As seen on
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari
Uganda
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Wildlife
Transfers
Duration:
14 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey Tracking
- Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Stunning National Parks of Western Uganda: Murchison Falls, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga
- Boat safari on Bunyoni Lake
- Safari Lodge Accommodation with 2 nights at the Gorilla Conservation Camp
- Chimpanzee and monkey permits included in adventure cost ($230)
Discover the wonderful wildlife of western Uganda with our small group safari
Deservingly dubbed ‘The Pearl of Africa’ by Sir Winston Churchill, Uganda never fails to live up to its reputation. On this safari you'll get to appreciate just how special the wildlife of Western Uganda is. The area around the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the south of the country is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas, and conservationists are also protecting the wildlife of the other nine national parks, where elephant numbers are stabilising, wild rhinos have been reintroduced and with lion tracking programmes in place; Uganda offers some of the best wildlife ecotourism in the world.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
Spilling over a deep escarpment at the northernmost tip of Africa’s Western Rift Valley, the Murchison Falls are an incredibly impressive powerful cascade of water, as the Victoria Nile flows from the high grasslands down into the beautiful natural rainforest where you will stay in an ecolodge, trekking in the early morning to see chimpanzees. You will experience many different ecosystems, from tall volcanic mountains frontiers to richly fertile green high plateau producing its world-famous coffee, not to mention meeting the dozens of ethnic groups, all united by the Swahili language.
Of course, trekking to see the Mountain Silverback Gorillas up close is a major highlight of this adventure. With a Ugandan Wildlife Authority tracking guide, groups of eight people are allocated a gorilla family and you can be walking for between two and eight hours to find them. But it is always worth the effort, and upon sighting a family you will spend an hour with them as they go about their daily life; a totally unique and breathtaking experience.
If you would like to learn more about Gorilla conservation in Uganda, read our Journal post here.
Gorilla Permits
To make sure you can go gorilla trekking during your adventure, there's an extra fee of $800 per person for the gorilla permit. This fee isn't included in the initial adventure cost and needs to be added on as an extra when you book. The permits are issued by the UWA on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it's essential to book your holiday well in advance to ensure we can secure a permit for you.
Your £1,500 deposit includes a downpayment of £650 or $800 for your adventure. This downpayment is set aside to buy your permit once your departure is confirmed.
Day 1: Arrival into Entebbe
Transfer
Guest house
You will be met at Entebbe International Airport and transferred to your hotel guesthouse, and given any help you need to check in and settle.
To leave you the flexibility to rest after your journey and acclimatise to Uganda, as well as to allow clients flying in from different countries to all arrive and settle, we leave this afternoon and evening free for you to do as you wish. We can advise you on where to eat, and if you would like some ideas of where to explore.
Overnight: Papyrus Guest house or Via Via Guesthouse
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Guest house
We have an early start this morning in order to transfer (1hr 30) to the shores of Lake Victoria and to catch a boat to Mabamba swamp. It lies near a relatively small village, Kasanje, where fishing is the main form of work and activity. Tilapia and lungfish can be found in the small streams of the papyrus grass-covered swamp. From a small wooden boat which carries 5 - 6 people each, we will hope to see the Shoebill Stork which hides in the water weed to hunt, or may, if we are lucky, be seen on land too, overlooking the water. Other beautiful birds we will spot are the African and Lesser Jacannas, Pygmy goose and the Blue Breasted Bee Eaters. Our tour, around 3 hours, will be led by a birding guide.
This afternoon, we will stop at the Gorilla Conservation Cafe ("Saving Gorillas one sip at a time") for a visit and talk from Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, the charities founder and previously the first Wildlife Veterinary Officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cafe is a social enterprise of the award-winning NGO Conservation Through Public Health.
