Budget Uganda Safaris | Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife & More
Safaris in Uganda can be enjoyed on a budget. More and more, people are starting to see it as one of the best wildlife places in Africa, despite how underappreciated it is. The iconic mountain gorillas call Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo home; tracking these primates is an experience that everyone should try once in their lifetime. Uganda is well-known for its mountain gorillas, but it also has some of the best, least-visited savannah reserves in Africa, where visitors have a chance to view the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino.
Budget Uganda Safaris
Budget Uganda Safaris Don’t miss out on Affordable Tours: Gorilla trekking, Wildlife tours, 1 Day Budget Uganda Safari, Birding, Chimp tracking, City tours, and white water rafting trips. Choosing Budget Uganda Safaris Tours makes it easy to have an Affordable Gorilla trekking Safari Experience.
Budget travelers can take advantage of the factors that can reduce the cost of their Safaris in Uganda. Budget Tours in Uganda can be Short or Long holidays but accommodation is in the budget lodges or hotels. Affordable accommodation is much less than the mid-range or luxury lodges. Staying in basic facilities still offers comfortable accommodation though not with high-end world-class services.
2 Days Gorilla Trekking From Kigali
A 2-day gorilla trekking safari from Kigali offers a fast-tracked,, and unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas, typically in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park (2-3 hour drive) or Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (approx. 4-5 hour drive). The itinerary usually includes a Kigali city tour, transfer to the park, accommodation, and the trek.
2 Days Murchison Falls Safari
Murchison Falls safaris are the most popular short tours in Uganda on wildlife tours and boat cruises to the worlds’ most powerful waterfalls-Murchison Falls. Murchison Falls National Park is host to about 76 mammal species including Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, and Leopards. Almost 450 bird species can be seen in the park. Aquatic species, butterflies, reptiles, and many more.
2 Days Lake Mburo Tour
A 2-day safari to Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala offers a, quick, 4-5 hour drive to Uganda’s smallest savanna park, featuring zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and impalas. Highlights include an afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo (hippos, crocodiles) and morning game drives or walking safaris.
2 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park
A 2-day trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a, fast-paced, immersive Ugandan wildlife experience, focusing on game drives in the savannah and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Highlights include spotting tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and abundant birdlife, typically requiring an early departure from Kampala (417 km away).
3 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
A 3-day Uganda gorilla trek offers a quick, unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, typically involving long drives from Kampala/Entebbe, crossing the Equator, cultural stops (like Igongo or Batwa villages), and the thrilling hike to find and spend one hour with a gorilla family before returning, with options for budget to luxury experiences and potential additions like Lake Bunyonyi.
3 Days Murchison Falls Safari
Activities in Three Days Murchison Falls Safari include a game drive, boat cruise, and hike to the top of the falls. Rhino tracking will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before reaching Murchison Falls Park and the chimpanzee trekking in the adjacent Budongo Forest on the last day on return from the Murchison Falls safari.
3 Days Gorilla Trekking From Kigali
A 3-day gorilla trekking safari from Kigali offers a fast-track, unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in either Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park (approx. 2-3 hours drive) or Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (approx. 4-5 hours drive). The tour typically includes a Kigali city tour, scenic drives, and a one-hour viewing session with a habituated gorilla family.
4 Days Kidepo National Park Safari
A 4-day Kidepo National Park safari offers an immersive experience in Uganda’s most remote, scenic, and wildlife-rich wilderness, often featuring game drives in Narus Valley, Kanangorok hot springs, and Karamojong cultural tours. Located in the northeast, this park boasts unique species like cheetahs, ostriches, and vast buffalo herds.
4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park
A 4-day safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda offers a comprehensive wildlife experience, featuring game drives in the Kasenyi plains, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. This itinerary typically includes searching for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector before returning to Kampala.
Murchison Falls And Chimpanzee Trek
A 4-day Murchison Falls safari and chimpanzee itinerary typically combines game drives, a boat safari on the Nile, a visit to the top of the falls, and chimpanzee trekking in the nearby Budongo Forest. It often includes an en-route stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
6 Days Uganda Safari Itinerary
A 6-day Uganda safari typically combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Mburo National Park. These itineraries often include chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu.
8 Day Uganda Itinerary
An 8-day Uganda safari typically combines gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga with wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks, offering a dense, high-impact adventure. Key activities include trekking mountain gorillas, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel/Nile River, and lion spotting.
