
A Day With Gorillas, What to Expect on Your 2026 Trek
What to Expect on Your Gorilla Trek The alarm clock usually rings at 5:30 AM. It is dark outside. The
At Elephant whispers, we offer the best tour and wild safari experience in Uganda. Talk to us today to plan your next adventure at the most affordable rates.
Elephant Whispers Safaris | Your Local Experts for Uganda Safaris & Tours
Uganda offers a memorable trip to the heart of Africa. We organize trips that let you explore dense forests, large open savannas, and deep lakes. Our focus is on providing simple, reliable, and personalized trips for every visitor. We are based right here in Kampala capital city of Uganda. Our local team knows the country better than anyone else. This local knowledge ensures your travel is smooth and enriching. We specialize in arranging trips that focus on rare primates and large mammals. Whether you want to see mountain gorillas or track chimpanzees, we handle all the details. We also ensure you see the country’s natural beauty and meet its friendly people. Start your trip planning with us today
At Elephant Whisper’s Safaris, we have always had a passion for adventure travel and the travel industry in general. A person’s experience of visiting a new country, a different culture or a new environment – whether that is a mountain range or a misty jungle – may not be as good as the one one has when visiting a familiar one. The feeling just can’t be beaten. In addition to our top safari experiences , we also offer chimpanzee trekking in Kibale and gorilla trekking in Bwindi, savanna game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP, boat cruises on Kazinga channel, bird watching in Mabamba bay and mountain climbing in East Africa’s peaks, among others, that allow you to experience breathtaking scenery and encounters with wildlife.
Uganda offers both classic savannah safaris and primate tracking in one destination. You can track rhinos, watch lions on open plains, cruise the Nile, and trek mountain gorillas within the same trip. The main wildlife safari parks are Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park. It is known for strong Big Five sightings, especially elephants, buffalo, lions, and giraffes. A boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls is one of the most requested activities. Morning game drives along the northern circuit offer consistent wildlife viewing. Queen Elizabeth National Park is popular for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel. The channel supports large hippo groups and dense birdlife. It is also one of the easiest parks to combine with gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Kidepo Valley National Park is more remote but offers wide savannah landscapes and large buffalo herds. It receives fewer visitors, which means lower vehicle traffic during game drives. Uganda Safari Cost: A 3-day Uganda safari to Murchison Falls typically ranges from 790 to 1,200 USD per person, depending on lodge level and group size. Mid-range trips average around 950 USD per person. Luxury options exceed 1,500 USD per person. Longer 5 to 8 day safaris that combine multiple parks increase cost due to fuel, park fees, and accommodation. Gorilla trekking permits are priced separately and cost 800 USD per person in Uganda. Best Time for a Uganda Safari: Wildlife safaris operate year-round. The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, offer easier road conditions and shorter grass for wildlife spotting. The wet seasons bring greener scenery and fewer travelers. Wildlife is still visible, but some roads may be slower to navigate. Road vs Flying SafarisMost safaris start in Entebbe or Kampala. Road transfers to Murchison Falls take about five to six hours. Queen Elizabeth takes roughly six to seven hours by road. Scheduled domestic flights reduce travel time and are often used for Kidepo or luxury itineraries. What Makes Uganda Different? Uganda stands out because wildlife safaris can be combined with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Few safari destinations allow travelers to see the Big Five and mountain gorillas in one country without crossing borders. Uganda safaris focus on depth rather than mass tourism. Parks are less crowded than those in Kenya or Tanzania, which allows longer viewing time at sightings. For travelers searching for Uganda safari tours, wildlife safaris in Uganda offer a mix of river cruises, savannah game drives, primate tracking, and multi-park itineraries within one compact route
Uganda has ten national parks, each offering distinct safari experiences. Bwindi and Mgahinga are known for gorilla trekking. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls support game drives and boat trips. Kibale is popular for chimpanzee tracking. Kidepo offers remote savannah landscapes and strong predator sightings. Lake Mburo suits short safaris near Kampala. These parks form the core of Uganda safari travel
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both parks protect endangered mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat. Trekking is done in small groups and led by trained park rangers. The hike can take two to six hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location. A gorilla permit is required. In Uganda, the current permit fee is lower than in Rwanda, which makes it a strong option for travelers comparing prices. Once a group is located, visitors spend one hour observing the gorillas at close range. This is a regulated conservation activity and not a zoo encounter. Gorilla trekking is also available in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda offers shorter drive times from Kigali, while Congo permits are usually the lowest priced when open to tourism. Uganda stands out for the number of habituated gorilla families and the variety of trekking sectors in Bwindi. Travelers often compare Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking based on cost, access, and terrain before deciding. Permit availability, sector choice, and lodge location all affect the final experience.
