Steps to take to book a Safari in Uganda

To book a Uganda safari, you need to know what you are destined to do and your interests. Uganda has a cocktail of safari activities that can quench the thirst for African safaris, ranging from gorilla safaris to chimpanzee safaris to wild game safaris to water activities, to mention but a few. This explains why Uganda is called the "Pearl of Africa."

Gorilla safari activities top the list of activities you can engage in while on Uganda safari. Two Uganda national Parks host the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, located in southwestern Uganda.

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You must book a gorilla permit to confirm a gorilla safari in Uganda. You can do gorilla trekking, where one hour is allowed with fully habituated mountain gorillas, or gorilla habituation experience, where four hours are allowed with semi-habituated mountain gorilla families.

Select other Uganda safari activities like chimpanzee safaris, game drives, Kampala city tours, Uganda birding, and golden monkey safaris, to mention but a few. Some of these Uganda safari activities require you to make advance bookings because they limit the maximum number of people allowed to do that activity. Most Uganda safari activities happen in Uganda National Parks.

Uganda National Parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Elgon National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Kidepo National Park, and Semuliki National Park.

Reserve accommodation to use during the Uganda safari activity, especially upcountry activities where facility options are limited. If you choose to do gorilla, chimpanzee, or golden money safaris in Uganda, be ready to select accommodations within or closer to these destinations to allow easier movement to catch up with briefing time.

Plan the means of transport to use during Uganda safaris, but road transport is the most common means of transportation in Uganda. Do not expect a smooth ride because the roads upcountry are bumpy and may get messy during the severe rainy seasons.

Air transport is available, too, as you can book daily domestic flights or charter flights to the airstrips closer to these Uganda safari destinations.

How to Book A Uganda Safari

Uganda is a land of plenty gifted by nature, so you need to first select from the long list of activities to do. 

Step 1: Select Uganda Safari activities to do

Uganda has an extended list of activities to do while on safaris, so you need to make your selection. Most of the Uganda safari activities are separated by distance and challenging features that make it hard to do them in one day. You need to select what soots your interests and can be done within your safari timeline.

Some of the Uganda safari activities include gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris, game drives, water activities, birding in Uganda, golden monkey safaris, scenic viewing, mountaineering in Uganda, cultural tours in Uganda, honeymoon destinations in Uganda, and much more.

Step 2: Book all necessary Uganda safari permits

Uganda is a primate haven, so gorilla safaris are the foremost activities in the country. You must book the gorilla trekking or habituation experience permits in advance, especially if you hope to visit Uganda in the peak season. Uganda's high tourism season is usually June to September and December to January. Demand for Uganda gorilla permits is high before and during the peak season. Yet, supply is restricted to a maximum of 8 for gorilla trekking and a maximum of 4 for gorilla habituation experience. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla trekking permits are booked according to the four areas where the park is divided: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.

Chimpanzee and golden monkey safaris also require advance permit booking in Uganda because their demand gets high in the peak season, yet their supply is restricted for conservation reasons.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda happen in different destinations, such as Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Semuliki National Park, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary and others.

Golden monkey safaris in Uganda happen in Mgahinga National Park, where you can also find other monkey species like olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and several others.

Park entrance permits, especially for game parks, need to be paid to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala before traveling up the country, as no cash is received at the entrance for security reasons.

Step 3 Book accommodations to use during the Uganda safari

Every Uganda National Park has accommodations where visitors can spend their nights. These range from upscale to mid-range to basic facilities.

When booking accommodation for a gorilla safari in Uganda, especially Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You need to cross-check with the area where your gorilla trekking permits are booked. Gorilla trekking permits of Bwindi are booked according to areas that is Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.

Spending the night before the gorilla trekking adventure in another area other than where your permits are booked may cause you to wake up in the night to drive in the dark to catch up with a briefing. This is quite disturbing because you may encounter obstacles along the way, like deep fog, fallen trees across the road, slippery ground, and much more.

For other Uganda safari activities, you can contact our tour consultants to advise you on the possible accommodations you can book in that destination according to your interests and budget. We pride ourselves on our over ten years of experience organizing safaris in Uganda and beyond. 

We have created a good work relationship with several service providers, which helps us follow up on our clients and ensure value for money is what they receive at the different facilities. Our consultant works with you to select the best choice of facility you wish to book on the Uganda safari. Trust us with your safari, and we will give value for your money.

Step 5: Book Transport to Use on Uganda Safari

Road transport is the main means to get around Uganda and its safari destinations; however, the roads could be smoother, especially up the country. You need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition and driven by a qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable driver guide.

