What makes Uganda a top safari destination in Africa? Among the top Uganda Safari Tours include gorilla trekking of over 400 of their endangered apes, over 1000 bird species, 330 mammals and different primate species in the 10 National Parks. Find itineraries or tour packages for safaris in Uganda, the best tour companies, hotels where to stay and the cost of Uganda safaris.

Why Visit Uganda?

So, why have a Uganda Safari? What makes Uganda good for a safari is, gorilla trekking is best done here, the highest population of 400 mountain gorillas, climb the Rwenzori mountains, see the tree-climbing lions in Africa, enjoy white water rafting on the Nile, 1000 bird species make it a top birding destination in Africa.

You will visit the superb Murchison falls, and engage in sightseeing of Uganda’s savanna, wildlife, lakes and rivers. Uganda is one of the most hospitable countries in the world thus making it the best cultural safari destination in Africa.

What makes Uganda special is that it’s a less crowded safari destination as compared to neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya. This is a perfect way to spy on the safari animals.

Uganda is a better country for a safari than Kenya or Tanzania because it not only has the big five animals, it has the big six. Besides the elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and Rhino, it has mountain gorillas that you cannot find in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana or South Africa.

Besides the ordinary safari, you will be able to engage in fishing adventures and catch 150kg Nilo-perch which is hard to catch elsewhere in the world. You will see the snow-covered Rwenzori mountains that stand over most of Western Uganda, its rain forests plus the jungles not seen in any other country within East Africa.

Where To Go While On A Safari In Uganda?

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, See The Mountain Gorillas

Price: from US $1100

Duration: 3 Days Safari

The world’s highest population of mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi National park. Besides gorilla trekking, you can engage in the gorilla habituation experience, a full day with the gorillas for US$700, forest birding and nature walks as well as cultural experiences. Arguably the most biologically diverse area on earth, with half of the only surviving world population of endangered mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi impenetrable forest is a must-go destination once in Africa.

2. Chimpanzee Trekking Kibale Forest National Park Uganda Safari

Price from $ 900

Duration: 3 Days Safari

Chimpanzee tracking is the pursuit of chimpanzees in the forest. This is done by following in the footsteps of the chimps. Safari tracker guides will enlighten you on how to track chimpanzees (and other primates like monkeys and baboons ) by reading clues left behind by these animals including footprints, dung etc.

About 1500 chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National Park. Located near the town of Fort Portal in the Western part of Uganda, east of the Rwenzori Mountains. The evergreen rainforest covers 766 km2 and has an altitude ranging between 110 and 1600m. This park joins with Queen Elizabeth national park. Kibale National Park is very good for chimpanzee tracking trips however Uganda safari chimps can also be sighted in Budongo forest in Murchison Falls national park and also in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.

3. Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda Safaris

Price from $ 730

Duration: 3 Days Safari

This is by far Uganda’s most scenic and visited game reserve. A massive variety of habitats including the savanna grassland mixed with various kinds of trees and grassy plains as well as different swamps and volcanic features which include volcanic cones and deep craters and tropical rain forests give the park its distinctive look. Queen Elizabeth National park is an ideal place to sight large game, go bird watching (612 species) on the Kazinga channel, and track chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge. Find tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.

4. Kidepo Valley National Park

Price from $ 1560

Duration: 5 Days Trip

Kidepo has 77 mammals, making it one of the best game drive parks in Africa. Over 475 bird species are found here. Visit the Karamojong people, and take walks to Lomej Mountains, Namamkweny Valley and Morungole Mountains.

Though remote, Kidepo valley national park is a true nugget of Uganda’s nature with great savanna landscapes and rising mountains in its background. It covers an area of 1,442 km2 with an altitude of 900-2750m. The population of visitors here per day (an average of six visitors daily) is not high.

5. Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Safari

Price from $ 850

Duration: 3 Days Tour

This is the largest conservation area in Uganda covering an area of over 3,840km deriving its name from its famous waterfall; the Murchison falls. These falls are formed when the Victoria Nile powerfully forces its way through a narrow cleft as it thrusts 43m down with a thundering cascade. in addition, visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. These falls form the centrepiece and this is the most visited.

6. Lake Mburo National Park Uganda Trip

Price from $ 350

Duration: 2 Days Trip

This is one of Uganda’s smallest wildlife parks although very rich in wild game. Plenty of bird life flourishes here with more than 315 different bird species, and rich animal life including 68 different mammals like impala, leopards, buffalo, jackals and hyenas to see on a Uganda safari. Aside from all this, it is only here that you will find zebras.