Overnight: Papyrus Guest house or Via Via Guesthouse
Day 3: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park (350kms)
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Today we leave Entebbe for arguably the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. It is a journey that will take the day, with a worthwhile stop en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda after they became extinct in the country in 1982. Accompanied by a guide, we have the wonderful opportunity to track and observe the rhinos in their habitat at a close, but safe, distance. Enjoying lunch here also, we then continue on to Murchison Falls National Park. The southern part of the park is mostly covered by dense woodlands and is one of the most varied forest faunas in East Africa. The northern area is grasslands with scattered acacia trees, borassus palms and riverine woodlands. The Victoria Nile passes through the Falls National Park and we will visit Murchison Falls themselves this afternoon - not to be missed!
We stay this evening at an Eco Safari Lodge in an area of Murchison Falls National Park called Budongo Forest, the largest natural rainforest in the whole of East Africa. It is one of the best areas for chimp tracking in Uganda (tomorrow's exciting activity!). We will be staying in Twin or Double eco-log cabins which enjoy an en-suite shower, ash-based eco-loo and a private verandah overlooking the forest. We will be eating on the terrace restaurant.
Overnight: Sambiya River Lodge- cottage
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Today brings the incredible experience of walking into Budongo forest with an experienced wildlife guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, to learn about the forest and its inhabitants including primates and birds. The chimpanzee area is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute for Research and permits for tracking the chimpanzees are strictly controlled in order to manage exposure to the primates, for their protection.
Our permits allow us to 'track' the chimpanzees, and on sighting them, we are permitted to stay with them for an hour, watching them go about their daily routine; grooming, playing, feeding, communicating, and taking care of their young. It is an incredible privilege, to see them in their natural habitat. After an hour we reluctantly return to our accommodation, with a visit to the top of the falls en route.
Overnight: Sambiya River Lodge- cottage
Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
The range of animals we will see on our game drive this morning will make the early start well worth it: as always with a safari drive, there are no guarantees, but the common sightings include Rothschild Giraffe, elephant, lion, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Waterbucks and potentially the elusive leopard, to say nothing of the savannah woodland birds.
After lunch, we enjoy a Nile launch cruise to the bottom of the stunning Murchison Falls for viewing game at close quarters, followed by a walk up to the top of the falls for incredible views of the Nile.
This evening we have dinner and stay overnight at Sambiya River Lodge.
Overnight: Sambiya River Lodge- cottage
Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
To explore the most striking areas of Western Uganda, we need to travel, so today we settle into our journey that takes us from Murchison Falls National Park, south towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for another highlight of our adventure: the Gorilla Tracking. We split the journey over 2 days, staying tonight in Fort Portal (441kms from Murchison Falls, so a journey of 7 - 8 hours), a city that rests in the shadow of the fabled 'Mountains of the Moon' and is famous for her many tea plantations.
Driving through Africa is not comparable to a similar length drive in the West - the sights and sounds of Africa are engaging and interesting, and the kms will fly by. However, en route to Fort Portal, to break the drive and give our legs a stretch, we enjoy a forest walk in Bugoma Forest, along Kaboya Wildlife Reserve.
Our accommodation tonight is a charming guesthouse offering simple twin and double rooms with small verandahs.
Overnight: Rwenzori Guesthouse
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
We continue our travels south through Queen Elizabeth National Park for another 380kms this morning (approx 5hr drive), arriving in Bwindi National Park, home to the Mountain Gorillas (gorilla beringei beringei), by lunch. Bwindi lies on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, with mountains ranging in height from 1,160 - 2600m high. The forest itself dates back to the ice ages and is one of Uganda's oldest and most ecologically diverse. It is home to 23 endemic species of bird as well as a host of mammals that includes gorillas, of course, baboons, chimpanzees, elephants and antelope.
After a pause to settle into the Gorilla Conservation Camp, run by the Conservation through Public Health NGO, we became acquainted with at the start of our adventure, and rest, we set off on a village walk to get an opportunity to meet members of the local community.
