Visit Uganda on an All-Inclusive Safari
Why Plan an All-inclusive Uganda Safari?
An all-inclusive Uganda safari means that your holiday trip itinerary is taken care of by the local tour operator, ensuring they include everything you’ll need to pull it off, including your accommodation, meals, snacks, and standard drinks, and your tour activities for a set price. It’s one of the main reasons why an all-inclusive safari holiday might seem expensive at first glance. In Actuality, they offer excellent value for money.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Accommodation; Hotel Room, Camp Tent, Suite or Lodge
- Meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
- Drinks; all standard drinks
- Activities; game drives, guided nature walks, primate trekking, and non-mechanized water sports
- 4×4 Transport; selected road transfers between the airport, local airstrips, activities, and your accommodation
- Park entry fees, and trekking permits processing
WHAT IS LEFT OUT
- International flights
- Visa and Visa Processing
- Tips, gratuities, and service charges
- Additional meals and snacks, like stopping at a café or restaurant during road transfers
- Rare or imported drinks
- Special activities, like hot-air ballooning, cultural tours, or unplanned activities
Planning an all-inclusive Uganda safari holiday means saving on time, money and reducing trip fatigue. You get the exceptional skills of your highly trained safari guide, that chilled drink perfectly prepared when you stop to watch the sunset in the middle of nowhere, freshly baked treats with your morning coffee, or a surprise dinner under a lantern-lit tree. Additionally, with our local experts’ help, you get first-hand expert advice during the planning phase, which means you don’t sacrifice luxury and comfort. In fact, the change brought by the COVID-19 pandemic offers a difference in the safari atmosphere where every luxury camp or lodge provides all-inclusive daily rates that include access to restricted areas, cultural experiences, community hiking experiences, exquisite gourmet cuisine, and a rich range of game-viewing activities in the care of some of Uganda’s top professional guides.
This standard of safari accommodation today is all about delighting and surprising you – whether it’s a steaming scented bath awaiting you after the evening game drive or an exquisite breakfast served at a scenic spot looking out over a dreamy landscape filled with antelope, elephant, and lion. As for Uganda’s leading lodges and tented camps, suites open onto private decks and plunge pools, and three-course dinners rival top city restaurants. And between drives, you can have a massage at the spa or gaze at the ever-changing tropical skies lounger with the best views.
All-inclusive Uganda Safari Packages
GORILLA ADVENTURE SAFARI BY ROAD
5 days Customize it for you!
Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Expedition
6 days From $2,538 pp
Amazing Uganda Primates Safari
8 Days Road Trip Holiday
All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
12 Days Murchison, Kibale, QENP, Bwindi
9 Days | Mountaineering & Hiking
EXPLORE UGANDA’S Hidden GEMS BY ROAD
12 days From $4,143 pp sharing
14 Days | Customize it for you!
All-Inclusive Uganda Safari Accommodation
Many of Uganda’s top accommodations choices offer all-inclusive stays, ranging from luxury lodges to private villas, cottages, and romantic honeymoon suites. While all-inclusive accommodation packages are typical for safari lodges and some camps, very few hotels, offer all-inclusive rates. For that reason, your Uganda safari holiday will most likely combine some bed-and-breakfast-only hotel rates with all-inclusive lodge or camp rates.
Your Daily Stay Rate Includes:
- Your room, tent, or suite.
- All your meals, snacks, and standard drinks
- Airport transfers
- Standard game-viewing activities (trekking, game drives, and guided nature walks)
- Swimming pool or spa
The set daily stay rate might seem expensive until you consider that you won’t pay for anything else on your safari except tips, souvenirs, imported or rare liquor, or an optional activity like hot-air ballooning or surprise change in itinerary. In that light, an all-inclusive Uganda safari holiday package is excellent value for money.
Browse through our partner lodges with an all-inclusive stay.
The All-inclusive Luxury Experience
For a luxury traveler, an all-inclusive Uganda safari will give you the best experience of The Pearl of Africa. You’re comfortable leaving your wallet at home and swinging your way into a wild adventure with someone else worrying about your every itinerary detail. Uganda’s leading lodges and tented camps sit amongst the most luxurious accommodation on safari. Cottages open onto private decks and tree canopies, and four-course dinners rival top city restaurants. And between activities, you can have a quick yoga, spa massage, or find a lounge with the best landscape views.
All-Inclusive Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Along with gorilla trekking in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge offers you the option of guided walking safaris, meet the locals at home, community excursions, spa massage, and top-of-the-world sundowner. Nkuringo is perfect for nature lovers with its incredible views and private garden villas. With our inbound lodge near the Airport in Entebbe, you’re assured of the same exclusive award-winning services when coming or leaving the country.
And then, of course, there’s the reason you came to Uganda in the first place. Where else in the world are you going to meet the enchanting mountain gorillas and see the big game safari animals in their natural habitat at the same destination?
Sustainable Tourism/Community Development
The pandemic atmosphere has pushed the travel industry to take a jab at the “I don’t move with my wallet” model because that means local communities don’t get tourism rewards.
