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Uganda Budget Safaris & Gorilla Tours
Uganda offers a great range of budget safari tours. It is increasingly being recognized as one of Africa’s most underrated but rewarding wildlife destinations. Tracking mountain gorillas is a must-do bucket-list wildlife encounter, and Uganda is one of only three countries that is home to these charismatic apes (the other two being Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo). And while mountain gorillas have put Uganda on the travel map, it also offers the chance to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) in some of Africa’s most uncrowded savannah reserves.
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3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Trip, Ziwa Rhino Tracking
$767 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Moroka Expeditions
4.9/5 – 75 Reviews
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10-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primates & Scenic Lakes Safari
$3,195 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Entebbe (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (End)
Bush Craft Safaris
5.0/5 – 58 Reviews
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3-Day Mountain Gorilla Trek &Lake Bunyonyi Budget Tour
$1,665 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per group)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Kampala (End)
Bugoli Adventures
5.0/5 – 59 Reviews
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3-Day Lake Mburo National Park Tour
$788 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Kafu Safaris
5.0/5 – 25 Reviews
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5-Day Ultimate Adventure- Gorillas & Wildlife Primates
$2,531 to $2,593 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Naleyo Tours and Travels
4.9/5 – 14 Reviews
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9-Day Uganda Safari and Gorilla Trekking Adventure
$4,275 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Great Lions Safaris
4.8/5 – 26 Reviews
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3-Day Adventure in Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali
$1,983 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Kigali (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Genocide Memorial (Kigali), Kigali (End)
Hutland Tours
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali
$1,463 to $1,485 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Kigali (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Kigali (End)
Satellite Adventures
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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3-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi Safari
$1,727 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetResort & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Valverde Safaris
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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5-Day Encounter Gorillas in the Wild in Bwindi
$2,869 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Entebbe Airport (End)
Muganzi Safaris
4.8/5 – 16 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls NP and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Tour
$951 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Musana Tours And Travel
5.0/5 – 22 Reviews
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8-Day Gorillas & Chimpanzee Trekking with Big 5 Safari
$3,825 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Wild Uganda
5.0/5 – 138 Reviews
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12-Day Rwenzori Mountains Trekking, Gorillas and Wildlife
$5,321 pp (USD)
Uganda & Rwanda: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetMountain Hut & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Kigali, Kigali Airport (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
4.9/5 – 98 Reviews
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5-Day Gorilla and Wildlife Tour
$2,115 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Kaara Adventures
5.0/5 – 33 Reviews
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7-Day Gorilla/Chimp Trekking & Game Drive Safari Uganda
$4,472 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Queen Elizabeth NP, Fort Portal (Town), Kibale NP (Chimps), Entebbe (End)
Gatsio Safariz
5.0/5 – 44 Reviews
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9-Day Uganda Budget Primates and Wildlife Safari
$2,993 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Likyadi Adventures
5.0/5 – 20 Reviews
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7-Day Gorilla Trek and Kibale Chimp Habituation
$3,144 to $3,257 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Bamboo Ecotours
5.0/5 – 154 Reviews
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5 Questions About Uganda Budget Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and frequently visits Uganda. She and her husband are a travel photography/writing team with many Africa guidebooks under their belt, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.› More about Ariadne
5 Questions About Uganda Budget Safaris
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Why should I choose Uganda for a budget trip?
“Uganda is less expensive and offers more variety than Kenya and Tanzania, which are the more obvious choices for a safari in East Africa. Uganda is a brilliant mix of savannah and forest. The country is also relatively compact, making a driving safari more attractive and saving on expensive domestic flights. Reputable tour operators offer comfortable camping safaris and there are plenty of mid-range hotels to choose from. Self-drive safaris have become an increasingly popular holiday option as well, with specialized companies offering this type of adventure tour. Travelers to Uganda usually want to go mountain gorilla trekking, and this is quite an expensive activity. If you can afford it, the one-off gorilla permit expense of US$800 is more than worth it (occasional low-season discounts are offered). And it’s almost half the price of gorilla trekking in neighboring Rwanda.”
1What is included in a Uganda budget safari?
“The inclusions in a budget safari in Uganda can vary according to the package. Make sure what is and isn’t included in your budget safari package is clear and in writing. Extras can add up quickly and may even cause unexpected tensions with your tour operator on the ground. Check, for example, if airport transfers are included. Breakfast is usually included, but dinner and lunch might not be. Don’t forget to budget for drinks. Laundry, while sometimes included in top-end safaris, is usually not included on a budget safari. Whatever level of safari you’re on, tips are always expected (and never included).”
2Can you describe a typical day on a Uganda budget trip?
“Most itineraries for a Uganda budget safari will cover a drive-around circuit of Uganda’s top attractions. A typical day on safari in one of the savannah reserves usually starts with a wake-up call before sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee, you’ll be on your way to look for predator action. Midmorning, you might come back to the lodge or campsite for brunch. You’ll get some time to rest during the midday heat. Then you’ll go out again wildlife viewing on an afternoon drive, or maybe a boat trip. Other days, you might take a packed lunch with you and spend a full day out. This is so you can reach areas farther away from your base. Days in the forest, where chimpanzee and gorilla trekking are the main activities, will be different. You will usually leave for the trek after a hearty breakfast and come back to your base for a late lunch. After a morning clambering around slippery forest slopes, the afternoon is usually spent at leisure. As time is usually limited to a safari of 5 to 14 days, the schedule tends to be tight and demanding. There will be days spent viewing wildlife in the parks and other days driving between the parks. The roads can get rough, and driving times can mean long hours in the vehicle. Usually there’s enough of interest between the parks to keep you occupied.”
3What type of accommodations can I expect?
“Uganda has matured as a tourist destination in recent years. As tourist figures have risen, new accommodations have opened up in and around all the parks. There are now options available for most budgets. Uganda is slightly behind some other safari destinations in terms of ultra-luxury facilities, but it has a nice niche in the mid-range category. Budget and mid-range accommodations are usually located outside the parks, within a half-hour drive to the gates. Budget accommodations used to be slightly shabby in Uganda, but some new neat, no-frills places have sprung up in recent years. The traditional safari camp style has become more popular and there is a tendency toward cottages and permanent safari tents. Permanent safari tents are, in effect, a canvas room with proper beds and en suite facilities. Real camping is usually the cheapest option and some companies offer a very comfortable setup. The campsites are usually inside the parks, well located for wildlife viewing and often in stunning locations.”
4What are the typical costs of a Uganda budget safari?
“You should budget on a starting price of US$300 per person per day. This price obviously depends on a lot of factors and that makes it difficult to put an accurate figure on the cost of a Uganda budget safari. While a safari is usually not cheap, opting for camping or budget accommodations will require a much lower budget when compared to using established mid-range and luxury accommodations. The season when you travel makes a difference too, as low- or high-season rates may apply. The parks don’t lend themselves to mass tourism, which is part of the appeal. That does mean that costs tend to be high, even on a cheap Uganda safari. Most safaris in East Africa are tailor-made and transport is usually in sturdy 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs to facilitate wildlife viewing. There are some hidden costs on a safari, such as tips for rangers and guides, fees for optional activities and drinks. On most safaris the park fees, accommodations, transport, tour guide and all meals are included. Confirm with your tour operator what is included and what is not. Tips for your guide can add up. If the guide did a good job, a tip of around US$10 to US$15 per person per day will be expected.”
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Lizzie authored many guidebooks, including Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
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Such an amazing experience, sometimes it didn't feel real. It surpassed all of our expectations.
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Extraordinary country and authentic people, but still facing many major challenges
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