What are the best things to do in Uganda?

Uganda is known for its unique mix of wildlife, primates, culture, and landscapes.Top experiences include: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel Wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley Visiting the powerful Murchison Falls Birdwatching (over 1,000 species) Cultural encounters with the Batwa and local communities

What’s the climate like in Uganda?

Uganda has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round.Rainfall patterns define the seasons: Dry seasons: Dec–Feb & Jun–Sep Wet seasons: Mar–May & Oct–NovHighland areas like Bwindi and Kibale can be cool in the mornings and evenings.

What should I wear on safari in Uganda?

Wear lightweight neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, green).For gorilla trekking, bring: Sturdy hiking boots Long trousers A waterproof jacket Gardening gloves (optional but helpful)For regular safaris, a warm layer is useful for early mornings.

Uganda Safari Tours

Q: When is the best time to visit Uganda?

The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September, when wildlife viewing is excellent and trekking conditions for gorillas and chimpanzees are ideal.These months offer good visibility on forest trails, lower rainfall, and more predictable wildlife movements.The wet seasons (March–May and October–November) have heavier rain but fewer tourists and lush scenery.

Q: What currency is used in Uganda?

Uganda uses the Ugandan Shilling (UGX).Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and lodges, but rural areas remain cash-based.USD is widely used for park fees and some tourism services. ATMs are available in most towns.

Q: How can I get around Uganda?

Most travellers explore Uganda on guided tours with 4×4 vehicles. Domestic flights connect Entebbe with Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls.Self-driving is possible but challenging due to remote roads and long distances.

Q: What are the electricity and plug standards in Uganda?

Uganda uses Type G plugs (UK-style) with 240V/50Hz.Some lodges rely on generators, so charging hours can be limited.

Small Group Departures & Custom Safari Tours

Choosing Uganda as your safari destination ensures that you experience one of the prime wildlife hotspots on the African continent. Uganda’s distinctive nature is reflected in its diverse natural landscapes, its incomparable ecological character and of course the allure of its world-famous gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking Tour Packages

Discover Uganda on the safari of a lifetime and learn the true character of a country that has been described as the “Pearl of Africa”. Your holiday to Uganda will be filled with fantastic sights, from forested reserves and snow-capped mountains to winding rivers and lakes. Ten national parks cover large areas of Uganda, with Murchison Falls National Park being the largest. Here the waters of the Nile River flow through a narrow gorge before plunging down in spectacular fashion, creating the Murchison Falls, as well as the habitat of Uganda’s largest population of Nile crocodiles.

It is however a visit to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that will offer the safari of a lifetime to Uganda. Situated along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bwindi is home to almost half of all mountain gorillas in the world. Getting up close and personal with these impressive great apes will make your Uganda wildlife safari unforgettable. A vacation to Uganda should also include a visit to the Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west of the country. The park is one of Uganda’s most popular destinations for an authentic safari, with sightings of the famous tree-climbing lions a highlight in any itinerary.

Wildlife viewing in Uganda is at its peak between December and February, and again between June and August. This is undoubtedly the best time for your Uganda safari, especially if you intend to go gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Birdlife is fantastic all year round but reaches its peak when the migrant species are present, between November and April.

Dry season in Uganda

When planning a Uganda safari, travelers should note that there are two distinct dry seasons. They stretch between December and February, and again between June and August. This is the best time to discover Uganda’s wildlife as animals are in search of available water while the vegetation is also less thick. Excellent gorilla trekking and rafting in Uganda are experienced by safari-goers in the dry season. Average daytime temperatures at this time of the year in Uganda are mild and pleasant.

Wet season in Uganda

Uganda is positioned on the equator and when considering a safari in Uganda, you should keep in mind that the country has a tropical climate with two main rainy seasons. These occur between September and November and from March to May. While the landscape is lush and green, the birdlife is prolific and there are countless new arrivals to the animal kingdom.

Highlights of a Safari to Uganda

With a variety of natural wonders, iconic species and endless landscapes, a Uganda safari offers endless opportunities for the most magical of experiences. From exhilarating gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, to the wildlife paradises of Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National Parks, a Uganda holiday opens a world of discovery.

Experience an unrivalled Uganda wildlife safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Holding half the world’s population of habituated and endangered mountain gorilla groups, this park is a wildlife wonderland, with 120 mammals, almost 350 birds, 220 butterfly species, and more than a thousand species of plants.

A safari in the Queen Elizabeth National Park should form part of the itinerary on your Uganda vacation. Nearly 400 kilometers southwest of the capital city of Kampala, this Ugandan park is perhaps most famous for its tree-climbing lions, with the black-maned males the star attractions. You can also expect to see abundant wildlife when discovering this Ugandan wilderness, including elephants, buffalo, chimpanzees, and Ugandan kobs.

Less than 300 kilometers to the north and forming a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park is another must-visit destination on your Uganda wildlife safari. The park has one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa, including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and the rare L’Hoest’s monkeys.

JENMAN African Safaris has popular safari packages that allow you to experience the very best of Uganda and the rest of Africa.

Top Safari Packages

Guided Group Tours

Why Travellers Choose Jenman African Safaris

Where To Go

Where To Stay

The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September, when wildlife viewing is excellent and trekking conditions for gorillas and chimpanzees are ideal.
These months offer good visibility on forest trails, lower rainfall, and more predictable wildlife movements.
The wet seasons (March–May and October–November) have heavier rain but fewer tourists and lush scenery.

Uganda is known for its unique mix of wildlife, primates, culture, and landscapes.
Top experiences include:

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel
Wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley
Visiting the powerful Murchison Falls
Birdwatching (over 1,000 species)
Cultural encounters with the Batwa and local communities

Uganda uses the Ugandan Shilling (UGX).
Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and lodges, but rural areas remain cash-based.
USD is widely used for park fees and some tourism services. ATMs are available in most towns.

Uganda has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round.
Rainfall patterns define the seasons:

Dry seasons: Dec–Feb & Jun–Sep
Wet seasons: Mar–May & Oct–Nov
Highland areas like Bwindi and Kibale can be cool in the mornings and evenings.

Wear lightweight neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, green).
For gorilla trekking, bring:

Sturdy hiking boots
Long trousers
A waterproof jacket
Gardening gloves (optional but helpful)
For regular safaris, a warm layer is useful for early mornings.

Most travellers explore Uganda on guided tours with 4×4 vehicles. Domestic flights connect Entebbe with Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls.
Self-driving is possible but challenging due to remote roads and long distances.

Ugandan cuisine features stews, plantains, fish, and fresh vegetables.
Popular local dishes include matoke, luwombo, and tilapia from Lake Victoria.
Lodges serve international meals, and dietary needs can usually be met with advance notice.

Yes. Most hotels and lodges offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary in remote regions.
Mobile networks (MTN, Airtel) provide good coverage in towns and moderate coverage in parks.

Uganda uses Type G plugs (UK-style) with 240V/50Hz.
Some lodges rely on generators, so charging hours can be limited.

Uganda is generally safe for travellers, especially on guided tours and within national parks.
Normal precautions should be taken in cities, such as avoiding isolated areas and using registered taxis.

Yes. Most nationalities require an eVisa, which can be applied for online.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.