3 DaysGorilla
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
A short gorilla trekking journey for travellers with limited time — straight to the forest and the mountain gorillas.
Featured Uganda Safari Tours & Packages
Twelve private itineraries, from short getaways to complete Uganda circuits — each tailored around your dates and comfort level.
Choose a package by duration & route
Twelve of our most popular private itineraries, arranged from short getaways to complete Uganda circuits. Every trip can be adjusted around your travel dates and comfort level.
3 DaysWildlife
Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari
Rhino tracking at Ziwa, big-game drives and a Nile boat safari to the base of the falls.
3 DaysWildlife
Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
Game viewing and a Kazinga Channel boat safari through one of Uganda's most wildlife-rich parks.
4 DaysPrimates
Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari
A compact primate route combining mountain gorillas and habituated chimpanzees.
5 DaysWildlife
Murchison & Queen Elizabeth Safari
Two major wildlife parks in one trip, with game drives and boat safaris on both.
5 DaysGorilla & Wildlife
Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Gorilla trekking combined with classic savannah wildlife and a boat cruise.
6 DaysRemote
Pian Upe & Kidepo Wildlife Safari
A remote eastern and northern Uganda wildlife route through wild, uncrowded country.
8 DaysPrimates & Wildlife
Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
A complete primate and wildlife combination across three headline parks.
9 DaysBudget
Budget Uganda Safari
Gorillas, chimpanzees and wildlife with well-chosen, value-led accommodation.
10 DaysAdventure
Gorilla, Wildlife & Nile Rafting Safari
Primate tracking and game viewing finished with an active Nile rafting experience.
15 DaysGrand Circuit
Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife
A complete western Uganda safari circuit taking in the full spread of wildlife and primates.
18 DaysEpic
Uganda Adventure Safari
A long northern-to-western Uganda journey, from Kidepo's plains to the gorillas of Bwindi.
Find a Uganda Safari by Experience
What do you most want to see?
Gorilla Trekking Tours
Face-to-face with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
View Safaris
How Many Days Do You Need?
Match your trip to your time
A quick guide to what's realistic and rewarding for each length of Uganda safari.
1 – 3 Days
Short extensions: Bwindi gorillas, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth or Lake Mburo.
4 – 6 Days
One major primate experience combined with savannah wildlife.
7 – 9 Days
Gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife combination across several parks.
10 – 12 Days
A more relaxed western Uganda route with time to enjoy each park.
13 – 15 Days
A complete wildlife and primate circuit across the country.
16+ Days
Full northern and western Uganda exploration, including remote Kidepo.
Popular Uganda Safari Routes
How the journey fits together
1
Bwindi + Queen Elizabeth
GORILLAS · GAME DRIVES · BOAT SAFARI
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi paired with tree-climbing lions and a Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth — the classic gorilla-and-wildlife combination.
2
Kibale + Queen Elizabeth + Bwindi
CHIMPS · WILDLIFE · GORILLAS
A classic seven-to-ten-day primate and wildlife route, moving from chimpanzee tracking through big-game country to the mountain gorillas.
3
Murchison + Kibale + Queen Elizabeth + Bwindi
RHINOS · THE NILE · PRIMATES · GORILLAS
The longer western circuit — rhino tracking, the Nile, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife and gorillas in one comprehensive journey.
4
Kidepo + Murchison Falls
REMOTE NORTH · BIG GAME
A northern wildlife route for travellers comfortable with longer road journeys into Uganda's wildest, least-visited landscapes.
5
Lake Mburo + Bwindi + Lake Bunyonyi
WILDLIFE · GORILLAS · LAKE STAY
A shorter southern route mixing wildlife, gorilla trekking and a relaxed stay beside beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.
Choose Your Travel Style
Your Uganda safari, your way
Private Safaris
Private vehicle, route flexibility and a schedule arranged for your party.
Budget Safaris
Clean, well-positioned accommodation and cost-conscious route design.
Mid-Range Safaris
Comfortable lodges balancing location, service and price.
