Planning guides
The safari questions everyone asks, answered properly
Written by the people who run the trips, with real prices and honest trade-offs - including the times we recommend spending less with us.
How much does gorilla trekking cost?
A gorilla permit costs $800 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. A realistic all-in trip - permit, private vehicle, guide, lodge and meals - starts around $1,650 per person for a short Uganda trip and $2,400 per person for the Rwanda equivalent. Flights and visas are extra.
Read the guide8 min read 路 updated July 2026Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking: which should you choose?
Choose Rwanda if you have three days or less and want the shortest possible trip - Volcanoes is a two-hour drive from Kigali airport. Choose Uganda if value matters or you want more than gorillas: the permit is $700 cheaper and you can add chimpanzees, savannah game drives and the Nile to the same trip.
Read the guide7 min read 路 updated July 2026The best time to visit Uganda, month by month
June to September and December to February are the driest months and the easiest for gorilla trekking and game drives. March to May and November are wet - trails are muddy, but the parks are green, quiet, and 15-30% cheaper. Uganda is a year-round destination; there is no closed season.
Read the guide6 min read 路 updated July 2026What to pack for a Uganda safari
Pack neutral-coloured long sleeves and trousers, waterproof hiking boots already broken in, a rain jacket, gardening gloves for gorilla trekking, insect repellent with DEET, and a soft duffel under 15kg if you are taking domestic flights. Leave camouflage clothing and single-use plastic bags at home - both are restricted in Uganda.
Read the guide6 min read 路 updated July 2026Is Uganda safe for tourists?
Yes, for ordinary safari travel Uganda is safe, and the safari circuit in the west and southwest has an excellent record. The realistic risks are road traffic, petty theft in Kampala, and malaria - not violent crime against tourists. A small number of border areas carry government advisories and we do not take travelers there.
Read the guide7 min read 路 updated July 2026Uganda visa requirements: what travelers need
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online at the official Uganda immigration e-visa portal before you travel: a single-entry tourist visa costs $50 and is valid for 90 days. If you are also visiting Kenya or Rwanda, the $100 East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three. A yellow fever certificate is mandatory either way.
Read the guide5 min read 路 updated July 2026