Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has an exceptional range of altitude and is one of Africa’s most extensive belts of primary montane forest. Although there is a fine array of birdlife, the prime attraction is its mountain gorillas (over 300), and four family groups have been habituated to allow human approach.
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Where: Kanungu District
Ideal for viewing: chimpanzee, golden monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, mountain gorilla
Lying east of the Ruwenzori Mountains, this forest habitat is home to an amazing 13 species of primate. Tracking a noisy chimpanzee family is a thrilling experience, and the sheer wealth of wildlife will delight naturalists. The birdlife is also outstanding. We recommend an overnight stay here to maximise viewing.
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Where: Kamwenge District
Ideal for viewing: chimpanzee, grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, red colobus monkey, bushpig
Located in Uganda’s northeast corner on the border with South Sudan, Kidepo Valley is one of the most isolated national parks in Africa, yet it is home to a unique and special array of wildlife, including cheetah. This region of idyllic savannah is crisscrossed by large riverbeds and rocky hilltops.
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Where: Karamoja Region
Ideal for viewing: cheetah, eland, lion, red-throated bee-eater, ostrich
Lake Mburo is a small, attractive park of rolling hills, grassland and a large papyrus-fringed lake. Effectively an extension of the Tanzanian plains, it has almost 70 species of mammal and good density of plains game. Once covered by open savannah, it contains much woodland and forms part of a 50 kilometre-long wetland.
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This is Uganda’s smallest and probably most scenic national park, forming part of the larger conservation area of Virunga. Mgahinga is dominated by three extinct volcanoes and primarily supports groups of mountain gorilla, although bird species and other wildlife are also present.
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Where: South west Uganda
Ideal for viewing: Cape buffalo, African elephant, golden monkey, mountain gorilla, serval
Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for its scenic beauty and abundant flora and fauna including the fascinating, endangered shoebill. Bisected by the meandering Victoria Nile, the river plummets through a narrow cleft in the rocks, resulting in the thundering raw of the powerful Falls.
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Where: Masindi District, Uganda
Ideal for viewing: chimpanzee, Nile crocodile, Rothschild’s giraffe, shoebill, Ugandan kob
This sanctuary in Lake Victoria is home to around 50 orphaned chimpanzees that have been rescued from throughout Uganda and are unable to return to the wild. Here they enjoy the run of the island, safe from harm. Day or overnight visits are possible to watch the feeding sessions and explore the island.
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Queen Elizabeth National Park offers Uganda’s best open-country birds (over 600 species) and wildlife (over 100 mammals). Often described as “The Pearl of Africa”, it has rolling grassland, tropical forest, volcanic crater lakes, papyrus swamp and lakeshore, giving it one of the highest biodiversity rates in the world.
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Where: Kasese District
Ideal for viewing: black bee-eater, chimpanzee, giant forest hog, red-tailed colobus, Ugandan kob
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris
Uganda’s oldest protected area is a 500 square kilometre reserve that lies in the Rift Valley, between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert. Its diverse habitats of riverine forest, woodland and acacia savannah support a wealth of wildlife, and the area is also rich in birdlife, with some 400 recorded species.
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Uganda harbours a great variety of mammals and birds which are simply not found elsewhere in either East or Southern Africa. Major tracts of forest are easily accessible here, providing unmatched opportunities to see primates such as the chimpanzee, golden monkey or the famous mountain gorilla. Uganda also has plenty of game-viewing.
5 recommended trips.Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Immerse yourself in a life changing experience on this six night trip, tracking gorillas in the depths of Uganda. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across these amazing creatures camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring, unforgettable and privileged moment.
Find out more about Gorillas in Uganda
Affectionately known as ‘The Pearl of Africa’, the small country of Uganda is a haven for some of the best wildlife on the African continent. Our 14-day small group tour heads to Uganda’s finest wildlife locations, each of which is home to animals that will live long in the memory.
Find out more about Uganda’s Unforgettable Wildlife
Join award-winning wildlife photographer Bret Charman on this trip of a lifetime to Uganda. This lush, tropical country is one of the finest places in the world to get close to primates, including the chimpanzee and mountain gorilla, as well as a population of tree-climbing lions and the bizarre shoebill.
Find out more about Uganda Wildlife Photo Safari
Take a unique primate safari, gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans and Bwindi National Park in Uganda, as well as tracking the equally fascinating chimpanzee in Uganda’s Kibale Forest. Observing these magnificent apes in their natural habitat is a wildlife experience of a lifetime.
Find out more about Gorillas & Chimps
Uganda is a land full of stunning landscapes and remarkable wildlife. This itinerary begins in the mists of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas, and culminates in a relaxing stay on the tranquil shores of Lake Victoria, with wildlife highlights such as lion, leopard, elephant and chimpanzee in between.
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Price
(inc. flights): 13 days
from £7,245
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
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When to go
Gorillas are best seen from late December to early March and May to early October. All other periods are rainy and, though challenging, tracking is easier as they are less active.
Seasons
Long rains
Mar to May: The wettest time of year, but still a good time to see wildlife around the country
Dry season
Jun to Sep: The most pleasant time to travel and good time to see mountain gorillas
Short rains
Oct to Nov: Two months of light rains freshen everything up
Dry season
Dec to Feb: A short lull between wet seasons provides another pleasant time to travel
Wildlife events
Apr to May: Gorillas descend to lower altitude to feed on bamboo shoots
