/destinations/uganda/
At a Glance
Uganda holds both mountain gorillas and one of Africa's most rewarding chimpanzee-tracking forests, which makes it the strongest single country for primate-focused travel in East Africa. It's larger and involves more internal transfer time than Rwanda, so a Uganda extension generally needs an extra day or two built in — a trade-off that buys you a broader primate itinerary.
Why Add Uganda to a Tanzania Safari
Where Rwanda offers the most efficient route to a single gorilla trek, Uganda offers range: gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and the option of gorilla habituation experiences that allow considerably longer contact time than a standard trek. For travellers whose priority is primates rather than convenience, Uganda usually wins.
Where to Go in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — the country's principal mountain gorilla destination, a dense montane forest in the southwest with several habituated families across different sectors.
Kibale Forest — widely regarded as East Africa's best chimpanzee tracking, with a large habituated community and high encounter rates.
Entebbe — the international gateway on the shore of Lake Victoria, generally used as an arrival or departure night rather than a destination in itself.
Gorilla Trekking Permits
Uganda operates a permit system administered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with permits allocated per family and per day. Permits must be secured well in advance; current pricing and the separate, higher-cost habituation permit should be confirmed at time of booking rather than assumed from published guidance.
Best Time to Visit Uganda
Trekking runs year-round. Drier conditions generally fall between June and August and December and February, though Bwindi and Kibale are rainforests and rain is possible in any month.