9 Days Uganda Itinerary
A 9-day Uganda safari typically combines top highlights: gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and savanna game drives in Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth National Parks. This itinerary offers a comprehensive wildlife experience, including the Big Five, tree-climbing lions, and boat cruises, often starting and ending in Entebbe.
10 Days Uganda Safari
A 10-day safari in Uganda typically offers a comprehensive experience of the country’s diverse wildlife and primate habitats, encompassing game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking, and the highlight: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
12 Days Uganda Safari
A 12-day Uganda safari is a comprehensive wildlife and primate adventure, typically including mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, game drives to spot the Big 5, and scenic boat cruises on the Nile River and Kazinga Channel. This itinerary offers an in-depth exploration of Uganda’s diverse landscapes and rich culture.
14 Days Uganda Safari
A 14-day Uganda safari offers a comprehensive journey through the “Pearl of Africa,” combining premier primate trekking (gorillas and chimpanzees) with savanna game drives, boat cruises, and scenic landscapes. Key stops typically include Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Bunyonyi
Factors To Consider When Booking A Budget Uganda Safari
Booking an affordable safari in Uganda requires little thought to several aspects. The elements to take into account while making a Uganda Budget Safari reservation are covered below.
1. Your Travel Agency
Booking via a travel agency or choosing for well-known providers is one error you should never make. Famous tour operators have established a name for themselves and will always charge an absurd amount for a trip. On the flip side, your safari will also be profitable to a travel agent.
Looking up operators online is your best bet. An other option is to make reservations with these suggested hiking companies. In this case – Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa
Check that the company you book with is located in Uganda or Rwanda. Book your gorilla safari with no firm outside of Rwanda and Uganda, not even one in Kenya or Tanzania.
The best price will usually come from the local tour companies because they have little overhead.
2. Choosing a Destination
Budget safaris to Uganda are ideal if you want to enjoy the rainforest and the savannah in one location without having to transfer countries. Being a more fordable alternative by many is one of the several benefits of visiting Uganda; lesser crowds in the park and lodges are another.
3. Choice of Accommodation
Your safari is mostly dependent on the gorilla safari hotels. We would advise you to reserve cozy lodging. Your holiday will be ruined if you let your tour operator reserve too inexpensive accommodations.
You go tracking, then come back to your lodge to unwind, and if your lodging is uncomfortable, you won’t have the enjoyment of your trip that you should have.
4. Your Safari Car
While a Land Cruiser costs between $250 and $300 per day, a safari van is typically quoted at $100. Your tour company will determine this as some charge less. Still, the price mentioned above is typical in the sector.
Choose a safari van, if possible really customized. Sometimes these vehicles are supposed to be more comfy than land cruisers.
Check that they are 4-wheel drive only, not 2-wheel drive. There are instances when Ugandan roads become muddy, hence a 4WD safari car is highly advised.
5. Number of Days
Spending will be less the fewer days you have. Safaris lasting two to three days cannot be as expensive as those lasting five to ten days.
might viewing gorillas be your primary goal, you might think about and book a three-day Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali.
Given the close proximity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kigali, guests can now more easily arrive in Kigali and transport to Bwindi on the same day as they would hike gorillas and return to Kigali. Gorillas can be seen in two days on a tight budget in this way.
6. Where You Arrive From
Getting here from Uganda is a little expensive. You cannot get to Bwindi and back on the same day unless your flight arrives before 0700.
We would also not advise doing this. After spending six to eight hours on a plane, picture arriving and having to travel for another eight to ten hours to reach Bwindi. In either case, you would have to stay a day or two in Entebbe or Kampala before moving on to Bwindi the next day.
The fact that you will have to pay for lodging, food, and the airport shuttle in addition to possible additional expenses makes this expensive.
Where then ought you to be coming from? Your best bet is to fly into Kigali and then drive to Bwindi. From Kigali to Bwindi, including a stopover, takes around 4–5 hours. You won’t have to pay for lodging the first night since you can get there and be transferred to Bwindi the same day.
We examine a number of factors while organizing a Budget Safari Uganda for our clients, these being only a couple. How to get about, the kind of travel paperwork needed, whether any vaccinations are advised, safety, and many other things are also important. We offer thoroughly stated Uganda Travel Tips so you won’t forget anything important or equipment for your trip.
Finally, Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa is a tour and safari company with its headquarters in Uganda that was founded to provide visitors to Uganda fascinating African vacation experiences. Welcome to take advantage of some of the specials on Uganda Safari Tours from one of the top businesses in Uganda.
