Uganda
Winston Churchill called Uganda “the Pearl of Africa,” and the name has stuck because it is accurate. This compact East African country is extraordinarily lush, with a landscape of crater lakes, dense tropical forests, savanna grasslands, snow capped mountains, and the world’s longest river (the Nile) flowing from Lake Victoria through Murchison Falls before heading north to Egypt. It is one of the most biodiverse countries on the continent, and for travelers, it offers mountain gorilla trekking at roughly half the cost of neighboring Rwanda.
Uganda is not as polished or well marketed as Kenya or Tanzania, and the roads can be challenging. But that roughness is part of the charm. The wildlife encounters feel more raw and authentic, the forests are wilder, and the sense of discovery is stronger. When you finally sit in a misty Bwindi forest clearing watching a silverback gorilla feed just 20 feet away, the journey to get there makes the experience all the more powerful.
Where to Go
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and is the primary reason most travelers visit Uganda. The trekking experience involves hiking through dense, steep forest (the “impenetrable” name is earned) with experienced trackers until you locate a habituated gorilla family. The hour you spend with them, watching them eat, play, and interact just a few meters away, is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on the planet.
Kibale Forest National Park is the best place in East Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Habituated chimpanzee communities allow close encounters, and the forest is also home to 12 other primate species, making it the “primate capital of the world.”
Queen Elizabeth National Park spans the equator and offers classic African safari alongside some unique experiences. The Kazinga Channel boat safari brings you past hippos, elephants, buffalo, and dozens of bird species. The Ishasha sector is famous for its tree climbing lions, which drape themselves across fig tree branches in a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa.
Murchison Falls National Park in the north is where the Nile forces itself through a 23 foot gap in the rock and explodes into a thundering cascade. The boat cruise to the base of the falls, passing crocodiles, hippos, and elephants along the river banks, is spectacular.
Where to Stay
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Bwindi is the most acclaimed gorilla lodge, with tented suites inside the national park itself. Volcanoes Safaris operates Bwindi Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge with excellent guiding and community integration. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi offers luxury with stunning views. Primate Lodge Kibale is the best base for chimpanzee tracking.
Let Us Plan Your Uganda Trip
Uganda gorilla permits are limited and must be booked well in advance. The driving distances between parks are significant, and domestic flights can save valuable time. We will coordinate the permits, plan the route, and arrange lodges so you can experience the Pearl of Africa at its best.
