African Safari in Uganda: What I Learned

Going on an African safari in Uganda was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve done safaris in other countries too, but Uganda felt different—raw, green, unpredictable in the best way. If you're considering an African safari in Uganda, I hope what I learned from my own trip can help you plan better, pack smarter, and avoid some of the rookie mistakes I made.

I went in thinking it would be similar to Kenya or South Africa, but Uganda brings its own pace, its own challenges, and some serious rewards—like tracking mountain gorillas in misty forests and spotting tree-climbing lions in the wild. Here’s a real-world look at what stood out to me, what I’d do differently, and why I’d absolutely go back.

Key Points

• Don’t underestimate the road travel—distances are short but driving is slow and rough. Fly between parks if budget allows.
• Book your gorilla trekking permits early. They sell out fast and are non-negotiable for the experience.
• Be ready for a wilder, less polished safari vibe. It’s less commercialized than places like Kruger or the Serengeti—and that’s a good thing.

Safari in Uganda: My Real-World Experience

My safari in Uganda took me across Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Each place had its own flavor. Queen Elizabeth had the classic savanna game drives and boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel. Murchison Falls surprised me with how dramatic the Nile felt cutting through the landscape. And Bwindi… that was a different level. Trekking through thick jungle for a glimpse of mountain gorillas was physical, muddy, exhausting—and completely unforgettable.

If you’re looking for the polished feel of Kruger National Park or the big game drama of a Tanzania safari, Uganda isn’t that. But it’s not trying to be. It’s wilder, greener, and less curated. That’s part of the appeal.

Uganda Safari Logistics: What Surprised Me

I went into this trip thinking logistics would be straightforward: book a guide, show up, and things would fall into place.

But Uganda has its own rhythm, and some parts of the trip caught me off guard. These were the practical aspects that shaped how the whole safari unfolded for me, stuff I wish I’d known before landing in Entebbe.

Getting Around Is a Journey in Itself

Driving between parks takes time—more time than you'd expect. Even short distances can take five hours because of rough roads, potholes, and weather. If you’re planning multiple parks, consider flying between them when possible. It's not cheap, but it’ll save your sanity. I wish I had known that before budgeting everything around road travel.

Here’s a breakdown of how I moved:

• Kampala to Murchison Falls: 6+ hours
• Murchison to Queen Elizabeth: 9 hours
• Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi: 5+ hours

For first-timers, I’d recommend choosing 2 parks max, especially if you’re on a tighter schedule.

Costs Add Up Quickly

Uganda isn’t the cheapest safari destination, especially once you factor in gorilla permits. You can get a rough idea of overall trip costs in this guide on how much safaris cost. A typical day rate for a private safari vehicle, guide, accommodation, meals, and park fees runs $300–600 per person depending on your comfort level.

Gorilla trekking alone is $700+ per permit. Worth every cent, but plan ahead.

Accommodations Range Widely

I stayed in mid-range safari lodges and tented camps—clean, simple, and close to the parks. Uganda isn’t big on ultra-luxury safari stays yet (though they exist). But that rustic edge honestly made the trip feel more adventurous. You can get a feel for different safari stays across Africa in this African safari hotels guide.

What Makes a Safari in Uganda Unique

Before this trip, I honestly didn’t know how different each safari destination could feel. I assumed it was all a variation of the same experience: drive around, spot some animals, repeat.

But Uganda really reshaped how I think about safaris. It’s not just about seeing animals—it’s about how you see them, the effort it takes, the terrain you move through, and the way it all sticks with you afterward. These weren’t just wildlife sightings—they were full-on immersive experiences that felt earned.

1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This was, without a doubt, the most powerful wildlife experience I’ve ever had.

One of the first things I learned while planning this trip was just how essential a gorilla trekking permit is. It’s your access pass to seeing a habituated gorilla family in the wild, and without it, nothing else happens. These permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and apply to both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

I went through a local tour operator who handled all the details for me, which made things much easier. If you're booking on your own, you’ll need to send in your preferred trekking dates, passport details, and pay via bank transfer. Some permits sell out months in advance—especially during the dry season from June to September and December to February—so it’s worth securing your spot as early as possible. Some travelers even book a year ahead.

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a scanned copy of your permit, and the physical one is handed to you when you arrive. It’s personalized, non-transferable, and you’ll need to show ID at the park headquarters before the trek.

Keep in mind that Bwindi has four trailheads—Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga—and where you trek depends on which sector your permit is tied to. Mgahinga has one gorilla family open to visitors.

Standard permits cost around $700. There’s also a gorilla habituation experience available in Bwindi that lets you spend up to four hours with the gorillas instead of one. It’s more expensive—$1,500—but a deeper experience if you want more time in the forest.

The permit covers the park ranger, your guide, and an hour with the gorillas. It doesn’t include your lodging, meals, or transportation, so I’d recommend organizing your whole safari schedule around your confirmed permit date before finalizing anything else.

2. Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha

I didn’t believe this was real until I saw it myself.

In the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, there’s a pocket of forest where lions climb and lounge in giant fig trees. It's rare behavior only seen in a few parts of Africa, and it felt like stumbling into a wildlife documentary. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll see them, but even just driving through Ishasha felt remote and wild in a way that stuck with me.

If you’re already heading to Bwindi, make sure to route through this area. It was one of those little detours that turned out to be a highlight of the trip.

3. Nile Boat Safari in Murchison Falls

Most safaris follow the same rhythm—early morning game drives, evening drives, repeat. But the boat safari along the Nile in Murchison Falls broke that pattern in the best way. We boarded a small boat and cruised upstream, spotting elephants cooling off on the riverbank, hippos grunting just below the surface, crocodiles basking, and a whole range of birds I never would’ve noticed otherwise.

The boat ride ends at the base of Murchison Falls, which is a pretty dramatic sight in itself—massive volumes of water forced through a narrow rock gap. It gave me a new appreciation for how diverse Uganda’s landscapes are, and it was also one of the most photogenic parts of the trip.

Should You Pick Uganda Over Other Safari Countries?

That depends on what kind of traveler you are. If you want a little more polish, you might lean toward a South Africa safari or Botswana. But if you want something a little more offbeat and full of raw moments, Uganda holds its own.

Here’s a list of other great countries for African safaris if you’re still comparing.

You can also check out more safari destination guides like:

• African safari in Kenya
• African safari in Zambia
• African safari in Namibia
• African safari in Zimbabwe
• African safari in Rwanda