Have questions? We're here.
Uganda packs more variety into one country than almost anywhere else in Africa. In a single trip you can track mountain gorillas in misty rainforest, watch lions and elephants on the savanna, follow chimpanzees through a forest gorge, and stand where the Nile begins its journey north. Because the country is compact, these experiences combine into one well-paced trip rather than a string of long-haul hops. It is also one of Africa's great birding destinations, with a remarkable number of species recorded across its forests, wetlands, and savannas.
Gorilla trekking is the reason most travelers come to Uganda, and it is the country's signature experience. Nearly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with more in Mgahinga in the volcanic south. A permit buys you one closely guided hour with a habituated gorilla family after a hike that can run from under an hour to most of a day. Permits are limited and sell out months ahead, so timing and early planning matter. Browse Uganda gorilla trekking tours to see trips.
Beyond the gorillas, Uganda's savanna parks deliver classic Big Five game viewing. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best known, with lions on the Kasenyi plains, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise past hippos and elephants, and the famous tree-climbing lions of the remote Ishasha sector. Murchison Falls, in the north, centers on the Nile thundering through a narrow gorge, with big game on the surrounding plains. In Kibale, one of the best places in Africa to track chimpanzees, you can spend a morning following our closest primate cousins on foot.
Uganda is a year-round destination, but the two dry seasons, roughly June to September and December to February, are the most comfortable for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing, when forest trails are firmer and animals gather near water. The wetter months bring lush scenery, lower prices, and excellent birding, with the heaviest rains from March to May. For a full month-by-month breakdown, see our guide to the best time to visit Uganda.
Each of Uganda's parks offers a different mix of wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: lions (including the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector), elephants, buffalo, hippos, Uganda kob, and leopards, plus chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge and excellent birding along the Kazinga Channel.
Murchison Falls National Park: elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, Rothschild's giraffe, and Uganda kob, with hippos and Nile crocodiles along the river and a chance at the rare shoebill stork.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: mountain gorillas are the headline, alongside a wealth of forest primates, birds, and butterflies.
Kibale Forest: one of the highest primate densities in Africa, led by chimpanzees and including red colobus and several other monkey species.
Our team is waiting and ready to talk with you about your next adventure. So go ahead and book an appointment with one of our specialized trip planners.
Let's ChatUganda is a welcoming destination, and traveling with an Adventure Life-vetted local guide and driver, as our trips do, handles the practical side. Take the same common-sense precautions you would in any unfamiliar country.
A focused gorilla-and-wildlife trip usually runs 7 to 10 days. Add chimpanzee tracking, the Nile, or a second park and you are looking at closer to two weeks.
Yes. Gorilla trekking is the centerpiece of our Uganda trips, paired with savanna safari and other wildlife.
The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, are easiest for trekking and game viewing.
Yes! Tell us your interests, pace, and timing, and our Uganda specialists will match the route, lodges, and permits to you.
You'll work with a team of humans who get to know you, answer every question, and support you until you return home—we're always just a call or text away.
We partner with operators who prioritize local communities and conservation, so your trip has a positive impact beyond your own experience.
Secure your 5% Past Traveler Rewards on your next trip, applicable across a variety of operators, brands, and worldwide destinations.
No cost, no commitment. Talk with our experts about your dream trip.
Share your travel style—we match you with the right itinerary or create one just for you.
Lock in knowing every detail is handled and you’re fully supported.
Enjoy a seamless journey—and unlock 5% off your next adventure.
