Destination: Uganda

Explore this fascinating East African country with us

Offering incredible diversity in terms of landscapes, wildlife, and culture, Uganda is packed with wonderful destinations, superlative experiences, and exceptional accommodation options. An Anderson & Harvey safari to this wonderful East African nation is bound to impress and we pride ourselves on creating exceptional Ugandan itineraries that encapsulate the vibrant spirit of this fascinating country. Let's find out more about it...

There's no doubting Uganda's appeal as a safari destination. It's renowned the world over for being home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas, with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park its crowning glory. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws visitors from across the globe every year in search of unique interactions with these incredible great apes.


Gorilla trekking is an experience that leaves a lasting impression. The excitement of navigating the rainforest, guided by skilled trackers, culminates in an extraordinary hour spent with a gorilla family in their natural habitat. Observing mothers cradling their young, playful juveniles exploring the undergrowth, and powerful silverbacks overseeing their group is a profoundly moving experience that highlights Uganda's remarkable conservation efforts.


But there's so much more to Uganda than gorillas and its diversity extends beyond the ancient forests of Bwindi. Kibale National Park, for example, is a lush rainforest that's home to an incredible array of primate species - the most famous of which is our closest "relative" - the chimpanzee. Here they can be seen literally swinging through the canopy, their calls resonating through the dense foliage. Red colobus monkeys, with their striking black and red fur, leap between branches, while L'Hoest's monkeys shyly pose for photographers.


More 350 bird species inhabit Kibale, from the elusive African pitta to the vibrant great blue turaco. For thrill-seekers, a canopy walk through Kibale rainforest, crossing suspended bridges high above the forest floor, offers a unique perspective of the lush vegetation and the chorus of birdlife below.


For a different experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a more traditional safari experience, with the added drawcard of offering boat-based safari options on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway teeming with hippo and crocodiles, and surrounded by lush savannahs and woodlands filled with elephant, buffalo, and diverse bird species. Here lions climb trees, creating unique photo opportunities!


Murchison Falls National Park also provides a fabulous African safari experience, with its vast savannahs and acacia woodlands filled with wildlife, including herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and exceptional birdlife. Predators like lion and leopard add to the allure of this world-class safari destination. The park's highlight is Murchison Falls, where the nascent Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular waterfall. It's here you can also see the spectacular shoebill stork - a top "tick" for avid birders!


For those seeking adventure, Uganda offers challenging hikes such as the ascent of Mount Elgon, a dormant volcano with stunning panoramic views. Reaching the summit rewards climbers with breathtaking vistas.


On the cultural front, Ugandan cuisine is a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation. Savour "luwombo," a stew of meat or fish cooked in banana leaves with vegetables and spices, a staple of Ugandan cuisine. Enjoy "rolex," a popular street food consisting of an omelette rolled in a chapati, or try "matoke," steamed and mashed plantains served with a savoury sauce. Ugandan coffee, renowned for its rich and aromatic flavour, is a must-try for coffee enthusiasts.


Uganda's cultural tapestry is as rich as its natural beauty. The country is home to over 50 distinct ethnic groups, each with its own unique traditions, music, dance, and crafts. The Baganda, the largest ethnic group, are known for their vibrant ceremonies and intricate bark cloth creations. Traditional dance and music performances, featuring instruments like the adungu (a type of harp) and the embaire (a large xylophone), provide a captivating insight into Uganda's cultural heritage.


From a cultural perspective, the vibrant capital city of Kampala is a destination worth exploring, offering a dynamic blend of urban experiences, cultural interactions, and historical exploration. Numerous tours are available to help visitors make the most of their time in this bustling city. From guided city tours that take you through the heart of Kampala, exploring its key landmarks and historical sites, to arts and food tours delving into the bustling markets and local art, music, and restaurant scene, there's something for everyone.


Get in touch to chat to us about putting together a Ugandan safari for your clients.

The art of pacing

June 17, 2026
Slowing down is the best decision your clients will never know you made for them. Why? Because there's a particular kind of exhaustion that safari veterans recognise immediately and first-time travellers rarely anticipate.

The experiences that make a safari unforgettable

June 17, 2026
Ask any seasoned safari traveller which moment they remember most vividly, and the answer is rarely what you'd expect. It's almost never the biggest sighting or the most dramatic crossing. More often it's something quieter, more personal and altogether less predictable than anything an itinerary could guarantee.

Our guide to chimpanzee tracking in East Africa

May 25, 2026
You hear them before you see them. Somewhere in the canopy above, something is moving fast through the branches, and then the forest erupts: a chorus of whoops and screams and the deep, resonant drumming of fists on a tree trunk that carries half a kilometre through the undergrowth and stops every conversation dead.

On the trail of the leopard

May 25, 2026
Of all the animals that define an East African safari, the leopard is the one that most consistently refuses to cooperate. Lions sleep in full view on termite mounds and pride themselves, quite literally, on being seen.

The light that changes everything

April 26, 2026
There are places in the world that are merely beautiful, and there are places that seem to exist in a state of permanent, almost aggressive photographic perfection. East Africa is firmly in the second category. Anyone who has ever raised a camera in the Serengeti at first light.

The evolution of the luxury safari

April 23, 2026
There was a time, not so very long ago, when roughing it was simply part of the deal. You went on safari, you slept under canvas, you ate whatever the camp cook produced on a gas ring and you were profoundly grateful for the experience regardless of the thread count of your sheets, largely because there weren't any.

Stone Town first!

March 24, 2026
Most travellers arrive in Zanzibar with their eyes already on the horizon. The beach is the destination, the resort is the reward, and Stone Town, if it features at all, is a half-day detour between the airport and the coast sold as a pleasant interlude of carved doors and market stalls.

The soul of the Serengeti

March 24, 2026
Every year, without fail, the images begin to circulate. Wildebeest launching themselves into the Mara River, crocodiles surging through churning brown water, the chaos and the courage of thousands of animals crossing at once.

Uganda - a land of unlimited adventure

February 25, 2026
Uganda has long been associated with gorilla trekking, but reducing it to a single experience undersells its importance within East Africa. Uganda can stand confidently on its own or add powerful contrast when paired with Kenya or Tanzania.

Why East Africa still defines the classic safari

February 25, 2026
For many, the idea of an African safari begins and ends with East Africa. It is here that the original safari routes took shape, where endless savannahs stretch to the horizon, and where wildlife encounters unfold on a scale that still feels almost cinematic.