When Winston Churchill dubbed Uganda "the Pearl of Africa" after his visit in 1907, he wasn't just being poetic. The extraordinary diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures packed into this compact East African country creates a unique safari destination. From cloudy mountain gorilla habitats to expansive savannahs, Uganda safaris offer extraordinary wildlife encounters without the higher visitor numbers of more well-trodden safari circuits.

I have just come back from my first (but not last!) visit to Uganda and it really exceeded my expectations, so I'm delighted to share my insights into planning the perfect Uganda safari experience. This guide explores most of the country's premier wildlife destinations, when to visit, accommodation options, and how to create an unforgettable safari itinerary in this remarkable yet often overlooked safari gem.

A mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Why Choose Uganda for a Safari Holiday?

Uganda distinguishes itself from other safari destinations through its incredibly divergent landscapes – ranging from classic East African savannah landscapes through to volcanic lakes and mountain ranges which in turn support an exciting diversity of wildlife. Throw in the magnificent River Nile and you have a heady mix of possible adventure!

Uganda safari holidays allow you to witness tree-climbing lions in the morning and track chimpanzees through ancient forests in the afternoon. The next day, you might cruise alongside hippos and crocodiles on the Nile before trying to find the elusive Shoebill Stork hidden amongst the Papyrus swamps of the Nile Delta. This remarkable range of experiences makes Uganda safaris particularly appealing to travellers seeking variety and unique wildlife encounters.

The country's relatively low tourist numbers translate to more intimate wildlife viewing. You'll rarely encounter the dreaded convoys of safari vehicles common in more popular destinations, instead enjoying peaceful game drives where you might be the only visitors witnessing a lion pride or elephant herd. This exclusivity, combined with Uganda's legendary hospitality, creates a more authentic and personal safari experience.

Perhaps most compelling is Uganda's affordability compared to other safari destinations. Your safari budget stretches further here, with excellent value accommodation and lower park fees than many neighbouring countries. This accessibility makes Uganda an ideal choice for budget-conscious travellers who don't want to compromise on wildlife experiences.

When to Plan Your Uganda Safari Holiday

Uganda's equatorial climate provides year-round opportunities for safari adventures, though certain times of the year offer distinct advantages. The country has two dry seasons that typically provide ideal wildlife viewing conditions.

The first dry season runs from December through February, offering warm days and comfortable nights. Wildlife congregates around water sources during this period, making animals easier to spot. The landscape remains reasonably green from the previous rains, creating beautiful backdrops for photography.

June through August brings the second and more pronounced dry season. During these months, vegetation becomes sparser, improving visibility in the national parks. Trails are easier to navigate, making this an excellent time for combining game drives with Gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or Chimps in Kibale NP.

The wet seasons from March to May and September to November bring their own special charm. While occasional afternoon downpours might interrupt game drives, you'll be rewarded with lush landscapes, dramatic skies for photography, and significantly fewer fellow travellers. Many lodges offer reduced rates during these months, making them well worth considering for value-conscious safari-goers.

Wildlife viewing remains excellent year-round in most parks, though specific experiences like chimpanzee and gorilla tracking might be slightly more challenging during heavy rains. For most visitors, scheduling considerations should focus on balancing optimal conditions with your personal preferences regarding crowds and budget.

Uganda's Premier Safari Destinations

One of Uganda’s famous tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park forms the jewel in Uganda's safari crown. This diverse reserve encompasses open savannah, humid forests, sparkling lakes and lush wetlands. The park's varied habitats support an impressive 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species, creating an extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunity.

The park's Ishasha sector has earned fame for its tree-climbing lions, a relatively rare behaviour you won't encounter in many other destinations. Here lion families drape themselves across fig tree branches during hot afternoons, providing unforgettable photography opportunities.

The Kazinga Channel connecting Lakes Edward and George offers one of Uganda’s most rewarding boat safaris. A leisurely two-hour cruise reveals dense concentrations of hippos, elephants coming to drink, and spectacular birdlife along the shores. A boat safari is always a welcome change of pace from traditional game drives and delivers excellent close-up wildlife viewing.

Murchison Falls National Park

I loved Uganda's largest and oldest national park - it delivers truly spectacular landscapes centred around the dramatic Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile forces its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging 43 metres, creating one of Africa's most impressive natural spectacles. It’s best seen from both above and from below on a boat trip.

The park divides into southern and northern sectors with distinct characters. The southern region features dense woodland and forest patches where you can track chimpanzees in Budongo Forest. The northern section presents classic African savannah landscapes crossed by the Victoria Nile, supporting abundant wildlife including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and numerous antelope species.

Game drives in the northern sector offer excellent opportunities to spot lions and leopards, while the riverbanks attract large herds of elephants and giraffes, particularly during dry seasons. The park's location makes it suitable for visitors with limited time, as it's accessible from Kampala within a (longish) day's drive.

