Mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile, and some of the last truly untouched wilderness in Africa.
Few countries pack so much into so small a map. In a single journey you can stand metres from a silverback in ancient forest, watch the Nile detonate through a seven-metre gorge, and drift past elephants on a channel teeming with hippo. Uganda is green, wild and gloriously uncrowded.
You climb through mist-wrapped, primordial forest — then the guide raises a hand and there he is, a silverback at arm's length. Bwindi shelters nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.
Thirteen primate species share one forest. Track a habituated troop of wild chimpanzees through the canopy as the dawn chorus erupts overhead.
In the Ishasha sector, lions drape themselves through ancient fig trees above the plains — one of only a handful of places on earth where you'll see it.
Remote, dramatic and almost empty of other vehicles — a valley ringed by mountains, repeatedly named among the most beautiful parks on the continent.
Why choose Uganda
- Gorillas & chimps in one trip — The only country where you can trek both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees within days of each other.
- Green, wild & uncrowded — Lush rainforest, savanna and the Nile — with a fraction of the vehicles you'll find further east.
- Quietly luxurious — Intimate forest lodges and tented camps that put you right at the edge of the wild, in real comfort.
Best places to go
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — Mountain gorilla trekking
- Murchison Falls — The Nile through a 7m gorge
- Queen Elizabeth NP — Tree-climbing lions & Kazinga Channel
- Kibale Forest — Chimpanzee & primate capital
- Kidepo Valley — Africa's wildest valley
- Lake Mburo & Bunyonyi — Lakes, zebra & quiet finales
Best time to travel
- Gorilla trekking runs year-round, but the drier months make forest trails easier and wildlife easier to spot.
Sample itineraries
- Gorillas, Chimps & the Nile
- Primates of the Pearl
- Wild Uganda — North to South
Where to stay
- Forest Edge Lodge — Wake to birdsong at the treeline of the gorilla forest.
- River Station Camp — Tented luxury above the thundering Nile.
- Ishasha Plains Camp — Sleep where the lions climb the fig trees.
Frequently asked questions
How fit do I need to be to trek gorillas?
Treks range from gentle to strenuous depending on where the family has moved. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but trackers radio ahead and porters are available — most travellers of all ages succeed.
Do I need a gorilla permit?
Yes. Permits are limited and sell out in peak season, so we secure them the moment your trip is confirmed. The cost supports conservation and local communities directly.
When is the best time to visit?
The drier seasons (June–September and December–February) make forest trails easier, but Uganda is a rewarding year-round destination.