How much does a safari cost in Uganda – Africa?

Uganda is one of the most affordable safari destinations in Africa, though luxury travelers can also enjoy high-end safaris in this beautiful country. Uganda is blessed with stunning landscapes, great weather, and amazing wildlife. It’s especially known for being one of the best places to see rare mountain gorillas, and the cost is lower compared to neighboring Rwanda. In Uganda, a gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for non-foreign residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. This is much cheaper than in Rwanda, where a permit costs $1,500.

Apart from mountain gorillas, Uganda is excellent for seeing other primates, earning it the title “Pearl of Africa.” Primate tours in Uganda can be combined with other activities like game drives, mountain hiking, fishing, nature walks, boat cruises, and cultural tours.

What Does a Safari in Uganda Cost?

Giving an exact price for a safari in Uganda can be difficult because tour operators charge differently for their packages. Plus, many factors affect the overall cost. The price of a trip varies for each traveler depending on these factors. Most tour operators in Uganda don’t include air tickets, visas, travel insurance, and personal expenses in their packages, so tourists must cover these costs themselves. Here are the main factors that affect the cost of a safari in Uganda:

Travel Season

The time of year you choose to visit Uganda will affect how much your safari costs. Uganda’s dry seasons (December to February and June to August) are the busiest, and prices tend to be higher during these times due to the large number of tourists. Hotels, gorilla permits, and other services are in high demand, and prices go up.

On the other hand, traveling during the low seasons (March to May and September to October) can save you money. Fewer tourists visit during this time, so you can find discounts on hotels, permits, and other services.

Choice of Safari Activities

The activities you choose for your safari can significantly impact the overall cost. Gorilla trekking is one of the most expensive activities. Gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park cost $800 for non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. If you want to experience gorilla habituation (spending more time with the gorillas), that permit costs $1,500.

However, the permit fees cover entrance to the park, ranger fees, and a certificate for completing the trek. By buying these permits, you’re also supporting gorilla conservation. Many tourists combine gorilla trekking with other activities like game drives, mountain hikes, and cultural experiences.

Game drives in Uganda’s national parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo Valley cost about $40. Visiting other parks such as Semuliki, Mount Elgon, and Rwenzori Mountains National Parks costs $35. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park costs $250 for Foreign Non-Residents, $200 for Foreign Residents and UGX 180,000 for East Africans. Other activities like boat rides or nature walks generally cost around $30.

Accommodation Choices

Your choice of accommodation can make a big difference in the overall price of your safari. Uganda offers accommodation options for all types of travelers—luxury, mid-range, and budget. Budget lodges can cost around $80 per night, while mid-range lodges are about $185 per night. Luxury lodges may charge around $500 per night, and super-luxury lodges can range between $1,000 to $2,500 per night.

Staying inside the national parks is usually more expensive than staying outside.

Number of Travelers

The cost of a safari can be lower if you’re traveling in a group because you’ll be sharing transportation, accommodation, and other services. Solo travelers tend to pay more since they have to cover the full cost of transportation and guide services. Hotels may also charge slightly more for solo travelers compared to couples or groups.

Duration of the Safari

The length of your safari also affects the total cost. On average, expect to spend about $250 per day per person. Shorter trips (1–5 days) are generally less expensive because there are fewer transportation and accommodation costs. However, if you choose a longer safari (6 days or more), you’ll have more time to explore Uganda, but it will come at a higher cost.

Food and Drinks

If you’re traveling by road to the national parks (which are far from the capital city Kampala), you’ll likely stop for meals along the way. Many tour operators include food in their packages, but if you’re on a self-drive safari or using public transportation, you’ll need to budget for meals. Restaurants along the major tourist routes, like at the Igongo Cultural Centre or the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, offer meals that range from $15 to $35.

Transportation

There are two main ways to reach Uganda’s safari parks—by road or by air. Most tour operators provide 4×4 vehicles for road safaris, but you can also book charter flights with companies like Aerolink or Bar Aviation. Air travel is quicker but more expensive. Road travel is cheaper but can involve long hours of driving. However, driving can be a fun way to experience Uganda’s landscapes and stop at interesting sights, like the Equator.

Luxury travelers often use Toyota Land Cruisers, which offer good views and air conditioning. These can cost $150 to $200 per day (excluding fuel and driver fees). For budget travelers, a Toyota RAV4 may cost around $50 per day (excluding fuel and guide fees).

