Major Safari Regions
Curated Lodges
Peak Season
Price Range (per person)
Uganda is the only country where you can track mountain gorillas, trek with wild chimpanzees, and drive through Big Five savannah — all in a single trip. A gorilla permit costs $800, half the $1,500 charged in Rwanda, and Uganda Airlines now flies direct from London Gatwick three times a week in around 8 hours 40 minutes. I’ve sat with a silverback family in Bwindi’s dripping forest and watched a herd of Rothschild’s giraffe cross the Nile at Murchison Falls on the same trip — the range is extraordinary for a country most people associate only with gorillas. Five safari regions span ancient rainforest, volcanic peaks, vast savannah, and the source of the Nile. For milestone travellers, families with teenagers, and anyone who wants primates and plains game without two separate destinations, Uganda delivers more per pound than any other East African option.
Uganda sits on the equator and is a year-round destination. Gorilla permits are available every day. Two dry seasons shape the calendar.
June to September is the primary dry season and the best window for gorilla trekking — trails are less muddy, the forest floor is firmer, and trekking times tend to be shorter. This is also peak season for Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth.
December to February is the secondary dry season. Gorilla trekking is excellent, and savannah game viewing is strong. February is the most underrated month — fewer visitors than July–August, good conditions across all parks, and gorilla permits are easier to secure.
March to May brings the heaviest rain. Some roads become difficult, and gorilla treks are harder. But green-season rates drop, birding is at its peak (Uganda has over 1,000 bird species), and the landscape is lush.
For UK families: July–August school holidays align with the primary dry season. October half-term falls in a shoulder period — conditions are variable but permits are more available. Easter sits in the wet season and is less reliable.
Uganda’s safari formats are anchored by primate trekking. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga is a guided forest walk — physically demanding, minimum age 15. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale operates twice daily with a minimum age of 12. Game drives run in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo, and Lake Mburo. Boat cruises operate on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile below Murchison Falls.
Walking safaris are available in Lake Mburo National Park. White-water rafting on the Nile at Jinja suits adventurous travellers and teenagers. Hot air balloon flights over Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth operate seasonally. Horseback safaris run at Lake Mburo — one of the few parks in East Africa offering this.
A Safari Circle Uganda itinerary typically costs £7,000–£13,000 per person for 8–12 nights. That includes accommodation, gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park fees, game activities, internal transfers, and meals.
Uganda represents the best value for a primate-focused safari in Africa. The gorilla permit at $800 is half Rwanda’s $1,500. The habituation experience — four hours with a semi-wild gorilla family — costs $1,500, still equal to Rwanda’s standard one-hour permit. Luxury lodges are priced 20–40% below equivalent properties in Rwanda or Botswana .
Not included: international flights (London–Entebbe direct on Uganda Airlines from approximately £600–£800 return, or via connections from £400), travel insurance, Uganda eVisa (USD $50), yellow fever vaccination, and gratuities.
Milestone celebrations: A gorilla trek is one of the most profound wildlife encounters on earth. For a 50th birthday or anniversary, sitting with a silverback family in the wild is the kind of experience that defines a milestone.
Families with teenagers: Gorilla trekking’s minimum age is 15. For families with older teenagers, this is a genuinely transformative shared experience. Younger teens (12–14) can join chimpanzee treks in Kibale and game drives across the savannah parks.
Returning safari travellers: If you’ve done East Africa’s savannah circuit, Uganda’s primate trekking and Kidepo’s frontier wilderness offer something qualitatively different from any game drive.
Honeymoon couples: Uganda suits couples who want adventure over beach. Intimate lodges, dramatic landscapes, and the emotional intensity of a gorilla encounter make for a honeymoon that stands apart from the safari-and-sand formula.
10-night Uganda highlights: Murchison Falls → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi
Baker’s Lodge, Murchison Falls — Nile cruise to the falls, savannah game drives, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route.
Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale — chimpanzee trekking, crater lake walks, Bigodi Wetland birding.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth — Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Ishasha tree-climbing lions.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi — gorilla trekking, community walks, Virunga Volcano views.
Yes. UK citizens must apply for an eVisa online before travel at visas.immigration.go.ug. A single-entry tourist eVisa costs USD $50 and is valid for 90 days. An East Africa Tourist Visa covering Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda costs USD $100. Allow at least 5 working days for processing.
Uganda’s main safari regions are established tourism areas. The FCDO lifted its advisory against travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park in December 2025, following a security incident in October 2023. Security patrols in western Uganda have been strengthened since. The FCDO continues to advise caution near the DRC and South Sudan borders, and advises against all travel to DRC provinces bordering Uganda. Safari Circle monitors FCDO advisories continuously and will advise on any changes affecting your itinerary.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travellers entering Uganda, regardless of country of origin. This is strictly enforced at Entebbe Airport. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all regions. Consult a travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
Reasonably fit. Treks last 2–6 hours through steep, often muddy terrain at altitude. You can request a gorilla family matched to your fitness level — some are reached in under two hours, others require a full day. Porters are available and strongly recommended. The minimum age is 15 years old.
A gorilla-only trip works in 3–4 nights. A comprehensive Uganda safari combining gorillas, chimps, and savannah takes 8–12 nights. Add 2–3 nights for Kidepo if you want Uganda’s most remote and rewarding park.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays booked with Safari Circle are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. If you don’t receive an ATOL certificate, the booking will not be ATOL protected. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would ensure that you’re not stranded abroad. They will also arrange to refund any funds you have already paid us towards your booking. You can verify our ATOL status on the Civil Aviation Authority website. Please note, we operate as independent partners to Major Travel (ATOL 2933)
ABTA act as a trade association (both commercial & regulatory) for travel agents and tour operators in the UK. As independent partners to Major Travel, all of our bookings at Safari Circle that contain hotels, tours or car hire but do not include international flights are protected under Major Travel’s ABTA Bond. In the unlikely event of an unresolved dispute between you as a passenger and us/Major Travel, you can use the ABTA arbitration service as an alternative to legal action. You can verify our ABTA number (Y6455, P7169) on the ABTA website.
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