Ultimate top packages for wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda/ tour is so far the most exciting and amazing adventure that gets you to explore the Pearl of Africa given it’s outstanding position at harboring the world’s top tourism spots and wild game. Uganda is home to numerous species and features for example the world’s number one habitat of the highest concentration of the planet’s unique primates (mountain gorillas & chimpanzees), source of the ancient River Nile and Africa’s largest fresh water lake and second in the world (lake Victoria).

The Nile river has the strongest waterfalls in the world as it sails north of Uganda which is the Murchison water falls pouring more than 3,000 cubic liters of water through a narrow 8 meter gap, down a 43 meter depth every second.

Top adventure on wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Uganda has got 459 gorillas which is more than half of the world’s total number of mountain Gorillas-53%- in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park. The country has also the world’s highest number of chimpanzees; more than 1500 individuals in the Kibale National Park along with many other primate species like baboons, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys all around Uganda’s parks and reserves.

Mgahinga national park also doubles as a natural habitat for the rare and endangered golden monkeys that reside in the bamboo region of the volcanic mountain slopes.

Top game parks for wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Uganda’s flora, Fauna, geography and numerous water bodies has guaranteed it with several games parks covering more than 20% of the country’s total land area. Savannah wilderness gets to forming numerous game parks such as Queen Elizabeth game park, Murchison falls game park, Kidepo valley game park, Kibale game park, lake Mburo game park, Semuliki game park, Rwenzori game park, Elgon game park, Ziwa rhino sanctuary and many other game reserves.

These harbor several wild species including Africa’s big 5 wild game– lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes with many more as hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees, antelopes, elands, white and black rhinos, hares, reptiles, Giraffes, Zebras, Warthogs, hyenas, wild dogs, porcupines, pangolins, bush babies, ancient tropical tree species and a lot of the world’s unique bird species; Uganda is a top spot for birders to take glance at hundreds of different bird species some of which are endangered and residents of no where else in the world apart from while on wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

Popular packages for wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Mountain Gorilla trekking

Uganda has more than 50% of world's remaining population of mountain gorillas at the only 2 popular dense montane tropical forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. Standard gorilla tracking is at $800 per permit in Bwindi Impenetrable forest done in 4 gorilla tracking sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo whereas Mgahinga national park has one gorilla group- Nyakagezi family. Gorilla habituation experiences at $1,500 per permit are only done in Rushaga sector where you track semi-habituated gorillas with researchers/ doctors for 4-6 hours studying their behavior.

Chimpanzee tracking

Known as the world's primates capital, Uganda has more than 3,000 chimpanzees with the highest concentration of 1,500 chimpanzees found in Kibale forest national park. Other chimpanzee tracking destinations are at Kyambura gorge forest in Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Kalinzu forest reserve on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth game park. Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda experience costs start from $50 to $300 per permit per person given the destination in itinerary. You'll also see more of the Pearl's primates like olive baboons, patas monkeys, colobus monkeys and some nocturnal species.

Golden monkey tracking

Mgahinga national park in Uganda is also renown as a golden monkeys natural habitat in Africa with over 2,000 individuals. Golden monkeys live in montane bamboo forests 2,500m above the level of the Mgahinga mountains. Golden monkeys live in groups/ families of 100 with a very playful character that gets entertained throughout the whole hour when you are around them. During this hiking experience, you'll also be able to take photos and videos. Tracking permits for golden monkeys cost $100 per person and the safari becomes more entertaining when combined with gorilla trekking experiences in Mgahinga national park.

Source of the river Nile

Explore the source of the river Nile located in Jinja, Uganda and its numerous water falls and rapids. Jinja is known as the adventure capital of East Africa given the various activities that engage you during your Nile river safari for example water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking, horse back riding, kayaking, swimming, boat cruise to the source of the Nile spot, resorts, sport fishing, bird watching, night life etc. Visiting the source of the historical Nile river- Africa's longest river, combined with Uganda's wildlife savanna game drives is a unique adventure like no other.

Queen Elizabeth game park

One of Africa's most spectacular destinations for birdwatching, tree climbing lions and the wild's big game. Queen Elizabeth national park has the highest concentration of birds with 50% of Africa's bird species specifically more than 650 recorded bird species. During safari game drives in the park, you'll have sightings at the great rift valley and its escarpments, mountain Rwenzori snow capped peaks and its ranges, 52 crater lakes, boat cruises at the Kazinga channel which has Africa's highest number of hippo pods, chimpanzee tracking, Flamingos at lake Munyanyange, the equator landmark and much more.

