Several lions lounge across the branches of a sprawling tree, their bodies draped over limbs above the grass.

Warmly-hosted, joyful journeys that blend gorilla trekking and classic game drives with white water thrills.

Your adventure begins

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, Impenetrable Forest, safari, adrenaline adventure, and cheery hospitality

Why visit Uganda?

Uganda is an Eden of rainforest and lush vegetation, balanced by sweeping grasslands, shimmering lakes, and winding rivers. This remarkable diversity of habitats creates an ideal sanctuary for an extraordinary range of wildlife — from primates and big cats to plains game and prolific birdlife.

Most notably, Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and is one of the few places on Earth where you can encounter them in their natural habitat. Beyond gorilla trekking, the country boasts more than a dozen other primate species, including chimpanzees. When you’ve had your fill of forest adventures, the savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls await. Here, traditional game drives are complemented by boat safaris—an experience far less common elsewhere in East Africa—offering a fresh perspective on wildlife along the water’s edge.

Uganda, your way

Your bespoke Uganda safari will be a richly layered journey through one of Africa’s most diverse and soul-stirring landscapes.

Sketch of an Eastern chimpanzee.
Eastern chimpanzee

Thoughtfully crafted by a dedicated Uganda destination specialist, you might spend splendid days gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, cruising the Kazinga Channel on a boat safari, or watching wildlife gather across the golden plains of Kidepo Valley National Park. Each day flows naturally into the next, unhurried and immersive. Throughout your time in Uganda, you’ll be warmly hosted, embraced by the bright spirit and genuine hospitality that make this country so deeply memorable.

Why visit Uganda?

Uganda is an Eden of rainforest and lush vegetation, balanced by sweeping grasslands, shimmering lakes, and winding rivers. This remarkable diversity of habitats creates an ideal sanctuary for an extraordinary range of wildlife — from primates and big cats to plains game and prolific birdlife.

Most notably, Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and is one of the few places on Earth where you can encounter them in their natural habitat. Beyond gorilla trekking, the country boasts more than a dozen other primate species, including chimpanzees. When you’ve had your fill of forest adventures, the savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls await. Here, traditional game drives are complemented by boat safaris—an experience far less common elsewhere in East Africa—offering a fresh perspective on wildlife along the water’s edge.

Uganda, your way

Your bespoke Uganda safari will be a richly layered journey through one of Africa’s most diverse and soul-stirring landscapes.

Thoughtfully crafted by a dedicated Uganda destination specialist, you might spend splendid days gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, cruising the Kazinga Channel on a boat safari, or watching wildlife gather across the golden plains of Kidepo Valley National Park. Each day flows naturally into the next, unhurried and immersive. Throughout your time in Uganda, you’ll be warmly hosted, embraced by the bright spirit and genuine hospitality that make this country so deeply memorable.

Our first African adventure was an absolute dream, and guess what? We're officially hooked! Extraordinary Journeys planned everything flawlessly, giving us just the right amount of time to soak in the stunning beauty of each location.

Kelly Freitas, 2025 Traveler

A wooden sailboat rests on calm water at sunset, with two people on deck and a green shoreline in the distance.

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Is a Uganda safari right for you?

For travelers who want variety with a wild, intimate edge, Uganda delivers a safari that shifts beautifully between rainforest and open savannah. You can trek to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat, then switch gears to classic game drives and boat safaris on places like the Nile at Murchison Falls or the channels of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What to expect on a Uganda luxury safari 

Every Extraordinary Journey is bespoke, deeply personal, and designed to uncover the unexpected beauty that makes a destination come alive

Memorable accommodations

Luxury safari lodges in Uganda lean character-rich, and joyful. Many occupy extraordinary settings, perched along crater rims, tucked beside riverbanks, or hidden at the forest’s edge, with design that embraces natural materials and open-air living. Broadly speaking, Uganda’s properties favor proximity to wilderness and heartfelt hospitality over architectural spectacle, creating stays that feel immersive, personal, and deeply connected to place.

Carefully considered wilderness

Uganda’s wilderness is richly varied, unfolding across mist-draped mountain forests, rolling savannahs, shimmering crater lakes, and the powerful Nile River. Parks such as Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls offer classic game viewing, complemented by water-based wildlife encounters that remain surprisingly rare elsewhere in East Africa.

Expert guides

Whatever you’re seeking from your time in Uganda, you’ll have friendly and knowledgeable, English-speaking guides connecting you to the destination in a meaningful way. Uganda’s guides are outstanding naturalists and trackers, especially in the forests where reading primate behavior and navigating steep, humid terrain is both art and science.

When is the best time to visit Uganda?

Straddling the equator, Uganda is a year-round destination, as there is little fluctuation in temperature (average temps in the 80’s, although cooler at night in the higher altitudes – which can be up to 7,500 feet above sea level). It can be quite humid, especially in the mountainous areas where you do your gorilla and chimp trekking.

Peak season in terms of best weather and popularity is July through early September and again in late December through February. During peak season, gorilla permits can sell out, so it’s best to plan in advance.

October is a “secret season” with great rates at select lodges and lovely weather.

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Where to go in Uganda

Explore Uganda’s most extraordinary regions, from primate-rich rainforests to the Nile’s dramatic river landscapes

Kibale Forest National Park

A scenic tableau of lush rainforest, grasslands, and wetlands, Kibale Forest National Park offers some of Uganda’s best chimpanzee trekking. Home to 12 other primate species and exceptional birdlife, the forest invites hours of exploration beneath its verdant canopy. Though chimpanzee sightings are never guaranteed, success rates are high: around 95 percent. The hiking here is also considerably gentler than gorilla trekking in Bwindi, allowing you to move comfortably through the forest and fully absorb the sights and sounds of this remarkable ecosystem.

Uganda safari FAQs

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