6 Best Gorilla Tracking Trips to Uganda for 2024-2025

Top Uganda Safari Lodges for 2024-2025

Mount Gahinga Lodge

Tucked away in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, on the boarder of Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC lies Mount Gahinga Lodge. The lodge consists of 9 traditional pygmy style huts, with modern conveniences. Take in the views of Mounts Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhuvura from this eco-conscious lodge while you enjoy an Africa safari experience.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Enjoy the eight beautifully appointed, spacious bandas that make up the Kyambura Gorge Lodge in Uganda on your African Safari. On the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the lodge offers stunning views of the gorge, the savannah, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Visit the Bwindi Lodge on an exciting Mountain Gorilla tracking safari in Africa. Newly renovated,, the lodge offers a stylish and comfortable retreat during your Uganda safari experience. Combine a stay here with other Uganda tours to create a full Africa vacation experience.

Ndali Lodge

Set amidst the Bunyaruguru Crater Lake region of western Uganda, on 1000 acres of privately owned farmland, you find the Ndali Lodge. Eight luxurious, west facing cottages house up to 16 guests on the rim of an extinct volcano, overlooking breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga, making it an ideal location to stay while gorilla tracking on your African Safari.

Top 2 Tourist Attractions in Uganda for 2024-2025

Lucky guests will see the gorillas stroll into camp!

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Baboons and birds early in the AM on our first game drive

Murchison Falls National Park Safari

All Uganda Articles

Uganda Travel Guide

The Republic of Uganda, though a tiny nation in the heart of Africa, holds great natural beauty.

The country of Uganda is well-known for its great bird-watching, with over 400 different species having been spotted there. Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are only two of the spectacular primates found in the area.

Gorilla Watching
It is perhaps best-known for the opportunities travelers have to plunge into the dense jungle and see the giant mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Getting up close & personal with these gentle, yet mighty creatures will feel like staring through the looking glass into our own past, as gorillas are one of our closest primate cousins.

African Wildlife Safari
If you want to take a broader look at some of the marvels that this country has to offer, then a safari will take you on a journey into the Kibale Forest, through the Queen Elizabeth National Park, and to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, where you will see tree-climbing lions, a breathtakingly clear view of the vast forest, and maybe even visit a local jungle tribe. Any safari will give you plenty of chances to see the native animals, like hippos, giraffes, leopards, and, of course, gorillas.

Extend your expedition
Whether you want to extend your Ugandan trip or just want to experience the highlights, this tour offers the chance to track gorillas and explore the depths of some of the most fascinating jungles.

Best Time to Visit Africa

When is the best time to take a trip to Africa? Africa is such a huge continent that the optimal travel months vary wildly by region. Travelers can use this helpful chart that gives you a quick overview of when to visit the different areas. Of course, weather and wildlife are not always predictable - which makes your trip all that much more adventurous!

Best Time to Visit Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is between June and August as well as between February and March.
when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

During the rest of the year, the weather can be unpredictable, with rain in some areas while it is dry in others. It provides an excellent opportunity to see the animals crowding watering holes in national parks.

This is also the southern winter, which offers cooler temperatures. Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time,

Wildlife You Can Expect to See in Each Region of Uganda

Queen Elizabeth: Buffalo, Chimpanzees, Elephant, Hippo, Leopard, Lion

Murchison Falls: Buffalo, Elephant, Gemsbock, Kudu, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, White Rhino, Wildebeest

Bwindi: Gorillas

Kibale: Chimpanzees

Uganda Fun Facts

Impressed by its beauty, Winston Churchill once called Uganda the "pearl of Africa."
Visitors to Uganda are consistently impressed by the country's hospitality and the welcoming attitude of the people.
Pineapples, avocados, and bananas are three of the main produce exports of Uganda.
Some people eat fried grasshoppers as a treat.

Uganda FAQs

Planning your trip to Uganda is sure to result in questions. Our FAQ article answers some of the things that are most commonly asked by our travelers. From what currency is used to what wildlife is to be expected, we give some of the vital details before your journey. Hopefully, this helps better prepare you for the adventures that await!

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Highlights

In this area, gorilla tracking is the primary activity, and you'll find that it's both exhausting and rewarding. You'll spend most of the day trekking through the bush in search of gorillas. While tracking one of our closest primate cousins, you'll have plenty of opportunities to refuel and have lunch.

Kihihi and Entebbe are the closest airports.

Animals to look out for:

The apes (common)
Chimpanzees are (rare)
A herd of elephants (rare)

Even though you won't see much wildlife outside of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Uganda is home to a wide variety of other species of animals, including Buffalos, Elephants Gemsboks Kudus Hippo Leopards Lions White Rhinos and Wildebeest.

Murchison Falls National Park Safari Tips

Murchison Falls is a fantastic National Park to visit for abundant wildlife with safari lodges located in near proximity to gaming locations. Along the Nile river around the park, you will find safari lodge dotting the river banks. Choosing one can be a bit tricky, but here are some tips for what I would recommend.

Is traveling to Uganda Safe?

It is always best to do your research on crime rates (particularly violent crime rates) and to check the State Department website before deciding to travel anywhere to make sure you are not visiting an area where crime particularly against tourists is rampant.

Uganda Travel FAQs

Do I need a visa to travel to Uganda?

To visit Uganda, you must have a passport valid for 6 months and a tourist visa, which you should apply for at least a month before your departure:

Is tipping customary in Uganda?

Tipping is not obligatory, but offering $10 for a driver or $10-20 for a tour guide or tracker would be very much appreciated.

What is internet access like in Uganda?

You will not have access to the internet for most of your trip. Since many of our Africa tours are designed as safaris through the remote corners of Uganda, we will be far from areas that get internet for most of the expedition. You might find a hotel or public area that offers internet, but there's no guarantee.

Can I use my cell phone while in Uganda?

You will probably not be close enough to any cell phone towers to use your cell phone throughout your Safari expedition in Uganda. It's possible to purchase a local SIM chip upon arrival and use it in the more developed areas, but there aren't any guarantees that your signal will be strong enough.

Do I need power adapters?

Uganda uses 220-240v power with Type G (BS-1363) outlets, which will require a plug adapter. If you have a device that is 110v that is not compatible with the higher voltage, you will need a converter also.

What are the toilets like in Uganda?

All four of our Uganda lodges feature comfortable western style flush toilets. You might encounter squat toilets in certain remote parts of the country on day excursions. Make sure to throw the waste paper in the trash basket rather than the toilet.

Can I drink the water in Uganda?

You should never drink the tap water in Uganda, however we make sure that all of the tours we offer provide safe bottled or filtered water free of charge.

Are credit cards accepted in Uganda? Will I be able to find ATMs?

Don't count on finding any ATMs or businesses that accept credit cards in Uganda. Our tours are all-inclusive, so other than having some pocket cash for souvenir purchases or tips, you should be covered.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

Yes! Having travel insurance means traveling responsibly, so check out the promotions available via our partner TravelGuard on the Once You're Booked page.