Uganda Travel Guide

East Africa

Uganda Travel Guide

Mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile, and a greener, more forested safari experience than Kenya or Tanzania.

Why visit

Gorilla trekking

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most reliable places in the world to trek mountain gorillas, alongside Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Permits are limited and should be booked well in advance, especially for peak dry-season months.

Beyond gorillas

The source of the Nile & more

Jinja, where the Nile begins its journey from Lake Victoria, offers white-water rafting and other adventure activities. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks add classic savanna safari alongside Uganda’s forest and primate experiences.

Combining with Kenya

Getting there

Entebbe (near Kampala) is Uganda’s main international airport, with regular flights connecting from Nairobi — making it a realistic add-on to a Kenya trip for travelers with extra time for gorilla trekking.

Before you go

Visa & currency

Many nationalities can apply for a Uganda e-visa online before travel. Uganda uses the Ugandan shilling; carry some cash for markets and rural areas, though cards are accepted at hotels and lodges in main tourist areas.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Treks can involve several hours of hiking on uneven forest terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness helps, but porters are available to assist and treks are paced to the group.
Both offer excellent trekking; Uganda tends to have more permit availability and lower permit costs, while Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is more compact and quicker to reach from the capital.
Yes — a short flight from Nairobi to Entebbe makes it straightforward to add a few days of gorilla trekking to a broader East Africa itinerary.

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