Murchison falls n. park

Murchison falls are the strongest waterfalls in the world anchoring the largest game park in Uganda. The Murchison falls game park is home to highest Rothchild's giraffes in world along 4 of Africa's big 5 game (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes), 450 recorded bird species, chimpanzees in Budongo forest and other wild animals. A boat cruise on the Nile river to the face of the Murchison falls is another unique sighting that also comes along with scenes of marine life, kingfishers, shoebills, hippos, eagles and much more.

KIDEPO VALLEY GAME PARK

Kidepo valley national park also known as a "true untamed African savanna wilderness" that guarantees the best nature sightings and wildlife. Safari game drives in Kidepo valley game park harbors Africa's big 5 game (lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards), more than 450 recorded bird species like ostriches, secretary birds, kori bustards etc. making it an exciting birding haven. Along game drives, you also engage into hiking the park's hills and rocks like Kopjes, nature walks, photography and videography.

MTN. RWENZORI TREKKING

Mountain Rwenzori has Africa's 3rd highest peak Margherita at 5,109m with a total of 16 snow-capped peaks and some of the most beautiful glaciers and features on the continent. 5 of the 16 peaks are among the Africa's 10 highest peaks that can all be reach n 7- 8 days trekking expedition. Rwenzori mountain is located in the western arm of the rift valley and it rises right from the rift valley floor. Rwenzori mountain national park forests harbor reptiles like 3 horned chameleon, monkeys, chimpanzees, more than 200 bird species.

KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Kibale forest national park in Uganda has the world's highest concentration of chimpanzees with over 1,500 individuals. Chimpanzee tracking permits cost $300 per person along sightings of other primates for example olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, patas monkeys etc. There are also more than 350 recorded bird species, some of which are only resident and found nowhere else in the world. Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park guarantees 99% chances of encountering chimps.

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

Lake Mburo national park anchored by lake Mburo is an ungulates park renown for a high zebra population along giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, water bucks, hippos and primates like patas monkeys, olive baboons. The only predators in the park are leopards, spotted hyenas, stripped jackals and nile crocodiles. Low presence of aggressive predators has made lake Mburo game park famous for walking and cycling safaris making it one of the most amazing parks in the country that gets you to close encounters with beautiful wildlife. Lake Mburo national park also has more than 300 recorded bird species like the shoebills and papyrus endemics, savanna grassland and lowland forest species.

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

Also located on the floor of the rift valley, the beautiful Semuliki national park is an intersection of central and western Africa tropical forests and East Africa's savanna grasslands. Semuliki national park holds geothermal features like hot springs that release water heated at more than 100 degrees Celsius. With more than 400 recorded bird species including the shoebill, 35 of them are Guinea- Congo biome species and 23 Albertine rift endemics. Mammals and primates in the park include forest elephants, forest buffaloes, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, leopards, hippos, warthogs, water chevrotain and 9 duiker species. Nature walks and game drives in the park have some of the continent's best sightings of tropical forest canopy scenes and the rift valley features.

MTN. ELGON & SIPI FALLS

Mountain Elgon is an extinct volcano on the Uganda- Kenya border with Africa's 4th highest peak Wagagai at 4,321m. The highland also has the world's largest caldera that can be reached at on a 3-6 days hiking activity. Another amazing feature on the mtn. Elgon slopes are the Sipi falls formed of 3 water falls of heights of 75m, 85m and 100m. Scenic view during the nature walk/ trek are accompanied by Arabica coffee farm plantation tour, over 200 bird species, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, hyenas, leopards and primates. Mountain Elgon and Sipi falls safari in Uganda's Eastern circuit is best experienced with combined source of the Nile river visits.

Ultimate excursions on wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Uganda is the world’s best primate tracking destination with chimpanzees and mountain gorilla trekking activities topping the list. The country is home to more than half of the world’s total remaining mountain gorillas found in the dense tropical forests of Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga National parks. Gorilla tours are worth a for they present a memory like no other for a life time; be ready to watch the silverbacks and their families conduct their ways of life in line with their natural habitat. Bwindi Impenetrable National park in the southwest protects the highest number of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the world. The tropical forest of Bwindi Impenetrable now has over 20 habituated gorilla families that are available to be visited every day.

There are four gorilla trekking sectors within Bwindi Impenetrable national park, namely; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Gorilla permits are allocated for each sector and trekkers are required to visit gorillas in the corresponding sector attached to their permit. Number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi gives trekkers almost 100% chance of meeting their allocated gorilla family in the park.

