How to plan a perfect Ugandan Holiday from London

To plan a Ugandan holiday from London, you must prepare well and know what to expect. Uganda offers rich wildlife, welcoming people, and dramatic landscapes. It is home to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and diverse bird species. You will also find vibrant cities, peaceful lakes, and ancient cultures. Direct flights from London Gatwick to Entebbe, launched by Uganda Airlines in May 2025, make travel easier. This route reconnects the UK and Uganda directly, reducing long layovers. Now is a good time to explore this East African treasure. Follow these ten steps to plan your perfect trip. From choosing destinations to booking flights and securing travel gear, everything matters. Use this guide to get ready for your journey. Travel with ease, confidence, and full awareness of what lies ahead.

Choose Your Destinations

Uganda has 10 national parks, 4 wildlife reserves, towns, and cultural spots to visit. Decide what kind of holiday you want before choosing your destinations. If you want a classic safari, visit Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park. These parks offer great game drives with chances to see many animals. If you prefer learning about cultures, go to Karamoja in the north or Kidepo Valley. Nature lovers should not miss Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking or Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Bird watchers will enjoy Entebbe near Lake Victoria and other conservation areas in western Uganda. For city life, explore Kampala or Jinja, where the Nile River begins. Families with young children should be cautious about malaria in lowland areas but can still enjoy many parts of Uganda safely.

Plan Your Activities

After choosing your destinations, decide on activities you want to do. You might want to go gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safaris, boat trips, or bird watching. Cultural visits to villages and towns add another layer to your experience. Planning your activities early helps you book necessary permits and guides. Gorillas and chimpanzees require special permits, and these sell out fast. Booking your activities at least six months in advance gives you a better chance to secure spots. Think about the balance between adventure and relaxation when making your plan. Remember to include time for travel between places, as roads can be slow.

Set Your Travel Dates

Uganda has two main seasons: dry and rainy. Most tourists prefer the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. During these months, trails in forests are easier to walk, and animals gather around waterholes. The dry season is also best for boat trips on the Kazinga Channel or the Victoria Nile. However, it is still possible to see wildlife and enjoy activities in the rainy season. The forest may be wetter, but it also feels green and fresh. Check your calendar to match Uganda’s travel seasons with your work or school holidays. Also, consider global health updates that may affect your travel timing.

Book Your Tours and Accommodation

Decide whether you will travel alone or hire a tour guide to help you. Many travelers prefer guided safaris because the guide handles transport, meals, and permits. Tour operators arrange everything and drive you between parks and lodges. If you like planning on your own, be ready to organize transport and permits yourself. Some parks, like Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth, are easier for self-planners. However, for gorilla trekking or remote areas, a local operator is best. Book your gorilla permits early, as only a few people can visit each day.

Arrange Your Flights

Flights to Uganda from London are sometimes costly and seats fill up fast. Booking early usually gets you better prices and more flight options. Check if your airline flies directly to Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s main airport. Use flight comparison websites such as Skyscanner to find the cheapest fares. Share your flight details with your tour operator or hotel so they can arrange airport pickups. Uganda Airlines now flies directly from London Gatwick, which makes travel easier and faster. This route started in May 2025 and connects Uganda and the UK without stops.

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects your investment in flights, tours, and accommodation. It also covers unexpected events like flight cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. In Uganda, airlines sometimes cancel flights with little notice, and health services may not be up to the standards you expect. Your insurance should cover medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury. Also, check that it covers trip cancellation and theft. Travel insurance is an important step before your journey begins.

Check Your Visa and Passport

Before traveling, check if you need a visa for Uganda. Visa rules depend on your nationality, not where you live. Apply for your visa online at Uganda’s official immigration site: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date. Uganda offers single-entry visas valid for three months and multiple-entry visas valid for six months. Stay updated with official immigration sources rather than relying on outdated travel advice.

Prepare Your Vaccinations and Medicine

Visit a travel clinic at least two months before your trip to get recommended vaccinations. Common vaccines for Uganda include yellow fever (mandatory), hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies. Malaria is a risk in many parts of Uganda, so ask your doctor about the best anti-malaria medication. Pregnant women should be aware of the Zika virus risk in some areas. Keep up to date with Covid-19 travel rules by checking official UK government travel websites.

Pack Your Travel Gear

Packing the right gear makes your safari more comfortable and enjoyable. Essential items include mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, and binoculars. Weather in Uganda changes quickly, so pack clothes for both warm days and cold nights. Nights can be cold, especially in the highlands near Bwindi. A good camera or extra memory for your phone will help you capture wildlife and landscapes. Don’t forget a small first aid kit with personal medicine for minor injuries or sickness.