This criticism is somewhat misplaced for all-inclusive Uganda safari accommodation. Wandering outside your campgrounds is more likely to result in you becoming dinner than finding dinner at a local restaurant! Yet, Ugandan lodges and camps have taken sustainable tourism to unexpected results. Even if you choose to stay at the lodge or camp near a wildlife reserve, you’ll be improving the lives of those in surrounding communities.
Both cultural heritage and local culture are vast drivers of global travel. Leisure travelers view themselves as “sophisticated explorers” who state their primary travel motivation as the desire to explore new cultures and traditions while on vacation. These travelers want to learn new things and have new experiences while abroad. They value cultural heritage, performance arts, storytelling, and luxury products that showcase unique traditions and techniques.
That’s why Nkuringo Lodges and our partner safari lodges and camps have programs that look for that deep cultural involvement that impacts development in the communities we operate our activities. From embedding sustainability in our lodge structures to the exclusive service you get during your stay, your all-inclusive Uganda safari will sparkle with a sustainability approach.
Planning an All-inclusive Uganda Safari
Uganda is still low-key with tourist crowds: all-inclusive group tours seldom exceed six in number. Even the most popular wildlife game-viewing circuits retain a relatively unconstrained atmosphere. The Pearl of Africa’s wide selection of forested and game reserves remain highly accessible to independent travelers and relatively affordable to those on a limited budget, such as off-the-beaten-track gems as the Ssese Islands, Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Sipi Falls, and Kasenda Crater Lakes.
The Pearl of Africa enjoys one of the healthiest reputations of any African country regarding crime directed at tourists. The level of day-to-day hassle faced by independent travelers is negligible. And Ugandans as a whole — both those working within the tourist industry and the ordinary man or woman on the street — genuinely do come across as the warmest, friendly, and relaxed hosts imaginable.
So here are the hurdles you may have to jump while planning your all-inclusive Uganda safari holiday.
Before you travel on your all-inclusive Uganda safari, please be informed of the likelihood of catching CORONAVIRUS if you don’t follow operating procedures put in place to protect you and others. For updated, local information, visit travelbans.org/africa/uganda/ or the government website health.go.ug/covid/. Otherwise, Uganda is open for tourism and entry/exit, and you’ll need a negative PCR COVID test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before your arrival.
With the constant development of the safari industry in Uganda and regular lodge and camp openings, the message is loud and clear: Uganda is thriving and open for business. And there’s a reason it remains one of the most sought-after private safari destinations: the game viewing is incredible year-round, there are no tourist crowds, the people friendly, the logistics easy, and you can visit the Pearl of Africa as a single destination without crossing borders and still get the best of the all-inclusive Uganda safari.
Because we live right in the center of this enchanting safari destination, we give first-hand travel advisory. Our guests are like family, and we would never give out wrong information to our families. Uganda’s superb open-space safari attractions are safe to visit, and its warm, hospitable people will make your all-inclusive holiday vacation a memorable one.
Like all other countries globally, crime threats are present but can be avoided when you observe caution. Uganda is a very safe country, but opportunistic crimes such as petty theft, credit card fraud, and home robbery do occur – just like any other country. Chances of being a victim are rare, and incidences would most probably be in cities like Kampala. When in public places, please be vigilant and cautious by avoiding drawing too much attention to yourself and being less susceptible to pick-pockets.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) attempt to deter crime has been increasingly successful with regular patrols and their forces’ placement in strategic locations. The police presence is noticeable everywhere, with security at the airport and borders and police in public places. Across Uganda’s National Parks and tourist destinations, the tourism police, park rangers, military army, and hotel/lodge security personnel are all present to ensure your safety.
Uganda, like many other democracies across the globe, occasionally goes through short periods of political change. The most political unrest in Uganda is usually centered around Kampala city, far from its magnificent safari attractions. And cities like Kampala, in this Coronavirus age, are a hotbed for infections. The city you jet into the Pearl of Africa is Entebbe, a quiet suburb 34 kilometers outside the capital city housing the statehouse with beefed-up security. In fact, in some instances, you’ll fly/drive out of Entebbe immediately after landing, heading to the southwestern or northern attractions. The Ugandan countryside is as peaceful as the bottom of the ocean.
Before you embark on your all-inclusive Uganda safari, please be informed of the likelihood of catching CORONAVIRUS if you don’t follow operating procedures put in place to protect you and others. For updated, local information, visit travelbans.org/africa/uganda/ or the government website health.go.ug/covid/. Otherwise, Uganda is open for tourism and entry/exit, and you’ll need a negative PCR COVID test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before your arrival.
COVID-19 ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
- There will be health screening procedures at airports and other entry ports, including wearing a facemask, sanitization, temperature screening, and physical distancing. If found with Coronavirus symptoms, you’ll be isolated and taken to a designated hospital for treatment. The MoH Emergency Operations Center manages the COVID-19 response and can be reached through their hotline: (+256) 0800 203 033, 0800-100-066, or 0800-303-033.
