What You Need to Know: Our Uganda safaris run from 3 to 10 days, from US$2,178 per person for the 4-day Queen Elizabeth and Kibale trip and US$2,246 for the 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari, for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges with permits and park fees included. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November.
Our Uganda Safaris and Prices
Prices are starting prices per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges (luxury for the luxury safari), including park fees and the permits listed; regional flights are quoted separately and your written quotation gives the final price.
| Itinerary | Days | From (per person) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bwindi gorilla safari | 3 | US$2,246 | One gorilla trek |
| Queen Elizabeth and Kibale | 4 | US$2,178 | Chimps, Kazinga Channel |
| Murchison Falls and Kidepo | 5 | US$2,410 | Rhinos, the Nile, remote Kidepo |
| Uganda highlights | 7 | US$4,424 | Murchison, chimps, Queen Elizabeth, gorillas |
| Kibale, Bwindi and Lake Mburo | 8 | US$4,906 | Chimps, gorillas, walking safari |
| Grand Uganda | 10 | US$5,870 | Every major park |
Uganda also combines well with Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda: see our East Africa safaris.
Uganda's Main Parks
| Park | Known for | From Entebbe |
|---|---|---|
| Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | Mountain gorillas, about half the world's population | 9–10 hours by road, or 1.5–2 hours by air |
| Kibale Forest | Chimpanzees and 12 other primates | 5–6 hours |
| Queen Elizabeth | Kazinga Channel, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha | 7–8 hours |
| Murchison Falls | The Nile, giraffes, boat trips to the falls | 5–6 hours, with Ziwa's rhinos on the way |
| Lake Mburo | Zebras, elands, walking safaris | About 4 hours |
| Kidepo Valley | Remote savannah, cheetahs | Two days by road, or a flight |
Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits
| Permit | Uganda | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorilla trek | US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) | US$1,500 all year |
| Chimpanzee tracking | US$250 in Kibale | About US$150 in Nyungwe |
| Golden monkeys | Mgahinga, rate in your quotation | US$100 in Volcanoes |
| Minimum age | 15 for gorillas, 12 for chimps | 15 for gorillas |
Uganda's wildlife authority cut the gorilla permit to US$600 for April, May and November from 2026 and now asks for full payment when a permit is reserved. Permits sell out first from June to September, so we reserve yours as soon as you confirm.
How We Run Uganda Trips
Our Uganda safaris are run on the ground by a trusted local partner operator, with a private 4x4 safari vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide for your group only. We plan the route with you, send one written quotation and stay your contact throughout. Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271), based in Moshi.
When Is the Best Time for a Uganda Safari?
June to September and December to February are the driest months, best for gorilla and chimp treks. March to May and October to November are wetter, with muddier trails, but the parks are quieter and the gorilla permit is cheaper in April, May and November.
Uganda Visa and Health Requirements
You need a Uganda e-visa, about US$50, applied for online before travel (there is no visa on arrival), and a yellow fever certificate, which is checked at Entebbe. The East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100) covers Uganda and Rwanda together.
How to Book a Uganda Safari
A 30% deposit confirms your trip and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits follow the park authorities' own rules and are usually non-refundable once issued.
What a Gorilla Trekking Day in Uganda Is Like
You meet the rangers at the park office at about 7:00 for a briefing, and they assign your group of up to eight to one habituated gorilla family. Trackers have gone ahead at dawn to find the family, and you walk with a ranger and armed escort through farmland and into the forest. The walk can take from under an hour to five or six hours there and back.
When you reach the gorillas, you leave your bags and walking sticks with the porters and spend one hour with the family, a few meters away, while the silverback watches over the group and the young ones play. Keep about 23 ft (7 m) back, speak quietly and don't use flash. Then you walk out, and most guests are back at the lodge for a late lunch.
- Wear: waterproof jacket, broken-in boots, long pants tucked into socks, long sleeves and gardening gloves for nettles
- Carry: 2 liters of water, a packed lunch, a rain cover for your camera and insect repellent
- Porters: local porters can be hired at the start, for about US$15–20, and are a big help on steep ground
- Health: if you have a cold or fever, you can't trek: gorillas catch human illnesses
Planning Tips for Uganda
- Fly to save time: scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro cut the 9–10 hour drive to Bwindi to under two hours
- Choose the Bwindi sector: Buhoma (north), Ruhija (east), Rushaga and Nkuringo (south); we book your lodge in the same sector as your permit
- Low-season permits: in April, May and November the gorilla permit drops to US$600, and the parks are quiet
- Money: US dollars are widely accepted, but notes must be printed after 2009 and in good condition
Common Questions About Uganda Safaris
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda?
US$800 per person in 2026, or US$600 in April, May and November. It includes the park entry for the trek day.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit: Bwindi's slopes are steep and muddy, and treks last from under an hour to six hours. Porters and walking sticks help. The minimum age is 15.
Is Uganda safe for tourists?
Uganda's national parks and safari routes are visited by many travelers each year. Our partner team follows current advice and plans your route accordingly.
Uganda or Rwanda for gorillas?
Uganda is cheaper, with more to see on the way; Rwanda is quicker to reach. See our Rwanda safaris to compare.
Can I combine Uganda with a Kenya or Tanzania safari?
Yes: fly from Nairobi or Kilimanjaro to Entebbe, as in our Kenya and Uganda and Tanzania and Uganda safaris.
The Bottom Line
Uganda gives you gorillas, chimpanzees and classic savannah in one country, at a lower permit price than Rwanda. Book the permit as soon as your dates are set.
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will send a written quotation and itinerary.