Gorilla and Uganda Safaris from South Africa

It is possible to arrange gorilla and Uganda Safaris from South Africa with the right tour operator and knowledge. Uganda is the leading gorilla trekking destination in the world with over half the gorilla population in the world found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda is also home to over seven savanna national parks making it a great safari destination on the African continent. Every year, thousands of tourists travel from South Africa to participate in gorillas and other safaris in Uganda. It is possible to travel from South Africa to Uganda to have the best and most exciting safari experiences in Uganda.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day Murchison Falls National Park safari

2 Day Lake Mburo game & Boat safari

3 Day Lake Mburo wildlife, boat & walking safari

4 Day Kidepo Valley Fly in Safari

3 Day Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari

3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari

16 Days Primates, Game & Culture

19 Day Best of Uganda Safari

3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation Safari

5 Days Gorillas & Game Safari

Travelling from South Africa: Tourists can travel from South Africa to Uganda using air transport and this is the safest and quickest way to travel for gorilla and Uganda Safaris. There are so many airlines that you can use, and some of these include South Africa Airways Airlink, Uganda Airlines, Rwanda Air, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airlines, among others.

After landing at Entebbe Airport, you can choose to either fly to the different gorilla trekking destinations or drive.

Or one may decide to choose a road trip from Entebbe International Airport to all the safari destinations within the country. We will help you organize all transport means that are to your preference and note that all road trips are made using 4x4 comfortable safari vehicles.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda from South Africa

Gorilla trekking is a top safari attraction for many tourists who visit Uganda from South Africa every year just to meet the gentle giant mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. When you decide to gorilla trek Uganda gorillas from South Africa, we at Encounter Africa Safaris will help you plan your safari by booking and purchasing the gorilla permit on your behalf and plan for other logistics like transport and accommodation to ensure that you have the best gorilla trek safari in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, both of which are located in the southwestern part of Uganda. Bwindi is divided into four sectors, Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga and gorilla trekking is carried out in these four sectors. Mgahinga is small in nature and has only one habituated gorilla family.

Tourists travelling from South Africa can also engage in gorilla habituation experience which is offered only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga sector. The habituation experience gives tourists 4 hours with the gorillas unlike the one hour spent during the standard gorilla trekking.

When planning a gorilla safari to Uganda, you need to make sure that you are specific with the exact trekking destination you would prefer so that the booking and planning are done earlier on.

Other activities that tourists can carry out after gorilla trekking in Mgahinga and Bwindi include taking on the Batwa trail, bird watching, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga, primate walks, wildlife viewing and cultural trips and guided nature walks, among others.

Gorilla permits

Purchase of the gorilla permits can be done through Encounter Africa Safaris, a tour company that has years of experience in organizing gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda. You need to know the cost of the gorilla permit before you start planning, and as of 2024, the cost is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other Africans with passports and UGX 300 000 for East African Citizens.

How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

Booking gorilla permits in Uganda has easy steps that you have to follow when booking the permits and you need to first get your desired dates for trekking and get in touch with a tour operator. Contact a tour operator after carrying out extensive research about them with your dates so that they can be able to check for the availability of the permits. Checking for the availability of permits in Uganda can only be done by registered tour operators who access the booking system under the maintenance and management of UWA.

Checking for the availability of the permits ensures that tourists do not book permits on the same day. When the dates are available, the tour operators will proceed with temporarily booking for the permit and then you are requested to make the payments for the permits.

The payments for the permits have to be done as soon as you get to know that the permits are available and send in enough payments covering bank charges as well. When we confirm that the payments are in our accounts, the permits are then bought, and a copy is sent via email.

Note that gorilla permits are bought on a first-come, first-serve basis, and this is why you need to book and pay for the permits at least 6 months before the trek date.

Uganda safaris from South Africa

Uganda is home to a wide range of tourist attractions which are found in the different parts of the country and these have attracted tourists from all over the world through South Africa to come and participate in the different activities that are offered at the safari destinations. Organizing Uganda safaris from South Africa has been made easy with the international connecting flights between the two countries and some of the safari destinations that you can visit in Uganda through South Africa include the following:

Murchison Falls National Park: This is the oldest and one of the top tourist destinations in Uganda. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including lions, crocodiles, antelopes, buffaloes, hippos and several bird species, among others. Safari activities that can be done in Murchison Falls National Park include game drives, boat rides along the Nile, guided walks to the waterfalls, cultural trips, chimpanzee trekking and bird watching among others.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: This is one of the most visited safari destinations in the country, and there are several activities that can be done here, some of which include game drives, bird watching, guided nature walks, cultural trips, chimpanzee trekking and boat rides among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo Valley National Park is located in one of the most remote areas in Uganda, and it is the most rarely visited national park in the country. It is home to some of the rarest wildlife species and these include ostriches. The safari activities that are carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park include game drives, mountain climbing, cultural trips, bird watching, and guided nature walks, among others.