Uganda safari accommodation ranges from budget lodges to high-end tented camps inside national parks. Luxury safari lodges in Uganda offer private cottages, en-suite bathrooms, solar power, and strong views over rivers or savannah plains. Most are located near Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls National Park. Nightly rates usually start from 300 USD per person and rise based on the season. Mid-range safari lodges provide private rooms, hot showers, and full-board meals. These options balance comfort and cost, with prices often between 120 and 250 USD per person per night. Budget safari accommodation includes guesthouses, basic safari camps, and small lodges near park gates. Rooms are simple but clean. Rates can start from 40 to 100 USD per night. In gorilla trekking areas such as Bwindi and Mgahinga, accommodation location matters. Lodges are grouped by trekking sector, which reduces transfer time on tracking day. Most safari packages include accommodation, meals, and park access. The final cost depends on lodge level, season, and group size. Choosing the right lodge affects comfort, drive time, and overall safari experience.

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Posted on petermS4862IUVerified Fabulous Trip to Uganda I contacted Elephant Whispers Safaris for a 6 day tour. It was hard to trust because it is still a young company but their communication was fantastic so I gave them a chance. I sent all the specifics of what we wanted to see and Jolly put together a package for us.Everything worked out perfectly and payment was easily done in advance so I was not worried about having to the make payment there.Ken picked us up in Kampala and took us on our 6-day journey through the Uganda. He was funny and open to conversations and questions about the country and the life of the people in Uganda. We had nice relaxing lunches and dinners all together with delicious food. There were many fun times for all of us.Ken was extremely reliable, always on time, looked after our well-being and took good care of us all round. The trip that Jollu put together was wonderful! It had the right balance of activities and relaxation, we focused heavily on the wildlife and saw everything we wanted to see, including the Chimps and the Gorillas - a dream come true!The accommodation we booked was in the middle price range but for us, it felt like luxury, they were all comfortable, safe and beautiful with lovely staff. We will travel with Elephant Whispers Safaris again for our next trip to Rwanda! Thank you very much Ken and Jolly!Posted on sheena lVerified 4 Day Murchison Falls National Park Safaris Traveling with your company was the best decision I made, from the professional knowledgable tour consultants to the well-trained guides. I had such a memorable trip that I will leave to cherish and remember. Thank you for the awesome experience.Posted on Joy AVerified 3 Days Murchison falls national park I have always wishes to visit Murchison falls national park with my husband and kids. So I was recommended by a friend to travel with Elephant whispers Safaris on a 3 days trip to Murchison falls and I must say they were really helpful. It was so hard to trust them given that they are still a new company but probably for that reason they gave me the best service. I was in touch all through with the Sheena. She answered my questions in time and designed the perfect itinerary for me. We were picked from our home in kampala by our safari driver - Paul who was very friendly. We drove to Murchison falls national park while Paul gave us told us everything we needed to know about the park. We realised as Ugandans that we actually didn't know our country that much. Paul is a good driver and we reached park in time good time to visit the top of the falls. OMG, they were so amazing to view.The game drive in Murchison falls park is so rewarding especally for my children....we saw the Lions🥰 giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, elaphants etc. The boat cruise was so interesting but we only saw them from a far. Note that there tsetse flies in this park especially on a boat cruise so Carey your insect repellent. We saw the crocodiles and hippos and elephants drinking from the River.On our last day, we drove back to Kampala. What an experience we had!I highly recommend Elephant whispers Safaris for your trip in Uganda. They are so professional with great knowledge of tourism in Uganda.Thank you Paul and Sheena. I hope to back for more.