Gorillas galore
In the south of Uganda, you’ll find just what everyone is going gaga over: the gorillas. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a peaceful sanctuary for almost 400 gorillas as well as a plethora of other wild species, such as elephants, chimpanzees, insects and exotic birds. The enormous Silverback Gorillas are a sight to see and worth the price of the gorilla permit, which is required to enter the park. Explore the rural foothills of Jinga and go river rafting down the Victoria Nile. For breath-taking views and secluded lodging, visit Lake Bunyonyi and its 29 islands.
Northern safari
For flat, vast and golden savannahs shrouded in mountains, look no further than the northern regions of Uganda. Zebras, kudus, cheetahs and caracals roam wild and free at Kidepo Valley National Park. Take an unforgettable safari through this vast protected land to see incredible views and lots of wildlife.
The pearl of the world
Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, is known as the ‘Pearl of the World’. With a rich and complex history, there are plenty of museums and monuments to visit. For example, Mengo Palace is just one of the many places in city with impressive architecture and a connection to Ugandan history. Shops selling artisanal Ugandan crafts and restaurants with influences ranging from Arab to English line the busy city streets. Take a break from the city to visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and get up close and personal with these lovable creatures.
When to go
With a clement climate and temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius year-round, Uganda is a great place to visit whenever you’ve got vacation time. March to May and October to November tend to be the wettest months of the year. Keep in mind that these months are also the best times to view the gorillas. Fortunately, gorilla permits are discounted during the wetter months. Just be sure to bring waterproof shoes and clothing for gorilla treks.
Uganda’s dry season and peak tourist season runs from June until September. These months coincide with most holidays for Europeans and North Americans, so flights to Uganda, lodging and gorilla permits will be especially high. Be sure to plan your holiday in advance if you’d like to visit during these times.
December, January and February are temperate and a great time to look for good deals on flights. Rains may linger, although this can be a good thing; watering holes will be overflowing with wildlife, and boat safaris and birdwatching will be popular activities. If rain persists during these months, be sure to head farther north to check out Murchison Falls, where the climate will be drier.
Airports and airlines
Before you select your flights, you can view all pertinent flight information, including type of plane, plane layout, legroom, flight class and inflight accommodations through Netflights’ website. Find great deals when traveling from December to February and save even more money by booking flights with stopovers in Europe, Africa or Asia.
Carriers that service Uganda flights from the United Kingdom include British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, SN Brussels Airlines, South African Airways and Turkish Airways.