Overview
Uganda pairs classic savannah safaris with close encounters with the great apes. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for its mountain gorilla population, while Kibale National Park is renowned for chimpanzee tracking — between the two, Uganda offers primate encounters found almost nowhere else on earth. Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Parks round out the traditional safari offering, home to the African Big Five, with warm, sunny weather year-round making it a welcoming destination whatever the season.
Whether you're looking for abundant wildlife, rich cultural heritage, or simply a place to disconnect from the modern world, Uganda offers an unparalleled experience. It remains one of the few places on Earth where nature dictates the rhythm of life.
Best Time to Visit Uganda
All year round (warm, sunny climate with no sharply defined dry/wet seasons)
Things to Do
Not to Miss
Tap any of these to see what it is and which trips go there.
Roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in this forest. The name is accurate — the undergrowth is thick and the terrain steep, and tracking can take anywhere from one hour to a full day depending on where your family has moved overnight. You get one hour with them.
When to go
June to August and December to February for the driest tracking.
Uganda's most visited park, split by the Kazinga Channel — a natural strait between Lake George and Lake Edward where hippo, buffalo and an exceptional range of waterbirds gather along the banks. The Ishasha sector in the south is one of very few places on earth where lions habitually rest in trees.
When to go
Year-round. June to September and December to February are driest.
The entire Victoria Nile forced through a gorge barely eight meters wide before plunging 45 meters into the Devil's Cauldron below. You can see it from the river on the launch trip and from the rim on foot, and the two are completely different experiences. The park around it holds elephant, lion and Rothschild's giraffe.
When to go
December to February and June to September.
The densest concentration of primates in Africa — thirteen species, including roughly 1,500 chimpanzees. Tracking takes three to five hours through forest that also holds red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey and L'Hoest's monkey. The Bigodi wetland on its edge is excellent for birds.
When to go
Year-round. Drier June to September and December to February.
A deep crater lake scattered with small islands and terraced hillsides, sitting at 1,960 meters. No crocodile, no hippo and no bilharzia, so it is safe to swim — which after a gorilla trek is exactly what it is for. Most people arrive exhausted and stay longer than planned.
When to go
Year-round.
The smallest of Uganda's savannah parks and the only one with zebra and impala in numbers. Its acacia woodland feels quite unlike the rest of the circuit, and it is one of the few Ugandan parks where walking safaris and night drives are permitted.
When to go
Year-round.
Region Map & Logistics
All our Uganda itineraries start with an airport transfer from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). We secure your gorilla trekking permits — currently USD 800 per person under the Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff, or USD 600 in April, May and November — along with chimpanzee permits, all park fees and 4x4 transport. Travelers combining Uganda with Kenya or Rwanda can use the single East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100, 90 days, multiple entry); note it does not cover Tanzania, which is a separate visa.
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