Overnight: Gorilla Conservation Camp
Day 8: Gorilla Tracking (3-8hrs)
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
The excitement of seeing Mountain Silverback Gorillas up close in the wild will probably mean a light sleep, so it is no problem to arise early today for breakfast and to transfer to the park offices where we split into groups of 8, each with a Uganda Wildlife Authority tracking guide. Each group is allocated a gorilla family and the unforgettable experience begins to meet these gentle giants of Bwindi. Before your hike into the jungle starts, you will be given a briefing with information about your gorilla family as well as any health & safety considerations.
You will enjoy a transfer to the trailhead but from there you will be hiking to track the gorillas who build new nests every day so are always to be found in a new place. Expect uneven ground, potentially muddy conditions with rain overhead, and steep gradients at times. Depending on where your gorilla family are found, you might be walking for between 2 and 8 hours. On sighting the gorillas you spend an hour with them as they go about their daily life; a totally unique and breathtaking experience.
After the hour, your group will be guided back to the trailhead where a driver will be waiting to transfer you back to the Gorilla Conservation Camp for a well-deserved shower and meal.
NB: Gorilla permits cost $800 (not included in the cost of your holiday) and are issued by the UWA on a first come, first served basis. For this reason, you need to book this holiday as far in advance as possible to ensure we can secure you a permit.
Permits are purchased on booking, so in addition to your deposit, we will ask you for the cost of your permit. This is refundable (on cancellation by you) only if our partner agency is able to re-sell the permit on to another operator (which they make every effort to do).
Overnight: Gorilla Conservation Camp
Day 9: Batwa Cultural Experience
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Echuya Batwa, commonly known as pygmies, are an endangered group of people around the Echuya Forest Reserve in Kisoro and Kabale District of South Western Uganda. Originally forest dwellers, they have been almost entirely dispossessed of their land by the combined pressures of Government Gorilla conservation efforts and cultivators claiming land. Their home, before eviction, was the Bwindi impenetrable National Forest of Uganda where they were hunter-gatherers and had spiritual and religious ties with the forests. Specific sites are revered and considered central to their existence.
Today is a fascinating tour by a Batwa guide to demonstrate their hunting techniques, gathering honey, pointing out medicinal plants and demonstrating how to make bamboo cups. Women of the community perform an emotive and traditional song and we gain an insight into the richness of this fading culture.
Our accommodation this evening is an hour away; Lake Mulehe Lodge is a peaceful oasis with individual twin and double cottages that have en-suite facilities and views of the lake.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Lodge or Lake Mulehe Lodge
Day 10: Mgahinga National Park
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
After breakfast, we transfer 2hrs to Mgahinga National Park, part of the Virunga Mountains where we will accompany a game ranger to track another wonderful primate species, the endemic and endangered golden monkey (cercopithecus minis kandti). Between 2 and 4,000 individuals exist, living in troops of about 100, led by an Alpha male and feeding on bamboo shoots, seasonal fruits, flowers, leaves and small invertebrates. The monkeys we will track today have been habituated to tracking and are a little easier to find as they don't make new nests daily like the gorillas.
After our tracking experience, we return to the lodge to relax and enjoy another African sunset and evening.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Lodge or Lake Mulehe Lodge
Day 11: Village Walk
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
You may wish to relax at your leisure today, or alternatively, after breakfast, enjoy a community walk through the local villages to learn a little about the way of life in the nearby communities.
This afternoon we drive to Lake Bunyoni, close to the Ugandan border with Rwanda, and believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa. Bunyonyi means 'place of many birds' and is said to be one of the best places in Africa to see otters.. it is also referred to as the 'Switzerland of Uganda'. The lake is dotted with 29 islands of different shapes and size including Punishment Island with its tragic past; young girls who got pregnant out of wedlock were taken and abandoned there to starve to death! Framed by lush green terraced hills ranging from 2200 to 2478m, the lake vista is breathtaking.
We stay in individual cottage rooms sat Bunyonyi Overland Resort, on the lakeside, from where you can drink in the views.
