Uganda

Uganda is one of East Africa's most complete destinations for UK travellers — a country where you can be face-to-face with mountain gorillas in a rainforest one day and relaxing on the shores of Africa's largest lake the next. Most trips begin in Entebbe, the calm, green city on Lake Victoria that hosts the country's main international airport, before extending into Kampala, Uganda's lively capital just a short drive away, and onward into the national parks that draw most visitors here in the first place.

Entebbe itself is worth a day or two before heading further inland. The Entebbe Botanical Gardens sit right on the lakeshore and are a genuinely relaxing spot for a walk. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a boat ride out into Lake Victoria, is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for orphaned chimpanzees and one of the more memorable half-day trips near the city. Birdwatchers shouldn't miss Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places in the world to spot the rare and slightly prehistoric-looking shoebill stork.

Kampala, Uganda's capital, mixes old and new — busy markets and street food stalls alongside a growing scene of modern restaurants and nightlife. It's a good base for a night or two before heading out to the parks.

The main reason most people fly all this way, though, is Uganda's wildlife. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the last strongholds of the mountain gorilla, and gorilla trekking permits here — issued exclusively by the Uganda Wildlife Authority — are genuinely one of the more affordable ways to see mountain gorillas in the wild compared with neighbouring Rwanda. Permits sell out months ahead for peak season (June–October and December–February), so this is worth planning early rather than as an afterthought. Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, round out the classic Uganda safari circuit — and it's worth knowing that the UK government lifted its travel advisory against Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki National Parks in December 2025, restoring full travel insurance validity for those areas. For current permit guidance and official park information, the Uganda Wildlife Authority's official website is the primary source, and the Uganda Tourism Board's official website is a good general planning resource alongside our own guidance here.

Getting there from the UK: Uganda Airlines now flies non-stop between London Gatwick and Entebbe, a genuine recent improvement on what used to be a connections-only route — see our dedicated guide, Flights to Entebbe, Uganda from the UK, for the full breakdown of direct versus connecting options, current pricing, and the best time to book.

Before you travel: Uganda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry from every country, and current safety guidance should always be checked before finalising plans, since advisories can change. Check the latest position through GOV.UK's Uganda travel advice before booking anything non-refundable.

Whether you're planning a short Entebbe and Kampala trip or a full gorilla-trekking safari, we'll help you find the right flight and put the rest of the trip together around it — no online payment required upfront, just a real conversation with our team.