Some of the most popular gorilla families that are regularly visited by trekkers in Bwindi include Rushegura, Mubare, Bitukura, Habinyanja, Kyaguriro, Oruzongo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Nkuringo, among others. Mgahinga national park has one mountain gorilla family called the Nyakagezi gorilla family/ group.

Uganda’s gorilla permit is sold at $800 per person for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents in East Africa, $1500 for habituation experience permits and $500 for tourists from the rest of Africa. Travelers planning for wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda are encouraged to book their gorilla permits online at least 6 months in advance due to their limited availability.

Uganda best gorilla trekking & safaris packages

Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda

Uganda has the world’s highest chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) population with the country’s highest concentration of more than 1,500 in the Kibale National Park. Population of chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kibale forest guarantees a 100% tracking scenery of these apes/ primates. Along with other primates for example baboons, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, among others will give you an excellent primate expedition.

Queen Elizabeth national park also offer a magnificent chimpanzee tracking experience on the floor of the great rift valley over looking the magnificent mountain Rwenzori also known as mountains of the moon in Maramagambo forest- Kyambura gorge and in Kalinzu forest reserve on the outskirts of the park.

More of the chimpanzee tracking action continues in this beautiful land in the Murchison falls national park in the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests. All the 3 destinations guarantee more than 90% chances of seeing these amazing great apes/ primates.

Chimpanzee tracking on wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Safari and Africa's big 5 game in Uganda

Uganda’s game parks have got one of the best wildlife scenes in Africa specifically the big 7 game of Africa which are; lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes rhinos, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees where of they harbor some of the species in highest concentration. In addition to the big 7, Uganda has the highest population of hippos at Kazinga channel seen during boat cruises along huge Nile crocodiles and numerous bird species that fly to the channel banks to quench their thirst.

Amazing with some of their behaviors like the tree climbing lions at the Queen Elizabeth NP, large elephant and buffalo herds therein just like at Murchison falls and Kidepo valley national parks that will leave you satisfied with on the Ultimate Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari. Also enjoy walking safaris in Lake Mburo national park, Ziwa rhino sanctuary and Semuliki national park.

Africa's big 5 safari game drive packages

Golden monkey tracking in Uganda

There are between 2,000 to 4,000 golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) that inhabit the Virunga massif in the Mgahinga national park of Uganda being the world’s highest concentration of these primates. Along with the mountain gorilla silverbacks give Mgahinga national park jungle the nickname “where silver meets gold” with combined expeditions that leave tourists blown away by the experience. Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests at 2,500m above sea level on the ultimate Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari never gets one to like ending it.

Golden monkey packages

River Nile boat cruise and Murchison water falls

Waterfalls and rapids are some of the ever present features on Uganda’s rivers across the country both in the mountainous and low altitude areas. Murchison falls is the most prominent one followed by the Bujagali falls, Itanda falls, Busowoka falls, Rippon falls, Owen falls all at the source of the River Nile, the Sipi falls among others. Many more falls occur on the rivers that flow from Uganda’s mountains like Rwenzori, Elgon and Muhavura and can be witnessed while hiking. River Nile anchors the Murchison falls national park with its wildlife also giving another adventure of cruising to the face of the Murchison water falls.

River Nile safari packages

4 days Murchison falls safari experience

Experiencing the river Nile & falls along its course on the 4 days tour in the Murchison falls national park. This short trip focuses on Nile boat cruise upfront the Murchison water falls, chimpanzee tracking and wildlife game drives. Expect many more sightings on this safari at numerous bird species, aquatic animals, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, nile crocodiles etc. Hiking to the top of the world's strongest water falls on this trip is also another outstanding adventure.

Semuliki game park & Hot Springs

Natural geothermal features hold Uganda’s history of geographical events dating back to more than 1200 years in the region. Uganda has a number of these vistas which shouldn’t miss on your bucket list such as the Sempaya hot springs at Semuliki National Park, the Omoropii hot springs at Murchison NP, Buranga hot springs in Fort Portal among others. Semuliki national park has features of both the central African tropical rain forests and savannah grassland vegetation acting as an intersection of the 2 vegetation rgions.

Semuliki national park packages

Mountain Rwenzori and the Great Rift Valley

Mountain Rwenzori (5,109m) raises from the floor of the western arm of the rift valley. Uganda’s mountains and the great rift valley are key to most of Uganda’s geological features from rivers, crater lakes, rift valley lakes, escarpments and fresh water catchment areas. Holding these features with them harbor many primates, wildlife game and bird species till today that survive on their water and ability to provide food from the plant life in the dense lowland tropical forests.