Overnight: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 12: Boat trip and free time to relax
There is no hurry for breakfast this morning as you have some time to relax and enjoy your environment before enjoying a boat cruise on the lake this morning. You will visit the nearest islands, including pushishment island before returning back to the Bunyonyi Overland Resort for dinner.
Overnight: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 13: Bwindi National Park - Lake Mburo National Park (245km/5hr drive)
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
With some big distances to cover between Bwindi and Entebbe, today we reluctantly leave the sanctity of the lakeshore and start the journey Eastwards. We are by no means winding down from your experience yet though - we drive this morning, until lunch, before entering Lake Mburo National Park for a wonderful game drive this afternoon. Although one of Uganda's smaller National Parks, it has a wonderful selection of African birds and mammals to spot: impala, warthog, zebra, buffalo and is particularly known for its hippos and African fish eagles.
Tonight you stay in an eco-friendly hotel/restaurant nestled on a scenic outcrop at the edge of the park: a secluded retreat in the Ankole ranch lands where we stay in comfortable and spacious 'cottages' dotted around the hill. During dinner the game spotting continues as herbivores often congregate at the water hole beneath the dining area.
Overnight: Hyena Hill Lodge
Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park - Entebbe (250kms / 4-5hrs)
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
Guest house
We start our last full day in Uganda in the best way possible - with an early game drive to see the savannah awakening and the sun rising. Later, we transfer to Entebbe with a stop at the equator for photos and a little souvenir shopping. We will arrive in Entebbe during the afternoon, and check in at our familiar guesthouse located within easy reach of the airport for tomorrow's departing flight.
Overnight: Papyrus Guest house or Via Via Guesthouse
Day 15: Departure
Transfer
Breakfast
Depending on your flight departure time, after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Time to start planning the next adventure!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Due to the lodges we use having cabin or tented accommodation that is twin/double, the single supplement is higher for this trip than you might expect. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Private Transfer - One Way Arrival (1 to 4 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for more information), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Private Transfer - One Way Departure (1 to 4 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for more information), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Pre/Post Tour night for 1 person B&B
Stay at Papyrus Guest House or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your adventure. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Pre/Post Tour night for 2 people B&B
Stay at Papyrus Guest House or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your adventure. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International flights & airport taxes
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Gorilla Permits not included in the initial adventure cost and needs to be added on as an extra
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using local hotels, owned and run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra road travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, in modern buildings or in town centres. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which are exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion, the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, hot showers, or continuous power) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice. This trip involves a range of guesthouses, eco safari lodges and thatched roof riverside tents
The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure; where hotels and hostels are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodations, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Entebbe (Day 1, 2 & 14): Paypyrus Guesthouse or Via Via Guesthouse
Murchison Falls National Park (Day 3, 4 & 5): Sambiya River Lodge- cottage
Murchison Falls (Day 6): Rwenzori Guesthouse
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Day 7 & 8): CTHPGorilla Conservation Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable (Day 9 & 10): Lake Chahafi Lodge or Lake Mulehe Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi (Day 11 & 12): Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Lake Mburo National Park (Day 13):Hyena Hill Lodge
Facilities
With the exception of some of the higher class hotels in Entebbe, hotels generally do not have heating or air conditioning. As nights can be chilly, please bring appropriate sleepwear if needed (see packing list for further information).
In areas where malaria is a problem, hotel rooms come with mosquito nets.
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Solo travellers
If you are a solo traveller, please note you may encounter a single room supplement fee if you occupy a room with multiple beds. Hotels typically price their rooms based on double or twin occupancy and do not lower rates for single occupancy, especially on this adventure as a lot of the accommodation is in lodges. However, if you're open to sharing a room and we can successfully pair you with another solo traveller of the same sex, no supplement fee will be applied. Please note that we match people up on a first-come, first-served basis, and while we strive to accommodate everyone, we cannot guarantee availability. You can inform us if you would like to be matched with another traveller when you book and complete your advanced passenger information form.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced, local, English speaking Ugandan guide with a good knowledge of the areas visited, and the wildlife that might be encountered. They will be joined by wildlife guides and Ugandan Wildlife Authority tracking experts for the tracking adventure (Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys).