- On arrival, tourists and business visitors will need to provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test with samples taken at most 72 hours before their arrival in Uganda. Outbound travelers will also be required to take a certified PCR COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before departure. If you don’t have one, take one at a recommended hospital in Entebbe or Kampala before your flight at your cost ($26).
- The is no mandatory Covid testing at entry points for all incoming travelers.
These travel restrictions are bound to be revised anytime; keep your ear to the ground if traveling.
Before you go to Uganda, make sure all your routine vaccinations are up to date.
Covid Vaccination is currently not a requirement for entry into Uganda. But for your all-inclusive Uganda safari, it’s mandatory that you carry a NEGATIVE PCR COVID-19 Test Certificate issued not more than 72 hours prior to your entry. It is mandatory for inbound and outbound. See above box.
The risk of malaria is low in the higher altitudes (like Bwindi) but high in lower altitudes, especially near Lake Victoria. It is higher if you are going into rural areas and villages outside the parks and reserves. Check with your travel doctor if you need vaccinations, and be sure to get them timeously.
Yellow fever
The country requirement at entry: a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers aged one year or over arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. WHO vaccination recommendation: yes
Malaria
Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in the entire country.
Entebbe Airport (IATA: EBB, ICAO: HUEN), also known as Entebbe International Airport, is the largest airport in Uganda. It is Uganda’s main international airport and serves the area of Entebbe. Entebbe Airport has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 27 destinations in 15 countries. At present, there are 5 domestic flights from Entebbe.
There are no direct flights to Uganda from the United States, Canada, Southern America, Central America, the Caribbean, Southern Asia, China, Japan, Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central Asia, or Oceania. The only intercontinental flights operating from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) are between Entebbe and Europe and between Entebbe and the Middle-East.
But there are connecting flights from major cities across the world and the cheapest ones are Kenya Airways through Nairobi, Rwandair through Kigali, Ethiopia Airlines through Addis Ababa, South African Airways through Johannesburg.
The newly launched Uganda Airlines will be launching direct flights very soon but for now, operates direct regional flights.
Non-stop flights from Entebbe to Europe
- Brussels AirlinesBrussels Airlines (Star Alliance): year-round to Brussels (BRU).
- KLMKLM (SkyTeam): year-round to Amsterdam (AMS).
Non-stop flights from Entebbe to the Middle-East / Western Asia
- EmiratesEmirates: year-round to Dubai (DXB).
- FlydubaiFlydubai: year-round to Dubai (DXB).
- Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways (Oneworld): year-round to Doha (DOH).
- Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines (Star Alliance): year-round to Istanbul (IST).
Thanks to technology, visa processing are now done online with little or no hustle as long you have the requirements to get the visa like passport copy, yellow fever card copy, and others. Here are links to help you get started: visas.immigration.go.ug
When is the best time for an all-inclusive Uganda safari holiday?
Generally, an all-inclusive safari in the Pearl of Africa is good all year round. Although different travelers use many factors to tell when the best time is for an all-inclusive Uganda safari, with the help of our local experts, you can consider how much you’re willing to spend, which places they’ll be visiting and how much time you have on your calendar fixed for the trip to come up with great dates for your trip.
Game viewing in Uganda’s savannah parks is best at the end of the dry seasons – February and March and September/early October – when wildlife is concentrated around water sources. Bird watching is fantastic all year round but is at its peak between November and April when migrant species are present. Even when considered the rainy season, April and May is a great time to visit Uganda and the Gorillas. The views are stunning, and it rains mostly in the afternoon for 1 hr and not tempering with activities.
However, mid-March’s downpour through May and September through November, the rainy season, is mostly avoided by travelers. But we would urge you to travel during this time if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of off-season discounts.
When is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Although gorilla trekking is a year-round activity, the best time for a gorilla trekking trip is during the region’s two dry seasons: January and February and June to September. There are fewer rains during the dry season, the roads are more comfortable to navigate, and you’re sure your itinerary will not be interrupted by a downpour. You should also note that during this time, everyone else will be thinking of traveling to see mountain gorillas, which makes permits very scarce, accommodation is expensive, and privacy hard to secure.
The wet seasons from September to November and March to May usually pull in fewer crowds, accommodation is cheaper, and it’s easier to process a gorilla trekking permit. But choosing gorilla trekking during the wet season would mean you endure the unfriendly experience of torrential rains, impassable roads, and difficult photography. Some travelers choose the wet season for the experience and price tag on safaris.
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Travel safely
Please make sure you have your facemask on when in contact with animals, especially the endangered creatures. Without a negative PCR Covid Test, you’ll not be allowed into the destination. You’ll spend most of your time in open spaces away from human crowds, with that there’s minimal to no infections of the COVID virus. See out COVID-19 Travel Updates.
Flexible booking terms
Get a 100% refund on cancelation 40 days before your trip. Your big 5 safari booking can be extended up to 12 months ahead with no extra fees, in case of any emergency (based on accommodation availability). Reservations are accepted after we receive a 30% deposit on the trip and the full payment for gorilla tracking and chimp tracking permits for each tour participant. For more details on our booking terms, please read our Terms and Conditions.
