Uganda Safaris, Tailor-Made Uganda Safari Tours

Uganda safaris combine mountain gorilla trekking, classic wildlife viewing, chimpanzee tracking, birding, and scenic road journeys in one destination. Whether you want a short gorilla trip, a private wildlife circuit, or a longer tailor-made holiday across Uganda’s top parks, these tours can be shaped around your time, budget, and travel style. At AA Safaris and Tours, we offer Uganda safari holidays that take you to places such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo. You can choose from short safaris, fly-in options, luxury stays, mid-range lodges, and longer multi-park itineraries, all planned with local destination knowledge and practical on-ground support.

Why Uganda safari holidays stand out in East Africa

Uganda is one of the best countries for safaris in East Africa, with a climate that is almost perfect and supports a variety of Habitats ranging from lush vegetation to abundant swamps, lakes, rivers, and the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon. All your safari needs are catered for with a visit to Uganda, whether it is visiting the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park or enjoying the vast wilderness of Kidepo Valley national park, down to the mighty Murchison Falls national park with its roaring falls, game viewing in the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo national park or bird watching in Semliki national park. With a record number of slightly over 1,000, Uganda is a birdwatcher’s heaven on earth. In addition, Uganda boasts the largest population of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park, which is situated near the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Further east, there is Jinja, dubbed the adventure capital of Uganda, with a variety of water sports, and also the Sipi falls close to Mountain Elgon on the border with Kenya. Our tour consultants are on hand to put together a package that best suits your travel requirements. Whether you have a day or multi-day interest in Uganda, we shall together design the most favourable vacation for you.

Uganda safaris can include gorilla trekking, wildlife tours, golf holidays, adventure travel, volunteering experiences, beach escapes, and tailor-made journeys built around your interests. Whether you are planning a short primate-focused trip or a wider safari through Uganda’s leading destinations, there is plenty of scope to create a holiday that feels personal, rewarding, and well-paced.

Uganda is one of East Africa’s most remarkable safari destinations, known for its rich biodiversity, varied landscapes, vibrant cultures, and year-round travel appeal. Its favourable climate makes it suitable for safaris throughout the year, while its forests, savannahs, lakes, and mountains support an extraordinary range of wildlife, including the endangered mountain gorillas that draw travellers from around the world.

There is far more to Uganda than one trip can cover, which is why many travellers leave wanting to return and experience more. From gorilla trekking and classic wildlife viewing to cultural encounters and scenic relaxation, Uganda offers a safari experience that is both diverse and memorable. We invite you to explore some of our popular safaris, each of which can be tailored to match your travel style, interests, and budget.

Frequently asked questions about Uganda safaris

How much does it cost to go on safari in Uganda?

The price for a Uganda Safari depends on the variants, which include: length of stay, type of safari choice, type of accommodation choice, the vehicle type, the activities in a safari program, and the number of people traveling in the group. Short Uganda safaris attract a lower rate compared to longer Uganda tours. Uganda gorilla tracking safaris start from USD 800, which is the cost of a gorilla permit. All in all, our Uganda safari and tours consultants are on hand to offer guidance on how best to spend your holiday in Uganda. Inquire for more information. 

Is Uganda safe to visit?

Yes, Uganda is safe to visit and has been safe for the last 15 Years. You might read a lot online about how Africa or Uganda is unsafe, but we want to assure you that we are on the ground and can never put your life at risk. Uganda is safe and has been for a while now, and therefore, the country is safe for your Uganda safari.

When is the best time of the year for a Uganda safari? 

The best time to visit Uganda on a safari is between June and September and from December to February, because these are the drier months of the year.  During these months, it is easy to see wildlife, and also hikes and nature walks are easier compared to the other months. However, the country can be visited all year round any time of the year, because all tourist sites are open all year round and activities are open and possible, including the gorilla tracking.

How long is a Uganda trip?