It is best to book the vehicle and driver guide for your Uganda safari in advance so you do not run out of options at the last minute, especially during peak seasons. Plan for the amount of gas to use in case you are on self-drive, but consider having a fuel tank before proceeding into the park. This is because no fuel refilling stations are available in the national parks.

For the fly-in Uganda safari arrangement, you must book a seat on the daily flights to the upcountry airstrips. From Entebbe airport to Kajjansi airstrip, you can book these flights. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we are one of the few companies that can assist you in booking a seat on the daily domestic flights and arranging a transfer vehicle to your Uganda safari destination.

Charter flight arrangements during the Uganda safari in case you wish to make more private transport arrangements and reduce the time you spend on the road to Uganda safari destinations.

When Is The Best Time To Book Uganda Safari?

All Uganda safari activities are open all year; however, the dry seasons attract more bookings. Generally, most Uganda safari activities happen in the wilderness, where you have to walk or drive. The trails and tracks in the Uganda National Parks are best navigated during the dry season.

 For gorillas, chimpanzees, or any other Uganda primate experience, you must wear the proper gear not to slide while walking in the rough jungle. Carry rainproof gear, too, if it falls while on gorilla trekking, chimpanzee safari, or any other safari in the wilderness.

The dry season is the peak Uganda safari season too; however, you must book all the necessary items to support your safari in advance, such as gorilla trekking or habituation experience permits, chimpanzee safari permits, and much more.

During the wet season in Uganda, while on Uganda safari, that is, March, April, May, and November, demand for most Uganda safaris is low, giving a chance for last-minute bookings. If you have a limited budget, you may use this opportunity to reserve a Uganda safari since sometimes service providers may discount costs like accommodations, vehicle hire, and much more. 

Suppose you wish to have no disturbance while on a Uganda safari. The low season may avail of this opportunity. The tracks are usually free, and you can have time with the wild animals without obstructions from other tourists and other special mores.

Is Uganda safe for Safaris?

Uganda is a safe African destination as most of the safari destinations are under the care of well-trained Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. These professionals are trained to protect wildlife and visitors to different destinations.

The ranger guides work closely with other Uganda security agencies to maintain law and order in and around the National Parks.

Before engaging in any activity in the Uganda safari destinations, tourists are briefed about the rules they must follow and cautioned about violating them. When doing a Uganda gorilla or chimpanzee safari activity, tourists must attend briefings to learn about the dos and don'ts of these adventures. As a tourist, you must only enter the forests with an escorting ranger guide or risk encountering animals that may hurt them.

As a tourist, you must mind personal security during the Uganda safari by driving off track because your vehicle may overturn or you fall below the cliffs.

 Never provoke the animals during Uganda safaris, whether before the serene mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, or wild animals in the wilderness, because they may charge at you. Feeding the animals is forbidden as this is dangerous to the wild animals and, therefore, may later turn violent to humans who do not offer them food.

What to Pack For Uganda Safari?

As you pack for the Uganda safari, try not to overpack but consider the activities you are to engage in. During gorilla and chimpanzee safaris, you must pack the right safari gear to withstand the jungle's wet conditions. Game safaris in Uganda usually happen in dry destinations. Still, you must know the weather forecast in these destinations depending on your traveling time to pack appropriately.

• Use insect repellant if your destination has different insects in the national park.
• Sunscreen is necessary because Uganda is a tropical country, and the sun's rays may cause skin problems.
• Safari clothes in wilderness-friendly colors like Tan, Khaki 
• A safari hat with a large brim that can cover your head from buzzing insects. 
• Flip flops to change into after a long day in safari shoes
• Warm wear to warm you, especially early morning and afternoon
• A duffel bag to carry with your belongings
• A camera to preserve memories of your Uganda safari.
• Garden gloves for forest walks
• Safari boots that are waterproof and can withstand the conditions in the wilderness
• Toiletries, in case your lodge doesn't provide
• Drinking water bottles to carry with drinking water in case you get thirsty while in the field.
• Some hard cash in if you wish to do on-ground purchases.
• A pair of binoculars for a clearer vision of what is happening in the wilderness, especially far-ranging features.
• Snacks to munch on while in the wilderness because breakfast is too early to last the entire night.
• A torch as lights in most accommodations in the wilderness are supported by solar power, which may run down in case the sun doesn't shine bright.
• Backpack to pack in your belongings while on a Uganda safari. 

Enjoy a variety of activities on your safari, from gorilla safaris and chimpanzee safaris to game safaris to mention but a few. Contact us for more information.