Kibale Forest National Park: Kibale National Park in western Uganda is one of the safari destinations for tourists to visit from South Africa. The national park is best known for being the primate village on the African continent, with over 1500 chimpanzees and 13 different primate species, among others. Tourists get to participate in chimpanzee habituation and trekking, guided nature walks, cultural trips, a visit to the Bigodi wetlands and bird watching among others.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only safari destination in Uganda where tourists can see and trek rhinos which were extinct due to poaching in the country. There has been an introduction of Rhinos in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary from other countries and some of the activities you can engage in while on a safari to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary include Rhino tracking, bird watching, and guided nature walks.

Lake Mburo National Park and Lake Bunyonyi: Lake Mburo National Park is home to a variety of wildlife and is one of the top visited parks in western Uganda. Activities that are carried out in Lake Mburo National Park include guided nature walks, wildlife viewing, boat rides, cultural trips and bird watching among others.

Bunyonyi is loosely translated as may birds and the Lake was named after the several bird species that are found in the area. It is made up of various islands which can be visited during a boat ride, and other activities include boat rides and bird watching, among others.

Other safari destinations in the country include a visit to the source of the River Nile in Jinja, Mabira Forest, a cultural trip, explore Kampala and all the tourist attractions within the city centre, including the Qaddafi mosque, Owino market, Bahai Temple, Kasubi Tombs, Namirembe Cathedral and Rubaga Cathedral among others. Sipi Falls in Eastern Uganda, Mountains Elgon, Rwenzori, Sabinyo and Muhavura among others.

Learn more about Uganda’s history by visiting the national museum, Nyero rock paintings, exploring the Rift Valley and other museums in the different locations within the country.

When tourists book for our gorilla and Uganda safaris from South Africa, we at Encounter make sure that all the work, from booking facilities to ensuring that you enjoy your safari, is done for you. We make sure that all the necessary permits are booked, transfers are made, accommodation and transport are made and pay for the park fees where necessary.

Kindly get in touch with us and we will help you design a safari that will fit your budget and taste. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and we will answer all of them.

Best time to go for gorilla and Uganda Safaris from South Africa

If you want to to visit Uganda for gorilla and Uganda Safaris from South Africa, the best time is from June to August because the country is experiencing the dry season during these months which are known to be the best time for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing. During the months of June to August, the wildlife is much easier to spot with the dry vegetation; many of the wildlife species gather around the waterholes, making it easy for them to be spotted, and the trails used during a gorilla trek are dry and easier to use as well.

What is the cost of the gorilla and Uganda safari from South Africa?

The cost of the safari is different depending on your country of origin and the different safari destinations you plan on visiting while in Uganda. Note that the cost of the gorilla trekking permit will also affect the cost of the safari and this is the only ticket that you need to have to gain access to the mountain gorillas. Other factors that affect the cost of the safari include transport, accommodation, the number of safari destinations you plan on visiting while in Uganda, the season of travel, the length of your safari and the size of the travel group. Note that tour operators do not cover your international flights, personal purchases and extra days spent on the safari.

What to pack for a gorilla and Uganda Safaris from South Africa

To make it easy and enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime experience, proper preparation is key. Have the right gear and key essential items to ensure comfort and safety during your safari and below are some of the things that you need to pack for your safari.

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect yourself against bug bites and nettles. Avoid bright colours to be able to blend in with the forest, and the recommended colours are neutral.

• Waterproof rain jacket or coat in case there is a change in the weather conditions.
• A waterproof windbreaker
• Ponchos, sweaters, scarves and ponchos to always keep warm during the morning and evening hours
• Adjustable gaiters
• Garden gloves for when you are gripping onto the trees and ground during the trek.
• Comfortable, waterproof and knee-length hike boots
• A basic first-aid kit that is fully stocked and medication from your physician.
• Cameras, extra batteries, lenses, waterproof camera bag and memory cards
• Binoculars especially during wildlife viewing
• Snacks and refillable water bottle
• A sunhat, insect repellent, and sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes for when you go game drive safaris.
• Cash in small notes for personal purchases and tipping.

In conclusion, going for a gorilla and Uganda safari from South Africa is a dream come true for many tourists offering unforgettable experiences. So if you are planning a safari to Uganda from South Africa, get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris for more information and to leave Uganda with lifetime lasting memories.