Uganda Safaris Africa: Best Uganda Safari Packages & Vacation Tours 2024/2025

Safaris in Uganda, or Uganda vacation trips, are among the most thrilling adventures worth undertaking on your African safari. Uganda safari holidays are truly incredible due to their amazing gorillas, wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and the rich cultural Uganda tours they offer. Dubbed the Pearl of Africa, Uganda holds the rare beauty of the African wilderness!

This picturesque country holds numerous amazing endangered species, including gorillas and chimpanzees. As seen on most of the Uganda trips, Uganda holds almost 50% of the mountain gorillas on Earth in its Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, making gorilla trekking in Uganda one of the best African safari experiences on top of wildlife watching. Thus, it’s the best place for Uganda gorilla trekking trips.

Boasting over 345 mammal species, Uganda offers one of the best wildlife safari tours in Africa for amazing wildlife watching. Most of these are spotted in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, etc.

For bird lovers on Uganda trips, expect a remarkable encounter! Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Kibale Forest National Park offer the best birding experiences. Furthermore, on your Uganda trip, expect to encounter numerous wonderful plant species and picturesque landforms that offer jaw-dropping views.

This is especially true when you visit Kibale, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Other memorable attractions you’ll encounter during your Uganda holiday safari include mountains, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Victoria, the Nile (the world’s longest river), lush green forests, and so much more!

Therefore, on your Uganda trip, expect to have a memorable safari encounter. Whether interested in a private tour or a group safari, Uganda Safaris & Tours welcomes you!

As you plan to undertake a private tour or a group African safari experience in Uganda, you should book through reliable tour operators.

Major Uganda Safari Destinations for a Private Safari to Uganda or Group Uganda Tours

1. Safaris in Uganda take you to national parks; for example, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best area for Uganda gorilla trekking tours. It’s an ideal site to encounter gorillas in the wild (natural setting), Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park, etc.
2. Game reserves such as Pian Upe, Matheniko, and Kyambura Game Reserves, etc.
3. Scenic sanctuaries, for example, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, are ideal as you visit Kibale Park. It’s ideal for a walking tour.
4. Vibrant cities, for example, Kampala city, are best explored on a guided tour (Kampala day trip). We can arrange for a private tour in Kampala.
5. Fascinating cultural and historical sites, for example, Kasubi Tombs. This thrilling heritage site can be explored on a guided tour during the Kampala day trip; a private tour is also possible.
6. Beautiful lakes in Uganda include, for example, Lake Victoria in central Uganda and Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is usually visited after a Uganda gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Please note that: Although there are many tour operators to organize your Uganda trip, you should book through reliable tour operators such as Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd.

For a memorable experience, this company will help guide you to numerous amazing tourist places and also provide you with relevant travel advice for Uganda. Tour operators will also advise you on the important travel documents to carry and safety precautions to follow on your trip.

Best Time to Visit Uganda For Safari

All year round, you can undertake Uganda trips! However, the dry months from June to early September and December to February offer the best safari experience. In these months, wild animals are easily spotted!

Even in the rainy season (March to May and October to November), you can travel to Uganda. In Uganda, it can rain in the morning and shine brightly in the afternoon! Ugandan parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park are best visited in the dry months.

Top Uganda Attractions | Uganda Tourist Attractions: Things to See in Uganda on Safari?

There are several amazing attractions in Uganda; however, the most popular include:

1. Incredible game animals exist in Uganda, including the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino), etc.
2. Fascinating primates in Uganda, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, etc.
3. Beautiful birds in Uganda, such as the Shoebill, Great Blue Turaco, African Fish Eagles, etc.
4. Lovely physical features (landforms), for example, the snow-capped peaks of Mount Rwenzori.
5. Amazing unique people and cultures of Uganda, e.g., the Batwa (Pygmy) People.
6. Legendary rivers, including the Nile. The mighty Nile is the longest river in the world (6,650 km long).
7. Lush green forests, for example, Budongo Forest and Kalinzu Forest, are ideal sites for primate safaris.
8. Scenic lakes such as Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, etc.
9. Thrilling cultural sites, for example, Kasubi Tombs in Kampala. Others include the Uganda Museum and Mengo Palace, often visited on a guided tour during a Kampala day trip.
10. Several beautiful falls, for example, Sipi Falls in eastern Uganda

