Uganda safari FAQs

Book gorilla and chimp permits at least three to six months ahead for peak season (December to February and June to September). Other safaris can often be arranged within a few weeks if lodges have space.

Yes. Use our Plan your trip form or message us on WhatsApp with your dates, group size, interests and budget.

December to February and June to September are usually driest for trekking and game drives. March to May and October to November are greener with fewer crowds.

This website only takes enquiries. When you confirm a trip we share bank transfer, mobile money (MTN MoMo or Airtel Money) and cash payment options in Uganda shillings or US dollars.

Yes. Uganda Wildlife Authority and many lodges offer lower fees for East African Community citizens and foreign residents with valid proof. See our local tourists page for sample packages in UGX.

Most international visitors need a Uganda e-visa applied online before travel. Check the latest rules for your nationality on the official immigration portal.

Yellow fever certificate is required when arriving from endemic countries. Malaria prevention is recommended. Visit a travel clinic for personalised advice.

The Ugandan shilling (UGX) is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted for park fees, permits and many lodges, provided the notes are series 2009 or later, undamaged and free of marks. Bring a mix of small and large denomination dollars, since some vendors give a worse rate for older or torn bills. Visa and Mastercard work at ATMs and larger hotels in Kampala, Entebbe and regional towns, but cards are rarely accepted in national parks or rural areas, so carry enough cash for the trip.

ATMs are common in Kampala, Entebbe and regional towns such as Mbarara, Kasese and Fort Portal, but scarce or absent inside national parks, so withdraw what you need before heading into the field. A local SIM from MTN or Airtel is cheap, widely available at the airport and in towns, and gives you mobile data plus mobile money (MTN MoMo or Airtel Money), which many lodges and shops accept alongside cash. You will need your passport to register a SIM.

Tipping is not compulsory but is a normal and appreciated part of Uganda safari culture. Common guidance is roughly US$10-20 per person per day for your driver-guide, US$10-15 per person for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking guides and rangers, and US$5-15 for porters, with lodge staff tipped individually or through a shared staff box. Ugandan shillings are easiest for porters and rangers who may not be able to change foreign notes; keep some small denomination cash aside for this.

Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing for game drives and forest walks, a warm layer for early mornings and higher altitude, and a waterproof jacket year-round all earn their place. For gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, wear sturdy closed hiking boots, long trousers tucked into socks, and gardening-style gloves for pushing through vegetation; a walking stick and porter are worth hiring locally. Add insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, a dry bag for electronics, and a basic first-aid kit with any personal medication.

English is Uganda's official language and is widely spoken in tourism, business and government, so you will get by comfortably without local language. Luganda is the most widely spoken indigenous language, alongside many others depending on the region, such as Rukiga and Rutooro in the south-west. Guides and lodge staff are fluent in English, and a few friendly Luganda greetings are appreciated but never required.

Uganda is in East Africa Time (UTC+3) year-round, with no daylight saving changes. Mains power is 240V at 50Hz, delivered through type G sockets, the same three rectangular-pin plug used in the UK, so travellers from the US, Europe or elsewhere will need an adapter and, for non dual-voltage devices, a voltage converter. Power cuts happen occasionally outside major towns; most lodges have backup generators or solar power.

Tap water in Uganda is not generally recommended for drinking, even in Kampala. Stick to bottled or properly filtered water, which is provided in the vehicle and at lodges on our trips, and use it for brushing your teeth too if you want to be cautious. Ice in drinks at reputable lodges and restaurants is normally made from treated water, but ask if you are unsure.

Flash photography is not allowed during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, since it can startle the animals; use natural light and a fast shutter speed or a higher ISO instead. Keep at least seven metres from gorillas at all times, as set by Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect both visitors and animals from disease transmission, and always follow your ranger guide's instructions on distance and movement. On game drives, stay inside the vehicle unless a guide says otherwise, and never feed wildlife.

Major routes between Kampala, Entebbe and the main parks are tarmacked, though often busy and two-lane, while roads inside and around national parks are unpaved murram tracks that turn slippery in the rain. We provide a licensed driver-guide and a 4x4 safari vehicle on every trip, so self-driving is not necessary and most visitors prefer not to navigate rural roads and checkpoints themselves. If you do plan to self-drive, a high-clearance 4x4 and prior East African driving experience are strongly recommended.

Solo travellers are welcome on our trips; gorilla and chimpanzee permits are issued per person rather than per group, so a single traveller can join a scheduled trek. Private trips for one or two people cost more per person than a larger group sharing a vehicle and driver-guide, since fixed costs like the vehicle and fuel are spread across fewer people. Tell us if you would rather join other travellers to share costs, or keep the trip fully private.