We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to Uganda is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Holiday Title: Highlight Tour of Uganda
Holiday Destination: Holiday to Uganda for 6 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
Arrive into Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Having gone through Immigration and collected your luggage, make your way into the Arrivals Hall where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe is the stylish boutique hotel, Hotel No 5. From the moment you arrive you are warmly welcomed and cared for. With luxurious rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for guests when first arriving in Uganda and requiring an overnight stay.
Lake Victoria
You will be collected early this morning and transferred back to the airport where you will board your flight to Kibale.
AeroLink Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Entebbe Intl (EBB) departing at 07:00 to Kibale Airstrip, arriving at 10:05
You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your lodge. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the Rwenzori Mountains beyond, Kyaninga Lodge is the setting for guests to experience the beauty and romance of this unexplored region while staying in the height of luxury and elegance. This afternoon, why not take a stroll around the lake - in addition to the stunning views, there are also good chances of seeing vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys and a wide array of birds.
Kibale Forest National Park
This morning you will be driven to the Kibale Park headquarters for your briefing on chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. Chimpanzee trekking can be exciting - chimpanzees tend to be more active and often keep moving through the forest canopies, so you may find yourself following a family through dense jungles! Of course, sightings cannot be guaranteed as they are wild animals, but the chances of seeing them are very good. Once among the chimpanzees you will spend approximately an hour observing and following them.
After lunch, you will then proceed by car/road to the Queen Elizabeth National Park - Uganda's most popular and scenic game reserve. Kyambura Gorge Lodge is located on the edge of the Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant 'Mountains of the Moon' and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart early this morning for a game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park - which is home to two of Africa's big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Explore the plains with a guide in search of the myriad of wildlife that can be found here.
This afternoon, you will head out for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel - a 32 km long channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour drive through the Park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters' edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant and leopard.
Depart this morning and head to the Ishasha Sector of the Park for a game drive where, if you are lucky, you will see the famous tree-climbing lions that inhabit this particular area. Finding a pride lounging on the branches of one of the many fig trees here is considered to be one of the highlights of visiting the Park.
You will then depart for the drive to Bwindi Lodge. Bwindi Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi Forest, home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. The lodge is perfectly located for a Uganda jungle gorilla tracking experience and gorillas frequently come to relax in the verdant bush around the lodge itself. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest itself has a truly theatrical landscape - this is a region of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast you will be escorted to the National Parks headquarters to meet your guides for your gorilla tracking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers, will bring you up close to a family of mountain gorillas. You will get within meters of the family and be privileged to spend an hour with them. The trekking may be fairly strenuous - up to 6 hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Mountain gorillas are wild animals, therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%. Time permitting you will return to the camp for a late lunch, when you then have the opportunity to go on a guided forest walk or just relax around the main lodge area.
You will be transferred to the airstrip where you will board your flight back to Entebbe.
AeroLink Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe Intl (EBB) - arrival and departure times to be confirmed
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe is the stylish boutique hotel, Hotel No 5. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for.
With all the luxurious rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for guests looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting. Make yourself at home - unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the hotel gym.
For one of the most flavoursome dining experiences in Entebbe, carefully planned menus are paired with an international wine list.
Entebbe itself is a small, quiet town located on the shores of Lake Victoria and is easy to explore on foot, boda bodas (local motorbike) or taxis. Soak up the local markets filled with clothes and crafts, shop for souvenirs in curio shops, explore the Botanical Gardens or take a cruise on Lake Victoria.
Other day trips in the area include the Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary - home to about 50 orphaned chimapanzees - and a Mabamba Swamp cruise - a must-do tour for avid bird watchers wanting to tick seeing the shoebill off their list.
Located 10 minutes from Entebbe Airport, the hotel boasts 10 luxury rooms and 5 double storey self-catering apartments.
Attention to detail and an attentive guest experience are synonymous with Hotel No 5, making it the perfect choice for a restful stay in this busy town.
Nights: | 1 Night | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Luxury Room | ||
Includes: | Breakfast is included. |
Nestled on the edge of an extinct volcano crater lake at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains lies Kyaninga Lodge. You can experience the beauty and romance of this unexplored region, while staying in the height of luxury and elegance. Nine exclusive cottages made from hand carved logs, superb dining, and a wealth of adventures await.
