My recent Uganda safari tour by Mari Jacobs

What is so special about a Uganda Gorilla Safari?

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa! Not only is it beautiful, green and full of surprises. Its beauty was amplified – to me at least – because it was also offers something different to the usual African safari destinations. You are much more active, which appealed to me. And yes, getting so close to primates is really a life changing experience!

Spending time with gorillas in the wild is by far the best up-close wildlife experience in Africa. A face-to-face encounter with these rare black gentle giants, against the rainforest’s green, is one of the biggest reasons people come to Uganda. Africa’s great apes survive in what remains of their natural habitat, the high montane bamboo forest. Thanks to gorilla trekking in Uganda (and Rwanda), populations are slowly on the increase. It’s a conservation success story. A peaceful co-existence between the local community and their primate neighbours!

Why Visit Uganda?

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
• Boat safaris on the Nile Excellent birdwatching
• Fewer crowds than many safari destinations
• Easy combinations of rainforest and savanna safari experiences

Adventure Safaris

Uganda is the dream destination for any adventure seeker!

Chimpanzees roam in numbers in Kibale forest, and great was my surprise when they walked past our party without causing a fuss. These habituated Chimps is exciting to watch and definitely worth spending some extra days in Uganda. It will also give you the opportunity to stay at one of my favorite places in Uganda.

Ndali Lodge, is set in a stunning location on the rim of an extinct volcano which has now filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga. This owner run, English style lodge offer great food, staff and service and is one of those places that just have that “something else” going for it! The Lodge is about 45 minutes from the chimpanzee tracking trailhead at Kanyanchu. It’s a perfect base to hike around the region and go primate tracking in the nearby Kibale Forest.

Will I Definitely See Gorillas on a Uganda Safari tour?

Because they are so closely monitored you probably have a 99% chance of seeing them. Of course, there are no guarantees with wild animals but it is very seldom that traveler’s don’t find the gorillas during a trek.  At the moment Uganda only issue 40 gorilla permits per day which makes the experience pretty special in my book. You have 1 hour to spend with them. One suggestion is that even if you feel you are fit and strong to consider to use the service of a porter. The reason is twofold. Firstly, you support the community (thereby you are supporting conservation) and secondly, they really help you during the hike to cope with the terrain, altitude, humidity and your daypack! They also give you a push where needed or a helping hand just as you start to slip. In the wet season, the mud can make trails slippery and the trek tougher. Primates may also seek refuge from the rain in nests or trees, making them harder to find and see.

Other Delights of a Uganda Safari tour?

Uganda offers some of the most diverse wildlife viewing, dramatic landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences in Africa. The people of Uganda are welcoming and curious about their visitors. And a Ugandan will go out of their way to make anyone feel welcome.              

I liked the fact that we were much more active than on most safaris. We did crater walks, a swamp walk and a safari walk at Ishasha too. I also found the Community visit at Agartha’s was quite unique. And it was more personal as the home visit was well planned and not too invasive of people’s privacy! We tasted some of the home-made porridge and local drinks.              

Although Uganda is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) it also boasts unique wildlife such as tree-climbing lions and the Nile crocodile.

The two game drives we enjoyed in Queen Elizabeth Park were much better than I had expected. We had a lion sighting and a leopard sighting on the first short drive. On the Kazinga channel cruise we saw plenty of elephant, some swimming in the river. As well as buffalo, hippos and plenty of birds!

Ishasha Wilderness Lodge

Ishasha is a Wilderness Camp but most clients will love it. It is tented and quite basic but it has a charming authentic safari experience. The en suite facilities include a bucket shower. So hot water is not on tap but brought your shower bucket, when you want to show.) In the evenings you enjoy a sundowner on the game drive. And when you get back to camp, we enjoyed a drink around the fire overlooking the Ntungwe River.

The following morning, we did a safari from the lodge however you need to get a Park Guide and pay them separately- the cost was USD 15 per person. We saw buffalo, hippo and plenty of birds. I liked the fact that it gives you a break from all the driving! It also feels like it prepares you for the Gorilla hike!

As we drove out of Queen Elizabeth Park, we managed to see the tree climbing lions. Four lions in one tree!

I highly recommend a visit to Uganda and I promise you will love it just as much as I did!

Ready to discover the Pearl of Africa?

Uganda feels different from the moment you arrive. Greener. Wilder. Less hurried.

One day you’re trekking through mist-covered rainforest in search of mountain gorillas; the next you’re cruising along the Nile past hippos, elephants, and enormous flocks of birds. Add welcoming people, surprisingly varied landscapes, and some of Africa’s most rewarding primate encounters, and it’s easy to understand why Winston Churchill famously called Uganda “the Pearl of Africa”.

For travellers seeking something more immersive and slightly off the traditional safari circuit, Uganda can be one of Africa’s most unforgettable destinations.

Uganda offers a safari experience unlike anywhere else in Africa; one moment tracking endangered mountain gorillas through mist-covered forests; the next cruising past hippos on the Nile, or watching tree-climbing lions stretched across ancient fig trees.

At Cedarberg Africa, we help travellers experience Uganda in a way that feels seamless and deeply rewarding, combining gorilla trekking, classic safari areas, chimpanzee encounters, and beautiful lodges into carefully paced itineraries.

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“Uganda – The Pearl of Africa” was a trip report by Mari of Cedarberg Africa

Mari Jacobs is one of Cedarberg Africa’s senio safari specialists and has a particular passion for East Africa’s quieter, more immersive safari destinations. Uganda remains one of her favourites for its remarkable diversity. From tracking gorillas in Bwindi to cruising along the Nile at Murchison Falls, Mari loves helping clients discover the richness and warmth of Uganda. Drawn to destinations that combine nature, culture, and a strong sense of authenticity,

Her travels through the region help shape Cedarberg Africa’s carefully curated itineraries, balancing adventure, comfort, and meaningful experiences in the wild.