Uganda Travel Guide
Last month I was fortunate to spend 8 days on the adventure of a liftetime — gorilla trekking in Uganda! Uganda is an incredibly beautiful country and has much more to offer beyond the primate treks! Read through to learn more about my experience.
I will admit that Uganda wasn’t really on my radar until the opportunity to visit arose via a quick email from a fellow advisor in August. “Hey, do you want to go gorilla trekking in November?” How could I say no!?
Touching down in Uganda, the view outside of the plane is lush and green. Nothing like the savannahs or arid deserts that I had in mind from previous trips to Africa. Upon deplaning, the energy is palpable with emotional reunions, the thumping of drums from local performers, and that distinct energy in the air that is only found in destinations that are good for the soul — authentic and unique destinations that stick with you far past departure.
Uganda, as with many African countries, is a vibrant destination that is still fully coming into itself following a turbulent history marred by British colonialism and political upheaval throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Nicknamed the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, the country features stunning natural beauty, vast biodiversity, diverse landscapes, and a rich culture reflected in the warmth of its people. Its location atop the Equator leads to pleasant year round temperatures and fertile lands perfect for the country’s main economic resource — agriculture.
Recent years have seen substantial growth in the tourism sector, as Uganda offers a more affordable gorilla trekking alternative to its southern neighbor of Rwanda, with thousands of tourists descending annually for the opportunity to view the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. It also pairs well with its popular neighbors, Kenya and Tanzania, if you are seeking a multistop safari itinerary. Keep reading to discover how I spent 8 days circumnavigating the country and getting to experience several of its diverse regions and national parks.
My Itinerary
Please note that this was a travel advisor familiarization (work) trip meant for research and exposure to the country (aka not a proper vacation) — I would suggest spending at least 10-14 days to complete this circuit for my clients! Shorter suggested routes are available.
Day 1 | Arrival in Kampala - quick overnight in Kampala after arriving at Entebbe International Airport. Traffic can be very bad, so plan for at least 1 hr in the car from touchdown to arrival at your hotel in Kampala. There are also boutique properties available in Entebbe for flights arriving later in the evening. Stay: Latitude 0 Degrees Hotel
Day 2 | Drive to Murchison Falls National Park - we loaded up and drove north towards Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way we stopped at the Ziwa Rhino Preserve to visit the endangered white rhinos who are being reintroduced to Uganda through a careful breeding and conservation program. Around sundown, we stopped at Murchison Falls - the most powerful waterfall in the world - before arriving at our lodge for the next 2 nights. Stay: Nile Safari Lodge
Day 3 | Nile River Safari - We started the day with a river safari along the Victoria Nile River, where we were fortunate to see an abundance of hippos, elephants, monkeys, baboons, and birds along the river banks! We even caught a glimpse of the prehistoric Shoebill Stork that lives in the delta area where the river meets Lake Albert. Enroute to lunch, we enjoyed a game drive (on land) with giraffes, water buffaloes, multiple varieties of deer/hartebeests/kobs etc. In the afternoon, we embarked on part two of our water safari, traveling north to the base of Murchison Falls by boat.
Day 4 | Drive to Kibale National Park - Back on the road to Kibale National Park, through endless fields of tea plantations. We stopped to tour a few additional lodges along the way, and marveled at the beauty of the crater lakes of the region before checking in to our jungle lodge for the night. Stay: Primate Lodge (Great Lakes Collection)
Day 5 | Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Natl Park: Our day started with an early wake up to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park! We were fortunate to locate the chimps in under an hour (our guides said it sometimes takes 2-3 hours to locate them) and spent our alloted one hour window observing them. The ranger guides are a wealth of knowledge, and provided many facts on the similarities of our primate cousins as well as the complexities of their social structures — truly fascinating stuff. Following the trek, we set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park where we caught our first glimpse of the tree-climbing lions (only found in Uganda!) and enjoyed another boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Edward and George. We spent the evening at a secluded river lodge (only accessible by boat) and one of my personal favorite stays of the trip with abundant wildlife and a strong romantic vibe. Stay: The River Station
Day 6 | Queen Elizabeth Natl Park + Ishasha Sector - We continued heading south, driving through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha Sector. QENP is one of the most biodiverse national parks in Africa with open savannah, rain forest, papyrus swamps, lakes, and mountain ranges within its borders. Ishasha Sector is a special area along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo famous for one thing — the famous tree-climbing lions! A highlight for me, these lions are the same species that roam across southern Africa, but this is the only region where they display the learned behavior of climbing trees to escape flies and catch a breeze in the higher elevation. After locating the lions, we continued south to our final stop: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Stay: Silverback Lodge
Day 7 | Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - The day we had all been waiting for — our long-awaited gorilla trek! After an early wake up and hearty breakfast, we proceeded to the gathering point where we enjoyed a local performance by CIBIC (a local NGO who fosters relationships between local communities and the surrounding wildlife to prevent poaching and encourage sustainability and conservation) and met our ranger guide who would be taking us into the mountains. We were assigned to the largest family (comprised of 17 gorillas!) and embarked on what would become a 7 hour trek through the mountains. Truly one of the coolest moments of my life!! You can read more about it on my Gorilla Trekking Uganda Guide (coming soon!).