Popular Types of Safaris in Uganda

Below are the different types of Uganda safaris Africa adventures:

1. Gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
2. Wildlife Safari Tours in Uganda in top wildlife parks.
3. Chimpanzee trekking safaris allow you to encounter chimpanzees in their natural setting.
4. Birding Safaris, for example, when you visit Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, etc.
5. Photographic Safaris.
6. Community Cultural Tours in Uganda for Amazing Cultural Encounters, for example,.
7. Uganda City Tours, for example, the Kampala City Tour—usually a day trip!
8. Ugandan adventure safaris, e.g., Mountain climbing, bungee jumping into the Nile (the longest river in the world), Ziplining, etc.
9. Agro-tourism | Uganda Agricultural Safaris.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris | Gorilla Uganda Tours Uganda

Gorilla tours in Uganda mainly take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; however, they’re also possible in Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla tracking is the top highlight of most safari holidays in Uganda!

It allows you to encounter the gentle giants, “the endangered mountain gorillas,” in their natural habitat.

Where can I have Uganda gorilla trekking safari trips?

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Situated in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best safari destination to track mountain gorillas in Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park holds almost half of the mountain gorillas on Earth! There are over 20 habituated mountain gorilla families in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This fascinating population makes it the best place for Uganda gorilla trekking tours.
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another safari destination for Uganda gorilla trekking safari adventures. This picturesque park holds one habituated mountain gorilla family (Nyakagezi Mountain Gorilla Family), famous for its fascinating high silverback number. Ugandan gorilla trekking tours in Mgahinga National Park can be done while in Rwanda! Note that a camera, hiking boots, a rain jacket, and insect repellents are ideal during your gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla Trekking Cost in Uganda

Here is the price for a gorilla trekking permit in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park:

• Non-Foreign residents: USD 800
• Foreign residents: USD 700
• East African Citizens: UGX 250,000

If you are interested in spending more time with gorillas, you can opt for a Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience (which costs USD 1500). The gorilla habituation experience is only possible in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda | Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Trips

Are there chimpanzees in Uganda? Yes, Uganda holds over 5000 chimpanzees found in national parks, Uganda game reserves, and sanctuaries.

Chimpanzee trekking tours offer you a golden opportunity to encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat. This safari experience is so memorable!

Where can I see chimpanzees in Uganda?

The prominent areas for chimpanzee safaris in Uganda include:

• Visit Kibale National Park, the best area for African safari chimpanzee trekking tours. This park is found on the edge of the rift valley floor.
• Kalinzu Forest is another ideal site for Uganda’s primate safaris.
• Budongo Forest is near Murchison Falls National Park.
• Kyambura Gorge is in the National Park of Queen Elizabeth. It’s about a 2- to 3-hour drive from Fort Portal town.

How long is chimpanzee trekking?

Normally, most Uganda chimp trekking tours, for instance, in Kibale National Park, take about 2–5 hours! And this usually depends on the movement of these amazing close cousins of man.

How much is Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park?

The fee for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is:

• USD 200 for foreign non-residents
• USD 150 for foreign residents
• UGX 150,000 for citizens of East Africa

Note that travelers interested in spending more time with chimpanzees should opt for the chimpanzee habituation experience. For instance, the Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is USD 250. It’s also possible in Budongo Forest, near Murchison Falls National Park, for USD 230.

Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Wildlife safaris in Uganda allow you to encounter most of the incredible wild animals in Uganda in their thrilling habitats. Among these are Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes, Zebras, etc. Normally, wildlife tours in Uganda are done in a safari vehicle, but walking safaris are also possible. Game viewing tours in Uganda are best done in national parks, Uganda game reserves, and sanctuaries.

Most wildlife in Uganda is best spotted in:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Murchison Falls National Park as well as
• Lake Mburo National Park

Primates, counting gorillas and chimpanzees, are best spotted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park, respectively.

Where can I see the Big 5 in Uganda?

The big five animals of Uganda include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.