A particular highlight of any Murchison Falls safari is the boat trip to the base of the falls. This journey along the Victoria Nile provides close encounters with massive crocodiles and big pods of hippos, The birdlife is spectacular, in the Nile Delta where the river flows into Lake Albert, you might find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork if you're fortunate (which I was!).

A shoebill stork standing by the Nile in Uganda — Uganda’s iconic Shoebill Stork

Kibale Forest National Park

While it’s not a traditional safari destination, Kibale Forest deserves a mention for its extraordinary primate experiences. This lush tropical forest hosts the highest concentration of primates in Africa, including over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale ranks among Uganda's most exciting wildlife encounters. Walking through the forest with experienced guides, you'll hear the chimps before you see them – their hoots and screams creating an atmospheric accompaniment to your trek. When you finally locate a family, you'll have an hour to observe these fascinating great apes, our closest living relatives who share approximately 98% of human DNA.

As well as chimpanzees, Kibale offers excellent opportunities to spot red colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and the black-and-white colobus with its spectacular white whiskers and cape-like fur. For dedicated wildlife enthusiasts, the park offers an habituation experience allowing a full day with chimpanzees alongside researchers.

A chimpanzee perched in a tree in Kibale National Park, Uganda — A chimpanzee contemplates life in Kibale National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park

I didn’t make it as far as Kidepo on my trip, however it’s still very high on my list as for me it represents one of Africa’s great off the beaten track wildernesses. It’s one of those destinations that make safari aficionados go all misty eyed.

For the truly adventurous safari traveller seeking wilderness and solitude, Kidepo Valley National Park represents Uganda's final frontier. Tucked away in the country's remote northeastern corner bordering South Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo's is famous for magnificent landscapes and abundant wildlife.

The park's splendid isolation has preserved an authentic wilderness increasingly rare in modern Africa. Vast plains framed by distant mountain ranges create some of Uganda's most spectacular scenery. Despite its remoteness, Kidepo supports an impressive diversity of wildlife including over 77 mammal species and about 475 bird species.

Kidepo's sweeping plains are home to large buffalo herds, giraffes, zebras, and an impressive 28 antelope species including the magnificent greater kudu. The park maintains healthy predator populations, with lions frequently sighted and the occasional leopard or cheetah rewarding patient observers.

Kidepo also offers fascinating cultural experiences with the Karamojong people, semi-nomadic pastoralists who maintain traditional lifestyles in the surrounding region. Their distinctive culture and dress provide insights into traditional East African cattle-herding societies.

The journey to Kidepo requires either a long drive or a chartered flight, but this investment in time will translate to a remarkably exclusive safari experience. You'll likely encounter more animals than fellow tourists, creating a sense of discovery that harks back to the golden age of African exploration.

Safari Accommodation in Uganda: From Budget to Luxury

Uganda offers a impressive range of accommodation options to suit various preferences and budgets. Understanding your choices helps create a safari experience aligned with your expectations and financial parameters.

Budget-conscious travellers will find good value in the comfortable bandas (simple cabins) and tented camps operated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority within the national parks. While basic in amenities, these accommodations provide authentic experiences and unbeatable locations, often with wildlife wandering through the grounds. Backpacker lodges outside park boundaries offer another affordable option with shared facilities and simple but clean rooms.

Mid-range options have expanded significantly in recent years, with charming lodges offering private facilities, excellent dining, and attractive settings. These establishments typically feature local architecture and materials, creating a sense of place while providing international standards of comfort. Many mid-range lodges actively engage with surrounding communities through employment and sourcing policies. I really loved my stay at Primate Lodge in Kibale for it’s authenticity and location deep inside the surrounding forest.

At the luxury end of the spectrum, Uganda now boasts world-class safari lodges comparable to the finest in Africa. Properties like Kyambura Gorge Lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Nile Safari Lodge (a new fave of mine!) in Murchison Falls combine sophisticated design, exceptional service, gourmet dining and premium locations. These luxury retreats typically offer inclusive packages with activities and often support significant conservation initiatives.

Creating Your Perfect Uganda Safari Itinerary

Planning the perfect Uganda safari requires balancing distance, travel time and your specific wildlife interests. The country's relatively compact size allows for impressive diversity within a single trip, but overambitious itineraries can lead to excessive driving times.

For first-time visitors with around ten days available, a classic circuit might include:

Days 1-2: Arrive in Entebbe, recover from jet lag with birdwatching at the botanical gardens and perhaps a boat trip on Lake Victoria.

Days 3-4: Travel to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking and exploration of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Days 5-7: Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives, the Kazinga Channel boat safari, and potentially chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Days 8-10: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for mountain gorilla trekking, the undisputed highlight of most Uganda safari holidays, before flying back to Entebbe for departure.

Travellers with a bit more time might extend this journey to include Murchison Falls in the north or Lake Mburo National Park, which provides an excellent stop when returning to Entebbe and offers walking safaris and horseback riding opportunities.

