Safari in Uganda
Uganda Safari — Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees & Extraordinary Wildlife
Uganda is one of Africa’s most rewarding — and most underrated — safari destinations. Known as the Pearl of Africa, it is the only country on earth where you can track mountain gorillas, habituated chimpanzees, and the Big Five on a single safari. Add to that the spectacular Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the thundering Murchison Falls, and the papyrus-fringed shores of Lake Victoria, and you have one of the continent’s most diverse and unforgettable wildlife journeys.
trek advisor designs expert-guided Uganda safari packages for travellers from the US, UK, Europe, and Australia — combining seamless logistics, hand-selected accommodation, and specialist knowledge of Uganda’s finest wildlife destinations.
Uganda's Premier Safari Experiences
Mountain Gorilla Trekking — Bwindi Impenetrable National Park The highlight of any Uganda safari, and one of the most profound wildlife experiences available anywhere in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population — fewer than 1,100 individuals. Trekking through dense forest to spend one precious hour with a habituated gorilla family is an encounter that changes perspectives permanently.
Gorilla trekking permits are strictly limited and must be booked well in advance. trek advisor handles all permit applications as part of your package.
Chimpanzee Tracking — Kibale National Park Home to one of Africa’s highest densities of primates, Kibale Forest is the world’s finest destination for chimpanzee tracking. Spending time with habituated chimpanzee communities in their forest home — watching them feed, groom, and interact — is one of Uganda’s most memorable experiences.
Game Drives — Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s most visited national park sits on the Equator and borders the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Queen Elizabeth is renowned for its tree-climbing lions (particularly in the Ishasha sector, in the park’s south), its enormous buffalo herds, and its spectacular Kazinga Channel boat safari — one of the finest hippo and bird watching experiences in Africa.
The Murchison Falls The Nile squeezes through a gap just seven metres wide before thundering 43 metres into the Devil’s Cauldron below — creating what David Livingstone described as the most extraordinary sight he had ever seen. Murchison Falls National Park surrounding the falls is home to lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, and some of Uganda’s finest birding.
Gorilla Habituation Experience — Rushaga, Bwindi Unlike the standard one-hour gorilla trekking permit, the Gorilla Habituation Experience allows up to four hours with a gorilla family still in the process of becoming accustomed to human presence. An extraordinary, deeply immersive experience available only in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
Best Time to Visit Uganda
Uganda can be visited year-round, as gorilla trekking is available in all months. The drier seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the most manageable trekking conditions, with drier forest trails and clearer skies. The rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) bring lush forest conditions but muddier trails.
Uganda Safari Itineraries
7-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari – Nyungwe, Lake Kivu & Volcanoes
8-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Safari – Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera
7-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari – Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi
4-Day Uganda Safari – Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
5-Day Murchison Falls & Kibale Chimpanzee Safari
Frequently asked questions — Uganda safari
Everything you need to know before booking your Uganda safari.Gorilla treks can range from 1–8 hours depending on where the gorilla families are located on the day of your trek. Terrain in Bwindi is steep and can be muddy. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Porters are available to assist with bags and provide support on difficult terrain — hiring one is strongly encouraged and directly benefits the local community.
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are currently priced at $800 USD per person for international visitors. This fee contributes directly to gorilla conservation and community development in the Bwindi region. trek advisor secures your permits as part of your overall safari package.
Yes — a combined Uganda-Tanzania safari is an excellent multi-country itinerary. Start with gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda, then fly to Tanzania for a classic Big Five safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. trek advisor coordinates both components seamlessly.
Tanzania is home to lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, black and white rhinoceros, cheetah, wild dog, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, and hundreds of bird species. The Big Five are present across multiple parks. Game sightings are never guaranteed in any wild environment, but our experienced guides know where to look and how to read the bush — giving you the best possible chance of memorable encounters.
Most international travellers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Moshi and Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Circuit. Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) is the entry point for Southern Tanzania parks. trek advisor will coordinate all transfers from your arrival airport.
Tanzania is one of Africa's most politically stable and welcoming countries. trek advisor handles all logistics — accommodation, transfers, park bookings — ensuring your experience is smooth and secure from arrival to departure.
Yes — this is one of our most popular combination packages. Summit Africa's highest peak and then decompress with a tailor-made luxury safari. Speak to our specialists about building your perfect climb-and-safari itinerary.
Have a question we haven't answered? Our safari specialists are happy to help with anything — from visa advice to crafting your perfect itinerary.