Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A UNESCO-listed rainforest and Uganda's primary destination for mountain gorilla trekking, home to roughly hal…
Explore ParkUganda — Overview
Uganda trades open savannah for equatorial rainforest and remains East Africa's primate capital. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the main draw for mountain gorilla trekking, a once-in-a-lifetime hour spent with a habituated gorilla family after a demanding forest hike.
Queen Elizabeth National Park adds tree-climbing lions and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel between elephant and hippo pods; Murchison Falls pairs a dramatic Nile gorge with strong game viewing on its northern bank; and Kibale Forest is considered one of Africa's best spots for chimpanzee tracking.
Rates (USD)$200 to $750 pp/day
Best Time To GoJune to September; December to February
High SeasonJune to September (gorilla permits)
Size241,038 km²
Pros & Cons
- Mountain gorilla trekking found in very few countries worldwide
- Rare tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Excellent chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Fewer vehicles per sighting than Kenya or Tanzania's busiest parks
- Combines rainforest, savannah and the Nile in one trip
- Gorilla trekking permits are expensive (around $700 per person) and limited daily
- Terrain and rainforest hikes can be physically demanding
- Fewer direct international flights than Nairobi or Kilimanjaro
Uganda Parks & Reserves
Every park and reserve below is published on Africa Safari Book with its own detailed guide and linked tours.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Known for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel between elephan…
Explore ParkMurchison Falls National Park
Uganda's largest national park, centered on the point where the Nile forces through a narrow 7-metre gorge bef…
Explore ParkKibale National Park
Considered one of Africa's best destinations for chimpanzee tracking, with a dozen primate species living in i…
Explore ParkLake Mburo National Park
Uganda's smallest savannah park, close enough to Kampala for a short trip, with zebra, eland and walking safar…
Explore ParkKidepo Valley National Park
A remote wilderness on the Kenya-South Sudan border, often rated among Africa's most spectacular parks despite…
Explore ParkMgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda's smallest park, part of the Virunga volcanic range shared with Rwanda and the DRC, offering gorilla tr…
Explore ParkRwenzori Mountains National Park
The legendary 'Mountains of the Moon,' a UNESCO World Heritage site offering multi-day glacier trekking far le…
Explore ParkWildlife
Mountain gorillas are Uganda's signature species, alongside chimpanzees and ten other primate species across its forests. Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha sector holds one of Africa's few tree-climbing lion populations, and the park's channel and lakes support large hippo and elephant numbers. Birders are drawn to the rare shoebill stork, most often found in wetland areas near Mabamba Bay.
Things To Do
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat safari to the base of Murchison Falls, plus a hike to the top
- White-water rafting on the Nile near Jinja
- Shoebill stork spotting at Mabamba Bay Wetland
Best Time to Visit & Weather
Jun – Sep
Main dry season; the most popular window for gorilla trekking permits.
Oct – Nov
Short rains; trails can be muddier for forest trekking.
Dec – Feb
A second, shorter dry spell — a good secondary gorilla-trekking window.
Mar – May
Long rains; lower permit demand but wetter, harder trekking conditions.
How To Get There & Staying Safe
How To Get There
Almost all international arrivals land at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), near Kampala. Bwindi and other western parks are typically reached by light aircraft or a long scenic road transfer arranged by your operator.
Staying Safe & Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda. Anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended. Gorilla trekking has its own health rules — travelers with contagious illnesses may be asked not to trek that day, to protect the gorillas themselves.
Uganda Safari Tours
4-Day Fort Portal & Tooro Kingdom Cultural Safari
$1,350
Operator: Abakombe Tours and Safaris
Duration: 4 Days
View Tour2-Day Kabale & Mparo Tombs Cultural Safari
$620
Operator: Kilimanjaro Travel
Duration: 2 Days
View Tour2-Day Lake Mutanda Canoe Safari
$780
Operator: Abakombe Tours and Safaris
Duration: 2 Days
View Tour2-Day Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Safari
$680
Operator: Serengeti Wildlife Safari
Duration: 2 Days
View Tour3-Day Echuya Forest Reserve Golden Monkey Safari
$1,050
Operator: Serengeti Wildlife Safari
Duration: 3 Days
View TourUganda Safari Reviews
★★★★★ 5/5
An Hour With the Gorillas Changes Everything
"The trek was steep and muddy, and it was worth every step. Nothing prepares you for sitting a few metres from a silverback in the wild."
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