Uganda
Gorillas, chimpanzees and the Nile
Uganda looks very different from the savannahs most people picture when they think of an African safari. It is green, hilly and heavily forested, and it holds around half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.
For most visitors, the gorillas are the reason to come. What tends to surprise people is the rest of it: chimpanzees in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and the Nile forcing itself through a narrow gap in the rock at Murchison Falls.
Plan My SafariBwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi holds most of Uganda's habituated gorilla families, spread across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. The sector allocated on the permit determines where you should stay, so this needs to be decided when booking rather than on arrival.
The forest is steep, dense and largely without formal paths. Most reasonably fit adults manage the trek, and hiring a porter makes a real difference while putting money directly into communities around the park.
Travel time: A short flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro, or a long but scenic drive through the highlands.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is smaller and quieter than Bwindi, in the Virunga range on the Rwandan and Congolese border. It has one habituated gorilla family and golden monkey tracking. It suits travellers who want volcanic scenery and fewer people around.
Kibale Forest
Kibale offers some of the region's strongest chimpanzee tracking, with one of the highest primate densities in East Africa. A half-day tracking permit is the standard option, while a full-day habituation experience is available for travellers who want longer with the group.
Nearby Bigodi Wetland is worth a morning for birds and smaller primates.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is best known for boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, where elephants, buffalo and hippos gather along the water, and for the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector in the south.
Ishasha sits on the route between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, which makes it an easy addition rather than a detour.
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls is where the Nile is forced through a narrow gap in the rock. Game viewing on the delta is strong, and the boat trip to the base of the falls is the part most visitors remember.
Travel time: About five to six hours by road from Entebbe, or a short flight.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the place in Uganda to track rhino on foot. It sits on the road between Entebbe and Murchison Falls, so it works well as a stop rather than a separate night, although staying over can make the following day easier.
Jinja and the Source of the Nile
Jinja offers white-water rafting, kayaking and quad biking for travellers who want a few active days rather than game drives. It is close enough to Entebbe to add at either end of a trip.
Permits are limited, dated and tied to a specific sector, so they shape the itinerary rather than fitting around it.
Numbers are capped each day, and peak months sell out well in advance. For travel between June and September, or over December, permits should be secured several months ahead.
Permits are issued in your name and must be paid in full at the time of booking. There is no provisional hold. A permit is also tied to a specific date and sector, so accommodation and transfers need to be arranged around it.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.
We confirm current permit rates and availability when preparing your quote, then secure the permit on your behalf once you are ready to proceed.
December to February
Drier and generally the most comfortable period for trekking. The ground underfoot is firmer, which makes a real difference on Bwindi's steeper sectors.
March to May
The long rains. Trekking is harder and the forest is at its wettest, but lodges are quieter and the landscape is at its most striking. Gorilla viewing itself remains reliable.
June to September
The second dry period and the busiest time of year. Book permits and lodges early.
October and November
Short rains, with conditions similar to the long rains but usually less sustained.
Bwindi is rainforest, so rain is possible in any month. The difference between seasons is how much mud you are climbing through, not whether you will see gorillas. Trackers locate the families each morning before groups set out.
Four to five days from Entebbe covers gorillas alone, including a buffer for the transfer to Bwindi. We would not compress this further, because a missed connection can put a non-refundable permit at risk.
Eight to ten days allows gorillas alongside Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Add two days for Kibale chimpanzees.
Most trips run by road in a 4x4 with a driver-guide. The distances are long and road conditions vary, but the drives pass through hills, tea estates and farmland worth seeing in their own right.
Light aircraft connect Entebbe with Kihihi, Kisoro and Pakuba. Flying at least the Bwindi leg is worth considering on shorter trips.
From Nairobi, Entebbe is about one hour and 20 minutes by air.
International flights arrive at Entebbe International Airport, about an hour from Kampala.
A yellow fever certificate is required for entry.
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on a single document, and it is often the sensible option for a trip combining Uganda with Kenya. It is applied for through the country you enter first. Requirements change, so we confirm what applies to you when preparing your quote.
Trekking in Bwindi is demanding. Treks can take from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on where a gorilla family has moved. The terrain is steep and often wet. Tell us if mobility is a concern and we will request an appropriate allocation, though final decisions rest with park authorities.
Malaria precautions are advised. Speak to a travel clinic well before you fly.
Park entry, permits and conservation fees are included in every quote we send.
Tell us your travel window
Gorilla permits are limited and dated, so the earlier we know when you can travel, the better your options. Send us your dates and we will tell you what is available.