Forest & safari11–12 nights
Uganda: Gorillas, Chimps & the Nile
Murchison · Kibale · Queen Elizabeth · Bwindi
Nobu / Uganda
Uganda.
The green heart of Africa, where the forest meets the plains.
Travel stylePrivate & tailor-made
Start withYour dates and interests
Suggested paceFewer stops, more time
Your next stepA conversation with Nobu
The Nobu perspective
Uganda,
at your pace.
Uganda joins misted rainforest, crater lakes, Nile waterways and open savannah in one compact journey. Mountain gorillas in Bwindi and chimpanzees in Kibale lead the experience, complemented by Queen Elizabeth's game and Murchison Falls' powerful river landscape.
Forest encounters set Uganda apart. Guided treks follow habituated gorilla families through Bwindi and chimpanzees beneath Kibale's canopy, with permits, trail conditions and individual mobility shaping the day more than any fixed promise of ease.
The journey broadens through Kazinga Channel boat safaris, Ishasha's plains and the Nile below Murchison Falls. Cultural visits with Batwa, Bakiga and other communities should remain respectful, locally arranged and free from spectacle.
12 areas to explore
All places in Uganda
Browse the places by area type.
12 areas · All places
8 places to stayMountains & highlands
Kibale
8 places to stayParks & reserves
Queen Elizabeth National Park
7 places to stayParks & reserves
Murchison Falls National Park
6 places to stayParks & reserves
Bwindi, Buhoma
6 places to stayParks & reserves
Bwindi, Ruhija
6 places to stayParks & reserves
Bwindi, Rushaga
3 places to stayParks & reserves
Bwindi, Nkuringo
5 places to stayParks & reserves
Kidepo Valley National Park
6 places to stayParks & reserves
Lake Mburo National Park
4 places to stayParks & reserves
Mgahinga
5 places to stayCities & gateways
Entebbe
4 places to stayCities & gateways
Kampala
Suggested Uganda journeys
Uganda safari itineraries
Suggested routes are a starting point for a tailored journey.
What to experience
Things to do in Uganda
When to go
Best time to visit Uganda
Start with the season that suits the journey you want, then confirm conditions for your exact route.
A closer look at Uganda
Jul / Individual planning
Your dates, your route
Start with your preferred month. Your designer will help match the season, chosen stays and connections to your route, interests and preferred pace.
June–September and December–February
Drier trail windows
June–September and December–February are Uganda's drier trekking windows. Forest trails are usually firmer, walking can be easier, and savannah wildlife often gathers around water. These are popular months, so gorilla and chimpanzee permits should be secured early and remain subject to availability.
March–May and October–November
The wetter seasons
March–May and October–November bring lush forest, strong birding and fewer walkers, alongside muddy, slippery paths that can lengthen and intensify a trek. Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking operates year-round, subject to permits and current conditions; there is no closed forest season.
Good to know
Uganda travel essentials
Getting there
International gateways and domestic connections vary by route. Nobu confirms the best current connection for your dates before the itinerary is approved.
Read moreEntry rules
Passport, visa and arrival rules depend on your nationality and can change. Check the official source for your passport and travel date. We go over the current rules with you as we plan your trip.
Read moreHealth planning
Health requirements and advice vary by traveller and routing. Seek current advice from an appropriate travel-health professional before travel.
Read moreFees and permits
Park, conservation, trekking or local fees may apply. Nobu confirms current amounts and inclusions in the approved quote.
Read moreAccess needs
Share mobility, sensory, dietary and pacing needs early. Nobu checks each proposed stay, vehicle and activity against the individual journey.
Read moreTime to allow
The right length depends on season, route and pace. Nobu will shape the nights and connections around the approved journey rather than a fixed template.
Read moreGood questions. Straight answers.
Is Uganda safe for tourists?
Conditions vary by place and date. Review current official travel advice for your route and discuss the support plan with Nobu before the itinerary is approved.
When is the best time for a Uganda safari?
The drier months — June to September and December to February — are easiest for gorilla and chimp trekking and savannah game viewing; the wetter months bring lush forest, fewer crowds and superb birding. Gorilla trekking runs year-round.
How many days do you need in Uganda?
Seven to twelve days suits most journeys; allow at least two nights at Bwindi for the gorillas, and add Kibale and a savannah park for the full picture.
Do you need a permit to see the gorillas in Uganda?
Yes. Gorilla trekking requires a permit issued in limited daily numbers; we secure these well in advance as part of your journey, and confirm the current official rate with you.
Is Uganda good for families, first-timers or accessible travel?
Suitability depends on the individual traveller, vehicle, stay and activity. Share your access needs early so Nobu can check each proposed part of the journey before approval.
Helpful stories & guides
Uganda travel guides
Useful reads to help you compare places, think through the timing and imagine how your journey could come together.
Travel guide · 7 min read
Best time to visit Uganda, park by park
The best time to visit Uganda is June to August and December to February. Park by park: Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Kidepo and Bwindi.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 8 min read
Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking: which to choose?
Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking compared: $800 vs $1,500 permits, travel time from the airport, number of gorilla families and the wider trip.
Read the guide
Safari story · 7 min read
Can a family safari in Uganda work when the children are different ages?
A family safari in Uganda with children of different ages: gorillas from 15, chimpanzees from 12, and boats, falls and walks for everyone younger.
Read the story
Safari story · 6 min read
Is a luxury safari in Uganda right for you?
A luxury safari in Uganda: small forest lodges, gorillas and chimps on foot, the Nile, flights between parks. Nine to twelve nights; Rwanda if transfers matter.
Read the story
Travel guide · 8 min read
Best time for gorilla trekking: the trail and the permit, month by month
The best time for gorilla trekking is June to August and December to February. Trail conditions by month, plus Uganda's and Rwanda's permit calendars.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
When is the best time to go on safari in East Africa?
The best time to go on safari depends on what you most want to see: crossings, calving, gorillas, elephants or quiet green months. A month-by-goal guide.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
Best time to see the great migration
Where the great migration is each month: calving in the southern Serengeti in February, the Grumeti around June, Mara River crossings in August and September.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
How much does a safari cost, and what drives the price?
How much does a safari cost? Six things set the price, from lodge tier and season to park fees that double in the Mara from July. Real fees, dated.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
What to pack for a safari
What to pack for a safari: soft bags, neutral clothes, each bush airline's own allowance, optics, plugs, plastic-bag bans and gorilla-trek extras.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
Wheelchair-accessible safaris in East Africa: what works, and what to ask
A wheelchair accessible safari is possible in East Africa if each step is checked: vehicle, camp, paths, flights and pace. What works, where, and what to ask.
Read the guide
Safari story · 6 min read
Is a Big Five safari the right goal for you?
A Big Five safari needs a rhino area on the route. Where all five are realistic in Kenya and Tanzania, what it adds in days and fees, and when to let it go.
Read the story
Safari story · 6 min read
Christmas safari
A Christmas safari means green plains, peak rates and early booking. What it costs, how much rain to expect this December, and who should choose another month.
Read the storyPair it with
Combine Uganda with another destination
Give your time in Uganda another dimension. We’ll help you consider the connections and the time each place deserves.
