A holiday to Uganda offers an opportunity for incredible wildlife encounters, including tracking wild mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, finding the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha, searching for chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and red tailed monkeys in the Kibale Forest, and spotting elephant, giraffe, hyena, lion, leopard, buffalo, kob and hartebeest on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park.
There’s also an opportunity for fascinating cultural experiences including hiking in the Bwindi Forest with a Batwa guide where you’ll learn about the history, culture and traditions of the Batwa pygmies who inhabited the forest for centuries.
Our Uganda holidays tend to focus on the following areas:
Entebbe > Kampala > Jinja > Sipi Falls > Moroto > Kidepo Valley National Park > Kibale Forest > Queen Elizabeth National Park > Murchison Falls National Park > Bwindi National Park > Lake Mutanda > Lake Mburo
Find below 21 different activities and excursions to choose from on your Uganda holiday:
Uganda has a spring-like climate year round with blue skies and warm day time temperatures ranging from 21-25°C. There are heavy downpours from March–May and October-November which can make road travel quite difficult in some parts of the country, especially in remote areas. As is the case with many other African countries, the rainfall has a big impact on the vegetation which in turn has an effect on wildlife movement and game viewing opportunities, so it is worth thinking carefully about when to travel to Uganda.
Although Uganda can be visited year round, we think that the best time to visit is during its two dry seasons from December-February and June-September as temperatures are pleasant and there is little chance of rain. Conditions are favourable for gorilla and chimpanzee treks during these months, whilst game viewing is particularly good towards the end of the dry season as the shortage of water forces wildlife to congregate by the rivers and waterholes. Bird watching is best in the rainy months between March–May and October-November due to various migratory patterns.
Read our month-by-month guide to Uganda’s weather to help decide when to go.
Here are some examples of the fantastic accommodation we use in Uganda -
The Boma Guesthouse - Entebbe
The Boma Guesthouse is a small, friendly guesthouse set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb on the edge of Entebbe, a short drive from the airport. Boma Guesthouse's 11 guest rooms have been decorated with an African theme. They all have large beds with mosquito nets and a small living area with a table and chairs.
The bar and restaurant are set in pretty gardens with wonderful views of Lake Victoria, a lovely spot for enjoying afternoon tea or a sundowner.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha Wilderness Camp sits peacefully on the banks of the Ntungwe River and it's not uncommon to see elephants taking a dip or drinking from the river. Slightly further out you may see lions lazing in trees, buffalo or springbok in the open savannahs, and at night the tented rooms are filled with the sounds of the bush.
The tented rooms at Ishasha Wilderness Camp are simple but elegant, with private verandas and river views.
Wildwaters Lodge - Jinja
Nestled in a rainforest on its own private island in the mighty Nile, Wildwaters Lodge is breathtaking. Thick riverine forest naturally covers the island and each of the 10 rooms is nestled amidst the forest with private views over the River Nile and its rapids.
The expansive, canvas walled, traditionally thatched rooms each boast private decks with elegant free-standing baths and wash basins carved from the local pink granite.
Softly lit with handmade furniture, you can relax in comfort on this island paradise listening to the thunder of the Nile rapids, and the calls of the many species of bird who call the island home. Elevated wooden walkways gracefully link the rooms to the restaurant and bar area and offer an unforgettable walk through the heart of the forest.
The suggestions below are examples of holidays which we can arrange, however they can be tailored to suit your personal preference.
Best of Uganda’s Wildlife - 7 days
From tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and searching for wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, to spotting tree climbing lions in Ishasha, and seeing hippos and Nile crocodiles along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, this Ugandan adventure is offers the opportunity for phenomenal wildlife experiences.
Uganda Highlights - 12 days
On this Uganda Highlights itinerary you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife encounters in the country’s best national parks.
Highlights of this holiday include tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, incredible game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and an exciting boat trip at the foot of the mighty Murchison Falls.
Discover Uganda - 20 days
The Discover Uganda adventure offers exciting adventure activities, incredible wildlife encounters and fascinating culture interactions, from trekking through rainforests in search of wild chimpanzees and endangered mountain gorillas, to spending the night in a Karamojong kraal and hiking in the Bwindi Forest with a Batwa (Pygmy) guide.
We are committed to responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism and we’re proud to work with a fantastic supplier in Uganda that wholeheartedly shares our core values with regards to responsible tourism. You can read more about our responsible tourism values.
We encourage all of our clients who are visiting Uganda to travel in a responsible and respectful manner to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on the economy, the environment, and the local communities. You can read our guide to responsible travel in Uganda.
Getting there: Most of our Uganda holidays start and end in Entebbe, with the exception of our ‘Best of Uganda’s Wildlife’ which starts in Entebbe and ends in Kigali (KGL) in Rwanda.
Flying time: London Heathrow (LHR) to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) = 10 hours 15 minutes (via Cairo)
Recommended airlines: Egypt Air via Cairo, Kenya Airways via Nairobi or KLM via Amsterdam
Time difference: Uganda is 2 hours ahead of United Kingdom
Currency: Uganda shilling (UGX). The exchange rate is approximately UK£1 = UGX 4,807 , US$1 = UGX 3,628 and €1 = UGX 4,261.
Visa requirements: British nationals require a visa to enter Uganda. You can apply for a visa at the Ugandan High Commission in London, or you can apply online. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
You can find full details of how to apply on the website of the Ugandan High Commission in London. You should ensure that you allow sufficient time to apply for a visa and make sure that the start date and validity covers the period you wish to travel. Ugandan immigration officers decide how long travellers are permitted to stay in Uganda when they enter the country. This is usually between 2 weeks and 3 months, and the immigration officer will normally enter a handwritten note of this period next to the entry stamp in your passport. You can be fined and/or imprisoned for overstaying your visa. You can apply to extend the period of your stay at Ugandan immigration headquarters on Jinja Road in Kampala.
Vaccinations: Visitors to Uganda should ensure that they have Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Yellow Fever vaccinations. There is a high risk of malaria in Uganda, therefore anti-malaria medication is recommended and you should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and sleeping under a mosquito net.
There is a risk of yellow fever throughout Uganda and vaccination is recommended. Under International Health Regulations a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Click here for further information about yellow fever vaccination certificates and recommended vaccinations for Uganda.
If you’d like to plan a holiday to Uganda, please call our Luxury Travel Specialists or send an online enquiry to start your journey.