UGANDASafaris & Gorilla Trekking
UGANDA: The Pearl of Africa
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa renowned for its remarkable diversity of landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. From the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the vast waters of Lake Victoria, Uganda offers one of Africa's most varied and rewarding safari experiences.
It was Winston Churchill, after visiting Uganda in 1907, who famously described it as the "Pearl of Africa" a name that remains fitting today.
A SAFARI DESTINATION REDEFINED
Uganda's tourism history spans over a century. After periods of political instability in the 1970s and early 1980s, the country emerged with a renewed conservation focus. Rather than competing directly with the mass savannah safaris of Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda embraced its greatest strengths: tropical forests, primates, birdlife, and unspoiled wilderness.
At the heart of this transformation is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, making Uganda one of the most important conservation destinations on the continent.
GORILLA, GAME & BIRD VIEWING
Uganda is one of the very few countries in the world where travelers can experience mountain gorilla trekking, alongside classic wildlife viewing.
Across its ten national parks, visitors may encounter:
- Lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and antelopes
- Over 1,000 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics
- Chimpanzees and multiple primate species
This combination of forest, savannah, wetland, and river ecosystems makes Uganda exceptionally diverse for safari travel.
WATER-BASED EXPERIENCES
Situated within the African Great Lakes region, Uganda offers rich water-based experiences:
- Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, River Nile, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Victoria
- Close-up viewing of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and birdlife
- White-water rafting and kayaking near the source of the Nile in Jinja
- Sport fishing for Nile perch and tilapia in designated areas
These activities provide a relaxed and scenic complement to traditional game drives.
HIKING & MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
Uganda is one of Africa's most exciting destinations for hiking and mountaineering.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Known as the "Mountains of the Moon," the Rwenzori range features Africa's third-highest peak, Margherita Peak (5,109m). Unlike volcanic mountains, the Rwenzoris are a dramatic uplift of ancient rock, covered in glaciers, moorlands, and montane forests.
Treks range from short scenic hikes to 8–11 day summit expeditions, making the park suitable for both serious climbers and adventurous walkers.
Mount Elgon National Park
Home to one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, Mount Elgon offers quieter, less technical hikes through forest, waterfalls, caves, and high-altitude moorlands.
CULTURAL & RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Uganda's cultural diversity is woven into its safari experience. Across the country, visitors can engage with local communities through storytelling, music, dance, and village walks, offering insight into traditions and daily life.
Religious tourism is also a growing niche, reflecting Uganda's historical and spiritual significance in the region.
NATIONAL PARKS OF UGANDA
Diverse Landscapes, Remarkable Wildlife, Timeless Experiences
Uganda's national parks protect an extraordinary range of ecosystems from rainforests and savannahs to glacier-capped mountains, wetlands, and rift valley lakes. Each park offers a distinct experience, allowing travelers to combine primates, wildlife, scenery, and culture in a single journey.
WHY UGANDA'S PARKS ARE UNIQUE
Uganda's national parks allow travelers to experience:
- Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees
- Classic savannah wildlife
- Snow-capped mountains and tropical forests
- Rivers, lakes, and wetlands
- Rich cultural landscapes
All within a single, thoughtfully designed journey.
Begin Your Uganda Journey
Uganda rewards travelers with depth, diversity, and unforgettable encounters delivered quietly, authentically, and with remarkable variety.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas, and more habituated gorilla families than anywhere else. Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi gorilla trekking
Bwindi's ancient rainforest is trekked from four sectors, each with its own gorilla families and lodges: Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. We choose the sector around your route, your lodge and your fitness.
Uganda gorilla permits
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and cost USD $800 for foreign non-residents in 2026 (UWA has announced revised rates from 1 January 2027), which includes park entry, ranger guides and one hour with a gorilla family. For a deeper encounter, the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi allows up to four hours with a family (USD $1,500 in 2026). Permits sell out months in advance.
Why trek in Uganda
- A lower permit price than Rwanda, and more gorilla families to choose from.
- Easy to combine with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and a Nile or Kazinga Channel boat safari.
- Southern Bwindi is also reachable from Kigali, so Uganda and Rwanda pair naturally. See Rwanda gorilla trekking.
Learn who you will meet in our silverback gorilla guide, or compare prices in our Uganda safari cost guide and gorilla trekking cost guide.
Uganda safari and gorilla trekking FAQs
How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?
A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs USD $800 for foreign non-residents in 2026, issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with revised rates announced from 1 January 2027. It includes park entry, ranger guides and one hour with a habituated gorilla family.
Where do you go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, trekked from its Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga volcanoes.
What is the gorilla habituation experience?
A longer encounter in Bwindi where you join researchers and rangers with a family still being habituated, spending up to four hours with the gorillas instead of one. Permits are USD $1,500 in 2026 and very limited.
How much does a Uganda safari cost?
A mid-range Uganda safari typically costs about $2,500 to $4,000 per person, and a luxury safari $4,500 to $8,000 or more, depending on length, lodges and permits. We tailor every itinerary to your budget.
Can I combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzees and a wildlife safari?
Yes, and that is Uganda's great strength. A typical route pairs chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest with game drives and a boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park before the gorillas in Bwindi.
