How Much Does a Uganda Safari Cost?

Uganda is a more affordable option than neighbouring Rwanda. In this Uganda safari cost guide, African Budget Safaris looks at all the costs involved in a Uganda safari, and what you can expect to pay for transport, gorilla trekking, or a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Murchison Falls. As with all African safari destinations, there are a few factors that will influence the cost of your Uganda safari. When you choose to travel, the duration of your trip, the level of comfort, accommodation options, transportation, and group size, will all affect your Uganda safari budget.

In this guide, African Budget Safaris explores the key elements that will affect the cost of your Uganda safari, and help you to make the most of your African safari budget.

Uganda Cost Guide Quick Links
How much does a Uganda safari cost per day? Getting to Uganda How much does transport cost in Uganda? How much does a Uganda visa cost? Uganda park fees Uganda activity costs How much does Uganda accommodation cost? Uganda safari prices & seasons Ready to Book a Uganda Safari?

Hills of Bwindi National Park

How much does a Uganda safari cost per day?

To get started, here is a broad guide for your Uganda safari cost per day, which you can use as a broad-budget safari cost calculator. The categories we have used are budget safari, mid-range safari, and luxury safari. These costs exclude flights to Uganda, travel insurance, and things like tips and curios.

Uganda Safari Costs*

• Budget Safari: US$ 250 to US$ 350 per person per day
• Mid-Range Safari: US$ 350 to US$ 550 per person per day
• Luxury Safari: US$ 700 to US$ 1000 + per person per day

*These safari prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date Uganda safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Uganda safari packages.

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Mountain gorilla bwindi national park

Getting There: Uganda Flights

Entebbe International Airport is the main airport that serves Uganda. All safaris to Uganda will land at Entebbe. The cost of a flight will depend on the time of year and where you are flying from. Traditionally, flights are more expensive around the traditional seasonal holidays like Easter and Christmas when most people can travel. Flight costs do vary around the year and you can keep an eye on prices using a dedicated site like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner. Try punching in your dates and see which dates are the most budget-friendly options. Alternatively, if you prefer dealing with a human, get in touch with your local travel agent who can advise you about the best budget times to travel.

In Uganda, the peak tourist season falls during the dry (dry-er) months from June to October. Unfortunately, this is peak safari season throughout East Africa because game viewing at this time is spectacular. The dry landscape and thinning bush mean you get to see more animals, it is also the best time to see the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya, while in Uganda, the weather for gorilla tracking is more pleasant. The rainy season in Uganda brings logistical challenges such as impassable roads, and while Uganda can be considered an all-year-round destination, March to May and November to December can get wet. It is up to you to decide when you want to go. Flights during the peak season months can be double what they are during the off-peak season.

If you are flexible and feeling lucky, you can roll the dice and try to get cheaper flights in the shoulder season months, May to early June, and late October to November. You may find cheaper deals on flights, but the weather is a gamble and could go either way. During this time, tourist numbers will also be lower making for a more intimate and relaxed safari experience.

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Flights Uganda cost guide

Uganda Transport & Your Travel Budget

Compared to countries like Tanzania and Kenya, Uganda is not a big country. Most safari packages to Uganda will include things like the shuttle service from Entebbe International as well as transport to your safari destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The advantage of this is that you will pay one price upfront and not have to deal with haggling for fares, car rental logistics, and insurance costs, taking taxis from the airport to your hotel, and so on.

In Uganda, you can choose from private metered taxis, mutatus, regular buses, hire cars, and the ubiquitous boda-bodas. Boda-bodas are the cheapest and most cost-effective transport and as such are the preferred choice of locals, as well as adventurous travellers. They can be dangerous though so think carefully before you take a ride. There is a tech company called Safe Boda that is the Uber of the boda boda world and is looking to train drivers and make helmets mandatory. Mutatus are also cheap but the stop-start nature of the business means that they take longer, and can also be overcrowded. Private hire taxis are more expensive. For longer journeys, there are long-distance coaches or buses, and another popular option is car rental. Common rental models in Uganda include Toyota Ravs, Hi-aces, or Land Cruisers, which can be rented with or without a driver.

Golden Monkey, Uganda safari

Below is a breakdown of some of the transportation costs that go into a Ugandan safari holiday.*

• Average transportation cost for independent travellers: +/- US$ 20 per person per day based on taking a taxi in a major centre.
• Airport transfer from Entebbe to Kampala: US$ 40 to US$ 130
• Boda boda, also known as a piki piki: +/- US$ 1,50
• Mutatus around Kampala: US$ 1,50 to US$ 2,50
• Rental cars cost anywhere from US$ 40 to US$ 400 per day, depending on the vehicle and the duration. A Toyota Rav 4 for example will cost US$ 65 (1 -4 days), US$ 60 (5-9days), or US$ 50 (10 days plus). This cost is inclusive of a driver. Costs exclude fuel.

*Transportation costs are meant as a guideline only and may vary.

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Banana transport in uganda

Uganda Visa Costs

When visiting Uganda, travellers must be in possession of a valid passport. 30-day tourist visas are available for most nationalities on arrival or alternatively can be booked online through Uganda’s e-visa system which is fairly straightforward to use. The visa fees must not exceed US$ 50 for a single entry visa or US$ 70 for multiple entry. Visa requirements vary from country to country and it is important that you clarify this information with your local travel agent before you travel.