We work closely with our Ugandan Tour Operator partners both before and during your adventure to ensure that they understand your needs and the standard that YellowWood Adventures expects. We believe that it is a very important positive aspect of Responsible Tourism, to employ the expertise of local suppliers, as well as offering you a much more informative and authentic experience.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Am I fit enough?
This adventure is all about exploring the stunning National Parks of Western Uganda on foot, by road or by boat.
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be in good physical health, and enjoy walking as a way of exploring an area. Due to the potential conditions whilst tracking Gorillas, you need to be an experienced hiker used to walking on uneven surfaces, on gradients that will be steep at times, and in conditions that may be muddy and rainy. You will be carrying a day pack and bottle of water, packed lunch and spare clothing when tracking.
Waterproof walking boots are more appropriate for this trip than walking shoes or hard and heavy walking boots. Please see our packing list for more information.
Please note that you need to have an open mind to adventure travel, and experiencing different cultures to your own, first hand.
Health
For general information on health issues in Uganda, please see the general information on Uganda, however, for this specific adventure, the following points are worth separate consideration.
Yellow Fever
Under International Health Regulations (2005), a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers aged 1 year or over.
You must have your Yellow Fever Certificate before applying for your Uganda e-visa.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk, but may also bite at night, especially in the jungle environment. Symptoms may be absent or mild, but can be much more severe.
For more information please see here: Yellow Fever - Uganda
Malaria
Malaria is a potentially serious parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In humans the disease is caused by five different species of the Plasmodium parasite. Malaria is widely distributed throughout tropical regions of the world including in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania. Malaria is preventable and curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.
Choice of malaria prevention tablets depends on the malaria species common in the area to be visited and whether there is resistance to any of the available drugs. Certain drugs may not be suitable for certain individuals due to existing medical problems or interactions with their regular medication.
For more information please see here: Malaria - Uganda
Altitude
The highest altitude that you will be experiencing is at around 3669m which can be difficult for people coming from lower altitudes.
While we do our best to create an itinerary that allows for some time for acclimatising, altitude affects everyone differently, and to varying degrees. If you experience any of the following symptoms during this adventure, make sure to inform your guide and they will support you in descending to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
• Headache
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive shortness of breath
• Persistent rapid pulse
• Peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands or face)
Travel
Airport & Arrival and Departure Info
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Entebbe on the start day of the trip.
Included in the cost of your adventure is a group transfer to and from the airport.
Group transfers are only available on the official start and end dates of the trip. Arriving or departing on any other days means group transfers will not be included. If you plan to arrive before or after the adventure dates and need assistance with transfers or accommodation, please add these services when booking, or contact us directly to make the arrangements.
Once you have made a booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
You are also welcome to book your travel independently, and we will provide clear instructions on how to meet the group at the designated time and location at the start of your trip.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Travel by road in Uganda
In order to benefit from the natural and undisturbed beauty of the National Parks in Western Uganda, we need to be prepared to travel some distance, by road, to reach our destinations on this adventure. There are several days (Day 3, 6, 7 and 13) where you will be in private transport (minibus) travelling long distances. The roads are not always in great condition and the journey may be hot and dusty at times. However this is very much part of the adventure, and a wonderful opportunity to absorb the ambiance of East Africa, so we ask you to embrace the travel days, as without it, we would not be able to access the remote areas we then enjoy.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure. We also receive notifications direct from the FCO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
E Visa
A single entry visa is required to enter Uganda. Applications can be done online via the link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General Information on Uganda
For information on Uganda, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Gorilla Permits
To make sure you can go gorilla trekking during your adventure, there's an extra fee of $800 per person for the gorilla permit. This fee isn't included in the initial adventure cost and needs to be added on as an extra when you book. The permits are issued by the UWA on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it's essential to book your holiday well in advance to ensure we can secure a permit for you.
