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Introducing Uganda

Discover the best of Uganda.
Uganda is friendly, fascinating, and full of adventure. It's here that travelers walk through the mist, tracking mountain gorillas in their remote natural habitat. It's also here that you can canoe the biggest lake in Africa, bungee jump over the Nile, and observe wildlife in 10 national parks. Plus, traveling to this region is easier than ever before—citizens of a number of countries can obtain an East Africa Tourist Visa online prior to arrival.

When is the best time to visit?
Uganda has a tropical climate, meaning there's a chance of rain no matter what time of year you visit. There are technically "dry" and "wet" seasons—which unsurprisingly align with the high and low seasons for tourism. You'll find the driest conditions from June-September, prime time for gorilla trekking on mud-free trails. The heaviest rains fall from March-May and October-December. January and February are the hottest months of the year. 

Where should you go?
It may be a landlocked country, but you won't have time to miss the beach—Uganda is a land of adventurous, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Perhaps the most unique and sought-after activity is trekking among the famed gorillas of the Virunga Mountains, available in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You can also see the "Big 5" on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, tour coffee farms, or spend time in a Batwa Pygmy village. 

Uganda's other claim to fame is Lake Victoria—Africa's largest lake, and the largest tropical lake in the world with a surface area of over 26,000 sq. miles. Go on a guided sport fishing expedition, explore the lake by canoe, or simply lounge at the beach. Did we mention that the Nile River originates in Uganda, too? Its banks provide countless opportunities to observe wildlife and get wild yourself—whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, and sport fishing are all available. 

How many days should you spend?
With 5 days in Uganda, travelers should prioritize visiting the gorillas. You can visit Bwindi for two days of gorilla trekking, plus a boat trip and safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Double that timeframe, and your options double along with it. In ten days, you can start with a Murchison Falls National Park safari and a Nile Delta boat trip, continue to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking and more safari time in Queen Elizabeth, and cap it off with the gorillas of Bwindi. Two weeks is equally easy to fill—add a visit to Jinja for whitewater rafting and two days in the Kidepo Valley.

Uganda Travel Insights

Murchison Falls
Map of Explore the Nature and Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days
Explore the Nature and Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days

With just over a week in Uganda, you can see most of the country's highlights. You'll visit incredible national parks like Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You'll track rhinos, seek out gorillas and chimpanzees, and take a boat ride to the roaring Murchison Falls — it's all on this exciting itinerary.

Gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Map of Gorillas and Big Game Safari - 6 Days
Gorillas and Big Game Safari - 6 Days

Fall in love with the wild landscapes of Uganda and the animals that live in them on this 6-day adventure. Keep an eye out for lions, elephants, and more as you explore two national parks and enjoy safaris on both land and water. You'll also spend a day tracking a family of mountain gorillas through the forest for an unforgettable experience.

Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Map of Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days
Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days

If you've ever wanted to see and photograph gorillas in the wild, this trip is for you! Seek out silverbacks, harvest coffee with the locals, and hike into a volcanic crater as you travel through three African countries. Immerse yourself in several distinctive local cultures for the trip of a lifetime.

Mountain Gorilla in Uganda
Map of Gorilla Trek in Uganda - 3 Days
Gorilla Trek in Uganda - 3 Days

Head from Kigali into a UNESCO Natural World Heritage park to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat with this itinerary. You'll follow a ranger into the jungle of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet these endangered animals in their home along the western Rift Valley.

Wild Gorilla in Uganda
Map of Uganda National Parks: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi - 8 days
Uganda National Parks: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi - 8 days

On this 8-day tour, you will be visiting some of Uganda's incredible national parks. Begin at Kibale Forest National Park, where you will track chimpanzees and go bird-watching at a wetland preserve. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for land and water safaris. You'll see elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalos, crocodiles, and more! End with the experience of a lifetime: seeing wild mountain gorillas up-close at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Wild mountain gorillas at Bwindi
Map of Uganda Mountain Gorilla Adventure: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - 4 Days
Uganda Mountain Gorilla Adventure: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - 4 Days

Head deep into the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.  Located in southwestern Uganda, its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of the country's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. The purpose of your excursion will be to see wild mountain gorillas, one of the most endangered great ape species on the planet. Expert park rangers will guide you into the forest and help you interact with the gorillas in a responsible and environmentally-friendly way.

Uganda Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Uganda map: Explore the Nature and Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days
Explore the Nature and Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days
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Uganda map: Gorillas and Big Game Safari - 6 Days
Gorillas and Big Game Safari - 6 Days
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Uganda map: Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days
Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Uganda
Travel specialist Lucy Berndt
active 11 hours ago

Lucy Berndt

Mother, wife, traveller and dreamer! Having travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa, I know the importance of logistics and selecting the right product offerings. Southern Africa...