Day 8 | Return to Entebbe / Departure - A quick drive to Kihihi Airstrip and we were back to Entebbe for our flights home!
Interested in booking your own safari to Uganda?
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How long to stay
10-14 days - enjoy a full circuit around the country traveling from Kampala > Murchison Falls > Kibale National Park > Queen Elizabeth National Park > Ishasha Sector > ending in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking.
8 days or less - stick to the south and explore Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bonus: for adventure junkies, visit the town of Jinja for white water rafting, bungee jumping, horseback riding, quad ATV adventures and more! This is considered the adrenaline capital of East Africa.
Best time to go
Uganda enjoys pleasant and mild weather year round due to its location on the Equator, meaning that there is really not a bad time to go with each season having different pros and cons (although some seasons are more popular than others)
Dec - Feb - dry season - with January being the hottest month, February is prime for gorilla trekking with favorable dry conditions!
Mar - May - long rainy season - heavy rain prompts major avian migrations in March (perfect for bird enthusiasts)
June - Sept - dry season - peak tourist season, with pleasant temperatures and full watering holes, this is the best time of year for game sightings but also the busiest.
Oct - Nov - short rainy season - enjoy shoulder season pricing, with occasional showers and fewer toursts **this is when I visited!
Who the destination is best suited for
Adventurous travelers who are not scared to get their hands a little dirty. Yes there are 5* luxury lodges, but prepare for spotty wifi, bumpy roads, and a few bugs and lizards along the way. This is barefoot luxury at its finest - authentic and immersive in the best way!
How to get there
The main international gateway is Entebbe International Airport (Kampala), though you can also fly into Kigali, Rwanda if you are focusing on the southern side of the country. I flew through Doha on Qatar Airways, though connections are also available through Amsterdam on KLM and Dubai on Emirates.
Prepare to pack your patience as the entry process can easily take 1-2 hours (per my experience) as all visitors must have their visa processed upon arrival. Be sure to apply online a few weeks before departure and bring a hard copy of your acceptance letter!
Cost: $50 for a Uganda visitor visa, good for 90 days for US passport holders (can also enter with an East African visa)
NEED TO KNOW
Bring more cash than you think you will need — tipping is expected and appreciated, and you will need a wide range of denominations from $1 to $20 in crisp, unmarked USD bills. From hotel staff to the trackers, rangers, and guides who will accompany you on the trek, tipping is expected as this is the main source of income for many locals. US dollars or Euros are widely accepted, so do not worry about exchanging currency beforehand or at the airport.
Pack your patience — Africa does not move with the urgency that we are accustomed to in the US. The airport entry and exit process will take awhile, roads will be bumpy, start times are just a suggestion… sit back and enjoy the ride!
The yellow fever vaccine is MANDATORY for entry - ensure you schedule this several months in advance as it can take several weeks for the shot to reach full immunity in your system. There are a number of other recommended vaccines/medications (hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid, etc) but please consult with a licensed medical professional when deciding whether to get these additional vaccines or not.
Luggage Requirements - it is highly suggested to pack in a soft-sided duffle or travel backpack if you will be taking flights on small bush planes. Hard shelled luggage may not be allowed. I personally use the Osprey Fairview 55L travel backpack (with detachable daypack), but Patagonia has a number of options and Away luggage also offers a softsided luggage option.
Not recommended for younger children - most safaris are family friendly, but I would say Uganda was not especially suitable for younger children due to the intensity of the hikes and the long travel days. I would recommend waiting until children are in their teens to take full advantage of this experience!
PACKING LIST
Quick-dry breathable hiking gear — this is not your cute safari photo op! With stinging nettles, vicious fire ants, and any number of things that will sting, bite, or poison you in the jungle you are going to want to be covered with long sleeves and long pants!
Good waterproof hiking boots with good quality hiking socks - a few of my favorites
Waterproof sandals or slides to wear around the hotel
A raincoat
eco-friendly bug spray - check out Ben’s on amazon
Malaria pills - doctor can prescribe (I took Avotoquane and did not experience severe side effects, but please consult with a medical professional!)
Small first aid kit with OTC meds, bandages, etc.
Layers - nights can be chilly especially in the mountain region, bring a half zip fleece or light jacket to layer
Gaiters - some hotels provide, but I wished I had brought my own as a matching pair is not always guaranteed - buy here on Amazon
Small day pack/back pack
Soft sided dufflebag or travel backpack (required for flights within Uganda on bush planes)
widebrim hat
good quality camera with zoom lens!
portable charger(s) - buy here on Amazon
refillable water bottle (your safari company may provide one)
Sanitizing hand wipes and tissue/travel toilet paper - sinks and toilet paper may not always be available in the parks… there were times we had to use the “bush toilet” so come prepared with supplies!
Overall, Uganda ended up being such an incredible surprise and it left a huge mark on me — I am already looking forward to a return in the future! From the warmth and kindness of the locals, to the beautiful views, abundance of wildlife, and the authenticity of the destination, it was my ideal type of destination. Interested in booking your own chimp and gorilla trek to Uganda (or Rwanda)? Reach out today via the Contact tab at the top of the page!