5 Questions About Uganda Budget Safaris
1. Why should I choose Uganda for a budget trip?
When planning an East African safari, Uganda is a better alternative than the more popular and well-known Kenya and Tanzania because of its lower prices and wider range of activities. A beautiful blend of savannah and woodland characterises Uganda. The country is also small, which makes driving safaris more appealing and reduces the need for costly internal flights.
There are many hotels in the middle price bracket, and reputable tour companies provide camping safaris that are both pleasant and affordable. Additionally, specialised travel operators now provide self-drive safaris, which have grown in popularity as a vacation alternative. Mountain gorilla trekking is a popular and costly sport for tourists visiting Uganda. The US$800 one-time fee for a gorilla permit is well worth it if you’re in the market for one. Plus, it’s significantly less expensive than going on a gorilla trip in Rwanda, which is only next door.
3. What is included in a Uganda budget safari?
A cheap safari in Uganda could include different things depending on the package you choose.
Verify in writing what your inexpensive safari package includes and does not contain. Excessive extras might drive up the price of your trip and perhaps lead to strained relations with your local tour operator. Make sure you know if things like airport transfers are part of the deal. Dinner and lunch may not be included, but breakfast is frequently. Beverages should be included in your budget. While some high-end safaris may cover laundry, most budget vacations do not.
Gratuities are always expected, regardless of the quality of your safari.
3. Can you describe a typical day on a Uganda budget trip?
“A drive-around circuit of Uganda’s top sites is what most itineraries for a budget safari in the country cover. Early morning wake-up calls are a common part of a safari day in the savannah areas. You will be heading out to search for predator activity after a fast cup of coffee. In the middle of the morning, you might return to the campground or resort for brunch. During the middle of the day, you’ll have a chance to relax. After that, you might take a boat ride or go for a drive in the afternoon to see animals.
On other days, you might spend the entire day outside, bringing a packed lunch. That manner, you can access locations that are further from your starting point. Each day in the forest will be unique as you embark on treks to see chimpanzees and gorillas. Typically, after a filling breakfast, you will set out on your hike and return to your base for a late lunch. The afternoon is typically reserved for leisure activities following a morning of clambering across treacherous woodland hills.
Safaris typically last between five and fourteen days, thus the program is usually quite packed and strenuous. You may expect to spend some days exploring the parks and seeing wildlife up close, and other days hopping from park to park. You can spend a lot of time in the car because the roads can be bumpy. Typically, there’s more than plenty to do between the parks.
4. What type of accommodations can I expect?
In recent years, Uganda has developed into a more sophisticated tourism destination. New hotels have sprung up in and around each of the parks to accommodate the influx of tourists. Most budgets can now be met with the current solutions.
While some safari locations may provide more ultra-luxury amenities, Uganda carves out a pleasant middle ground. Outside the parks, within half an hour’s drive to the gates, you’ll usually find budget and mid-range hotels.
Budget hotels in Uganda were formerly a bit rundown, but there are now plenty of nice, no-frills options. Cottages and permanent safari tents, the classic safari camp type, are trending upward in popularity. You may think of a permanent safari tent as a canvas room with real beds and private bathrooms.
The most affordable choice is typically traditional camping, and some firms even provide a very comfortable setup. Most parks have campgrounds inside, and those that do tend to be in beautiful areas, perfect for seeing wildlife.
5. What are the typical costs of a Uganda budget safari?
A rough estimate would be $300 USD per person, per day. A Uganda budget safari cost can’t be precisely estimated because, as you might expect, it relies on a wide range of variables.
While a safari won’t break the bank, you can keep costs down by staying in tents or other inexpensive lodgings instead of the more traditional mid-range or luxury options. There may be low- or high-season pricing depending on the time of year you travel.
Part of the parks’ allure is that they aren’t designed for large groups of tourists. Because of this, even on a budget safari to Uganda, you may expect to pay a pretty penny. Transport on most East African safaris is in durable 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs, which allow guests to better see the local animals.
Tipping rangers and guides, as well as the prices of optional activities and beverages, may add up on a safari. All meals, transportation, lodging, and park fees are typically included on safaris. Find out from your tour operator exactly what is and isn’t included. Your guide’s tips can build up. A tip of $10–$15 per person, per day, is customary, depending on how well the guide performed their job.
