Plan Your Money

Decide how you will manage your money while in Uganda. Carrying large sums of cash is not safe, but ATMs are not everywhere. Avoid traveler’s checks because they are rarely accepted. Your best option is to withdraw cash from ATMs once you arrive. Change some money into smaller bills and local currency (Uganda Shillings) for tips and small purchases. Most lodges and camps accept credit or debit cards with Visa or MasterCard logos. Divide your cash and keep it in different places for safety. Let your bank know you will use your cards in Uganda to avoid fraud alerts.

Suggested 10-Day Ugandan Holiday from London

A 10-day Ugandan holiday from London takes you across wild savannahs, lush forests, and deep river valleys. This trip includes game drives, boat cruises, and primate trekking. You’ll explore Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Each day brings a different view of Uganda’s wildlife and culture. Watch lions hunt, hear chimpanzees call, and see mountain gorillas up close. You’ll also meet locals and pass through small towns. You’ll stay in safari lodges that match your comfort and budget.

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and Drive to Kampala

Your trip starts when you land at Entebbe International Airport and meet your driver at the gate. The drive to Kampala takes about one hour depending on traffic along the road. As you drive, your guide shares stories about Uganda’s past and present. He’ll explain the places you’ll visit during the trip. In Kampala, you check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and get some rest before the long adventure.

Accommodation Options

• Forest Cottages (Budget)
• Cassia Lodge (Mid-range)
• Kampala Serena Hotel (Luxury)

Destination: Kampala

Day 2: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you begin the long journey to Murchison Falls in northern Uganda. The road passes through small towns and green fields filled with fruit and livestock. Your first stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you track rhinos on foot with a guide. You’ll walk safely near the animals and take great photos from a distance. After that, you eat lunch in Masindi town before entering the national park. Later in the evening, check into your lodge for dinner and prepare for tomorrow’s game drive.

Accommodation Options

• Heritage Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge (Budget)
• Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
• Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Trip on the Nile

Wake up early and take coffee before heading into the park for your morning game drive. You’ll explore the northern part of the park along the Nile’s riverbanks. Keep your eyes open for elephants, giraffes, lions, and hartebeests among the tall grass. After the drive, go back to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the boat dock. The boat trip follows the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. You’ll see hippos swimming and animals drinking from the river’s edge. Watch water forcefully shoot through the narrow rocks before returning to the lodge.

Day 4: Drive from Murchison to Kibale Forest

After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive follows the Rift Valley and passes villages, farms, and small markets. You’ll see rolling hills, banana plantations and tea estates along the way. Stop for lunch before continuing on the road. The journey takes about seven to eight hours, depending on weather and traffic. When you arrive, check into your lodge and enjoy dinner surrounded by forest sounds.

Accommodation Options

• Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Budget)
• Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range)
• Primate Lodge (Luxury)

Destination: Kibale National Park

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

Start the day with breakfast and head to the park office for a short safety briefing. Trained rangers lead you into the forest where chimpanzees live in groups. Listen for loud calls and rustling branches as you walk along narrow trails. After one hour with the chimpanzees, return to the lodge for lunch and a short break. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland, a great place for bird watching and nature walks. The wetland has monkeys, butterflies, and colorful birds in every tree. Later, return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 6: Drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route passes crater lakes, tea gardens, and scenic hills before entering the park. You might see animals by the roadside as you approach your lodge. The park’s open plains and wooded savannahs are home to lions, buffaloes, and elephants. After check-in, relax at the lodge as you prepare for the next day’s activities.

Accommodation Options

• Bush Lodge (Budget)
• Marafiki Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
• Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early and take coffee before heading into the park for a morning game drive. The guide helps you find lions, elephants, hyenas, and many antelope species. Watch animals move through the grasslands and listen to birds singing from the trees. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest before the boat ride in the afternoon. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and draws many animals to its banks. During the boat cruise, spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi through Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, your driver takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the south. You pass through the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions that often rest in fig trees. Keep your camera ready as you drive slowly through this area. The journey continues into the misty hills of Bwindi, home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. On arrival, check into your lodge and rest as you prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla tracking.

Accommodation Options

• Broadbill Camp (Budget)
• Gorilla Mist Camp / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
• Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury)

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Wake up early and take breakfast before driving to the park headquarters for a short briefing. Rangers explain what to expect and assign you to a group. You must carry enough drinking water, packed lunch, and walking gear. The trekking might take one to six hours depending on the gorilla family’s location. Once found, you spend one hour watching the gorillas as they eat, groom, and rest. Afterward, hike back through the forest and return to the lodge. This day ends with dinner and rest as you reflect on the gorilla encounter.

Day 10: Drive from Bwindi to Kampala or Airport

Have breakfast early and start the long drive from Bwindi to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, stop for lunch in Mbarara town and stretch your legs. You’ll also pause at the Uganda Equator for photos and a chance to buy crafts. Continue driving through small towns and farmland as you head toward the capital. When you reach Kampala, your driver will drop you off at a hotel or at the airport. This marks the end of your 10-day safari across Uganda.