When you dream about Africa, Uganda is one place that comes into your head like magic. It is full of wild nature, happy local people, green lands, and animals that make your heart beat fast. Many travelers come here for gorilla trekking, wild game drives, and local village touching. But before packing your bag and flying to this beautiful country, one question always comes up—how much will the Uganda safari cost? In this guide we tell you all the cost ideas and what to budget when planning this lifetime journey. Not like a book, but real and clear.
safari in uganda not cheap but worth every coin
Uganda has so much inside, from big elephants and lions to tiny birds and mountain gorillas. but you don’t do it all with the same money. price change based on activities and where you go. Most people mix different things—like one day for a game drive, one day for gorilla trekking, and maybe a boat ride also.
One normal wildlife safari in Uganda can cost between $150 and $400 per day per person. This includes a car with a guide, fuel, park entry fee, and a stay with meals. But the gorilla trip was extra expensive.
gorilla trekking
This one will be a big dream for many people. Uganda is the top place for gorilla trekking. Mostly it happens in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. It is not an easy hike. You walk inside the thick jungle, sometimes for 2 hours or more, to find the gorilla family. But once you find them, it’s magical. You can stay one hour with a gorilla and watch them live a normal life, play, eat, and look at you too.
Gorilla trekking is not just exciting but also one of the most expensive parts of a Uganda safari.
cost of gorilla trip
A permit alone for a gorilla costs $800 per person (price of 2025). And this is just for the permit. This doesn’t include transport, a companion, or a stay. However, like a 3-day goon journey from Kampala or Entebbe, it can be around $1200 to $1800 for a budget stint if you count the full cost. A luxury one would be more, around $2500 or indeed $3000.
If you want a cheap way, go in the low season (April, May, or November)—sometimes lodges give big discounts, and some companies offer small deals. But the permit is always the same price; it is controlled by the government. Only 8 people are allowed to visit one gorilla family each day, so tickets are very limited and must be booked early.
uganda wildlife safari packages
Besides hoods, Uganda has the most stylish wildlife in Africa. Places like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo all have big creatures like Napoleons, mammoths, leopards, giraffes, hippos, crocs, and numerous catcalls. Uganda safari packages are of numerous kinds—short ones like 3-day Murchison Falls or long ones like 10-day full Uganda safaris.
The budget package (camping or basic lodge) starts from $150 per day. This includes a car, guide, fuel, food, and park entry.
mid-range lodge, around $250–$350 per day. more comfort, better lodge, private toilet, hot shower.
Luxury safaris can be $600 to $1000 per day—fly-in option, top lodge, chef, big room, spa sometimes.
A lot of people choose to mix—maybe a gorilla with mid-range, then some day wildlife in a budget way. Also group tours help reduce cost, when you share a car and guide.
park entrance fee and activity costs
Every national park in Uganda has an entrance fee. normally $40 per day for foreign visitors. This does not include activities like boat ride or chimpanzee trekking.
boat ride at Murchison or Kazinga Channel—around $30–$40
chimpanzee permit – kibale forest $250, kyambura gorge $100
night game drive – some park offer for $40–$50 extra
community visits for $10–$30 depending on the activity.
hot air balloon (only in murchison) – around $380
Transport cost
You can travel to Uganda by road or small plane. Flying is expensive, so most go by road.
private safari vehicle (4×4 land cruiser) with guide cost about $150–$200 per day
fuel depend on distance – long trip can add $100–$300
self-drive rental – small 4×4 car cost $60–$80 per day, but you need experience for uganda road
bus travel be cheap but not good for safari, slow, and have no access to park area
food and accommodation
Food in Uganda is not expensive if you eat local – roll (egg roll), matoke, beans, and rice all cheap.
But on safari, lodges give full meals, mostly 3 times a day – cost included in the package.
budget lodge – $30–$60 per night
mid-range – $80–$150
luxury – $200 to $700 or more
Some lodges also charge extra for laundry, drinks, or special meals.
guide and tipping
A good guide makes your trip great. In a private safari, the guide is already included in the cost.
For tips, many people give $5–$10 per day to the guide, more if the service is very good.
Also tip porter in gorilla trekking (help with bag), around $10–$20.
lodge staff – tip box available; you can give $5–$10 per stay.
other things to budget
- visa fee: $50 for a single-entry uganda visa
- travel insurance: must-have for safari and trekking
- vaccination: yellow fever required; it’s also good to take malaria tablets.
- souvenir: market have craft, clothes, wood carving – $5 to $50
- sim card/internet: Ugandan SIM like MTN or Airtel – cheap and fast internet
budget example
3-Day Gorilla Trek (Budget)
- Gorilla Permit: $800
- Transport + guide + fuel: $250
- Lodge + meals: $150
- Total: $1200–$1300
7-Day Wildlife Safari (Mid-Range)
- Transport + guide: $1000
- Park fee + activity: $400
- Lodge + meals: $800
- Total: $2200–$2400
10-Day Full Safari + Gorilla (Luxury)
- Gorilla Permit: $800
- Fly-in safari: $1500
- Lodge: $3000
- Total: $5000+
conclusion
Uganda safaris are not the cheapest in Africa, but they are really special. Gorilla trekking is a once in lifetime thing, and wildlife is also very raw, wild, and natural. To plan a trip, you must think about permits, cars, lodges, park fees, and also food and extra costs. Many tour companies give full packages for gorilla trips and Uganda wildlife safari packages.It’s better to bespeak beforehand, especially for the high season( June – Sep, Dec – Feb). The budget can be different for each rubberneck – solo, couple, family, or group – but with good planning, you can enjoy Uganda completely without overspending . A safari in Uganda would be a dream come true