Those specifically interested in primates could focus their safari on Kibale, Bwindi and the often-overlooked Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which offers both gorilla tracking and golden monkey encounters. Dedicated birdwatchers could add speciality locations like Semuliki National Park with its Congo basin species or the papyrus swamps of Mabamba Bay near Entebbe, a premier site for spotting the extraordinary shoebill stork.

For genuinely adventurous safari-goers with sufficient time, combining the relatively accessible southern circuit with remote Kidepo Valley creates a comprehensive wildlife experience showcasing the full spectrum of Uganda's remarkable biodiversity.

Safari Activities Beyond Game Drives

While traditional game drives form the backbone of most safari holidays, Uganda offers a diverse range of wildlife experiences beyond the vehicle.

Walking safaris provide an immersive dimension to wildlife viewing, with the opportunity to examine tracks, droppings, and smaller creatures often overlooked from vehicles. Certain sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park offer excellent walking options with armed ranger escorts.

Boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel, Lake Mburo, the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls, and the Nile delta where it enters Lake Albert deliver unique perspectives on waterside wildlife. These relaxed cruises often bring you closer to animals than possible on land, creating excellent photography opportunities.

Night drives, permitted in select areas, reveal a different dimension of wildlife activity as nocturnal creatures emerge. The chance to spot bushbabies, genets, civets and prowling predators adds another layer to your safari experience.

Cultural tourism initiatives throughout Uganda's safari regions provide meaningful engagement with local communities. From craft demonstrations to traditional dance performances and village walks, these experiences offer insights into how local people coexist with wildlife and benefit from conservation.

Wildlife Photography in Uganda

Uganda presents brilliant photography opportunities across it’s diverse environments. The variety of landscapes and lighting conditions requires a bit of preparation to capture the full glory of your safari holiday.

Consider bringing a versatile zoom lens covering wide-angle to moderate telephoto range (something like 24-105mm) for landscapes and larger animals at close quarters. I love my new 100 - 400mm telephoto (I recommend at least 300mm, preferably 400mm or longer) which has proved invaluable for distant wildlife and capturing natural behaviour without disturbing animals.

The challenging lighting conditions in forests, for gorilla and chimpanzee photography, will require a fast lens with good low-light performance. A lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or wider helps achieve faster shutter speeds in dim forest conditions. Consider investing in a comfortable bag that protects your kit from dust and occasional rain.

If you’re not already a keen photographer then it’s easy and cost effective to hire equipment specifically for your safari – I use the excellent lensesforhire.co.uk and have a discount code for my clients.

Many Uganda safari lodges now cater specifically to photographers with dedicated guides who understand optimal positioning for light and composition. Don't hesitate to share your photographic goals with your guide, as their expertise can dramatically improve your opportunities for capturing impressive images.

Responsible Safari Tourism in Uganda

Uganda's national parks face various conservation challenges, from habitat encroachment to human-wildlife conflict. Responsible safari tourism directly contributes to preservation efforts while supporting local economies.

Choose tour operators and accommodations with clear sustainability policies and community involvement. Many excellent safari lodges actively support conservation through direct funding, anti-poaching initiatives, or habitat restoration projects. Their responsible practices often extend to waste management, water conservation, and reducing plastic usage.

Consider supporting community tourism initiatives that create economic alternatives to activities threatening wildlife. These might include craft cooperatives, cultural performances, or guided walks led by local community members. Such experiences often provide deeper insights into the region while ensuring tourism benefits extend beyond park boundaries.

Many safari lodges and operators support specific conservation projects that welcome visitor participation or donations. These might include tree-planting initiatives, school support programmes, or wildlife research. Engaging with such projects adds meaningful dimension to your safari experience while leaving a positive legacy.

Is a Uganda Safari Holiday Right for You?

I think that a Uganda safari will particularly appeal to travellers seeking diverse wildlife experiences beyond traditional game drives. If you appreciate variety, authenticity and the opportunity to combine savannah wildlife with extraordinary primate encounters, Uganda offers an ideal safari destination.

In my opinion the country will suit return safari-goers who have already experienced classic destinations like Kenya's Masai Mara or Tanzania's Serengeti. Uganda provides fresh perspectives on African wildlife while delivering unique experiences impossible elsewhere, particularly regarding primate diversity.

Budget-conscious safari travellers will find excellent value throughout Uganda, with park fees, accommodation and guiding services typically more affordable than in neighbouring Kenya or Tanzania. This makes Uganda attractive for families and those seeking longer safari experiences without compromising quality.

For most visitors, Uganda safaris deliver their greatest impact through the sheer variety of experiences possible within a single journey. From tracking gorillas in misty mountains to watching lions roam golden plains and cruising past bathing elephants on the Nile, Uganda safari holidays create tapestries of wildlife memories that remain vivid long after you've returned home.

Interested? Get in touch, let’s make a plan!

Uganda Safaris: My Guide to Exploring the Pearl of Africa