7. Sipi Falls Uganda Safari

Price from $ 250

Duration: 2 Days Tour

Sipi falls is arguably the most gorgeous chain of waterfalls in Uganda sitting in the foothills of Mt. Elgon as they overlook a vast plain. The falls have three levels all with unspeakable beauty although the 95m main drops attract more visitors to this place and more to that, Sipi’s lodging looks out over it. Spending a night or two in this spectacular but peaceful place is an encounter you cannot afford to miss.

8. Lake Bunyonyi

Price from $ 300

Duration: 3 Days Adventure

This is at most the loveliest lake in Uganda. The lake contains 29 islands and most of these are inhabited and terraced for agriculture. Enjoy seeing school children paddle dug-out canoes through the misty morning as crested cranes fly overhead in the wake of the morning. This is a true birding paradise. Watch the blue-headed sunbird, cardinal woodpeckers and others. Visit in small groups with your local guides.

9. Lake Victoria Trip

Price from $ 100

Duration: 1 Day Tour

Aside from being the chief reservoir of the Nile, it is also the largest lake in Africa and the second world’s largest freshwater lake. In the centre; of the great plateau, there is a shallow depression in which Lake Victoria fills with its waters and this stretches between the Eastern and western rift valleys. You can also visit the river banks of the Nile in Jinja.

10.Goldens Monkeys of Mgahinga

The golden monkey is also called Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti. There are very few places in the world where you find this magnificent wildlife creature. Most tourists add to the list of exciting trekking experiences as you watch the soaring mountains of the Virunga. Other wildlife primates are found here.

Where To Stay On A Ugandan Safari?

National Park lodges range from Budget to 5 Star facilities, all set to pamper every single need throughout your stay within this African Wild. Reside in lodges, or tented camps set in traditional style, or the beautiful bandas, and enjoy the delicious meals delicately prepared by their professional chefs.

Best places to Stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking (US $ 700 – $1500)

• Clouds Lodge
• Mahogany Springs
• Sanctuary Gorilla Camp

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has several hotels and lodges where you can stay. It’s important to choose your accommodation based on the gorilla group or region that you are going to track.

Best Time To Visit Uganda For Safaris?

The best time to visit Uganda is between December-February and June-August when there are 2 dry seasons.

June-August is the peak of the dry season. This is when waterholes will be full and thick grasses have turned parched brown, which enables animals to be easily spotted from a distance. Great bird-watching happens now.

• You can go to Uganda any time of the year, with temperatures at around 24°C to 30°C, and the climate is generally warm. The best month to visit Uganda is July.
• Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda is June, July, and August. (Bwindi National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla)
• Best time for birding in Uganda is December, January and February.
• Best time for game viewing safaris in July, August, December and January.
• March, April and May is the rainy season, probably not the best time to visit the pearl of Africa.

How Much Does A Uganda Safari Cost?

Let’s try to do some costing together. Right? An Uganda gorilla safaris permit per person goes for $ 700 as of 2021. Accommodation ranges from 150 to 900 depending on where you choose to stay. Roughly a simple 3 day safari to Bwindi should cost about $ 1200 per person, which should be the cheapest. Other destinations such as Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park could cost about $ 1000 for budget safari travellers. If you are to travel with other people, the price is incredibly reduced. If they are 2 of u, it’s possible to save over $ 300 on a 3 day trip.

• Average Cost of Safari in Uganda is US$ 200 per person per day.
• Permit to see the gorillas of Uganda costs US $ 700 per person per day.
• Chimpanzee tracking permit costs $200 (Kibale National Park)
• Park entrance fees are US$40 ( Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo and Kidepo)
• Cost of a golden monkey permit in Uganda is US $ 60 per person per hour.
• A Luxury safari lodge is $ 300 per night
• Budget or cheap Safari accommodation is $ 100 per night.
• You can hire a car to take you to the parks at $100 to $200 per day.
• Trekking Mount Elgon (National Park) costs $ 90 per day.
• Boat cruise on Queen Elizabeth National Park costs $ 30 per shift.
• Rhino Visits at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary costs US$50 per person.

Uganda is a hospitable country and tipping is not a mandate. It is all up to you to be generous to a good service rendered to you considering the less wage structure in most accommodations and food restaurants in Uganda. About USD $10 to USD$ 50 should be okay and acceptable. Some places combine the tips and share them amongst all the workers of that place.

Uganda is home to various primate species, from the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla national park to the chimpanzee, monkeys and other African wildlife animals.