Luxury Safaris
High-end lodges, private transfers and fly-in options where it helps.
Family Safaris
Shorter driving days, family rooms and age-appropriate activities.
Solo Safaris
Private guiding, flexible pacing and clear single-traveller pricing.
Main Experiences to Include
The experiences that make Uganda
Gorilla Trekking
An hour with mountain gorillas
Uganda is home to roughly half the world's mountain gorillas, in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga. After a guided forest hike you spend one unforgettable hour with a habituated family. A permit is required and demand is high, so we secure yours early.
Explore gorilla tours →
Chimpanzee Tracking
Following our closest cousins
Kibale National Park is East Africa's premier chimpanzee destination, with excellent tracking success. Kyambura Gorge and Budongo Forest add further options along popular routes. Expect an early start, forest walking and time observing chimps high in the canopy and on the forest floor.
Explore chimpanzee safaris →
Wildlife & Boat Safaris
Big game on land and water
Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo deliver classic game drives plus something special — boat safaris on the Nile and the Kazinga Channel, where elephants, hippos, buffalo and countless birds gather at the water's edge.
Explore wildlife safaris →
Birdwatching
Over 1,000 species
From the prehistoric shoebill in the Mabamba wetlands to Albertine Rift endemics in the western forests, Uganda is one of Africa's richest birding countries. Forest, wetland and savannah habitats combine in a compact area, ideal for dedicated birders and curious first-timers alike.
Explore birding tours →
Hiking & Mountains
Peaks, falls and forest trails
Add active days to your safari — the snow-capped Rwenzori range, the vast caldera of Mount Elgon, the pretty Sipi Falls trails, or gentle guided nature walks between parks. We match the effort level to your fitness and the time you have.
Explore hiking tours →Best Places to Visit
Uganda's headline destinations
Bwindi Impenetrable
Half the world's mountain gorillas across four trekking sectors.
Queen Elizabeth
Tree-climbing lions and the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel.
Murchison Falls
The Nile forced through a 7-metre gorge; big game and boats.
Kibale Forest
East Africa's best chimpanzee tracking and forest walks.
Kidepo Valley
Remote, dramatic and wildlife-packed — Uganda's wildest park.
Lake Mburo
The closest savannah park to Kampala; zebra and walking safaris.
Mgahinga
Gorillas and golden monkeys beneath the Virunga volcanoes.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Uganda's only place to track white rhino on foot.
How Much Does a Uganda Safari Cost?
What shapes your price
The cost of a Uganda safari depends on the number of days, your accommodation level, group size, permits, park entrance fees, domestic flights and the season you travel. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are a fixed, significant part of any primate itinerary, while larger groups share vehicle and guide costs.
Because every trip is private and tailor-made, we prepare an exact quotation once we understand your plans — no vague "from" pricing that changes at booking. For a full breakdown of park fees, permit costs and sample budgets, see our dedicated cost guide.
Read the Uganda Safari Cost GuideWhat drives the cost
Trip lengthDays & nights
AccommodationBudget → Luxury
Group sizeShared vehicle cost
PermitsGorilla / chimp
Park feesPer park, per day
SeasonPeak vs. green
Exact figures are confirmed in your personal quotation once permits and lodge availability are checked.What's Included
Inside a Uganda safari package
A typical private package. Every individual itinerary also lists its own exact inclusions and exclusions.
✓ Commonly included
- Airport transfers
- Private safari vehicle
- Driver-guide and fuel
- Accommodation and stated meals
- Park entrance fees
- Scheduled game drives and boat safaris
- Drinking water on safari
- Permits and domestic flights when stated
✕ Commonly excluded
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Vaccinations and medical costs
- Tips and alcoholic drinks
- Personal shopping
- Optional extra activities
- Accommodation outside the itinerary
Best Time to Visit
Uganda through the seasons
Uganda is a year-round destination. Weather is never fully predictable, but these patterns help with planning.
