Uganda Safaris: Gorillas, Chimps and Big Game
Uganda safaris combine gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and classic game drives in one compact, green country. Uganda is home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas, and a gorilla permit costs US$800, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda.
Add tree-climbing lions, the thundering Murchison Falls and over 1,000 bird species, including the rare shoebill, and few destinations offer so much in a single trip. You may also like: best time to visit Uganda
Best Uganda Safaris and Tours
At Tulambule Uganda Safaris, a licensed Kampala-based operator since 2014, we design Uganda safaris for every budget, from short 2-day trips to three-week journeys across the country. Our budget Uganda safaris start from US$150 per person per day, and every trip is private and tailor-made.
Browse our top destinations and safari packages below, or ask our team to build a safari around your dates and interests.
UGANDA SAFARIS
Best Destinations For Uganda Safaris
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Complete Guide to Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and Volcanoes
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda's smallest national park and one of its most beautiful. Tucked into the far southwestern corner of the country, where Uganda meets Rwanda and the DR Congo, it protects the Ugandan slopes of three towering extinct volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. The park's slogan says it all: this is where…
Mount Elgon National Park: Complete Guide to Hiking Wagagai Peak, Caves and Sipi Falls
Mount Elgon National Park protects the Ugandan side of Mount Elgon, a huge extinct volcano on the border with Kenya. Its slopes rise from coffee farms and waterfalls through montane forest and bamboo to open moorland, where giant groundsels and lobelias stand around one of the largest volcanic calderas on Earth. It is one of…
UGANDA SAFARIS
Uganda Safari Packages
Our most popular Uganda safaris include the 3-day gorilla trekking tour, the 7-day and 8-day wildlife safaris and the 10-day Big 5 safari. Choose by length, interest or budget below.
Sample 15-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
Uganda's main parks link up along the western wildlife circuit, so a two-week Uganda safari can cover gorillas, chimpanzees and big game without backtracking. Here is the route we recommend for first-time visitors.
Day 1: Entebbe to Murchison Falls, with an optional stop to track white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Days 2 and 3: Murchison Falls National Park, with game drives, a Nile boat cruise to the base of the falls and a hike to the top of the falls.
Day 4: Scenic drive to Kibale Forest through the tea estates around Fort Portal.
Days 5 and 6: Kibale Forest National Park, with chimpanzee trekking and a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park past the crater lakes.
Days 8 and 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park, with game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Day 10: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Days 11 and 12: Bwindi, with gorilla trekking and a Batwa cultural experience.
Day 13: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park for an evening game drive.
Day 14: Lake Mburo, with a walking safari and a boat ride to see hippos, zebras and eland.
Day 15: Return to Entebbe, with an optional shoebill canoe trip at Mabamba Swamp before your flight.
How Much Does This Uganda Safari Cost?
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Choose the comfort level that suits your budget.
Budget: US$3,850 to US$4,400 per person
Mid-range: US$5,800 to US$6,600 per person
Luxury: US$9,200 to US$10,500 per person
Every option includes accommodation, all meals, a private 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, park entry fees, the boat cruises, one gorilla permit (US$800) and one Kibale chimpanzee permit (US$250). International flights, visas, tips and drinks are not included.
Want a different length or a mix of lodges? We tailor every Uganda safari to your dates, group size and budget, so tell us what you have in mind and we'll send you a free quote within 24 hours.
FAQs About Uganda Safaris And Tours
Is It Safe To Travel To Uganda?
Yes. Uganda is a politically stable country and one of East Africa's friendliest destinations, and attacks on tourists are very rare. As in any city, watch your belongings in Kampala and avoid walking alone at night. In the national parks you travel with a professional driver-guide and armed rangers, and every gorilla and chimp trek is led by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. For the latest advice, read our guide: Is Uganda Safe for a Safari?
How Much Does A Uganda Safari Cost?
Most Uganda safaris cost between US$200 and US$600 per person per day, depending on your lodges, group size and season. Budget trips start from about US$150 per person per day, while luxury safaris run from about US$600 per person per day. The biggest single cost is the gorilla permit at US$800 per person, followed by the Kibale chimpanzee permit at US$250. For a full two-week trip, see our sample 15-day itinerary and prices above, or check all current park entry and activity fees.
What To Pack For Uganda Safaris?
Pack light, comfortable clothes in neutral colours such as khaki, olive and beige, which suit game drives and forest treks. For gorilla and chimp trekking, bring long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket and garden gloves for gripping vegetation. Add a warm fleece for cool mornings in Bwindi and the highlands, plus sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent and binoculars. Avoid bright colours on safari and dark blue or black in tsetse fly areas. Soft-sided bags are best, as some light aircraft have a 15 kg luggage limit.
Do You Need A Visa To Visit Uganda?
Most visitors need a visa, including citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU, while East African Community citizens do not. You must apply online before you travel, as Uganda no longer issues standard tourist visas on arrival. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$50, and the East Africa Tourist Visa costs US$100 and covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda in one trip. Your passport needs at least six months' validity and blank pages. See our full guide to Uganda visa requirements.
How Many Days On Safari Is Enough?
It depends on what you want to see. A gorilla trek needs at least 3 days, because Bwindi is a long drive or a short flight from Entebbe. For gorillas, chimpanzees and a classic game drive, plan 7 to 10 days. With two weeks or more, you can cover Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo at a relaxed pace, like the 15-day route above. Short on time? Browse our short Uganda safaris from 1 to 6 days.
When Is the Best Time for a Uganda Safari?
The best time for a Uganda safari is during the two dry seasons, from December to February and from June to September, when forest trails are firmer and animals gather near water. Uganda is a year-round destination, though. The wetter months of April, May and November are greener and quieter, and gorilla permits drop to US$600 in these months. Read our full guide to the best time to visit Uganda.
How Do I Get a Gorilla Permit for My Uganda Safari?
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and cost US$800 per person, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda. Each gorilla family can only be visited by eight people a day, so permits often sell out months ahead in the June to September and December to February peak seasons. Trekkers must be at least 15 years old. When you book a safari with us, we secure your permit as part of the trip. Learn more in our guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda.
Plan Your Uganda Safari With Tulambule
We are a licensed, 100% Ugandan-owned operator based in Kampala, planning private Uganda safaris since 2014. Tell us your dates, budget and must-sees, and our team will send you a free, tailor-made itinerary and quote within 24 hours.
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Browse our ready-made Uganda safari itineraries
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Our local safari team is ready to help you plan your Uganda or Rwanda safari. Send us a message for quick answers, a free quote and a personalised itinerary.
Meet William Mutebi
Founder and CEO (MBA), Tulambule Uganda Safaris
Planning safaris across Uganda and East Africa since 2014
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