Custom travel to Uganda

Nicknamed 'the pearl of Africa' by Winston Churchill, Uganda is a landlocked East African country of 47 million people, 9-12 h of flight with a stopover from Paris. Its landscapes span savannas, jungles, equatorial lakes and the snow-capped Rwenzori peaks (5,109 m). Above all, it is THE world destination for mountain gorillas: 460 of the 1,063 individuals remaining worldwide live in Bwindi, a UNESCO-listed primary forest. Approaching a gorilla family at 7 m and meeting the gaze of a 200-kg silverback is the most moving experience in African safari. Add Queen Elizabeth with its tree-climbing lions, Murchison Falls where the Nile rushes through a 7-m-wide gorge, Kibale with its 1,500 chimpanzees, and the Nile's source at Jinja. A pure-nature destination, medium-high prices, unforgettable.

Highlights

• Gorilla trekking at UNESCO Bwindi (460 individuals)
• Queen Elizabeth: tree-climbing lions
• Murchison Falls: spectacular Nile gorge
• Nile source at Jinja (Lake Victoria)
• Chimpanzees at Kibale Forest
• Virunga volcanoes (Rwanda border)

Sample itineraries

When to go

June-September and December-February are the best periods (dry seasons, more practicable gorilla trails, better wildlife observation). Avoid April-May and October-November (rainy seasons, very muddy jungle, more arduous gorilla treks, some lodges closed in 'emerging' season). Uganda is on equator, temperate climate year-round (15-30 °C average).

• Main dry season (June – September), All parks open, easy gorilla trekking
• Secondary dry season (December – February), Gorilla trekking, safari, popular period
• Short rains (not recommended) (October – November), Migratory birds, animal births
• Long rains (not recommended) (April – May), Very difficult gorilla trekking

Practical information

Safe in tourist areas (Kampala center, Entebbe, parks, lodges). Watch the DRC and South Sudan borders, unstable; Bwindi borders the DRC but the Ugandan side is fully secured. Avoid Karamoja (northeast, inter-ethnic conflicts). Mandatory e-visa online before departure ($50 single, $100 East Africa Tourist Visa Uganda+Kenya+Rwanda). Yellow fever vaccine mandatory, antimalarial essential, avoid tap water. Cards accepted in premium lodges and Kampala, cash elsewhere. English omnipresent. Tipping: $15-$20/day for gorilla porters, $10/day for rangers, $5-$10/day for lodge staff.

Frequently asked questions

When?

Uganda can be visited year-round thanks to its temperate equatorial climate (15-30 °C), but June-September and December-February remain the two most favorable dry seasons: Bwindi's trails are more practicable, gorilla treks less muddy, and wildlife viewing at Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls is at its best. December-February is also the warmest period (18-30 °C) and the most popular for safari. Avoid April-May and October-November, the two rainy seasons: Bwindi's jungle becomes very muddy, gorilla treks more arduous (slippery ground over mountainous 1,800-2,600 m terrain), and some lodges close in the 'emerging' season. These quieter months do offer lower prices and migratory bird watching plus animal births.

How long?

10 days is the typical length for the essential itinerary: Entebbe, Murchison Falls (2 nights, Nile gorge and boat safari), Kibale (1 night, chimpanzees), Queen Elizabeth (2 nights, tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel), Bwindi (3 nights, 1-2 gorilla treks). Allow 12 days to combine with neighboring Rwanda (4 gorilla treks across 2 countries, distinct Virunga sub-populations, Uganda permit $800 + Rwanda $1,500). For the complete 14-day version, add Lake Bunyonyi (safe swimming, no hippos or crocodiles) and Jinja, the Nile's source (Class 5 rafting). The long distances between parks (8-10 h by road) make it worth prioritizing Aerolink domestic flights to save time on a shorter stay.

Budget?

Expect at least €5,800 per person for 10 days in the Comfort tier (4★ lodges at Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kibale, 1 gorilla trek + 1 chimpanzee trek included, excluding international flights). The Premium tier starts at €9,500 for 10-12 days (Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Bakers Lodge, 2 gorilla treks included). The Exclusive tier from €15,000 adds the Bwindi Habituation Experience (4 h with gorillas, $1,500) and a Rwanda combination. The gorilla trekking permit ($800/person) and Kibale chimpanzee permit ($250/person) mainly explain the destination's medium-high positioning: they directly fund conservation. Add €1,100-€1,500 for a Paris-Entebbe round-trip with a stopover (Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines).

Visa?

The e-visa is mandatory for EU, UK, US and Canadian citizens, to be requested online before departure (allow several days for processing). Two options: the single-entry visa at $50, valid for Uganda only, or the East Africa Tourist Visa at $100, valid 90 days and allowing free travel between Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, particularly useful if combining gorilla treks in both countries. The yellow fever vaccine is also mandatory (certificate required on entry), and antimalarial treatment is essential.

Gorilla trekking: level required?

Good walker (2-8-h walk in dense jungle, mountainous terrain 1,800-2,600 m, muddy ground). From age 15 (strict UWA limit). $800 permit to book 6-12 months in advance.

Family?

Gorilla trekking from age 15 (strict UWA). Before: 4×4 safari, Murchison boat safari, tree-climbing lions. Family lodges available.

How to get around?

Aerolink Cessna domestic flights are strongly recommended for long distances: Entebbe-Bwindi (1 h), Entebbe-Murchison (1.5 h), Entebbe-Queen Elizabeth (1 h), versus 8-10 h by road for the same routes. Inside the parks, a safari 4×4 with an English-speaking ranger is standard for game drives and lodge transfers. Main roads between towns are paved, but lodge access tracks can be in poor condition, making a 4×4 essential there. Self-drive car rental is not recommended outside major towns.

Safety in Uganda?

Safe in tourist areas (Kampala center, Entebbe, parks, lodges). Vigilance DRC and South Sudan borders. Avoid Karamoja (northeastern region).

Combine?

Yes: Uganda + Rwanda (gorillas 2 countries, practical East Africa Tourist Visa), Uganda + Kenya (Masai Mara), Uganda + Tanzania (Serengeti, Kilimanjaro).

Tips?

Essential for gorilla porters ($15-$20/day, former poachers reconverted, major income source), rangers ($10/day), lodge staff ($5-$10/day).

How to pay: card or cash?

US dollars (USD) are widely accepted throughout Uganda, notably for trekking permits and lodge payments, but also carry some Ugandan shillings (UGX) for small local expenses (markets, tips). Credit cards are accepted at premium lodges and in Kampala, but cash remains essential elsewhere, especially in rural areas and for tipping (rangers, porters, lodge staff). Bring recent USD bills (post-2009) in good condition, as older or damaged notes are often refused.

What to pack for gorilla trekking?

For gorilla trekking at Bwindi, pack: long trousers and a long-sleeve shirt (protection against nettles and dense vegetation), waterproof high-top hiking shoes (muddy mountain terrain, 1,800-2,600 m), light gardening gloves, gaiters if possible, a rain cape, and a waterproof daypack. A Type G adapter is needed for power outlets (240 V). Add antimalarial treatment, sunscreen, insect repellent, and good binoculars for wildlife viewing at Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Porters (recommended, around $15-$20) can carry your bag during the trek.