Uganda is located in the heart of East Africa and offers an exceptionally diverse trip. For those looking for adventure, unique wildlife opportunities and kind-hearted local people, this is the country for you.
The most visited national park in Uganda is Bwindi. Located in the west of the country, Bwindi is a dense forest home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Trekking with the habituated gorillas is a bucket list experience like no other. In their presence, you feel both extremely vulnerable and humbled at the same time.
While Bwindi Forest homes the mighty mountain gorillas, Kibale Forest offers an unforgettable chimpanzee encounter. We can arrange memorable treks with these lively primates, fostering understanding and supporting conservation efforts. Witness their playful antics on the forest floor and in the treetops, creating cherished memories.
Our experts know Uganda like the back of their hand and have traveled extensively around the country, they have put together some trips to inspire you.
What ever you want from your dream trip, our team of
experts are ready to help.
Uganda is regarded the heart of East Africa, with beautifully dense forests, mountains, lakes and savannahs. The most visited area and attraction in Uganda is Bwindi Forest which is home to the habituated mountain gorillas. Found in only Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a face-to-face experience with these mountain gorillas is not only exhilarating, but also incredibly humble. After a safety briefing in the park headquarters, you’ll be assigned to a small group, with a head guide and ranger, accompanied with several porters who are there to assist you. Once you’ve found the gorilla family assigned to your group, you are able to have one hour with them, watching their social interaction, behaviors and of course, getting as many unforgettable pictures as possible.
Aside from the mountain gorillas, Uganda is home to a huge variety of primates. Kibale Forest in the west of Uganda is where you will find the chimpanzees. These highly intelligent primates are certainly worth visiting, often combined in a driving itinerary combining Murchison Falls National Park to the north, and Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south. The variety of safari activities available including game drives, walking safaris, primate treks, guided hikes and more, makes Uganda a truly unforgettable safari destination.
Bwindi National Park, in Uganda’s southwest, boasts exceptional biodiversity and is home to around 400 mountain gorillas. It’s a must-visit destination for tourists, with these gorillas offering a thrilling and humbling experience. It’s often the final stop in a Uganda itinerary.
Murchison Falls, one of Uganda’s oldest parks (established in 1927), is famed for its powerful waterfall. Witnessing the falls and game drives to see buffalo, lion, and elephants are highlights. Accommodation along the Victoria Nile offers tranquil views. A hike to the falls is a rewarding experience.
Kibale National Park in western Uganda is renowned for chimpanzee trekking and boasts diverse primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys. The forest is accessible year-round, offering cultural tours and safari opportunities. The chimpanzee trek offers a unique, colorful forest experience, with one hour of observation.
Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital on Lake Victoria, boasts lively streets and cultural attractions like mosques, churches, Kasubi Royal Tombs, and the Uganda Museum. It’s an ideal starting point for exploring Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda features diverse landscapes and wildlife. The Ishasha sector is famous for tree-climbing lions, while the Kazinga Channel offers boat safaris with hippos and crocodiles.
The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry months of June to August and December to February. This is when conditions are perfect for both gorilla and chimpanzee tracking thanks to clearer trails and a more comfortable climate.
For more information on the best time to visit Uganda, please visit.
Uganda stands as an African haven for wildlife and avid birdwatchers, boasting a plethora of diverse landscapes that range from ancient forests and papyrus-fringed swamps to meandering rivers, enigmatic crater lakes, and vast open expanses. Nestled alongside the African Rift Valley, Uganda’s rugged, mountainous terrain offers a wealth of activities.
Bwindi National Park in Uganda is home to half the population of mountain gorillas left in the wild. The dedicated team of rangers are highly professional, ensuring your safety and comfort. Upon receiving a safety briefing at Bwindi Park headquarters, you’ll have one hour to spend with them, an experience of a lifetime.
Kibale Forest stands out as a premier destination for observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. These highly social and intelligent primates offer captivating insights into their behavior and interactions, rivaling the thrill of gorilla trekking. Your guide will accompany you on your journey through Kibale Forest until you locate the habituated chimpanzee group.