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Travel specialist Joseph Thuo
active 10 hours ago

Joseph Thuo

Born and raised in Kenya, in the land of the Maasai (Narok), I started traveling extensively around the country back in College, exploring unique destinations and cultural experiences one after...

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Travel specialist Petru van Zyl
active 9 hours ago

Petru van Zyl

I started in the travel industry in August 1998 and have 21 years experience as a travel consultant. I am a senior consultant who specializes in FIT travel, group travel, VIP clients, luxury...

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Travel specialist Agnes Mirembe
active 1 day ago

Agnes Mirembe

I am passionate about tourism and conservation in my country Uganda and East Africa as a whole. I made sure i travel to most of the tourism attractions so as to sell them well to the people from...

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Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Uganda

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Absolutely perfect! Didn’t have to worry ab...
Uganda | Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2021

Manar
Manar A.
Kuwait | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2022

Absolutely perfect!

Didn’t have to worry about any arrangements. The hotels were exactly what we wanted. Every single hotel was more beautiful than the next. Truly a dream holiday!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo

Phenomenal Trip! 18-Day Trip to Uganda
Uganda | Jul 31 - Aug 17, 2021

N
Nancy L.
Phoenixville, PA | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2021

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. ... read more

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. To anyone on the fence of visiting Uganda - Just go! You won't regret it.

Upon arrival to Uganda, we were greeted by Agnes and Nasser. These two took care of our every want and needs. Besides the game drives, we asked for cultural experiences. Each day was exciting and we always looked forward to the next day.

Activities we did:
Jinja - Sunset boat ride to Source of the Nile
Game drive of Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Ride to Murchison Falls, also went to the Top of the Falls
Ziwa Rhino Santuary
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Game drive of Lake Mburo National Park
Long Horned Cattle Milking
Water safari on the Kazinga Channel
Chimpanzee trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Gorilla Tracking
Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience
Tour of a private school with boarding and converse with head teacher
Stopped at the Equator
Tour in Kampala - Idi Amin Torture Chamber
Craft markets
Searched for Shoebill bird
Toured Entebbe arboretum
Local community village experience

I could go on and on about our time in Uganda. Loved every minute of our time there and we were sad to leave. Again, thank you, Taf, for organizing this trip. Thank you, Agnes, for accommodating us on the trip. And thank you, Nasser, for guiding and driving us around the entire time.

Local specialist: Taf Chindove
Taf
Taf Chindove
Local specialist in South Africa | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2021

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this... read more

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this trip and thank you for your patience during these uncertain times.

All the best and warm regards to you both
Taf

Gorillas, safari and new Ugandan familia :)
Uganda | May 12 - May 18, 2021

Ivette
Ivette C.
| Reviewed on Jun 03, 2021

Long story short, I have planned this trip since last year but as we all know covid; came along and things got cancelled. My initial contact was Anne; which now I consider her as part of my family. She always responded to my questions and she took time from her busy schedule to meet me at the airport. My journey started with Bob; which he was a great guide. I am a solo female traveler and I never felt unsafe. I had a wonderful experience trekking for the silver back gorillas; it’s a feeling... read more

Long story short, I have planned this trip since last year but as we all know covid; came along and things got cancelled. My initial contact was Anne; which now I consider her as part of my family. She always responded to my questions and she took time from her busy schedule to meet me at the airport. My journey started with Bob; which he was a great guide. I am a solo female traveler and I never felt unsafe. I had a wonderful experience trekking for the silver back gorillas; it’s a feeling you need to experience on your own. The entire team tracking the gorillas and guides were amazing. Never seen how well a group of people worked together in such a remote location to facilitate a great experience. After the trekking I had a wonderful time with game drives, another kudos for Bob because he carries binoculars with him, books of the native animals and he’s well experience and communicates with others within the parks to get you to see more wild life. The accommodations were great, the staff members, the food and service were outstanding; taking in consideration these places are in the middle of nowhere. Driving was fun and relaxing; enjoying the African massage and enjoying the views of various people & scenery. At the end of my trip, I had some discrepancies with CoVid and I had to stay in Uganda. Luckily, I had a best friend at the end of my journey and I was able to get my situation under control and I finalized my trip. Thanks to everyone that made this possible in such a difficult time to travel. Totally recommend!!!

Local specialist: Anne Nakure
Anne
Anne Nakure
Local specialist in Kampala, Uganda | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2021

Dear Ivette,
Thank so much for your great review.
It was an absolute pleasure having you in Uganda.
We look forward to hosting you again.
Best regards,
Anne