Tours to Uganda · Kampala
Uganda Tours and Safari Tours with a Licensed Local Tour Operator
Private Uganda tours and safaris, planned and run from our office in Ntinda, Kampala. Gorillas, chimpanzees, the Big Five and the Nile, with a written quote before you pay anything.
Who runs your tour: a licensed Uganda tour operator
Mwanzo Tours Uganda SMC Limited was founded by Anthony Kiweewa and is run from our office in Ntinda, Kampala. We plan every tour here and deliver it on the ground with our own safari team, including Daniel, a senior safari expert with 25 years of guiding in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Mwanzo means “the beginning”, and every booking contributes to the Serah Foundation, a registered community organisation supporting children in central Uganda.
The licence matters. The Uganda Wildlife Authority says gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-resident visitors are sold only through operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board. You can check our number on the UTB website, and our page Is Mwanzo Tours legit? shows how, with public review counts and sources.
Uganda tours and safaris: the types we run
Uganda gorilla tours, 3 to 4 days
The shortest way to meet mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Packages start from $1,348 per person for three days, and the 3-Day Gorilla Trek in Bwindi is shown from $1,431 with the $800 permit included. Compare gorilla trekking by air or by road.
Primates and wildlife tours, 5 to 14 days
Gorillas in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth. Examples: the 7-day gorillas, chimpanzee and wildlife tour from $2,700 and the 10-day wildlife, Big 5, chimpanzee and gorilla safari from $3,713.
Uganda safari tours: Big Five and savanna, 3 to 8 days
Lions, elephants, buffalo, the Nile and the Kazinga Channel. Start with the 3-day Queen Elizabeth safari from $956 or the 8-day Big-5 Uganda tour from $3,288. Browse the full Uganda safari packages for 2027.
Tours for particular travellers
Travelling as a woman? Women’s Circle on Wheels runs 10 to 24 February 2027, at €3,500 with gorilla trekking or €3,000 with a guided Bwindi hike. Read our guides to solo female travel and a family safari with children. Prefer to drive yourself? See the self-drive safari in Uganda. For schools, universities and teams, we also run student programs and leadership and impact retreats.
Where our Uganda safari tours go
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: mountain gorillas, in four sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo). The road from Entebbe takes about 8 to 10 hours.
- Kibale Forest: chimpanzee tracking, $300 per person for a foreign non-resident permit in 2027.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: the Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi plains and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, about 7 to 8 hours from Kampala.
- Murchison Falls: game drives north of the Nile and the boat trip toward the falls, about 4 to 5 hours from Kampala to the southern gate.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: white rhino on foot, on the road to Murchison.
How booking a Uganda trip works
- Enquire. Send your dates and ideas by form, WhatsApp or email. We reply within one business day.
- Get a written quote. It names the lodges, what is included and the total price in US dollars or euros, before you pay anything.
- Pay the 30% deposit. This confirms your booking. We then buy your gorilla and chimpanzee permits in your name.
- Pay the balance 60 days before departure. Permits are non-refundable once purchased, which we explain before you pay.
- Arrange visa and insurance. Apply for the e-visa, about $50. Travel insurance is not included, so arrange your own with medical evacuation and cancellation cover.
- Fly to Entebbe. Your guide meets you and the tour begins.
The details are on our payment page, and in how we protect your permit money.
What Uganda tours and safaris cost
Our published from-prices per person, excluding international flights, are $956 for 3 days in Queen Elizabeth, $1,348 for 3 days with gorillas, $2,700 for 7 days and $3,713 for 10 days. Mid-range private trips typically work out at around $400 to $550 per person per day, with luxury lodges adding roughly 30 to 50 percent. The permit is the biggest single line: $800 for gorillas against $1,500 in Rwanda when we checked on 6 October 2026. Read Uganda safari cost in 2027 and the gorilla permit cost guide.
When to go
June to September and December to February are the driest months, with firm tracks and animals gathered near water. Parks and gorilla trekking run all year, and April, May and November bring green scenery, fewer vehicles and lower permit rates. Our guides to the best time for a Uganda safari and the best time for gorilla trekking go month by month.
Planning your tour from your country
We plan tours for travellers from the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia. Each guide covers flights, currency and timing.
Before you travel
You need an e-visa for Uganda, applied for on the official portal at least two weeks ahead. A yellow fever certificate is no longer required for entry, following the official notice of 2 October 2026, though another country on your route may ask for one. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. For safety, read Is Uganda safe to visit? and plan your kit with our gorilla trekking packing list.
How to choose the best tour company in Uganda
Uganda safari companies range from one-person outfits to large operators, so compare them, including us, on the same checks.
- Check the Uganda Tourism Board licence number yourself.
- Ask for a written quote that names the lodges, permits and inclusions.
- Read the deposit, balance and cancellation terms before you pay.
- Ask who buys your permit, and in whose name.
- Read recent independent reviews, with dates and trip types.
What guests say
Mwanzo Tours is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 9 reviews on SafariBookings (25 October 2026).
“A unique feature of our safari was spotting the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.”
Godfrey, visited August 2023, SafariBookings
“This tour through Uganda wasn’t just a holiday, it was a journey straight into the heart of Africa. The Serah Foundation visit was worth more than gold.”
Elena, Netherlands
Questions before you book? Send us a message on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day. Mwanzo Tours Uganda is licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board, licence UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mwanzo Tours a licensed Uganda tour operator and travel agency?
Yes. Mwanzo Tours Uganda is a local Uganda travel agency and tour operator based in Ntinda, Kampala, licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board, licence UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873. We handle the quote, permits, lodges, transfers and guide. International flights are not included. You can check the number on the UTB website, and our page on how we protect your permit money explains where your payments go.
How long should a tour to Uganda be?
Three or four days is enough for gorilla trekking alone. Seven to ten days lets you add chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls. Our packages run from 3 to 14 days.
How much do Uganda tours and safaris cost?
Our published tours start from $956 per person for 3 days and from $1,348 for a 3-day gorilla trek, excluding international flights. A 7-day tour starts from $2,700 and a 10-day tour from $3,713. A written quote confirms your exact price.
How do I choose the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda?
Check the Uganda Tourism Board licence number yourself, ask who buys your gorilla permit and in whose name, ask for a written quote that names lodges and inclusions, and read recent dated reviews. Any Uganda gorilla trekking company, including us, should answer all four plainly.
Can I book a private Uganda tour for one or two people?
Yes. We run private departures for solo travellers, couples and groups, with your own vehicle and guide, rather than placing you on a large group bus.
When should I book my Uganda trip?
For June to August and December, ask 4 to 6 months ahead because gorilla permits sell out. Quieter months need less notice, but permits are only secured once paid, so earlier is safer.
Do I need a visa and a yellow fever certificate?
You need a Uganda e-visa, about $50, applied for on the official portal. A yellow fever certificate is no longer required for entry since the official notice of 2 October 2026. Travel insurance is not included in our quotes, so arrange your own.
What deposit do you take?
A 30% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due 60 days before departure. Permits are non-refundable once purchased. Our payment page has the full cancellation terms.