Souvenirs and Tips

To make your trip more memorable, you may want to buy souvenirs like local crafts, paintings, or art. These are sold in markets, cultural centers, and safari parks. You may also want to tip hotel staff, park rangers, or your driver-guide. While tipping is not mandatory in Uganda, it is appreciated. Tipping costs vary depending on the service provided.

Where to go while on a safari in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – See The Mountain Gorillas

• Price: From US $1,100
• Duration: 3 Days Safari

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is renowned for hosting the world’s largest population of endangered mountain gorillas. With over half of the remaining global population of these majestic primates residing here, Bwindi is a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique and profound wildlife experience. Trekking through the dense forest in search of these gentle giants is an unforgettable adventure.

In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience, where they spend a full day observing and interacting with the gorillas. This once-in-a-lifetime experience costs around US $800 and allows travelers to be part of the process of acclimating gorillas to human presence.

The park is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with over 350 species of birds recorded, making forest birding another popular activity. Nature walks through the thick jungle offer a chance to explore Bwindi’s impressive biodiversity, including its flora and smaller fauna. Additionally, visitors can engage in cultural experiences by interacting with the local Batwa pygmies, who have lived in these forests for centuries and have a deep connection with the land.

Bwindi’s lush and impenetrable forests, along with its rich biodiversity, make it one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet, a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Africa.

Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzee Trekking

• Price: From US $950
• Duration: 3 Days Safari

Kibale Forest National Park, located near Fort Portal in western Uganda, is often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” It is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees, making it the perfect destination for chimpanzee trekking. The park covers an area of 766 square kilometers of evergreen rainforest, with altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,600 meters, offering a spectacular environment for exploring and wildlife encounters.

Chimpanzee trekking involves following the paths left by these primates, including clues like footprints and droppings, to locate and observe them in their natural habitat. Expert guides accompany visitors, sharing insights on the behavior, social structures, and daily lives of the chimpanzees, as well as other primates such as monkeys and baboons, which also inhabit the forest.

In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest is home to 12 other primate species, and sightings of animals like the red colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey are common during the treks. The park is also a birding hotspot, with over 375 bird species recorded.

Kibale is connected to Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering the opportunity to combine chimpanzee trekking with a classic safari experience. For travelers unable to visit Kibale, chimpanzee tracking can also be done in Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park or the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Tree Climbing Lions and Game Drives

• Price: From US $730
• Duration: 3 Days Safari

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most iconic safari destinations, known for its striking landscapes and incredible wildlife diversity. Located in western Uganda, the park covers an area of about 1,978 square kilometers and features a mix of savanna grasslands, volcanic cones, deep craters, swamps, and tropical rainforests.

One of the most unique and exciting aspects of visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park is the opportunity to see tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. These lions, which are typically found resting in fig trees, are a rare sight and can only be seen in a few places worldwide.

The park is also famous for its game drives, which offer the chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, leopards, antelopes, and hyenas. Bird lovers will be delighted to know that Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 bird species, making it one of the best bird-watching destinations in Africa.

The Kazinga Channel offers another unique experience, where travelers can take a boat cruise to see large groups of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species, all while enjoying the stunning scenery of the park.

Murchison Falls National Park – Boat Cruise and Game Drives

• Price: From US $850
• Duration: 3 Days Tour

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda, covering over 3,840 square kilometers. The park’s namesake waterfall, Murchison Falls, is a dramatic highlight, where the Victoria Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters in a thunderous cascade.

Visitors to Murchison Falls National Park can embark on thrilling game drives, where they may spot a variety of animals, including lions, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and leopards. The park is also home to a growing population of rhinos, thanks to the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which offers a chance to see these majestic creatures up close.

A boat cruise along the Nile River is another must-do activity. The cruise takes visitors to the base of Murchison Falls, offering stunning views of the falls and a chance to spot wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and various water birds along the riverbanks.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park – Mountain Hiking

• Price: From US $1,050
• Duration: 6 Days Climbing Tour

For adventurous travelers seeking a challenge, Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers a spectacular hiking experience. The Rwenzori mountain range, located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon” due to their snow-capped peaks and mystical landscapes.

The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to alpine moorlands, and glaciers at the highest peaks. The highest point, Margherita Peak, stands at 5,109 meters and is the third-highest mountain in Africa.

Hiking in the Rwenzoris offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness diverse landscapes and ecosystems, from lush forests at the base to snow-capped peaks at the summit. While the hike is challenging, it is incredibly rewarding, with breathtaking views and the chance to encounter unique flora and fauna along the way.