The Rwenzoris have 16 peaks, 5 of which are among the 10 highest in Africa covered in snow caps and giving some of the most outstanding sceneries on the continent. Sightings of all these great sceneries are all visible on a well planned wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda as you drive in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Mountain Rwenzori hiking packages along wildlife & gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Lake Victoria & other water bodies

Entirely the nation’s water sources hold fresh water which have supported livelihoods and various water species some of which are specific to the their vicinity. Lake Victoria is the biggest fresh water lake in Uganda and Africa at large, followed by lake Kyoga; the most swampy lake in the country, Lake Albert; the deepest lake in the country’s rift valley region, lake Edward and George, lake Bunyonyi; the deepest crater lake in Africa and many other crater and lowland basin lakes.

Lakes in Uganda are home to numerous fish species such as the; Nile perch and tilapia common in lake Victoria the Nile river, mud and cat fish common in swampy areas, silver fish common to lake Albert. Different fish species offer nutritious tradition cuisines for the fishermen and local people that live along these water bodies. Water bodies have also been ground for various water sports for example white water rafting, Kayaking, swimming, brown & white sand beaches, beach volleyball among others.

Kalangala/ Ssese islands

A six hour boat/ ferry sail on the lake Victoria gets you to Kalangala islands that are located in the lake’s waters. Ssese islands are 84 in number, White sand beaches, Rivers and waterfalls, Boat cruises/rides, Sport fishing and local foods, Fire camps, Palm oil plantation scene, Forest walks, Hiking to John Speke fort, Island museum, Wild life, birds species, ancient lake cultural sites, wildlife conservation area, camping, quad biking along with many fish dishes to enjoy. The island is also well known for it’s palm tree plantations that facilitate palm oil production.

Culture and Religion

Enjoy Uganda a land with a population compromised of 52 tribal groups and languages of welcoming people distributed in the different regions of the country. The population is mainly composed of the Bantu and Nilotic speaking people who engage in many different traditions followed from the ancient times and cultural-economic activities that upheld their survival and daily lives. Given the different climatic various in the homesteads to these people, they grow different food types and vegetables some of which are herbs of rainforests which they prepare in different ways to come up with different traditional delicacies.

Climatic conditions also brought these people to adopt different dressing styles and in addition to some styles that were adopted to align with morals of the community. All these at your exposure to adventure and have more knowledge of the existence of the African set up and it’s people during your cultural tours to Uganda. Many cultural sites still stand from the ancient kingdoms and chiefdoms like palaces, tombs of ancient kings and chiefs, caves and many pieces of art and ornaments that represent the history of these kingdoms.

Christianity is the main religion of Uganda, followed by Islam and others like Bahai, traditionalists among others established along with places of worship of the best western tradition architecture like cathedrals worth paying a visit. Among the traditionalists, there are many sacred places and features of nature like trees, rivers, caves, lakes which they believed to have spiritual powers and associated to the creator of this universe. Amazing discoveries about Uganda’s religion and faith will give you the knowledge of people’s way of life to in their communities.

Kampala- Uganda's capital

Kampala is one of the region’s busiest and productive city and more over being part of the country’s rich administrative, economic, religious and traditional history, the city has got many historical monuments, sites and landmarks that have since the old days been a determinant in the native’s ways of life. Kampala’s rich history has provides numerous sites and landmarks to watch along with acquiring more historical knowledge on these landmarks.

Also Kampala beholds many vistas like the Uganda museum, the King’s palace, the Kasubi tombs where Buganda’s ancient kings were buried, the Uganda martyr’s shrine, the Rubaga catholic cathedral, the Namirembe protestant cathedral, the Bahai temple, independence monuments, Uganda’s administrative centers like the Ugandan parliament, city grocery markets, hotels and restaurants among others.

Kampala’s night life is so amazing and electrifying ranging of street foods, Uganda’s unique Rolex delicacy, 5 star hotels, clubs, cafes, grills and lounges, live band, beaches and resorts around lake Victoria waters among many other chilling destinations waiting for you in Kampala. These night life outings are always on to quench your fatigue from your life.

Uganda's location

Lying along the Equator, Uganda, the pearl of Africa, is a landlocked country in East Africa at a latitude of 1.3733° N, and a longitude of 32.2903° E in the northern and eastern hemispheres of the earth on the African continent. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania.

The southern part includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is in the African Great Lakes region, it lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied equatorial climate. The country’s highest point is Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley (5,100 m), a mountain located in the Rwenzori range within Rwenzori National Park and the lowest altitude is 620m within the Albert Nile.

