Luxury Uganda Tours & Safaris

There are actually two places you can see the gorillas in Uganda. The most popular to visit is Bwindi National Park which is located in the south-western part of the country. Bwindi sits on the edge of the African Rift Valley and is part of the Virguna Mountains which cover Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bwindi is home to approximately 400 mountain gorillas and is one of the most reliable places to see the habituated gorilla groups. The other place to see gorillas in Uganda is Mghahinga National Park which is further south. There is only one habituated gorilla family in Mghahinga but ten in Bwindi. Both are easily accessed by light aircraft or safari vehicle.

Home to over 1,000 species of birds, Uganda is one of the best countries on the African continent for birdlife. The forests and savannahs are home to both native and migratory birds and, with some very rare species here, it is no wonder that Uganda is high on the list for bird enthusiasts. Found in the Mabamba Swamps and other remote swamps across Uganda is the shoebill. This prehistoric looking bird can stand at a height of 140cm and has a wingspan of up to 260cm! Along with the shoebill, other iconic birds to see in Uganda include the pygmy kingfisher and the grey crowned crane.

Uganda is famous for the mountain gorillas, and rightly so. With only three places on Earth to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat, it’s no wonder that a gorilla trek is the focal point of an Uganda safari. That said, the country offers so much more. As well as the gorillas, the country is home to a wealth of primates including chimpanzees, golden monkeys and olive baboons. Uganda also has several safari destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Park which offer sightings of hippo, lion, crocodile, elephant and antelope aplenty. Kidepo is a remote park in northern Uganda and as a result, it has a very dry savannah landscape so species like cheetah can thrive here. The rest of Uganda is noticeabley very green and lush.

This depends on what you are including in your Uganda trip. If you are visiting Uganda for the gorillas alone, then 3-4 days should be efficient. This gives you time to fly into Bwindi, enjoy either one or two gorilla treks (one per day), then fly back to Entebbe for your connecting flight. If you are combining multiple national parks like Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest for the chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari, then I would say a 10-night trip would be a good option. The national parks are concentrated in the western part of Uganda so you will often do a driving itinerary with a private vehicle and guide to take you between the parks.

Absolutely, yes. Although the country is known for its primate experiences, Uganda does offer some great safari opportunities. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the south-western part of Uganda and, because of its location between Kibale and Bwindi, it is one of the most-visited safari destinations in the country. On a safari here, you’ll see buffalo, elephant, antelope, monkeys and a wealth of birdlife. You will also get the opportunity to see the famous ‘climbing lions’ which are located in the southern sector of Ishasha. These lions have unique behavior patterns and spend the majority of the days asleep in the treetops. Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park are also good options for a safari in Uganda but they are more remote, so combining them in an itinerary can be added on time and cost.