Uganda is an incredibly lush, fertile country. It offers great variety — from snow-topped peaks to open plains and Africa’s largest lake. For wildlife viewing, Uganda is home to a diverse range of species. Guests visiting the ‘Pearl of Africa’ can trek in the rainforest to gaze into the eyes of endangered mountain gorillas, energetic chimpanzees and other primates. The country’s bird checklist tops 1,000, including the much sought-after shoebill. It is also home to a huge variety of mammals, such as lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes and more.
Uganda is a fantastic destination for an active safari. Guests can get out of the vehicle to trek primates, enjoy walking safaris, view the country’s natural wonders and wildlife from the water, enjoy adrenaline sports like whitewater rafting and climb some of the continent’s most challenging peaks. The country’s friendly people are the icing on the cake, greeting visitors with traditional African hospitality and offering diverse cultural interactions.
Uganda is best known for gorilla trekking, but travelers who are open to spending more time exploring the country will be richly rewarded. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers game drives, game-viewing boat cruises and walks through its various habitats. Guests can see big game, a vast array of birdlife, and the endemic Ugandan kob (an antelope species).
Kibale National Park offers what is arguably the country’s best chimpanzee trekking, though Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park also offers the chance to see chimps, albeit in more challenging terrain. The remote Kidepo Valley National Park offers a stunning backdrop for wonderful game viewing and is the only park in the country where guests might see cheetah, aardwolf, caracal, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox. The park also offers wonderful hiking, including visiting remote tribes. Hikers will also enjoy time in the Rwenzori Mountains, the Virunga Volcanoes and Mount Elgon. There are even options for serious mountaineers – ask a Journey Specialist about multi-day treks.
And don’t forget all of the water! From East Africa’s adventure capital, Jinja, to the spectacular Murchison Falls and Nile River, being near and on the water offers different ways to see game and enjoy Uganda’s incredible beauty. Murchison Falls National Park offers unforgettable trips on the water to see its eponymous waterfall, as well as adventurous game drives.
These are just some of Uganda’s highlights. With so much to see, it can be difficult to narrow down the right destinations and adventures that are right for you. Here are our top Uganda safari ideas, so you can see some of the country’s best sights in less than two weeks.
Our 10-day Best of Uganda safari hits some of the country’s top highlights. This safari incorporates flying, eliminating many of the longer drives on the itinerary. You will visit several of Uganda’s famed national parks for a diverse experience, including the chance to trek chimpanzees and gorillas. Your Uganda adventure begins in Kibale Forest, where you’ll spend two days trekking chimps, then head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can see some of the 95 recorded mammal species and enjoy a boat excursion that takes you close-up to the world’s largest concentration of hippos. Your safari wraps up with two days of gorilla trekking in the famed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Throughout your safari, you will enjoy unique accommodations like Ndali Lodge, with its incredible vista over Nyinambuga Crater Lake; Ishasha Wilderness Camp with its nicely appointed canvas rooms; and Bwindi Lodge with its luxury bandas and panoramic views.
For a broader look at the region, our Best of East Africa safari gives you the keys to a fantastic adventure through Uganda and Kenya. You will have the chance to see Africa’s sought-after big game, from lions to elephants and more in Kenya, then track endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, all in just 14 days. Picture yourself watching elephants moving through the landscape with Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop; enjoying day and night game drives, horseback riding, camel trekking, fishing, mountain biking and more in Kenya’s Laikipia region; visiting the world-famous Masai Mara with its prolific wildlife and capping off your incredible East Africa adventure with gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will choose from deluxe or luxury accommodations throughout your safari, including Tortilis Camp, Serian – The Original and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
If you don’t have the time to spend a week or two in Uganda, you can always add on a gorilla trekking adventure to a safari elsewhere in East or Southern Africa. Our 4-day Uganda Gorilla Safari gives you the chance to trek to view gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s a breathtaking and captivating wildlife experience! You will follow your team of expert guides and local trackers through the rainforest that protects over half of the world’s remaining gorilla population. You’ll enjoy two days of hiking and up-close encounters with these incredible primates.
From challenging treks to serene boat cruises, Uganda offers beauty and adventure.
Talk with a Journey Specialist to narrow down the right mix of Uganda highlights for your own customized safari, then subscribe to our newsletter below for more safari stories and travel inspiration.
Photos courtesy AAC Livingstone Club member Erin S., AAC Marketing Director Beth McCabe, AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Sara Stark and AAC Senior Journey Specialist Diana Garcia Hernandez