Cookie Settings

By clicking ‘Accept’ you agree that we use Analytical cookies for gathering information about how our website is used, as well as Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted partners) to personalize our advertising campaigns and to allow you to share on social media. About our use of cookies

Manage Cookie Settings

Please select which cookies you would like to keep switched on. Open a list of all cookies

Below you can decide which type of cookies you would like to keep switched on. Open a list of all cookies


Functional cookies

Functional cookies are essential to using our website and cannot be switched off. These cookies do not contain personal information and are not used for analytical or advertising purposes. Show Hide description

Analytical cookies (anonymous)

Analytical cookies gather anonymous information about how our website is used. The information collected does not contain personal information, cannot be traced back to you, and is not used for advertising purposes. Show Hide description

Advertising and social media cookies

Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted partners) enable us to personalize our advertising campaigns, and enable you to share on social media. Show Hide description

Filter Options

Your Safari

Where To
Start Date
Start Date
2 Adults
Age at the end of the tour
Travelers

Tour Length

Rates in USD $ Change Currency

Per person, excl. international flights

Comfort Level

Private or Shared Tour

Safari Type

Operator Rating

Specialized Tours

+ Show more

Other Tour Features

Filter by Operator

Filter by Accommodation

Operators From

+ Show more

Uganda Private Safaris & Gorilla Tours

4.3/5  –  327 Uganda Reviews

You can’t go wrong when you book a private safari in Uganda. In travel circles, this lush equatorial country is best known for sheltering half the world’s mountain gorillas. But gorilla trekking is just one part of its impressive natural arsenal. In Uganda, you can raft Grade 5 rapids on the world’s longest river, bounce across savannah in search of the legendary Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), hike the forested slopes of the Rwenzori and Virunga (Africa’s third- and sixth-highest mountain ranges) and marvel at a dazzling birdlife that includes more than 1,000 species. Indeed, Uganda is arguably Africa’s most diverse safari destination, and a private package allows you to choose exactly which of its highlights you include in your itinerary.

Selected filters:
Clear All Filters
1-20 of 1,022 private safaris and gorilla trekking tours to Uganda

6 Questions About Uganda Private Tours

 
 

6 Questions About Uganda Private Tours

Answered by Philip Briggs

What are the pros and cons of a private trip in Uganda?

“An obvious advantage of booking a private safari rather than joining a group tour is that you have greater autonomy when it comes to your travel dates and itinerary. Once on the road, it allows you the freedom to make day-to-day decisions about the timing and duration of activities rather than having to go with the flow. And on a private safari, there is no risk of being matched with incompatible strangers who spoil your holiday or have clashing agendas. Private safaris are particularly recommended to keen photographers, ardent bird-watchers and others with niche interests. There are no major negatives associated with a private safari. However, especially for single travelers, a private safari will generally be much more expensive than a group tour. The main additional costs are associated with road transport, which works out more cheaply split between several people. Solo travelers on a private safari will also need to pay single supplements on accommodation (which might be avoidable if they join a group safari and are prepared to share a room).”

1

Will the guide have meals with us on a private safari?

“It is not generally customary for guides to eat with their clients on a private safari, except perhaps when you stop for lunch on the road or carry a boxed breakfast. Otherwise, most meals will be part of a full-board package at a lodge or tented camp. The standard scenario is that guests either have a private table or eat communally with other guests. If you prefer to have meals with your guide, some lodges and tented camps will arrange that on the spot, while others might be less keen to do so. It’s probably a good idea to specify this with the operator in advance.”

2

What type of vehicle can I expect on a private Uganda safari?

“On a Uganda private safari, you can expect to travel in a Land Cruiser, Land Rover or similar high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. These 4x4s tend to be relatively slow on main roads, depending to some extent on the age and condition of the vehicle. But they are ideal for navigating rough roads in and around wildlife reserves. If you travel with a relatively upmarket operator, you might be put in a stretch vehicle, which means there will be plenty of space for you and your luggage. Whatever vehicle you are allocated, it will almost certainly have a pop-up roof, which can be raised on game drives to allow you to see more.”

3

What is the best time of the year for a Uganda safari?

“The ideal time of year for a Uganda safari is one of the two Dry seasons, which cover the months of June to August and December to February. September and October are also quite good. While it is possible to travel during the core rainy season of March to May, this would be less than ideal. The main reason to avoid the rainy season is that the forest trails used for tracking chimpanzees and gorillas become very muddy and slippery. There is also a greater risk of these and other activities being disrupted by the weather.”

4

Which parks should we visit on a private Uganda trip?

“That depends greatly on your interests and on how long you plan to spend in Uganda, but the one activity that is included on most safaris is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These two parks lie in the far southwest, a full day’s drive from the capital Kampala and nearby Entebbe International Airport. They can only realistically be visited on a safari of at least 3 days duration (unless you fly from Entebbe). If you have 4 to 7 days for a Uganda private safari, gorilla trekking in the southwest is usually combined with visits to Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and/or Kibale National Parks. Queen Elizabeth is one of the country’s best savannah parks, providing sanctuary to four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo; there are no rhino). It also offers fun boat trips to look at hippos and waterbirds. Kibale is Uganda’s premier chimp trekking destination and generally rewarding for forest birds and monkeys. With 10 to 14 days in Uganda, you could extend your private safari by heading northwest to Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest and Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, or northeast to Kidepo Valley National Park.”

5

How much does a private Uganda safari cost?

“The prices of private Uganda tour packages depend on a number of factors, but most options cost from US$250 to US$350 per person per day. This is inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport, activities and park fees. Factors that might bump up the price include the use of domestic flights and/or luxury lodges. And you might pay much less for a budget camping trip that doesn’t include gorilla trekking and the associated US$600 permit.”

6

Uganda Reviews

4.3/5 327 Reviews
Expert
Mark Eveleigh  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

Fantastic wildlife and some of the friendliest people in Africa make Uganda unbeatable
5/5

I spent a month travelling around Uganda with a self-drive, expedition-prepared Landcruiser and visited almost every national park in the country. Uganda was a revelation! I had not expected such a richness of wildlife or such great...

Full Review

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,...

Full Review

Marion Schöbel  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Nov 14, 2023
Indescribably beautiful
5/5

The country is beautiful, the people are friendly, approachable, open, funny and always in a good mood. The safari with NganiSafari was an unforgettable experience for me. I hit the jackpot with my driver, David. He always knows where and...

Full Review

Dany Punie  –  
Belgium BE
Reviewed: Oct 26, 2023
Our new favorite country!!
5/5

We had the most beautifull experience in Uganda! In 3 weeks, we enjoyed Sipi Falls, Kidepo NP, Queen Elisabeth NP, the magnificent Murchison Park and the Falls (never seen such a stunning and powerfull Fall!), Kibale NP, with an...

Full Review

Karen  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Oct 15, 2023
Amazing!
5/5

Uganda is an underrated destination. I had a wonderful time. The people were so kind and I felt completely safe. I visited Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale Natinal Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. I had...

Full Review

Cristina  –  
Italy IT
Reviewed: Oct 9, 2023
Stunning country, full of explosive and lush nature. Wonderful!
5/5

Uganda is a wonderful country, full of explosive and lush nature. We saw many animals (elephants, giraffes, hyenas, lions, leopards, antelopes, zebras, hippos, buffaloes, all types of birds) and the encounter with chimpanzees and gorillas...

Full Review