Your £1,500 deposit includes a downpayment of £650 or $800 for your adventure. This downpayment is set aside to buy your permit once your departure is confirmed.
Chimpanzee and monkey permits
The cost of your adventure is inclusive of the Chimpanzee and monkey permits which is $230 in total please note the Gorilla Permits are separate to this.
Reviews
Jeremy
Amazing Western Uganda Trip…
I really enjoyed my 14 days in Western Uganda trip. It had an excellent mix of wildlife, culture and geography. The mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and safari hikes and drives were amazing. It was a very good itinerary. Communication with YellowWood Adventures was quick and straight forward even though I was of a last minute addition from Canada. The trip information on their site was accurate and informative. The guide picked for this tour was excellent. He was knowledgeable, a good communicator and very well organized.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Christine
Uganda Adventure
I have been to a lot of places around the world But this is the first time I have been on such an Adventure. This was so well thought out and balanced each day. Although I am older I managed to accomplish all the climbs. The guide team was the most organised, patient, and made sure I achieved my potential. The Ugandan people were so friendly and hospitable. Before the holiday I spoke to Sam McManus several times who answered the most trivial of questions very positively. So thank you for a most rewarding experience.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Lisanne
Uganda Trip January 2024
The trip to Uganda was extremely well organised and thought out with a great variety of activities to cover a wide range of interests!! The on-the-ground team was very helpful and reliable and so was the organisation and assistance prior to the trip. I would absolutely recommend booking a trip with Yellowwood to Uganda!
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Nitish
Incredible adventure off the beaten path, with wildlife, landscapes and local communities
This is my third trip with YellowWood (previously Iran and Ethiopia) and I can't wait for the next one! A truly amazing adventure exploring Uganda - from the highlight of seeing chimps and gorillas, to interacting with local communities and staying in some gorgeous places, YellowWood again lived up to billing. It was a sensitively planned itinerary, with lots of time to see animals but also experience other things that Uganda has to offer e.g. hiking. YellowWood has a nack of picking incredible local guides and this made the experience even more engaging and memorable. Communication from the team throughout was great, and as always, appreciate Sam taking the time to call ahead of the trip, and Emma for her work on logistics.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Please take into consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions.
Please bring a full first aid kit and any prescription medication with you. Consult your doctor regarding advice around inoculations and the prevention of disease contraction.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & Insurance Documents
- Debit card (limited access to ATMs)
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Quality Insect repellent
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Toilet kit: toilet roll, wet wipes & ziplock bags for carrying paper out. Biodegradable wet wipe brands: Cannymum, Close Pop & Travel Buddy
- Fully charged power pack
Items for Hiking
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap
- Rucksack or duffel bag for main luggage (no hard suitcases)
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof walking boots (for ankle support) - already broken in!
- Torch with spare batteries
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
- Sunglasses & high factor sun cream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
Clothing
- Socks & underwear for city sections & for trekking
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in (consider need to nip out of tent for wee in the night!). Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking.
- Waterproof Jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Waterproof trousers for trekking / camping.
- Walking trousers for trekking / camping. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Flips, sandals or trainers for around camp
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Waterproof stuff sacks for small items
- Warm hat & gloves
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection. Light scarf useful for church visits
Optional
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- Power Adaptor - Type G
- Purification tablets as alternative to Aquapure Traveller Water Purification Bottle
- Money belt
- Ear plugs (in case sharing with a snorer!)
- Head torch & batteries / charger
- Universal sink plug (eg lifeventure, solotrek or muzitao brands)
- Telescopic walking poles: great for alleviating knee pain / preventing ITB issues etc. They can be as cheap as £15 & your guide can help you learn how to use them.
- Swimming Costume (small pool at Monarch Hotel may have water in!)
- Eucalyptus oil - we have it on good authority that this can deter fleas which are common in Uganda
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
This trip supports
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Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
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Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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