Country

Trips to Uganda

Where mountain gorillas and the Nile share the same red-earth road

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Few countries pack so much into so little space.

Your Uganda trip, built around you
Tailor-made

Your Uganda trip, built around you

Tell us how you want to travel — pace, parks, lodges, travel dates — and we'll put together a Uganda itinerary that fits. Every trip we organise is different, because every traveller is.

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Ten metres from a silverback
Uganda

Ten metres from a silverback

The undergrowth opens and there it is — a silverback mountain gorilla, close enough to hear him breathe. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest holds roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas, and no amount of preparation quite readies you for the moment you find them.

The Nile starts right here

The Nile starts right here

At Jinja, where Lake Victoria tips into the Nile, you can be on the water by morning — kayaking, rafting or simply watching the current that will travel 6,000 kilometres north. It's the kind of thing that sounds like a detour and ends up being the highlight of the trip.

Lions sleep in trees here

Lions sleep in trees here

In the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, lions have taken to lying in fig trees — an oddity even by African standards. A morning game drive here, followed by a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel with hippos and elephants on the bank, is Uganda safari at its most complete.

How Turaco Trails puts Uganda together

  1. 01

    Permits secured for you

    Gorilla permits must be booked through a licensed operator — they can't be bought at the gate. We handle the Uganda Wildlife Authority bookings so your trekking date is confirmed before you fly.

  2. 02

    Private 4x4 throughout

    Public transport on Ugandan roads is unreliable and road safety is a real concern. Every trip we organise uses a private vehicle and driver — safer, more flexible, and right for the terrain.

  3. 03

    Trips for couples, families and groups

    From honeymoon pacing at lakeside lodges to multi-generational family trips and group expeditions, we tailor the mix of parks, activities and lodges to whoever is travelling.

We plan your trip to Uganda

We help you choose how, when and for how long.

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Guide

What to see in Uganda: the national parks and beyond

Uganda is compact enough to combine several very different landscapes in one trip. Forest, savanna, volcanic highlands and the great lakes all sit within a few days' drive of each other.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
01

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The main reason most international visitors come to Uganda. Bwindi's dense afromontane forest is home to roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas, spread across four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Treks are available year-round, though dry-season trails are considerably easier underfoot.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga is a longer, more physically demanding full-day option — suited to travellers who want to spend more time with a group that is still being accustomed to human presence.

Queen Elizabeth National Park
02

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Classic savanna safari territory in western Uganda: game drives, buffalo, elephants and the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise — where hippos and elephants come to drink at the water's edge — is one of the most rewarding two hours you can spend in any African park.

Most Uganda itineraries pair Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi; the two parks are a few hours' drive apart.

Kibale Forest & chimpanzees
03

Kibale Forest & chimpanzees

Kibale Forest National Park gives you the other great primate encounter: chimpanzee tracking through dense forest, watching troops move, feed and call. It's a very different experience from gorilla trekking — faster, noisier, more unpredictable.

Kibale is often included on the way between Fort Portal and the south, fitting naturally into a circuit that also covers Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi.

Murchison Falls
04

Murchison Falls

Uganda's largest national park, in the north, centres on a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed: the full force of the Nile forcing itself through a gorge just seven metres wide. Boat trips to the base of the falls and game drives on the north bank are the core activities; the park also has good populations of giraffe, elephant and lion.

Murchison makes most sense as a northern extension or as a dedicated trip — the drive from Kampala is long but increasingly well-routed.

Kidepo Valley
05

Kidepo Valley

As far north-east as Uganda goes, Kidepo Valley is deliberately remote — and that's entirely the point. Lions, cheetahs and ostriches range across open savanna ringed by mountains, and the Karamojong culture of the surrounding communities adds a layer you won't find in any other park. Come here if you want space, silence and no other vehicles on the track.

Lake Bunyonyi & Jinja
06

Lake Bunyonyi & Jinja

Lake Bunyonyi in the southwest — one of Africa's deepest lakes — is the natural place to slow down before or after Bwindi: canoe between islands, read on a lodge veranda, let the altitude cool the air. At the other end of the country, Jinja on Lake Victoria is where the Nile begins, and where you can spend a day white-water rafting or kayaking before flying home from Entebbe.

When to travel to Uganda

Uganda sits on the equator and is warm year-round, but the two dry seasons make a real difference to trail conditions and comfort.

June to September
Peak season: dry trails, best gorilla trekking conditions, warm days around 25°C in the parks. Bwindi drops to around 13°C at night — pack a layer.
December to February
The short dry season is quieter than June–September with similar conditions. A good window for families during the school holidays and couples avoiding peak-season crowds.
March to May
Long rainy season: trails are muddy and slippery, and lodges offer lower rates. The upside is fewer visitors and, for Kibale, this is actually considered optimal for chimpanzee tracking.
October to November
Short rains bring lush, green landscapes and discounted permits at some lodges. Wildlife is plentiful but gorilla trails can be challenging. Good for photographers who want light and colour.
Before you travel to Uganda

Before you travel to Uganda

Visa
UK and US citizens need an e-Visa (no visa on arrival). Apply at visas.immigration.go.ug — at least 10 days before travel.
Language
English is the official language and widely spoken. Luganda and Swahili are also common.
Currency
Ugandan Shilling (UGX). USD, GBP and EUR exchange easily locally. Traveller's cheques not accepted.
Time zone
UTC+3: 3 hours ahead of UK (GMT), 8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
Electricity
Type G plugs (same as UK), 240V/50Hz. US travellers need a plug adapter and voltage converter for non-dual-voltage devices.
Health & vaccines
Yellow fever certificate strongly advised (immigration checks at entry). Hepatitis A/B, typhoid and malaria prophylaxis recommended.
Getting there
No direct flights from UK or US. UK: ~11.5 hrs via hubs (Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dubai, Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Brussels, Frankfurt).

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Uganda

Do I need a visa for Uganda as a UK or US citizen?
Yes — both UK and US citizens need an e-Visa; there is no visa on arrival. Apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug at least ten days before you travel. Print the approval letter and barcode, as a phone screen is not always accepted at immigration. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost, and how do I book one?
Permits cannot be purchased at the gate — they must be booked through a licensed tour operator.
When is the best time to go to Uganda for gorilla trekking?
The two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — give you the best trail conditions. The long dry season (June–September) is peak season for a reason: dry paths, clear skies and comfortable temperatures. December to February is quieter and suits families travelling over the school holidays. Both rainy seasons still allow trekking but trails can be slippery.
Is Uganda safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble-free. The main national parks are well-managed tourist destinations. The US State Department has issued a 'Reconsider Travel' advisory; travellers should pay attention to the western border area near the DRC, where armed groups are active. Scams targeting travellers online are also common — use licensed operators and book through trusted channels.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Uganda?
Uganda requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate from all arrivals aged nine months and over, and immigration genuinely checks at the border. Bring your original certificate. Beyond entry requirements, the CDC also recommends Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and malaria prophylaxis — consult a travel health clinic well before departure.
How long is the flight from the UK or US?
From the UK, flight time to Entebbe is around 11.5 hours, though you'll connect at a hub — there are no direct flights. Airlines including Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, KLM, Turkish Airlines and British Airways codeshares serve the route. From the US, there's no direct service either; travellers typically connect via Dubai, Doha, Amsterdam or Nairobi.
How does Uganda compare to Rwanda for gorilla trekking?
The trade-off is travel time: Uganda's parks are further from Kigali than Rwanda's are, and the roads take longer. Rwanda is slicker and quicker; Uganda is rawer and more varied — most gorilla itineraries also include chimp tracking and savanna safari.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
The minimum age is 15 years old. Park authorities may use discretion for private family groups, but this is not guaranteed. If you're travelling with teenagers, check the age rule when booking permits. Families with younger children can still enjoy chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls.

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