Plan my trip
Uganda

East Africa

Uganda

The Pearl of Africa.

Plan this journey WhatsApp Davema

01 Overview

Why go

Because few countries pack so much into so little space: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the source of the Nile, snow on the equator and a people famous for warmth — all connected by roads Davema drives every week.

Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the source of the Nile and a people famous for warmth. Uganda packs more into its borders than almost anywhere on the continent.

Weather & seasons

Uganda sits on the equator, so temperatures stay warm all year. The main dry seasons (roughly June–August and December–February) are the easiest for trekking and game drives; the rains bring lush landscapes, fewer visitors and lower rates.

  1. 01

    Mountain gorilla trekking

    One hour with a gorilla family in Bwindi’s ancient forest.

  2. 02

    Chimpanzee tracking

    Kibale’s forest holds more than 1,500 chimpanzees.

  3. 03

    Nile adventures

    Raft, kayak or bungee at the source of the river.

  4. 04

    Classic safari

    Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo.

02 Where you’ll go

Sites to visit, day by day

8 scenic stops

Scenic stops and their locations — mix and match them into days, or ask Davema to build the route for you.

Source of the Nile, Jinja 1 Half day
Landmark

Source of the Nile

Jinja

Where Lake Victoria spills out to begin the Nile.

Buhoma gorilla trek, Buhoma sector, northern Bwindi 2 Half day
Wildlife · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Buhoma gorilla trek

Buhoma sector, northern Bwindi

Follow trackers into misty montane forest for a regulated hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The Top of the Falls, Murchison Falls National Park 3 Half day
Waterfall · Murchison Falls

The Top of the Falls

Murchison Falls National Park

The whole Nile squeezed through a seven-metre gap and thundering 43 metres into the gorge below.

Kazinga Channel cruise, Mweya Peninsula 4 Half day
Wildlife · Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kazinga Channel cruise

Mweya Peninsula

Hippos, buffalo and elephants gather along the channel that links Lake George and Lake Edward.

Chimpanzee tracking, Kanyanchu, Kibale National Park 5 Half day
Wildlife · Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking

Kanyanchu, Kibale National Park

Follow a community of habituated chimpanzees through humid rainforest.

Narus Valley game drive, Narus Valley, Kidepo 6 Half day
Wildlife · Kidepo Valley National Park

Narus Valley game drive

Narus Valley, Kidepo

Lion, cheetah and buffalo country framed by the distant Morungole mountains.

Source of the Nile, Jinja, Lake Victoria outlet 7 Half day
Landmark · Jinja & the Nile

Source of the Nile

Jinja, Lake Victoria outlet

Stand where Lake Victoria spills out and begins its journey to the Mediterranean.

Island-hopping by dugout, Lake Bunyonyi, near Kabale 8 Half day
Scenic · Lake Bunyonyi

Island-hopping by dugout

Lake Bunyonyi, near Kabale

Paddle among 29 terraced islands, including Punishment Island, on one of Africa’s deepest crater lakes.

03 Best places to visit

Where to go

04 When to visit

Month by month

JanBest
FebBest
MarGood
AprQuieter
MayQuieter
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepGood
OctGood
NovGood
DecBest

Best time Good Less ideal / wetter

05 Itineraries

Journeys in Uganda

All trips

06 Where to stay

Recommended stays

All hotels

07 Things to do

08 Gallery

Traditional dancers perform in Uganda A mountain gorilla looks up from the undergrowth in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Murchison Falls thunders into the Nile, Uganda A lioness resting in a tree at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda A chimpanzee sits among the roots of a Kibale Forest tree, Uganda An acacia silhouetted at sunset in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda White water on the Nile near Jinja, Uganda

09 Before you go

Travel notes

Tips

  • Book gorilla permits months ahead for June–September and December–February.
  • Carry a light rain jacket year-round — Uganda’s weather is changeable.
  • Entebbe International Airport is the main entry point; Kampala is about an hour’s drive in light traffic.
  • Yellow-fever vaccination records may be requested on arrival — ask us what applies to you.

Visa & entry

Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, which can be applied for online as an e-visa before travel. Requirements depend on nationality — see our visa guide in the Travel Journal and ask the Davema visa desk to confirm for your passport.

Davema travel documentation

10 From the journal

Read more

11 Related destinations

If you love Uganda

Your next story

Plan your Uganda journey.

Plan this journey WhatsApp