The unforgettable shoebill, a stork of towering presence, graces landscapes like the Mabamba Swamps in southern Uganda, with heights reaching up to five feet and an impressive eight-foot wingspan. Drawing bird enthusiasts from across the globe, Uganda boasts a record of over 1,000 bird species, encompassing both native and migratory flocks.
There are actually two places you can see the gorillas in Uganda. The most popular to visit is Bwindi National Park which is located in the south-western part of the country. Bwindi sits on the edge of the African Rift Valley and is part of the Virguna Mountains which cover Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bwindi is home to approximately 400 mountain gorillas and is one of the most reliable places to see the habituated gorilla groups. The other place to see gorillas in Uganda is Mghahinga National Park which is further south. There is only one habituated gorilla family in Mghahinga but ten in Bwindi. Both are easily accessed by light aircraft or safari vehicle.
Home to over 1,000 species of birds, Uganda is one of the best countries on the African continent for birdlife. The forests and savannahs are home to both native and migratory birds and, with some very rare species here, it is no wonder that Uganda is high on the list for bird enthusiasts. Found in the Mabamba Swamps and other remote swamps across Uganda is the shoebill. This prehistoric looking bird can stand at a height of 140cm and has a wingspan of up to 260cm! Along with the shoebill, other iconic birds to see in Uganda include the pygmy kingfisher and the grey crowned crane.
Uganda is famous for the mountain gorillas, and rightly so. With only three places on Earth to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat, it’s no wonder that a gorilla trek is the focal point of an Uganda safari. That said, the country offers so much more. As well as the gorillas, the country is home to a wealth of primates including chimpanzees, golden monkeys and olive baboons. Uganda also has several safari destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Park which offer sightings of hippo, lion, crocodile, elephant and antelope aplenty. Kidepo is a remote park in northern Uganda and as a result, it has a very dry savannah landscape so species like cheetah can thrive here. The rest of Uganda is noticeabley very green and lush.
This depends on what you are including in your Uganda trip. If you are visiting Uganda for the gorillas alone, then 3-4 days should be efficient. This gives you time to fly into Bwindi, enjoy either one or two gorilla treks (one per day), then fly back to Entebbe for your connecting flight. If you are combining multiple national parks like Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest for the chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari, then I would say a 10-night trip would be a good option. The national parks are concentrated in the western part of Uganda so you will often do a driving itinerary with a private vehicle and guide to take you between the parks.
Absolutely, yes. Although the country is known for its primate experiences, Uganda does offer some great safari opportunities. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the south-western part of Uganda and, because of its location between Kibale and Bwindi, it is one of the most-visited safari destinations in the country. On a safari here, you’ll see buffalo, elephant, antelope, monkeys and a wealth of birdlife. You will also get the opportunity to see the famous ‘climbing lions’ which are located in the southern sector of Ishasha. These lions have unique behavior patterns and spend the majority of the days asleep in the treetops. Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park are also good options for a safari in Uganda but they are more remote, so combining them in an itinerary can be added on time and cost.
Explore the world with us – request our worldwide brochure
today and embark on a journey of unparalleled destinations and
unforgettable experiences.
We are a licensed and fully bonded tour operator financially protected by both the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT). All clients that travel with us are fully financially protected.
Our travel experts live and breathe the destinations they specialise in. This shows in their passionate to create hand crafted trips for our clients. We don’t offer cookie cutter trips, just truly unforgettable journeys unlike any other.
What makes our trips extraordinary is the unique immersive experiences we include. We pride ourselves in our black book of sought after expert guides, game rangers and local contacts who believe in our philosophy, unforgettable.
From the moment you book your trip, we are on hand 24/7 to assist you throughout your journey. With regional offices around the world, we have ground logistics teams on hand to help you every step of the way.
What ever you want from your dream trip, our team of
experts are ready to help.
COPYRIGHT © 2024 UNFORGETTABLE TRAVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