Uganda safari costs

Uganda National Park Costs

When visiting Uganda, you will pay an entrance fee for each park that you visit. Fees are charged per 24-hour period and do not include activities. These are park fees for Uganda’s best national parks.

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Entry fees: US$ 40 per adult / US$ 20 per child
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Entry fees: US$ 40 per adult / US$ 20 per child
• Queen Elizabeth National Park: Entry fees: US$ 40 per adult / US$ 20 per child
• Murchison Falls National Park: Entry fees: US$ 45 per adult / US$ 25 per child

Please note that if you are doing a self-drive Uganda safari, in addition to the park fees per person there will also be a tariff on your vehicle. The charge ranges between US$ 40 and US$ 200 depending on the vehicle type.

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Shoebill Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda Parks Activity Fees

In addition to the park fees above, in Uganda, visitors will be charged activity fees. Popular Uganda safari activities include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, habituation experiences, bird watching, and guided nature walks to mention just a few.

Uganda is a popular gorilla trekking destination as permits are more affordable. For example, the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest will give you roughly 4 hours with these gentle giants for the same cost as a permit in Rwanda that gives you just 1 hour with the gorillas.

Because of the popularity of Gorilla trekking, permits must be booked at least 6 months in advance.

Below is a list of some of the activities and their costs for Bwindi, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls.

Bwindi Uganda safari cost

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Costs

• Gorilla Trekking Permit: US$ 700 (+/- 1 hour with gorillas)
• Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience: US$ 1500 (+/- 4 hours with gorillas)
• Bwindi Guided Nature Walk: US$ 50
• Bwindi Forest Bird Watching: US$ 30

Mgahinga gorilla trekking

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Costs

• Gorilla trekking permit: US$ 700
• Golden Monkey Trekking Permit: US$ 60
• Golden Monkey Habituation Experience: US$ 100
• Volcano climbing fees US$ 80
• Guided bird watching: US$ 30
• Batwa Trail fees: US$ 80

Tree climbing lion Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Costs

• Chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge: US$ 50
• Guided game drive: US$ 30
• Boat cruise on Kazing Channel: US$ 30
• Guided nature walk: US$ 15
• Guided mongoose tracking: US$ 30

Murchison Falls in Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park Costs

• Guided game drive: US$ 30
• Guided night game drive: US$ 40
• Boat cruise to Murchison Falls: US$ 30
• Guided bird watching: US$ 30

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Uganda safari accommodation costs

Uganda Safari Accommodation Costs

When visiting Uganda, you will find a range of accommodations from shoe-string cheap, to budget, mid-range, and of course luxury. African Budget Safari keeps Uganda safaris affordable by sourcing mixed accommodation that brings you the best deals. Accommodation includes tented camps, camping, budget lodges, B&Bs, chalets, bungalows, guest houses, and hotels. This means that when choosing a safari package with African Budget Safari, you can tailor your accommodation to suit your budget. Below is an example of the cost difference between a budget and mid-range Uganda safari based on 2023 rates.

5-day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Lodge Safari costs based on 2 people sharing, cost per person for 2023.

• Budget accommodation: US$ 2701
• Mid-range accommodation: US$ 3103
• High-end accommodation: US$ 3865

These rates are meant as guidelines and are subject to change. If you are planning a safari adventure to Uganda, check in with an expert safari consultant for up-to-date safari costs.

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White water rafting on the Nile

Uganda Safari Budget & Group Size

Tailoring your group size can be a big budget saver. Intimacy and exclusivity always come at a premium, and Uganda is no exception. Traveling with a group allows you to share the cost of your Uganda safari making it more budget-friendly and affordable. For example, you might hire a car for US$ 80 per day, and if you have 4 travel companions to share the cost with, it works out to US$ 20 each per day, meaning that each group member saves US$60 per day. This principle applies to safari package deals too, where African Budget Safaris can pass on those savings in the form of lower rates. Below are the Uganda safari cost differences between a 3-day gorilla trekking safari and a 6-day Uganda fly-in safari for 2, 4, and 6 people.

Budget 3-day Uganda Gorillas Experience in Bwindi Forest Park

• 2 people: US$ 2710
• 4 people: US$ 2542
• 6 people: US$ 2485

Mid-range 7-day Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Lodge Safari (max 6 people)

• 2 people: US$ 3789
• 4 people: US$ 3390
• 6 people: US$ 3257

By travelling in a group, you can make good budget savings that allow you to make the most of your safari budget. Travelling with a group of close friends or family is not only fun but can also be a budget-savvy planning choice.

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Uganda gorilla trekking tours

Uganda Safari Prices & Seasons

In the past, Uganda had low-season and high-season rates. However, with the popularity of gorilla trekking, permits are now a standard cost at all times of year. Savings can still be made by travelling out of peak season and should be applied mostly to accommodation and your inbound air costs. It also never hurts to ask. Talk to your travel agent, or to one of African Budget Safaris experienced travel consultants, and ask if there are any off-season deals.

Chimpanzees in queen elizabeth national park

To get an overview of African safari costs and compare the safari prices in different countries, see our regularly updated African Safari Cost Guide.

Book an affordable Uganda Safari with African Budget Safaris

African Budget Safari offers a selection of excellent Uganda safari tours. If you like the idea of trekking with mountain gorillas, finding chimpanzees, and visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or the Victoria Nile at Murchison Falls, you can view our list of Uganda safaris now. If you would like to talk to a human, contact one of our experienced African Budget Safari experts, and start planning your Uganda safari today.

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