Dec – Feb
DrierGenerally drier conditions — good for trekking, wildlife viewing and road travel.
Mar – May
GreenWetter, greener and quieter. Lush scenery; some trails and roads are more demanding.
Jun – Sep
PeakThe most popular period — book permits and lodges early to secure your dates.
Oct – Nov
Short rainsShorter rains and changing regional conditions; often excellent value and fewer crowds.
Getting Around
Getting to Uganda & between parks
Nearly all safaris begin at Entebbe International Airport. From there, most travel is by private 4×4 with your driver-guide. Uganda's parks are spread out and some road days are long, which is exactly why route design and park order matter so much.
Where time is short or distances are large — reaching remote Kidepo, for example — domestic flights can replace a long drive. We plan the most practical mix of road and air for your itinerary, and advise on Rwanda extensions or border crossings only where they genuinely help.
Arrival at Entebbe
International arrivals point, with a welcome and transfer to your first stop.
Private 4×4 transfers
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey — comfortable and flexible.
Domestic flights
Optional short hops to save time on long routes such as Kidepo.
Where Will You Stay?
Lodges chosen for the route
Lodge location matters — around Bwindi's trekking sectors, at park gates and along long transfer routes, the right base saves hours and makes early starts easier.
Budget
Mid-Range
LuxuryWhy Travel With Elephant Whispers
Reasons to book with us
Locally planned routes
Built around realistic driving times, activity timing and park locations by a team on the ground.
Private customisation
Every route is private and shaped around your dates, budget and interests.
Permit handling
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits secured early, with lodges placed for easy trek starts.
Realistic itineraries
Honest advice on what fits your time — no over-packed, exhausting schedules.
Direct support
Reachable by phone and WhatsApp before you travel and throughout the safari.
Verified reviews
Consistent feedback from travellers on planning, guiding and communication.
How to Book
Four simple steps
1
Share your plans
Dates, travellers, interests, accommodation level and trip duration.
2
Receive your itinerary
A tailor-made route and quotation prepared around you.
3
Confirm permits & lodges
Availability is checked before final confirmation and payment.
4
Prepare to travel
Final itinerary, packing advice and arrival information.
Verified Reviews
What Travellers Say About Their Safaris
Questions & Answers
Uganda safari FAQs
How much does a Uganda safari cost?
It depends on trip length, accommodation level, group size, permits, park fees and season. Because every trip is private and tailor-made, we prepare an exact quotation once we know your plans. See our cost guide for park fees, permit costs and sample budgets.
How many days do I need for a Uganda safari?
Three days is enough for a focused gorilla or wildlife trip; 7–9 days lets you combine gorillas, chimpanzees and savannah wildlife; 10+ days covers a fuller western or northern circuit at a relaxed pace.
Are Uganda safari tours private?
Yes. Our tours are private by default — your own 4×4, driver-guide and flexible schedule. Small-group options are available for some experiences on request.
Can a Uganda safari be customised?
Completely. We adjust duration, parks, accommodation level, pace and activities around your dates, budget and the experiences that matter most to you.
Are gorilla permits included in the package?
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are included when the itinerary states so. Because availability is limited, we secure permits for your chosen dates as early as possible.
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda is a year-round destination. Drier months (roughly Dec–Feb and Jun–Sep) are popular for trekking and wildlife, while the greener seasons are quieter and often better value. Weather is never fully predictable.
Which airport do I fly into?
Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is the main gateway. We meet you on arrival and handle the transfer to your first destination.
Can children join a Uganda safari?
Yes — family safaris are very possible with shorter driving days, family rooms and suitable activities. Note that gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15; we plan around it for younger families.
Is Uganda safe for safari travel?
Uganda is a well-established, welcoming safari destination. We use experienced guides, trusted lodges and sensible routing, and stay in contact throughout your journey.
What should I pack for a Uganda safari?
Neutral-coloured layers, sturdy trekking shoes, a light rain jacket, insect repellent, sun protection and binoculars. We send a full packing list with your final itinerary.