Uganda lies along the equator and is located on the East African plateau, averaging about 1100 meters (3,250 ft.) above sea level, the best positioning in the region even for aero dynamic operations and this slopes very steadily downwards to the Sudanese Plain to the north. However, much of the south is poorly drained, while the centre is dominated by Lake Kyoga, which is also surrounded by extensive marshy and swampy areas.

Uganda lies almost completely within the Nile basin. The Victoria Nile drains from the lake into Lake Kyoga and thence into Lake Albert and the Albertine peninsular along the Congolese border. It then runs northwards into Sudan.

Uganda's weather, climate and seasons

Uganda’s climate is largely equatorial climate with moderate humid and hot climatic conditions throughout the year with a touch of tropical climate in the western part of the country influenced by the extension of tropical rain forests of west and central Africa in the areas of Semuliki national park, Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park guaranteeing Uganda with two rainy seasons per year, March to May and September to December.

The northern Uganda region, which forms one quarter of the country lies outside the tropical belt, and hence experiences only one rainy season, March to October. humid climate, temperatures nationally are reasonably constant, ranging from a dry season maximum of 30°C to a wet season of as low as 18°C. the climate is pleasantly warm, with average temperatures ranging between 20 °C and 25 °C (68 °F and 77 °F).

Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. At Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, one of the world’s biggest lakes, most rain falls from March to June and the November/December period. It prevents temperatures from varying significantly and increases cloudiness and rainfall. Although landlocked, Uganda contains many large lakes, besides Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, there are Lake Albert, Lake Edward and the smaller Lake George.

Uganda’s climate and location makes it ideal for agricultural success. Further to the north a dry season gradually emerges; at Gulu about 120 km from the Sudanese border, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year. The northeastern Karamoja region has the driest climate and is prone to droughts in some years. Rwenzori in the southwest on the border with Congo (DRC) receives heavy rain all year round.

What are the best tourist activities done on a Uganda safari?

Uganda is most renown for;

mountain gorilla trekking
chimpanzee trekking, nature & forest walks
golden monkey tracking, Virunga massif sceneries
Mountain Rwenzori trekking
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Victoria and Islands
mountain climbing to the snow caps, birding, camping, the great rift valley sceneries
The source of the river Nile water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking
Murchison falls hiking
Game drives
Birding
Boat cruises
Hot air balloons
City tours
Cultural tours
Horse back riding tours

What is the cost of a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?

Gorilla permits or pass are the most crucial requirement for trekking mountain gorilla in all these countries. Gorilla permits can be bought through a trusted tour agent like Travitude safari tours company at least months in advance prior to the date of visit. The number of trekkers is limited per gorilla family per day so for surety of a gorilla trekking trip advance booking is needed.

Gorilla habituation experience is only done at Bwindi impenetrable national park giving an opportunity to visitors 4 hours per day with the Gorillas at a charge of $1,500 (tourists), $1,000 (foreign residents).
A permit for standard gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $800 for tourists (FNR- foreign nationals/residents), $700 for foreign residents (FR), $500 for individuals from the rest of Africa.

When is the best time to visit Uganda?

Uganda has both rainy/ wet and dry seasons throughout the year; two wet seasons and two dry season. The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons which are from June-August and December-March with less green exposing most wild game and easy to track animals near water catchment areas making them easily spotted. While still during the wet season you could embark on a Ugandan safari with Travitude safari tours well organised at lower costs than those of dry seasons.

With the exception of Kidepo valley national park that’s located in semi-arid areas, that have one rainy season in a year thus making available for visiting from September till March.

How to get a tourist visa to Uganda?

Getting a tourist visa to Uganda is an online process that requires minimal time to get done with. You only need to present the bar code and receipts given to you in response from the immigration portal at the airport as you are entering Uganda. A tourist visa will cost you only $50 except citizens from visa exempt countries to Uganda such as Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, Cyprus among others.

How much does a Ugandan safari cost?

The daily cost for a Ugandan safari will be between $300- $380 for a budget safari, $420- $500 for a mid-range safari and $1,000- $1,050 for a luxury safari. These cost fluctuates depending on the number of people, number of days, safari category & amenities, nature of safari company and other planned desires of the visitors.

How to book flights to Uganda for African safari?

There are many airline carriers that make it to Uganda and there’s a wide range choices from which to choose from to Entebbe international airport.

NOTE; To avoid very long flight durations and transit waiting time, book connecting flight tickets at every stop over that are heading to Uganda.