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Chimp Istock 529118863 Credit Nieuwenkampr
Chimp Istock 529118863 Credit Nieuwenkampr
Tailormade, Private Holidays by Journeysmiths

Unmissable Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Uganda offers extraordinary wildlife encounters, luxurious safari lodges, and expertly guided adventures - perfect for a luxury wildlife safari. Explore some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences. Uganda offers extraordinary wildlife encounters, luxurious safari lodges, and expertly guided adventures - perfect for a luxury wildlife safari. Explore some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences.
Uganda offers extraordinary wildlife encounters, luxurious safari lodges, and expertly guided adventures - perfect for a luxury wildlife safari. Explore some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences. Uganda offers extraordinary wildlife encounters, luxurious safari lodges, and expertly guided adventures - perfect for a luxury wildlife safari. Explore some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences.
7 Unique Wildlife Encounters in Uganda
Uganda is a land of extraordinary wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes, perfect for a luxury safari. Whether you’re a seasoned safari enthusiast or embarking on your first adventure, Uganda offers a blend of expertly guided experiences and unmatched comfort in its well-placed luxury lodges. From gorilla trekking in the misty rainforests of Bwindi to spotting the elusive pangolin in Kidepo Valley, we’ve curated some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences.
  • Walk with Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Spot Elusive Pangolin in the Kidepo Valley
  • Discover two Elephant Subspecies in the Kyambura Game Reserve
  • Connect with Chimps in the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve
  • Witness a Giraffe Conservation Success Story
  • Get Up Close to Africa’s Big Cats
  • Encounter Uganda’s Vibrant Bird Species
Gorilla Ss

Walk with Gorillas in Bwindi

The Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem, home to 459 mountain gorillas, is a lush sanctuary of dense forests and vibrant plant life. As well as the ‘normal’ gorilla trek, we recommend joining a gorilla habituation trek, where you’ll set off with experienced guides to find a gorilla family being gently introduced to the presence of people.

You’ll have four incredible hours to watch these magnificent creatures as they munch on bamboo, dart and tumble across the forest floor, and groom one another, unperturbed by your presence. This intimate experience not only creates unforgettable memories but also supports gorilla conservation and promotes sustainable tourism in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem.

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Where to Stay for Gorilla Safaris in Uganda

Hero Image Outdoor Seating Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Hero Image Outdoor Seating Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi, Uganda
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Stay in the clouds at 2,000m above sea level: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts fabulous views and is within walking distance of the start-point for gorilla treks.

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Hero Image Main Area Gorilla Forest Camp Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Hero Image Main Area Gorilla Forest Camp Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi, Uganda
Gorilla Forest Camp

The only camp within the boundaries of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Forest Camp is the ideal base for gorilla tracking, primate viewing, and birding.

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Hero Image Main Building Terrace Mahogany Springs Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Hero Image Main Building Terrace Mahogany Springs Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi, Uganda
Mahogany Springs Lodge

Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Mahogany Springs Lodge for panoramic views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, its primeval rainforest, and breathtaking mountain scenes.

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Pangolin Conservation At Andbeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve 2

Spot Elusive Pangolin in the Kidepo Valley

The pangolin, covered in thick scales and with a tongue longer than its body, is one of the planet’s most remarkable looking animals. When threatened it curls into a tight impenetrable ball, though sadly this offers no protection against poachers making it the world’s most trafficked animal. As a result, sightings in the wild are rare.

For one of the best chances of spotting one, we’ll take you on a night drive in Kidepo Valley, home to ground, giant, and tree pangolins. You'll be led by an expert guide giving you the best odds of spotting these elusive creatures in their natural habitat.

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Where to Stay in the Kidepo Valley

Apoka Safari Lodge Exterior Zebras Kidepo Valley Uganda
Apoka Safari Lodge Exterior Zebras Kidepo Valley Uganda
Accommodation
Apoka Safari Lodge

Apoka Safari Lodge, set in the untouched wilderness of Kidepo Valley, combines luxury with authentic Big Five safari experiences, offering panoramic views, modern comforts, and a deep connection to nature. Apoka Safari Lodge is your chance to escape it all.

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Ngare Ndare Forest Elephant Lewa House

Discover Two Elephant Subspecies

If you want to see the savannah elephant (who doesn’t?!) in their vast herds, we recommend heading to Honey Bear Bush Camp in the Kyambura Game Reserve. Here you can watch from your private deck as majestic herds of these iconic African creatures gather to drink from the nearby waterhole.

At Semliki, you can also see their lesser-known cousins, the forest elephant, sometimes on a daily basis! Smaller in size, with straight rather than curved tusks, and oval ears rather than round, the critically endangered forest elephant is fascinating to encounter.

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Where to Stay

Honey Bear Safari Camp Moh Latif Photography 77
Honey Bear Safari Camp Moh Latif Photography 77
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Honey Bear Bush Camp

Honey Bear Bush Camp is a traditional camp offering a classic safari experience. It’s entirely unique, though, in that you can track chimps here too. This waterside camp is also the only one in the entirety of the Kyambura Game Reserve, so we really do mean it when we say you’ll have the wilderness all to yourselves!

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Chimpanzee Baby

Connect with Chimps in Uganda’s Hidden Wilderness

Uganda, home to the Jane Goodall Institute, is a top destination for chimpanzee enthusiasts. From Semliki Safari Lodge in the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, you can experience a private visit to the Semliki Chimpanzee Project, where you’ll trek through dense forest, following the chimps’ trails and listening for their iconic calls.

Expert researchers will share their knowledge as you observe the chimps swinging through the trees above and dashing across the forest floor.