The top attraction is a chimpanzee safari in the nearby Kibale National Park. Deep in the evergreen rainforest of Kibale, you will come face to face with man's closest living relative. The forest is frequently used by documentary film-makers, including the great Sir David Attenborough. With the highest density of chimpanzees in the world, and with 13 other rare primates, the enormous Kibale Forest is a world treasure.
When not meeting the chimps, head out to the terrace and relax on loungers around the pool while enjoying the view of Lake Kyaninga. The more adventurous can walk down to Lake Kyaninga itself. With its blue water and ‘land that time forgot’ rainforest, it offers a unique opportunity to experience a wilderness rarely encountered in real life.
Kyaninga Lodge’s beautiful gardens are the creation of London-based landscape designer Imogen Jenkins. The gardens provide a stunning setting for relaxation, reflection, and space for games. There is even a lawn tennis court for you to enjoy.
The finest 3 course cuisine awaits you in the evening. The menu is based on classical European cuisine and tweaked to make use of local ingredients, many of which are hand picked from Kyaninga Lodge’s own kitchen garden or the neighbouring markets. After dinner, head through to the lounge where you can relax by the fire with a drink from the fully stocked bar.
Set apart and raised on platforms, the 9 cottages offer you privacy and tranquillity. Each spacious cottage comes with a choice of twin or double beds made up with the softest bed linen and feather pillows. An indoor seating area leads out to a private deck where you can enjoy morning tea or coffee with views over the lake and the Rwenzori Mountains. The en-suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop crafted Elgon olive pedestals, claw footed freestanding baths, and glass-walled showers. With modern solar power, you will always have hot water and electrical charging points.
You will feel a thousand miles away from the bustle of daily life, and you are - yet with Wi-Fi in the main lodge, you can still share your adventures with friends and family back home.
Nights: | 1 Night | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Cottage | ||
Includes: | All meals are included. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Kyambura Gorge Lodge is an eclectic contemporary safari lodge that has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.
The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the nearby sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge as well as seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful and varied Parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel where animals come to bathe. The Park has 600 amazing bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Kyambura Gorge Lodge guests can explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.
Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2-3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness. Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.
The Kazinga Channel is a 32 km long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the Park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.
The 8 stylish bandas also have a contemporary theme with the accent on local artefacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge from its private balcony.
The main guest areas include an inviting salt water swimming pool, and a peaceful massage room.
Nights: | 2 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Banda | ||
Includes: | All meals; all soft drinks and house alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brands); a laundry service; and a personal butler service are included. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi Lodge offers a truly unique Uganda jungle safari experience. Separated by nothing more than an idyllic stream, the gorillas themselves are frequent visitors to the lodge itself.
There are 3 gorilla families that can be easily tracked from Bwindi Lodge in the Buhoma Sector of the forest, just a 5 minutes walk from the lodge. Guests can also track 3 other gorilla families from the Ruhija sector, a 2 hour drive from the lodge.
After your gorilla trek, in the afternoon why not take a walk to the river through the lush grounds of the lodge and take a dip in a refreshing river pool, or head deeper into the forest with a guide on the Waterfall trail to 3 beautiful waterfalls. A tea tour is also offered to the local tea plantation, where you get to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour, or visit the local village and community hospital.
There are 8 bandas facing the forest canopy, each with a private terrace from which you can spot wildlife, including chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and monkeys jumping from tree to tree mere metres away. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and the eco-luxury comforts are all provided in eco-sensitive ways.
The main guest lounge and dining area bring the feel of the forest into the stylish interiors. The main living area has a central fireplace which acts as a focal point for guests to relax and discuss their gorilla tracking experience. An outdoor terrace gives dramatic views of the impenetrable forest and is a great place to spot the monkeys and birds hidden in the foliage.
Nights: | 2 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Banda | ||
Includes: | All meals are included. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Latest Travel Updates
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda
Normally, all passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Uganda when travelling as a tourist. The visa types available are Single Entry Visa or Multiple Entry Visa. Visas will not be issued on arrival.
