Uganda Safari
The Pearl of Africa & Home of the Mountain Gorilla

The two dry seasons - June to September and December to February - are the best times for gorilla trekking, as forest trails are firmer and drier. These months are also excellent for savannah game viewing. The wetter months bring lush scenery, superb birding and lower rates, and gorilla trekking continues year-round, though trails can be muddy and slippery.

A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person per trek. A mid-range Uganda safari with good lodges runs $400-700 per person per day plus permits. Luxury lodges range from $700 to $1,500+ per person per night. A typical week-long trip combining gorillas with a savannah park costs $4,000-$9,000 per person including permits, transfers and guiding.

A reasonable level of fitness helps, as treks in Bwindi can involve one to six hours of hiking through steep, muddy forest at altitude. That said, trackers locate the gorilla families in advance and you are matched to a group according to your fitness. Porters are available to carry bags and assist on tough sections, making the trek achievable for most reasonably active travellers.

A focused gorilla-trekking trip can be done in 4-5 days. To experience the Pearl of Africa properly, 8-10 days is ideal - combining Bwindi gorillas with Kibale's chimpanzees and the big game of Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls. Uganda's roads mean generous travel time, so we build relaxed, well-paced itineraries or add internal flights.

Both are superb. Uganda's permits are cheaper ($800 vs Rwanda's $1,500), its forests are wilder, and it offers more to combine - chimps and savannah game. Rwanda offers easier access from Kigali and a shorter, more manageable trek. Uganda suits travellers wanting a richer, more adventurous multi-experience safari, while Rwanda suits those short on time.

Uganda offers four of the Big Five - elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard - across Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo, plus rhino at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which can be added to complete the set. But Uganda's true magic lies in its primates - mountain gorillas and chimpanzees - which set it apart from every classic savannah destination.

Uganda's tourism circuit is well-established, and the gorilla and safari regions are welcoming and safe, with strong community involvement in conservation. Ugandans are famously friendly. As with any tropical safari destination, malaria precautions are advised, and we provide up-to-date guidance for your exact route and season.

Yes - Uganda combines beautifully with Rwanda for a two-country gorilla and cultural journey, and with a beach finale in Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast. Many travellers pair Uganda's primates with a classic Kenya or Tanzania savannah safari for the ultimate East African experience across bush, forest and ocean.

Uganda is Africa's great primate destination and its most varied country. Where classic safaris focus on savannah big game, Uganda adds the world's most moving wildlife encounter - the mountain gorilla - along with chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, the source of the Nile and lush, green landscapes. It rewards curious, active travellers like nowhere else.