The length of a safari in Uganda depends on the list of activities you want to do and the places you want to visit. However, our tours and safaris start from 1 day to as many days as you wish to stay in the Beautiful Pearl of Africa. However, on average, we recommend that you spend at least 10 days in Uganda, so that you will be able to see and explore at least a little bit of everything that is unique to Uganda. This 10-day Uganda safari can, of course, include culture, gorilla tracking, water adventure, wildlife, and sightseeing.

What are the top destinations for Uganda safaris

Uganda safaris often feature some of the country’s most rewarding national parks and wildlife areas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for gorilla trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for classic wildlife viewing, Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and river experiences, and Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking. Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo also stand out for travellers looking for unique landscapes, strong wildlife encounters, and a more varied Uganda safari experience

How do I book a trip to Uganda?

In brief, these are the 10 steps on how to book a safari to Uganda.

• Search for a tour operator online
• Select a reputable tour operator with experience, like AA Safaris and Tours Ltd Ensure that the operator has excellent guides and vehicles and delivers services as promised, like us. They should also be socially responsible and should be committed to sustainable tourism.
• Discuss and customise your trip with them, to make Sure you see the best of what you want from a trip to Uganda.
• Confirm the program proposed to you.
• Pay a deposit in order to purchase your gorilla tracking permit for your trip if your trip requires one. Payment can be made by bank wire transfer or by credit card, depending. You can choose to pay a deposit or make a full payment, depending on how short your trip is to the start date.
• Obtain your travel documents and the necessary Visa. You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. And then you can apply for a Visa online 2 to 1 month before your departure date.
• Health requirements: find out and take the different shots necessary to enter Uganda and get them. A yellow fever certificate is mandatory.
• Pack and Prepare: Prepare the right gear and clothes for your trip and do not forget to pack the essentials, like warm sweaters, sunscreen, camera, and of course your passport.
• Depart from and arrive at the pearl of Africa to start your long-awaited tour.

Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?

It is mandatory to obtain a tourist Visa before entering Uganda. A tourist visa can only be obtained online in Uganda, and it should be obtained a month in advance.  A single-entry tourist’s visa costs USD 50 and is valid for 90 days. Clients visiting other countries, like Rwanda and Kenya, are advised to obtain the East Africa Tourist Visa so that they can benefit from it. The East African Tourists Visa costs USD 100 and is valid for 90 days.

However, if your passport is from one of the following countries, you do not need to obtain a Visa. List of countries exempt of Visa include; Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon islands, South Sudan, St Vincent Tonga, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United National Laissez-passer, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Is it safe for homosexuals or lesbians?

Despite the recent news about homosexuality, Uganda is safe for Gays and lesbians; however, because the country and people are conservative, it is advisable to be discreet.

Can I use a credit or debit card in Uganda?

Yes, a number of banks currently provide ATM machines where you can draw Cash. However, you have to note that you will not be able to draw in any other currency apart from Uganda Shillings.  Most noteworthy is that these banks have daily limits, and they are not readily available in the countryside. Some hotels and tourists accept cards, but these are subject to a service charge which ranges between 5 to 10 % of the total amount charged. We therefore advise that if you have a large amount to pay, you make payment by bank wire transfer to avoid charges.

Other places accept cash, and dollars are commonly accepted. On that note, therefore, we recommend that you carry some cash with you. Bills below the year 2017 are not accepted, whereas small bills attract a poor exchange rate.

Are there mandatory vaccination requirements for Uganda?

There are several vaccinations recommended or required to visit Uganda. Whereas we recommend that you get vaccinations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio) and Hepatitis A. Malaria is Rampant in Uganda, and therefore we recommend you get Malaria prophylaxis 9 Take Anti – Malaria drugs) Before you travel.

How much should I tip while on tour in Uganda?

Tipping in Uganda is not mandatory. The decision to tip is entirely left to the client and is dependent on the client’s satisfaction. Unlike other East African countries, tipping in Uganda is the client’s decision. It is not mandatory. However, for guidance, you can opt to tip as follows;

• Guides / Drivers – USD 10- 20 per day
• Gorilla trekking  porters, and Park rangers – Between 50 – 100 per group
• Waiters – USD 5- 20 per person
• Cleaners -USD 5-20 per person