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Uganda

Uganda safaris

Introduction

Uganda is one of Africa's modern success stories. It's rebounded remarkably well since the dark days of Idi Amin's dictatorship in the 1970s and is now a relatively stable and prosperous nation. Ecotourism has played a significant part in this economic turnaround, and taking a safari in one of the East African country's 11 national parks is highly recommended.


Safaris form the basis for most Uganda holidays. Plentiful plant and animal species can be seen in game reserves and national parks, without the tourist crowds found in other parts of Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, for instance, is one of the world's best places to see endangered mountain gorillas, but the size of trekking groups to see these noble primates is strictly managed. The result is an intimate and magical travel experience.

Uganda is a compact country, roughly the same size as the United Kingdom. Yet it has tremendous biodiversity. As well as Bwindi's gorillas and the chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, landlocked Uganda has more than a thousand bird species. This amounts to roughly two-thirds of Africa's birds. Crested cranes, turacos, hoopoes and hornbills are among the species that live among Uganda's lakes, rolling hills and verdant forests. Elephants, giraffes, hippos and Nile crocodiles are other animals to look out for during a safari holiday.

Visiting the source of the Nile at Jinja, close to Lake Victoria, is another Uganda travel highlight. It can be combined with a white-water rafting trip, taking in the view of the powerful Murchison Falls on the way. The snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains are another striking geographical feature of a country once described by Winston Churchill as the "pearl of Africa".

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
8 hours

Time zone
GMT +3

Currency
Uganda shilling (USh)

Language
English

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

Top itineraries in Uganda

Gorilla, Bwindi Forest

Gorilla and Chimpanzees with Volcanoes Safaris

9-day tailor-made holiday from £10,355 pp incl. flights

An encounter with Rwanda's mountain gorilla's is a truly life-changing experience. Trekking through the jungle of the Parc National des Volcans for an audience with these magnificent creatures is something that will certainly live long in the memory. It's all wrapped up in a luxury tailor-made tour.

Chimpanzee, Uganda

Best of Uganda and Rwanda

14-day tailor-made holiday from £15,330 pp incl. flights

This in-depth independent tour takes in the the highlights of Uganda and Rwanda, offering several chances to meet the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Top places to stay in Uganda

Fire, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Uganda

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest

Small & intimate tented camp

Try your hand at gorilla tracking in the UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in southwest Uganda.

Bwindi Lodge, Uganda (© Sinamatella)

Bwindi Lodge, Uganda

Small & intimate lodge

With views out across the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this stylish lodge is a spectacular base from which to track and meet Uganda's population of mountain gorillas.

Where to go in Uganda

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is the smallest in Uganda, but provides an important habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular park in Uganda and certainly the most scenic. Stretching from the cratered foothills of the Rwenzori ranges in the north, it extends along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south.

Lake Bunyonyi

Uganda has been called a land of lakes, because almost a third of the country is covered by water. Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, dominates the southern border of the country, while Lakes Edward and Albert lie to the west.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale is another of Uganda's superb wildlife-viewing areas. The big draw here is primates, with the greatest variety and concentration of primates in East Africa to be found within the boundaries of Kibale Forest National Park.

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Uganda articles

  • How to track gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda

    There's nothing quite like coming eyeball to eyeball with some of our closest living relatives in their natural environment. Here is our comprehensive guide to tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda.

  • Walking with Elephants, Sanctuary Retreats

    Walking with Wildlife

    See how you can get close to extraordinary wildlife and enjoy unique encounters when staying with Sanctuary Retreats.

  • Charley Boorman - 5 places that changed me

    Charley Boorman, one of the most popular modern TV adventurers, tells us about the five places he has travelled to that changed his life and that make him tick.

  • How to take better photographs on safari

    Natural beauty is often the inspiration for compelling photographs. Taking pictures of wildlife whilst on safari can be thrilling and creatively rewarding. Whether it's the quest to capture lions, leopards or lemurs, the quest for the perfect picture is endless!

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Meet our Uganda experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0611

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0611 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected