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Introducing Uganda

Discover the best of Uganda.
Uganda is friendly, fascinating, and full of adventure. It's here that travelers walk through the mist, tracking mountain gorillas in their remote natural habitat. It's also here that you can canoe the biggest lake in Africa, bungee jump over the Nile, and observe wildlife in 10 national parks. Plus, traveling to this region is easier than ever before—citizens of a number of countries can obtain an East Africa Tourist Visa online prior to arrival.

When is the best time to visit?
Uganda has a tropical climate, meaning there's a chance of rain no matter what time of year you visit. There are technically "dry" and "wet" seasons—which unsurprisingly align with the high and low seasons for tourism. You'll find the driest conditions from June-September, prime time for gorilla trekking on mud-free trails. The heaviest rains fall from March-May and October-December. January and February are the hottest months of the year. 

Where should you go?
It may be a landlocked country, but you won't have time to miss the beach—Uganda is a land of adventurous, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Perhaps the most unique and sought-after activity is trekking among the famed gorillas of the Virunga Mountains, available in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You can also see the "Big 5" on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, tour coffee farms, or spend time in a Batwa Pygmy village. 

Uganda's other claim to fame is Lake Victoria—Africa's largest lake, and the largest tropical lake in the world with a surface area of over 26,000 sq. miles. Go on a guided sport fishing expedition, explore the lake by canoe, or simply lounge at the beach. Did we mention that the Nile River originates in Uganda, too? Its banks provide countless opportunities to observe wildlife and get wild yourself—whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, and sport fishing are all available. 

How many days should you spend?
With 5 days in Uganda, travelers should prioritize visiting the gorillas. You can visit Bwindi for two days of gorilla trekking, plus a boat trip and safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Double that timeframe, and your options double along with it. In ten days, you can start with a Murchison Falls National Park safari and a Nile Delta boat trip, continue to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking and more safari time in Queen Elizabeth, and cap it off with the gorillas of Bwindi. Two weeks is equally easy to fill—add a visit to Jinja for whitewater rafting and two days in the Kidepo Valley.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 8 days · 10 days

Uganda Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
View down Murchison Falls
Map of Explore the Nature & Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days
Explore the Nature & Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days

With just over a week in Uganda, you can see most of the country's highlights. You'll visit incredible national parks like Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You'll track rhinos, seek out gorillas and chimpanzees, and take a boat ride to the roaring Murchison Falls.

See troops of gorillas eating and socializing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Map of Gorillas & Big Game Safari - 6 Days
Gorillas & Big Game Safari - 6 Days

Fall in love with the wild landscapes of Uganda and the animals that live in them on this six-day adventure. Keep an eye out for lions, elephants, and more as you explore two national parks and enjoy safaris on both land and water. You'll also spend a day tracking a family of mountain gorillas through the forest for an unforgettable experience.

Observe gorillas like this silverback in the dense foliage of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Map of Gorilla Trek in Uganda - 3 Days
Gorilla Trek in Uganda - 3 Days

Head from Kigali into a UNESCO Natural World Heritage park to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat with this itinerary. You'll follow a ranger into the jungle of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet these endangered animals in their home along the western Rift Valley.

See wild elephants and other animals in the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Map of Uganda National Parks: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi - 8 days
Uganda National Parks: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi - 8 days

On this eight-day tour, you will be visiting some of Uganda's incredible national parks. Begin at Kibale Forest National Park, where you will track chimpanzees and go bird-watching at a wetland preserve. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for land and water safaris. You'll see elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, and more! End with the experience of a lifetime: seeing wild mountain gorillas up close at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Seek out gorillas as you hike through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Map of Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days
Gorillas in Uganda & Trekking in The Congo - 8 Days

If you've ever wanted to see and photograph gorillas in the wild, this trip is for you! Seek out silverbacks, harvest coffee with the locals, and hike into a volcanic crater as you travel through three African countries. Immerse yourself in several distinctive local cultures for the trip of a lifetime.

Wild mountain gorillas at Bwindi
Map of Uganda Mountain Gorilla Adventure: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park - 4 Days
Uganda Mountain Gorilla Adventure: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park - 4 Days

Head deep into the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Located in southwestern Uganda, its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of the country's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. The purpose of your excursion will be to see wild mountain gorillas, one of the most endangered great ape species on the planet. Expert park rangers will guide you into the forest and help you interact with the gorillas in a responsible and environmentally-friendly way.

Make the Most of Your Time in Uganda

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
How Many Days to Spend in Uganda

Though you can experience the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park in three to four days to embark on game drives and see abundant birdlife, a week offers a well-rounded trip to...

Enjoy a boat safari on the Nile River from Lake Victoria (its source), Uganda
Map of 5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five short days in Uganda, you can comfortably visit two destinations. Nature lovers should consider gorilla tracking at Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth national parks, while...

Discover Uganda's buzzy capital, Kampala, on a guided city tour
Map of 1 Week in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week in Uganda, you can race around the country, ticking off the must-see sites in Entebbe, Kibale National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a highlights...

Uganda Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
In April, see elephants amble in the rain at the Victoria Nile delta in Murchison National Park
Uganda in April: Travel Tips, Weather & More

April may be the wettest month in Uganda, but if you pack quality rain gear and don't mind bumpy roads, it's a good time to take advantage of the quiet national parks, cheaper...

Our Latest Uganda Content

Enjoy a boat safari on the Nile River from Lake Victoria (its source), Uganda
Map of 5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five short days in Uganda, you can comfortably visit two destinations. Nature lovers should consider gorilla tracking at Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth national parks, while intrepid travelers will want to experience an off-road quad-biking adventure in Jinja. Focus on culture and cuisine while meeting rescued chimps at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or go off the beaten path and observe wildlife in Mgahinga National Park.

A leopard in a tree in Murchison Falls National Park
Map of Uganda Wildlife Adventure: Murchison Falls National Park & Jinja - 5 Days
Uganda Wildlife Adventure: Murchison Falls National Park & Jinja - 5 Days

This five-day adventure takes you through the incredible nature and culture of Uganda. Kickstart your trip with a game drive through Murchison Falls National Park, then take a boat ride to the top of Murchison Falls. Trek to see endangered southern white rhinos in the wild, go quad biking, and savor locally-grown coffee. From cruising to the source of the mighty Nile to exploring the vibrant city of Kampala, you'll get immersed in Uganda's wildlife and culture in a short amount of time.

Get a feel for local life at the fruit and vegetable markets of Uganda
Map of Culture, Cuisine & Chimpanzees in Uganda - 5 Days
Culture, Cuisine & Chimpanzees in Uganda - 5 Days

Embark on a five-day adventure through Uganda's rich culture and cuisine. Start your trip with a tour of a buzzing trading center and sandy beach in Entebbe, then visit the Entanda Initiative, where you'll enjoy an immersive experience with the local cuisine, sports, and herbal medicine. Visit a local school in Matuga, meet the adorable chimpanzees of Ngamba Island, and get hands-on with a cooking class in Kampala and a painting class in the art markets of Entebbe.

Uganda Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Uganda map: 1 Week in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Uganda map: 10 Days in Uganda - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Uganda - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Uganda map: 5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Uganda
Travel specialist Petru van Zyl
active 3 hours ago

Petru van Zyl

I started in the travel industry in August 1998 and have 25 years experience as a travel consultant. I am a senior consultant who specializes in FIT travel, group travel, VIP clients, luxury...

read more...
Travel specialist Agnes Mirembe
active 20 hours ago

Agnes Mirembe

I am passionate about tourism and conservation in my country Uganda and East Africa as a whole. I made sure i travel to most of the tourism attractions so as to sell them well to the people from...

read more...
Travel specialist Nicholas Mwangi
active 3 hours ago

Nicholas Mwangi

It was in my early childhood that my love for traveling really began. I grew up at the slopes of Mount Kenya the second highest Mountain in Africa an area that was rich in biodiversity with many...

read more...

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Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Uganda

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Lucy organised a most fantastic itinerary for...
Uganda | Mar 29 - Apr 13, 2023

D
Dee B.
Australia | Reviewed on May 02, 2023

Lucy organised a most fantastic itinerary for us in Namibia and Mauritius. Nothing was too much trouble in the planning stage and she was very flexible and patient in helping us adjust the details of our trip, answering our queries and choosing the right accommodation. Everything went smoothly once we were there. read more

Lucy organised a most fantastic itinerary for us in Namibia and Mauritius. Nothing was too much trouble in the planning stage and she was very flexible and patient in helping us adjust the details of our trip, answering our queries and choosing the right accommodation. Everything went smoothly once we were there.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel 20 Degrés Sud - Relais & Châteaux
Grand Baie

True luxury boutique hotel with amazing food and wonderful helpful staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Guesthouse Voigtland
Windhoek

Fantastic place to stay in rural setting, with stunning views and charming rooms. The food was also fabulous and the absolute highlight was feeding the resident giraffes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Namib Desert Lodge
Solitaire

Pleasant lodge with great views and friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Atlantic Villa Boutique Guesthouse
Swakopmund

Clean pleasant accommodation but not really boutique (a large complex and part of a conference centre) Quite a distance from city centre

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grootberg Lodge

Remote but Stunning location and character cottages with amazing views very friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel
Windhoek

Luxury hotel with beautifully appointed rooms. Fantastic breakfast Really good restaurants/dining options onsite, but need to book ahead

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Etosha Safari Lodge
Okaukuejo

A Large complex, with Very spacious cottages in lovely grounds. View from our room was great, but would vary depending on which cottage you stay in. fabulous pool with great views. Excellent restaurant area /outdoor dining with buffet meals of good standard

Authenticity & Character
Location
Short drive from Etosha NP
Staff
extremely friendly and helpful staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Peermont D'oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace
Kempton Park

Excellent standard for an airport hotel - a green oasis! Comfortable and opulent decorated rooms. Spacious grounds and pool, and very good restaurants onsite and next door in casino complex

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Lucy Berndt
Lucy
Lucy Berndt
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on May 04, 2023

Dee, thank you so much for this wonderful and helpful review.
I am so pleased you had a great holiday. Was such a pleasure working with you on perfecting this trip!

Absolutely perfect! Didn’t have to worry ab...
Uganda | Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2021

Manar
Manar A.
Kuwait | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2022

Absolutely perfect!

Didn’t have to worry about any arrangements. The hotels were exactly what we wanted. Every single hotel was more beautiful than the next. Truly a dream holiday!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo

Phenomenal Trip! 18-Day Trip to Uganda
Uganda | Jul 31 - Aug 17, 2021

N
Nancy L.
Phoenixville, PA | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2021

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. ... read more

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. To anyone on the fence of visiting Uganda - Just go! You won't regret it.

Upon arrival to Uganda, we were greeted by Agnes and Nasser. These two took care of our every want and needs. Besides the game drives, we asked for cultural experiences. Each day was exciting and we always looked forward to the next day.

Activities we did:
Jinja - Sunset boat ride to Source of the Nile
Game drive of Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Ride to Murchison Falls, also went to the Top of the Falls
Ziwa Rhino Santuary
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Game drive of Lake Mburo National Park
Long Horned Cattle Milking
Water safari on the Kazinga Channel
Chimpanzee trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Gorilla Tracking
Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience
Tour of a private school with boarding and converse with head teacher
Stopped at the Equator
Tour in Kampala - Idi Amin Torture Chamber
Craft markets
Searched for Shoebill bird
Toured Entebbe arboretum
Local community village experience

I could go on and on about our time in Uganda. Loved every minute of our time there and we were sad to leave. Again, thank you, Taf, for organizing this trip. Thank you, Agnes, for accommodating us on the trip. And thank you, Nasser, for guiding and driving us around the entire time.

Local specialist: Taf Chindove
Taf
Taf Chindove
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Aug 24, 2021

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this... read more

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this trip and thank you for your patience during these uncertain times.

All the best and warm regards to you both
Taf