Kampala, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
On this unforgettable trip, meet one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom—chimpanzees! We’ll have the chance to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, see the abundant wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park (think elephants, buffalo, lions, plus some 600 bird species!), and meet the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, we’ll experience the warmth of Ugandan hospitality and learn more about their vibrant traditions firsthand through community-driven cultural experiences that give back directly to local communities. We’ll visit a women’s coop in Bwindi, meet with one of the oldest surviving indigenous tribes of Africa, and learn about the lives of the Ugandan youth during a visit to a school.
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 1 night Kampala
- 2 nights Kibale Forest
- 2 nights Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 3 nights Bwindi
- 1 night Kampala
Tour Highlights
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Flight from Bwindi to Entebbe
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach
- Accommodations at first class hotels and safari lodges
- Porterage (1 bag per person)
- 25 Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 9 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and park entrance fees as per itinerary
- Game-viewing drives and wildlife trekking (including trekking permits) as per itinerary
- Experienced, English-speaking Safari Guide/Game Spotter
Tour Itinerary
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip airfare from one or more airports in the USA. Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination. Please note this may change your tour start date.
2023 Tours | With Flights | |
---|---|---|
Thu — Mon
Aug 31—Sep 11 |
From
$7,099
$6,599
|
Book with Flights |
Mon — Fri
Oct 16 — 27 |
From
$7,099
$6,599
|
Book with Flights |
Wed — Sun
Nov 1 — 12 |
From
$7,099
$6,599
|
Book with Flights |
2024 Tours | With Flights | |
Wed — Tue
Jan 31—Feb 13 |
From
$7,299
$6,799
|
Book with Flights |
2023 Tours | Tour Only | |
---|---|---|
Fri — Sun
Sep 1 — 10 |
From
$5,999
$5,499
|
Book Tour Only |
Tue — Thu
Oct 17 — 26 |
From
$5,999
$5,499
|
Book Tour Only |
Thu — Sat
Nov 2 — 11 |
From
$5,999
$5,499
|
Book Tour Only |
2024 Tours | Tour Only | |
Thu — Mon
Feb 1 — 12 |
From
$6,199
$5,699
|
Book Tour Only |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 5:30pm EST) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Please note destination entry requirements are changing rapidly. smarTours will communicate entry requirements in your Tour Documents 10–14 days prior to departure. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (Uganda)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (Uganda)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flights to Uganda and back are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least 3 ½ hours before the scheduled departure. On return, we recommend allowing at least 3.5 hours for any connecting flights to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
Departure Date | Airline | Depart | Return |
2023: Aug. 31, Oct. 16 | Emirates Airline | 11:20 AM | 8:50 AM | 2023: Nov. 1 | Emirates Airline | 11:20 AM | 8:15 AM |
Advanced Seat Assignment
Airlines do not assign seats in advance for group fares – seat assignments are arranged upon check-in at the airport. smarTours is not involved with seat assignments. If you have a preferred seating choice, please make sure you check-in for your flight as early as possible.
Land-Only Travelers
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Generally, check-in at hotels is not before 4:00 PM and check-out is prior to 12:00 PM. If arriving early or departing late, hotels usually allow travelers to store their luggage in the luggage room.
Passport & Visa Information
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa is required for travel to Uganda. Apply for an e-visa online with the Ugandan government directly or use a visa processing service like CIBT or sherpaº to facilitate the process. smarTours will email the primary traveler any required documentation for the visa application process at least 60 days before your scheduled departure. Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
Tickets and Final Documents
Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
Health Requirements
A yellow fever vaccine is required for entry to Uganda. Additional immunizations are not currently required, however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their recommendations. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.
Credit Cards and Local Currency
The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling (UGX) which is issued in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 shillings for notes and 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 shillings for coins. Currency can be exchanged at the Entebbe airport or at foreign exchange centers throughout Kampala and Entebbe. ATMs are also available around Kampala but are not readily available or reliably present outside of Kampala.
Larger hotels and lodges typically accept both U.S. dollars (USD) and Ugandan shillings but Ugandan shillings are preferred. Any U.S. dollar notes that are torn, stamped, or marred in any way or older than 2009, will not be accepted. Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) are accepted at most hotels and lodges but typically require a 3–10% surcharge and we recommend travelers carry extra cash in case a card is not accepted or the network is down.
Electricity
Electricity in Uganda is available at 220/240 volts and 50 Hz. The primary socket type in Uganda is socket type G. Please be aware that even in major cities, the power supply is subject to cuts and voltage fluctuation. On safari, most lodges are powered by generators or solar panels. These are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption.
Baggage
This tour includes a domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe. Domestic airlines typically limit travelers to 33 lbs total for all luggage (including handbags, camera equipment, etc.). Excess luggage may not be permitted, and if permitted, may be subject to additional fees. Hard-sided luggage is also typically not accepted and soft-sided luggage is advised. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage on your international flights. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
School Supplies Donations
This tour includes a visit to a school in Kampala. Travelers who wish to donate a few small school supplies items are welcome to do so during this visit.