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Best Place to Stay

Hero Image Aerial View Of Lodge Semliki Safari Lodge Semliki National Park
Hero Image Aerial View Of Lodge Semliki Safari Lodge Semliki National Park
Accommodation
Semliki Safari Lodge

Semliki Safari Lodge is an award-winning natural escape and the only accommodation in Uganda’s verdant Semliki Valley.

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Wildlife Ss By Lukas Maverick Greyson

Witness a Giraffe Conservation Success Story

With large, dark eyes framed by long lashes and a distinctive chestnut and yellow coat, the giraffe is one of Africa’s most iconic species. Watching these towering mammals graze on treetops, effortlessly manoeuvring their long necks with precision, is a highlight of any safari.

Once on the brink of extinction, the Rothschild subspecies has been successfully reintroduced to Murchison Falls National Park, where their numbers now exceed 1,000.

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Places to Stay in Murchison Falls National Park

Papa S Camp 2023 Moh Latif Photography Woman Reading On Deck River View
Papa S Camp 2023 Moh Latif Photography Woman Reading On Deck River View
Murchison Falls, Uganda
Papa's Camp

With spectacular up-close views of one of the world’s great rivers, amid an area with exceptional wildlife possibilities, this classic and exclusive safari camp has the perfect combination of luxury and adventure.

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Paara Suite Balcony10
Paara Suite Balcony10
Murchison Falls, Uganda
Paraa Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge is one of Uganda’s longest established lodges, founded in 1954 in the wildlife-rich Murchison Falls National Park. The River Nile cascades some 43m into a 6m wide gorge nearby, which is a natural phenomenon like no other.

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1 Bakers Lodge Aerial View
1 Bakers Lodge Aerial View
Murchison Falls, Uganda
Baker’s Lodge

Baker’s Lodge takes its name from the English explorer Samuel Baker, but it is as far removed from England as possible.

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Lion Cubs Ss

Get Up Close to Africa's Big Cats

Spotting big cats in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, whether they’re prowling the savannah, lounging in trees, or hunting with incredible speed and strength.

Uganda offers abundant big cat sightings. For lions, stay at Papa’s Camp in Murchison Falls, where you can see them in large numbers. Or, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park to encounter the renowned tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and a chance to spot the elusive leopard on your dawn and sunset game drives.

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Best Place to Stay for Big Cat Safaris in Uganda

3 Kyambura Gorge Lodge Main Lodge Areaah1I3369
3 Kyambura Gorge Lodge Main Lodge Areaah1I3369
Kyambura Game Reserve
Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Kyambura Gorge Lodge is an eclectic safari lodge that honours the rich history of its surroundings as much as its breathtaking natural setting. Nestled on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, it offers panoramic views of the savannah teeming with plains game and colourful birdlife. It is a perfect base for chimpanzee tracking.

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Papa S Camp 2023 Moh Latif Photography Woman Reading On Deck River View
Papa S Camp 2023 Moh Latif Photography Woman Reading On Deck River View
Murchison Falls, Uganda
Papa's Camp

With spectacular up-close views of one of the world’s great rivers, amid an area with exceptional wildlife possibilities, this classic and exclusive safari camp has the perfect combination of luxury and adventure.

Read morePapa's Camp
1 Bakers Lodge Aerial View
1 Bakers Lodge Aerial View
Murchison Falls, Uganda
Baker’s Lodge

Baker’s Lodge takes its name from the English explorer Samuel Baker, but it is as far removed from England as possible.

Read moreBaker’s Lodge
Crowned Crane Ss

Encounter Uganda’s Vibrant Bird Species

Walking through the bush with heightened senses, you listen for the distinct melody of birdsong, rewarded by vibrant wings fluttering overhead or busily building nests. Avian life has long captivated us, not only for its beauty but also for its role in ecosystems, from seed dispersal to pollination.

In Uganda alone, over 1,000 species thrive, from colourful bee-eaters and sunbirds to majestic shoebills, raptors, and flamingos. Whether perched on a branch or soaring through the sky, Uganda’s birds showcase the richness of the country’s ecosystems, making it a must-visit for bird enthusiasts.

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Where to Stay for Birding in Uganda

Dining Deck Exterior Night Primate Lodge Kibale
Dining Deck Exterior Night Primate Lodge Kibale
Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
Primate Lodge

Primate Lodge is situated in the Kibale Forest National Park, surrounded by lush tropical forest and right on the doorstep of the starting point for chimp tracking. The lodge features nine luxury cottages, seven comfortable standard cottages and an adventurous Tree House.

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Tent Interior Deck View Woman Sitting Mihingo Lodge
Tent Interior Deck View Woman Sitting Mihingo Lodge
Mburo National Park, Uganda
Mihingo Lodge

The eco-friendly Mihingo Lodge has been designed with its natural surroundings in mind; its owners wanted to protect the local landscape and the rare wildlife that calls it home.

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Male Gorilla Uganda
Connect with nature like never before
Your Uganda Safari Awaits
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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Uganda Istock 1085112684
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Uganda Istock 1085112684
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Coming face to face with a quarter ton silverback is something you just have to do sometime in your life. This is one of the single most emotional animal encounters that you can have and is something you’ll never forget.

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Mother And Baby Gorilla Uganda By Nickjackson2013 Istock 512494361
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Chimp Istock 529118863 Credit Nieuwenkampr
Chimp Istock 529118863 Credit Nieuwenkampr
Tailormade, Private Holidays by Journeysmiths
Unmissable Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Whether you’re a seasoned safari-traveller, or you’re thinking of planning your first, Uganda won’t disappoint. A trip full to the brim with unique wildlife encounters and a plethora of breathtaking landscapes awaits you.

Read moreUnmissable Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
Why Travel with Journeysmiths

We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.

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