Our Uganda gorillas safaris & vacations
Uganda is a truly spectacular wildlife destination, home to tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees and hippos. But our Uganda vacations also take you trekking into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas. Expert local guides provide a deeper understanding of animal behaviours. They also love sharing the odd Swahili phrase, helping you to form more meaningful connections in the communities you visit. From the adventure capital of Jinja to Murchison Falls National Park, and perhaps even over the border for game drives in Kenya’s Masai Mara, these vacations are as much about exploring Uganda’s culture as its nature.
Our top Uganda vacations
Uganda highlights tour
From
£5195
12 days
ex flights
Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi & Murchison Falls National Parks
Tailor made
Gorillas and big game, Nairobi to Kigali tour
From
US $6449 to US $6749
15 days
ex flights
See classic African game
Small group2023: 14 Oct, 2024: 18 Jan, 3 Feb, 20 Jun, 6 Jul, 1 Aug, 17 Aug, 5 Sep, 21 Sep, 10 Oct, 26 Oct
Western Uganda wildlife tour
From
US $4760
9 days
ex flights
Discover Uganda's Gorillas, Safaris & National Parks. Guided
Small group2024: 13 Jan, 13 Jul
Chimp and gorilla tracking in Uganda
From
£1800 to £2500
6 days
ex flights
The best trip for tracking chimps and Mountain Gorillas
Tailor made
Vacations to Uganda
From
£4695 to £5165
12 days
ex flights
See the incredible primates of the African jungle
Small group2023: 15 Dec, 2024: 17 Jun, 8 Aug, 15 Dec
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, Uganda
From
US $4650
12 days
ex flights
The ultimate wildlife odyssey in Uganda
Small group2023: 1 Oct
Gorilla and Chimp safari in Uganda
From
US $6250 to US $6690
11 days
ex flights
See Gorillas and Chimps in the Ugandan rainforest.
Small group2023: 14 Oct, 2024: 6 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Jul, 20 Jul, 10 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 16 Nov
Gorilla safari and game parks, Uganda
From
US $3428 to US $4830
16 days
ex flights
A wildlife experience like no other
Small groupDeparts most Saturdays and selected Mondays throughout the year
Primate tour in Rwanda and Uganda
From
£4595
11 days
ex flights
Track down mountain gorillas and chimps in Uganda & Rwanda
Tailor made
About our Uganda vacations
Gorilla safaris in Uganda
The mist-shrouded Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to an estimated 50 percent of all mountain gorillas. There are around 11 habituated families, each of which is usually led by a giant silverback. As part of impressive conservation efforts, permits for gorilla watching are tightly regulated – only 90 or so are issued every day. Tracking means trekking, for up to six hours in some cases, through often slippery terrain both uphill and downhill. But it’s worth every second to spend an hour watching man’s closest cousins as they play, forage and interact right in front of your eyes.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimps share around 98 percent of their DNA with humans, so if connecting with your extended family on vacation appeals, then try chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. The most popular place to do so is Kibale National Park, but Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, while less likely to yield sightings, also offers sensational scenery into the bargain. Watching chimps is more fun than gorillas it must be said – they move around a lot so you’ll be following them around the forest. Permits cost less too, although still contribute to essential conservation projects.
Wildlife vacations in Uganda
Uganda might be on the small side, Africa-wise, but when it comes to wildlife they super-size it here. Apart from magnificent mountain gorillas and cheeky chimpanzees, you’ve got tree-climbing lions, hippos, elephants, rhinos, eagles, buffaloes, even the occasional zebra, and almost one in 10 of the world’s bird species. You basically can’t turn around for wildlife in Uganda. And all of it set against a spectacular backdrop – volcanoes, crater lakes, mist-laden forests, lush savannah – to be explored on foot, by 4x4 or canoe. Wildlife vacations have unquestionably helped conservation efforts, which in turn leads to more animals appearing in your binoculars.
Rwenzori Mountains
Running along the border between Uganda and DR Congo, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains are rarely visited. But among trekkers and birders that have ventured into them, their landscapes are spoken of in hushed and reverential whispers. Otherwise known as the Mountains of the Moon, this 120km-long range is blanketed on its lower slopes by bamboo and moist montane forests. Higher up, the valleys have been carved out by glaciers over centuries, and the flora is thick and diverse. Small group trekking vacations are the best way to explore the Rwenzori Mountains, camping or sleeping in huts and led by expert guides.
Combining gorillas with East Africa safaris
Uganda is often combined with Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania to create East Africa safaris that bring mountain gorillas into the mix with a dazzling range of wildlife. After a few days watching gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you might move on to migrating zebras, gazelles and wildebeest running the gauntlet against lions and cheetahs on the Maasai Mara. Chimpanzee tracking can be combined with game drives around the Serengeti, then dolphin watching on the Zanzibar coast. If you want to make the most of your time, there are tour operators who can conjure up a safari itinerary that will do precisely that.
Types of safaris & vacations in Uganda
Practically all Uganda vacations are wildlife vacations – it’s a superb country for big game viewing, as well as seeing the famous gorillas and chimpanzees. We recommend small group vacations here for several reasons. Firstly, all the logistics are taken care of, including accommodation, permits and transport, so you can concentrate on what’s at the end of your camera lens. Secondly, you’re joining a ready-made group of fellow adventurers. And thirdly, these itineraries are designed by professionals with years of experience who aim to show you as much as possible in a short space of time.
[Gorilla watching: Pia Andrews]
[Chimpanzee tracking: iStock]
[Wildlife: Rene & Marjolein]
[Rwenzori Mountains: Jorn Eriksson]
[Combining gorillas with East Africa safaris: Magdalena Kula Manchee]
[Types of vacations: Keith Kasaija]