On your Uganda wildlife tours:

• Rhinos in Uganda can only be spotted in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary during rhino tracking on foot—a thrilling wild adventure trip worth undertaking! Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place to spot wild rhinos in Uganda.
• Lions in Uganda are best spotted in: Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park in Northern Uganda

Among the above national parks, you can only spot tree-climbing lions in National Park Queen Elizabeth. The other East African destinations to find tree-climbing lions include Lake Manyara as well as Serengeti Park in Tanzania.

• Leopards in Uganda are best spotted in Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park They’re situated about a 2-hour drive from Fort Portal town, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park in northern Uganda.
• Elephants in Uganda are common in: Queen Elizabeth National Park, close to Fort Portal town, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Semuliki NP

Forest elephants have been spotted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, as well as Mount Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda.

• Cape Buffaloes in Uganda can be found in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park, and Semuliki National Park.

Where can I see wildlife in Uganda, Africa?

While on your wild adventure Uganda trip, expect to encounter various wildlife in every safari destination you’ll visit!

However, note that all the wildlife of Uganda is most spotted in national parks, Uganda game reserves, and sanctuaries.

When is the best time to go on a wildlife safari in Uganda?

The best time to undertake a wildlife safari in Uganda is during the dry season, around December to February and June to early September.

In this season, tracks for game drives are drier, and game animals can easily be spotted around water holes, quenching their thirst.

Note that wild adventure trips in Uganda are possible year-round!

Birding Safaris in Uganda

Uganda ranks as one of the best birding destinations in Africa! It is home to over 1090 bird species, including most of Africa’s birds.

While on Uganda bird-watching tours, you’ll encounter forest birds, wading birds, savannah birds, migratory birds, Albertine endemic birds, as well as Congo biome species in Semulki National Park.

Note that birding is a hobby that involves viewing birds in their natural habitat.

Best Bird Watching Places in Uganda: Where to Watch Birds in Uganda?

Below are the best birding destinations in Uganda:

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: It’s one of the best tropical rainforests for African birding trips.
• Kibale Forest National Park is near Fort Portal town.
• Murchison Falls National Park, where birds are usually spotted along the Nile river banks during a boat cruise,
• Queen Elizabeth National Park is often seen on a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
• Lake Mburo National Park, among Uganda’s national parks, is the best area to spot the African finfoot.
• Semuliki National Park.
• Kidepo Valley National Park.
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: While in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you can have a chance to spot the shoebill stock.
• Mgahinga National Park.
• Mabamba Swamp, etc.

Best Time to Go Birding: What Time of Day Are Birds Most Active?

All year-round, birding trips in Uganda are possible! But, as experts, we recommend birding in the dry season. Birds rarely leave their nests during rainy times!

Migratory birds in Uganda are spotted from November to April.

Tips for Bird Watching: What Do You Need for Bird Watching?

Below are the key tips to follow during your birding safari in Uganda:

• Only carry what you need. This helps avoid unnecessary weight while on a birding adventure. Ideally, you should only bring a camera, binoculars, a birding guidebook, and insect repellents.
• Don’t make noise while on a birding trail; this scares birds.
• Never leave a birding trail; you might get lost in the jungle.
• Always bring a birding guidebook; we recommend “A Guide to Birds of East Africa.”
• Wear eco-friendly clothes.
• Put on comfortable hiking boots.
• A sunhat, insect repellent, and a rain jacket are crucial.

Why Should You Go Bird Watching in Uganda?

Among the East African destinations for birding trips, Uganda is truly exceptional! Some birders refer to it as “Africa’s Birding Capital.”

Here are the reasons why you should undertake Uganda birding trips:

• Uganda holds an incredible bird population, totaling over 1090 Ugandan bird species. This is almost 50% of the birds in Africa and 11% of the birds in the entire world.
• In Africa, Uganda is the best place to spot the rare shoebill.
• Also, this country is the best place to spot the African Green Broadbill.
• Furthermore, Uganda is the best area to spot the elusive green-breasted Pitta in Africa. It’s best spotted in Kibale Forest National Park.
• This country holds several birding sites, including national parks, game reserves, Ramsar sites, and sanctuaries.