will give them more freedom from a rigid safari itinerary, the ability to change direction at a whim, and so a more fulfilling safari experience.

Yet, going on a Uganda safari requires traveling long distances, often to remote and out-of-the-way places.

A Uganda safari expert’s specialized knowledge of safari destination guides gives them the edge in putting together the most budget-friendly options.

A DIY safari will not always be cheaper or even practicable for isolated areas.

How Much Does a Safari In Uganda Cost? – Final Thoughts

With so much to offer, answering this question is not as easy as it sounds. You need to figure out where you want to go and what you MUST see, and then decide on your Uganda safari budget.

With these two criteria in mind, speak to our experienced Uganda travel consultants and let them work their safari magic to get you the safari in Uganda you have always wanted.

Contact Tulambule Uganda Safaris

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Tags: Uganda Safari Cost, Uganda Travel Guides