Start Your Trip: +256 775904700 Email: stingersafricasafaris@gmail.com
2024 Uganda safari cost – How much does a safari in Uganda cost?
A Uganda safari may cost anywhere between US$ 200 and 1,500 per person per day. Uganda gorilla permits cost US$800 per person per day, and golden monkey permits in Uganda cost US$60 per person per hour. A budget safari accommodation averages US$100 per night, mid-range US$350, and luxury US$750.
However, while it may not be logical to generalize the cost of a Uganda safari, different factors play a role in determining the cost of a specific Uganda safari. These factors include time or season, accommodation, duration or number of days, number of travelers, style of travel (luxury, mid-range, or budget), activities and transport among others. Below are some of the factors that determine the cost of a Uganda safari.
Factors that Determine the Cost of a Uganda Safari
1. Time or season
The time or season in which you plan to visit Uganda for your safari will determine your overall tour cost. There are two seasons in Uganda, i.e., the dry season, which falls in the months from December to February and June to September, and the wet season, which falls in the months of March to May and October to November.
Travelers who plan to visit during the dry season (also known as peak season) should expect their Uganda safari to cost more. This is because of the large influx of safari travelers in the country, resulting in large crowds in national parks. Prices are forced to go up due to increased demand for things like safari lodges, gorilla permits, and other service providers. Discounts are never offered during this time.
However, those who want to visit the country during the wet season (also known as the non-peak season) will take advantage of the discounts offered to travelers since most parks are crowd-free. Prices are lower during this time, and we highly recommend budget travellers visit in the wet season for low-cost safaris.
2. Accommodation
The choice of accommodation a traveler makes determines the overall cost of a safari holiday. Accommodation facilities in Uganda range from luxury, midrange to budget.
Luxury accommodations feature a variety of indoor activities to keep you entertained, spacious and comfortable rooms with all the modern conveniences you could ask for, delicious food, spa treatments, other luxurious amenities, impeccable service, and an amazing experience. All these amenities make these facilities more expensive than staying in a mid-range or budget facility.
Those who book full-board accommodation will also pay a higher price compared to those who book bed and breakfast. Accommodation facilities within national parks are pricier than those outside. Therefore, you should take all these into account when planning your Uganda safari vacation.
3. Duration or number of days
Traveling on short trips of 1 to 5 days usually means you will incur fewer costs than traveling on long trips of 8 or more days. You will spend less on transport, accommodation, and other services, although you may not have the opportunity to explore all that Uganda has to offer.
4. Number of travelers
Group travel (with large groups) is one of the best ways to embark on a low-cost safari. This is because group travelers tend to share the costs of transportation, lodging, and other services, which a solo traveler may not. Solo travelers will incur slightly higher costs for all these services, including lodging, than they would with a partner.
5. Activities
The activities you include in your travel itinerary will determine the overall cost of your safari trip. Activities such as gorilla trekking involve quite expensive permits compared to activities such as game drives, boat cruises, and cultural safaris, among others.
Gorilla trekking permits cost US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for East African citizens, while gorilla habituation experience costs US$1500 per person. This price increases the cost of a safari.
However, gorilla permits usually cover park entrance fees, ranger fees, and a certificate to show successful completion of the trek. When you purchase these permits, you indirectly contribute towards the conservation of these endangered species.
6. Transport
Visitors can access these national parks by either road or air. Traveling by road is a common means of transportation on safaris with the use of a 4×4 safari truck or van. Visitors can also use charter flights with either Aerolink or Bar Aviation, which are usually arranged by tour operators. Air transport is the quicker means but more expensive compared to road transport, although visitors will have to travel longer hours. Traveling by road, however, is interesting and fun as you will have the opportunity to experience the countryside, which you won’t while in an aircraft.
Start planning an extraordinary safari with us. You can book a tour itinerary, create one from scratch with the help of an African safari expert, or customize one of those we have suggested to suit your travel preferences.
Is Uganda Good for Safari?
Yes! Uganda is excellent for safaris and holiday vacations. It is endowed with a wide range of attractions like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking and birding, and excellent year-round weather. All these attractions and activities make Uganda a popular destination to visit. Its low-cost safari options give it an edge over neighbouring destinations like Rwanda. Uganda is the best place to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat at close range at a relatively lower cost. 800 US dollars for a typical gorilla trekking safari permit is a bargain price when compared with that of Rwanda, which charges 1500 US dollars per person per trek.
Apart from seeing mountain gorillas, Uganda also offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, such as seeing the Big Five animals (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino) on game drives, mountain hiking, boat cruises, fishing safaris, nature walks, and cultural encounters, among others, which is why it is referred to as the pearl of Africa.
With our vast experience in the travel industry, we will advise and organize for you a tailor-made Uganda safari itinerary with a range of accommodation options, from mid-range to luxury safari lodges. Contact us to start planning your safari.
