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14-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Safari Tours

4.4/5  –  365 Uganda Reviews

Uganda packs an enormous range of habitats and wildlife into a manageably compact area. This equatorial African country is smaller than the United Kingdom or the US state of Michigan, but its location at the cusp of the eastern savannah and western rainforest means it is one of only two places where gorillas and chimps live alongside all the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). Other attractions include plentiful forest monkeys, a checklist of 1,000-plus birds, and such geographic landmarks as the Rwenzori and Virunga Mountains and oceanic Lake Victoria. A 2-week Uganda safari provides you with a great opportunity to get to know this diverse country intimately and to see a wide selection of its wildlife and scenic highlights at a relaxed pace.

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1-20 of 40 14-day gorilla & safari trips, holidays, vacations and packages to Uganda

5 Questions About 14-Day Uganda Tours

 
 

5 Questions About 14-Day Uganda Tours

Answered by Philip Briggs

Where should I go on a 14-day Uganda safari?

“Most 2-week tours focus on Uganda’s varied western safari circuit. The main stops here include the forested Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla, Semuliki and Kibale National Parks, along with more conventional savannah destinations such as Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Few tours visit all seven of these parks. Most choose between Bwindi and Mgahinga for gorilla trekking, and while Kibale is popular for seeing chimps, more affordable alternatives include Kalinzu Forest (bordering Queen Elizabeth) and Budongo Forest (bordering Murchison Falls). Semuliki is a niche birding destination that hosts 35 forest bird species unrecorded elsewhere in East Africa. The savannah and waterways of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls protect a similar selection of savannah wildlife (including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and hippo), but it is worth visiting both. Lake Mburo is less essential but ideally placed for breaking up the drive from Entebbe to the far southwest. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, en route between Murchison Falls and Entebbe, is home to Uganda's only rhinos. A few other options are worth consideration. Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful chill-out venue close to Bwindi and Mgahinga. The Victoria Nile downstream of Jinja offers white-water rafting on Grade 5 rapids. Kidepo Valley National Park protects a remote, wildlife-rich tract of savannah bordering South Sudan. Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe is a reliable site for the rare shoebill.”

1

What are the options for gorilla trekking on a Uganda trip?

“Mountain gorillas can be tracked at two Ugandan national parks, which together support half the 1,000-strong global population. The main venue is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where 18 habituated groups can each be visited by up to eight tourists daily. Trekking in Bwindi operates from four bases, each of which lies up to 2 hours’ drive from the others and functions as a self-contained destination. Of these, long-serving Buhoma has the best selection of accommodation and usually offers the least demanding trekking conditions (though these things can be unpredictable). Ruhija, set at a higher altitude deeper within Bwindi, is a beautiful trekking base with more affordable accommodation, and is second to Buhoma in terms of ease. The newer bases of Rushaga and Nkuringo are serviced by several good lodges but trekking conditions are tougher. South of Bwindi, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the Ugandan part of the Virunga volcanoes (whose Rwandan and Congolese sectors are also protected in national parks that offer gorilla trekking). Mgahinga is home to a solitary habituated gorilla family, containing three massive silverbacks. If you’re able to secure one of its eight daily trekking permits, it is a very scenic and relatively undemanding option. Trekking permits in Uganda cost US$600 and allow for up to 1 hour with the gorillas. A US$1,500 habituation permit, available only at Bwindi’s Rushaga trailhead, allows you to spend 4 hours with a group that’s still being habituated.”

2

Which animals am I likely to see?

“Over 2 weeks on Uganda’s western circuit, you can expect to see iconic African creatures such as lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, zebra, warthog and various antelope and monkeys. The success rate for gorilla trekking in Uganda is almost 100%, and while it is lower for chimp trekking, a 14-day itinerary should allow you a second opportunity if the first attempt is unsuccessful. Rhinos can be tracked on foot at Ziwa, and leopard and giant forest hog are possible in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Wherever your 14-day itinerary leads you, you can be sure of seeing a variety of colorful birds. Indeed, dedicated birders might well identify 400 species in the course of such a trip.”

3

Is there an ideal time of the year for a 2-week safari in Uganda?

“The ideal time to travel around Uganda is during the two Dry seasons, from June to August and December to February. These times of year offer the most pleasant conditions for activities such as gorilla trekking, chimp trekking, mountain hikes, game drives and boat trips. The months of September and October can also be quite good as they are not too rainy. April is the wettest month and best avoided.”

4

How much does a 14-day safari in Uganda cost?

“The price of a budget 14-day safari through western Uganda starts at around US$3,700 per person, while mid-range safaris are generally in the ballpark of US$4,200 to US$4,500. Luxurious 2-week safaris using more exclusive accommodation tend to cost at least US$6,000. Rates generally include transport, accommodation, meals, park fees, gorilla and chimp trekking permits, and the services of a driver-guide.”

5

Uganda Reviews

4.4/5 365 Reviews
Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Two worlds in one
4/5

Uganda has a modest profile among Africa’s top safari destinations. With no parks of the size or popularity of Kruger, Chobe, Serengeti or other such A-listers, its main wildlife drawcard has become the mountain gorilla. Alongside Rwanda,...

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Expert
Sue Watt  –  
United Kingdom UK

Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

Great apes, great landscapes, great adventures
4/5

Most people understandably come to Uganda for its gorillas. Almost half of the world’s population of around 1,060 mountain gorillas lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks, and spending that precious...

Full Review

Brooke  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Apr 9, 2024
Absolutely gorgeous with amazing wildlife and friendly people.
5/5

I booked a two day solo tour to Murchinson Falls National Park through Immersion . My guide Andrew was so friendly and knowledgeable. He picked me up at my Airbnb in Kampala and was an excellent driver on some very busy and rustic roads. We...

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Sandra  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Mar 31, 2024
Uganda has the most beautiful natural sceneries, the "big five" & a variety of birds
5/5

The safari with Yaneta was an amazing experience. If you want to see the big five, then Uganda's National parks such as Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth amongst others are the best places to visit and explore. Even birdlovers will be...

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Vickie  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Mar 27, 2024
Trip of a lifetime!
5/5

Ronnie with Dav Safaris was awesome. The people and weather was great. We always felt safe. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking was amazing. We paid extra to spend time with the chimps that were less acclimated to people. Don’t do that...

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James Furdas  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Mar 23, 2024
Incredible see ‘the big six!’ (See review) once in a lifetime gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
5/5

8 Day Safari with LuLu safaris, guided by Audence and Simon. Firstly our guides were incredible. I would definitely recommend requesting them in advance if you book with LuLu safaris. They were amazing at spotting wildlife, really easy...

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