4 days
Wildlife and Game Drive Safaris
4 Day Murchison Falls Safari with Paraa Lodge
Four days around the Nile and the falls: a river cruise to the base of the falls, game drives north of the river and a stay at Paraa.
Price on request
Uganda's capital and its lakeside airport town: where most trips start and end, with museums, markets, gardens and birding on Lake Victoria.
Almost every trip to Uganda begins and ends here. Entebbe International Airport sits on a peninsula in Lake Victoria about forty-six kilometres from Kampala, and the city itself is a lively mix of markets, boda-boda traffic, churches, mosques and shopping malls. Most visitors pass through quickly, but a night or a day gives you a useful taste of the country before the parks.
In Entebbe, the botanical gardens and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre are easy introductions to local plants and animals, especially on a first day when you are adjusting to the time zone. The lakeshore is dotted with birds, and Mabamba swamp, a short drive away, is widely visited by birders hoping to see the shoebill.
In Kampala, heritage and culture are the draw. The Uganda Museum, the Kasubi Tombs, the Namugongo shrine and the craft markets all show different sides of the country. Traffic is heavy, so we recommend choosing one or two sights rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
Practical planning matters more here than elsewhere. International flights often land late at night, and the drive to Mbarara and the western parks is long. Our guide to getting from Entebbe airport to Mbarara and western Uganda explains why many guests sleep in Entebbe or Kampala on the first night and start the road trip fresh in the morning.
Getting around is easier than it looks if you plan it. Ride-hailing apps operate in Kampala, hotels will call a trusted driver, and arranged transfers avoid haggling after a long flight. Keep a little cash in small notes, charge your phone before you set out and agree on the route and the price before you travel in any informal taxi.
From the capital you can fly or drive to every park we cover. Compare the options in our guide to Uganda safari costs, and read our first-time Uganda safari FAQs before you book. When you are ready, send your dates on the plan your trip page.
A lakeside garden with large trees, birds and monkeys. It is a gentle first-day walk after a long flight.
A conservation centre near Entebbe where you can see many of Uganda's animals up close and learn about rescue and education work.
A canoe trip through papyrus where birders look for the shoebill and other swamp specialists. Go early and ask a local guide for recent sightings.
Two key heritage sites in Kampala that introduce the Buganda kingdom and the story of the country.
Craft markets around Kampala sell baskets, fabrics and paintings, which are good places for gifts on your last day.
A short sunset boat ride from Entebbe for water views and birds.
Kampala and Entebbe can be visited all year. Traffic is lighter in the early morning and heaviest on weekday afternoons. Wetter months bring afternoon downpours that slow the roads, so plan sightseeing for the morning and leave extra time for airport transfers. Our seasons guide explains how the rains change the rest of your route.
From Mbarara the drive to Kampala takes about four to five hours on the highway through Masaka, and Entebbe is a further hour or so depending on traffic. A charter flight can also link the Mbarara airstrip with Entebbe in about an hour and a half. For a departure day, allow extra time for traffic and airport check-in, and consider sleeping near the airport the night before an early flight. We include the transfers in your quote on the plan your trip page.
Entebbe is closer to the airport and quieter, so it is a good first-night choice. Kampala suits travellers who want city sightseeing, but traffic is heavy.
About 300 kilometres, usually five to six hours by road. See our guide to getting from Entebbe to Mbarara.
Yes. The botanical gardens and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre are easy half-day visits, and Mabamba swamp is a morning trip for birders.
Most visitors apply online before travelling. Read our Uganda visa and entry guide and check the official portal for the current rules.
Tell us your flight details through the plan your trip page and we will include the transfer and the route onward in your quote.
Like any large city, it rewards sensible habits. See our Uganda safety guide for practical advice.
How to get a Uganda visa, what the East Africa Tourist Visa covers, what to carry at the airport and how to check the current yellow fever rule.
A straight look at safety for visitors to Uganda: roads, cities, wildlife, health, scams and the official advice to read before you travel.
How to get from Entebbe airport to Mbarara and the western parks: the road, the flight option, sensible stops and how to handle a late arrival.
What currency to carry, where to find cash, how to think about tipping, and how to get a SIM, power and a signal on safari in Uganda.
Trips that include it
4 days
Wildlife and Game Drive Safaris
Four days around the Nile and the falls: a river cruise to the base of the falls, game drives north of the river and a stay at Paraa.
Price on request
Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming. We will come back with a plan and a price.