TourismWhen European travellers think “African safari,” Kenya and Tanzania come to mind first. But Uganda — the Pearl of Africa — offers something no other country can match: mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, Big Five game drives, and chimpanzee tracking, all in a single trip. For visitors flying from London, Amsterdam, or Paris, Uganda delivers extraordinary wildlife diversity at prices significantly lower than its East African neighbours.
Uganda is home to over 1,060 bird species, 364 mammal species, and roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. A wildlife tour here is not a compromise — it is arguably the richest safari experience on the continent.
Bwindi is the world’s premier gorilla trekking destination, home to approximately 459 mountain gorillas — nearly half the global population. Gorilla permits cost $800 per person in 2026 (compared to $1,500 in neighbouring Rwanda), making Uganda the more affordable choice for this bucket-list experience.
Treks last 2–6 hours through dense montane forest, and the moment you sit with a gorilla family — watching a silverback feed while juveniles play around you — is genuinely life-changing. We recommend spending at least two nights in Bwindi to allow for trekking day plus a community walk or batwa cultural experience.
Queen Elizabeth spans 1,978 km² of savannah, wetland, and crater lakes along the western Rift Valley. It is Uganda’s most visited park and the best place to see lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and hippos. The Ishasha sector in the south is famous for its tree-climbing lions — one of only two populations in Africa that regularly lounge in fig trees.
The Kazinga Channel boat cruise is a highlight: a two-hour cruise past dense concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds, with elephants and buffalo drinking on the banks.
Uganda’s largest national park straddles the Victoria Nile, where the entire river forces through a 7-metre gap to create the thundering Murchison Falls. Game drives on the north bank offer excellent sightings of giraffes (Rothschild’s, found nowhere else in Uganda), elephants, lions, and hartebeest.
The boat trip upstream to the base of the falls is one of East Africa’s great experiences — crocodiles line the banks, fish eagles call overhead, and the spray from the falls is visible long before you arrive.
Kibale has the highest density of primates in Africa — 13 species including our closest relatives, chimpanzees. Chimp tracking permits cost $200 per person, and success rates exceed 95%. The forest also hosts red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and over 370 bird species.
A 7-day Uganda wildlife tour typically covers Bwindi (gorilla trekking) and Queen Elizabeth (game drives + boat cruise), with a stop at Lake Bunyonyi. Prices start from $2,200 per person sharing, including accommodation, meals, transport, park fees, and one gorilla permit.
For the complete Uganda experience, a 10 to 14-day itinerary adds Murchison Falls and Kibale Forest, covering gorillas, chimps, Big Five, and the Nile — all for around $3,500–$4,500 per person. This is extraordinary value compared to similar-length safaris in Kenya or Tanzania.
Uganda’s two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best game viewing conditions and the driest trekking trails. However, Uganda is a year-round destination; gorilla trekking operates every day, and the green season (March–May, October–November) brings fewer crowds and lower prices.
For British travellers, the June–September window aligns perfectly with UK summer holidays, and direct flights from London Heathrow to Entebbe take just 9 hours.
Nature Nest Safaris is a Ugandan-owned operator running wildlife tours across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. We handle permits, vehicles, accommodation, and local logistics — so you just enjoy the wildlife.
Email: book@naturenestsafaris.com | Phone/WhatsApp: +256 777 131 912
Browse Uganda safari packages →
Ready to plan your East African adventure? Browse our curated safari experiences:
Trips that match this guide. Every itinerary can be tailored to your dates and budget, and quotes are free.
Safari PlanningBest Time to Visit East Africa for a Safari: A Month-by-Month Guide for UK & European TravellersRead article →
TourismKenya Coastal Safari: Malindi, Watamu & Lamu Island Guide for European TravellersRead article →
TourismBest Time to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for Gorilla Trekking (2026 Guide)Read article →Let our expert team craft your perfect safari adventure. Custom itineraries, competitive prices, and unforgettable experiences.
Start Planning Your Safari