Visas can ONLY be obtained online by going to https://www.visas.immigration.go.ug. You are required to upload clear copies of your current passport, your Yellow Fever Certificate, and a passport photo. On the application form, you are required to enter the ‘Contact in Uganda’ - please contact your Travel Butlers consultant for these details.
Upon approval of the visa application, travellers will receive an email notification with an approval letter as an attachment - travellers need to download and print the approval letter and present on arrival into Uganda. Please note that the online visa is only valid for 3 months from date of issue, so please plan your online application accordingly.
The current cost of the visa is:
Single Entry is USD 50 per person (subject to change)
All online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda and have sufficient blank pages for the Uganda visa and entry/exit stamps (at least 2).
Please note: We do NOT advise getting the East Africa Tourist Visa if your trip also includes Rwanda and/or Kenya as this can cause problems at point of entry.
IMPORTANT: Plastic bags are banned in Uganda. Arriving visitors are requested to avoid bring plastic bags into the country - this includes in suitcases and carry-on hand luggage.
Please check hand luggage before disembarking and any plastic bags (including plastic duty-free shopping bags and the transparent plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, etc) should be left in the plane.
Ziploc bags that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed in the country.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to Uganda.
To help prevent diarrhoea, avoid tap water – drink only bottled water and use bottled water for tooth brushing, and avoid ice made with tap water – and only eat fruit or vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
Uganda falls into the yellow fever region in Africa. It is imperative for all travellers to obtain a yellow fever vaccination no less than 10 days prior to travel. A valid yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers over 9 months old. Your country of origin and other African countries including South Africa and Tanzania will also deny re-entry without the vaccination, after having visited a country with yellow fever. If your doctor advises that it is not safe for you to have the vaccination then you should obtain a medical waiver and travel with that document instead.
There is a risk of malaria in all areas of Uganda - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Dengue fever can also be transmitted via mosquito bites. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
Tsetse flies are found in certain woodland areas or in forested areas along riverbanks, and also around waterholes. There have been some cases of sleeping sickness occurring after a tsetse fly bite, although these are mainly amongst farmers and other locals who have repeated exposure to bites. However, the fly can still deliver a painful bite, so it is advisable to take necessary precautions - don't wear dark colours, especially black and blue (including denim), wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and avoid bushes during the hottest part of the day.
Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human diseases including flu and colds. If you are participating in a gorilla/chimp trek then you need to be free of any visibly contagious diseases and this is checked at the start of the trek by the Park Authorities. If they are in any doubt about your condition, they reserve the right to prevent you from continuing on the trek. If you feel ill, please inform your guide as soon as possible, and he will seek advice as to the best way to manage the situation.
The official language is English, although many other languages are spoken. There are about 65 ethnic groups, and each have their own distinct culture and often with their own language. The country's most ancient inhabitants are the Batwa and Bambutui Pygmies - the hunter-gatherer communities that once occupied the forests in the southwest of the country.
We would ask that all travellers are respectful of the local culture as follows:
Same sex activity is illegal and not tolerated in Uganda's conservative society. Whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship. On 30 May 2023 an anti-homosexuality act was brought into law in Uganda which includes harsh prison sentences, and the death penalty in some cases, for same sex sexual activity and also for supporting or promotion of LGBT+ rights. Members of the LGBT+ community or those who are perceived to be LGBT+ should be aware that they could see an increase in cases of harassment, imprisonment, blackmail and violence from people who view the law as justification for attacks.
Smoking is prohibited in all public places, workplaces, transport and other outdoor places within 50 metres of a public place. Electronic cigarettes and shisha (water-pipe tobacco) are banned. There are penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Don’t take photos of military, official or diplomatic sites, including Owen Falls Dam at the source of the Nile near Jinja. If you are taking photographs of people, ask their permission first.
It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in military style clothing. This includes clothing with marks, insignia and accessories associated with the Ugandan military, camouflage clothing and red berets. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment when convicted.
You may be stopped and asked for ID documents by officials. Carry a copy of the personal details page of your passport (the page with your photograph) with you at all times.
On 22 May 2019 it became an offence punishable by a prison sentence and/or a fine to offer money, food or clothing to children living on the streets in Kampala.
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.