Tours and Travel Companies in Uganda: Everything You Need to Know
Hurray transparency! This post contains affiliate links. For more information see our disclosure.
Are you looking for the best tours and travel companies in Uganda? You’re in the right place!
In this article, we will give you our top tips on how to choose the best tour operator to help you plan and organise your dream trip to the Pearl of Africa.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury Uganda safari tour or you’re travelling on a shoestring and trying to work out how to get the most bang for your buck, we’ve got you covered.
🇺🇬 Planning Your Trip to Uganda? Let us help!
✈️ Flights
Find the best flights and get cashback on your trip to Uganda with WayAway
🙋 Best Uganda Tours
5-day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari with Eastside Safari Expeditions (the tour operator we chose!)
Other tours we recommend:
Lake Mburo National Park with Equator, Game Drive & Cruise
2-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari
Click here for more amazing Uganda tours
🏠 Best Places to Stay in Uganda
Discover the best places to stay in Uganda on Booking.com
💳 Save Money With an International Debit Card
Get the best exchange rates, free or super-low fee cash withdrawals and avoid sneaky transaction fees with a Wise Debit Card.
Click here to get a Wise International Debit Card
📲 Get an eSim For Your Trip
Say goodbye to expensive data roaming charges with an affordable Airalo eSIM.
Why should you listen to us?
Roll back 12 months and I was doing exactly the same thing: planning an incredible surprise trip to Uganda to celebrate Vincent’s 40th birthday.
My goal was to make one of his lifelong dreams come true: seeing mountain gorillas.
And so began the months of research: trawling through forums, compiling useful tidbits from seasoned travellers, comparing activities and experiences and reading countless travel blogs until my eyes glazed over. Eventually, I decided to book a guided Uganda tour.
Now for those who know us, you’ll know that guided tours of countries usually aren’t our vibe. We’re the kind of travellers who love exploring off-beat destinations on our lonesome.
We enjoy the feeling of being in the unfamiliar, zooming around on public transport, happening upon a random festival and just generally getting a bit lost. We love the incomparable sense of satisfaction we get from figuring out a new place and culture.
But I wanted this trip to be stress-free, smooth and utterly epic - no hiccups or hitches, just pure adventure.
Through my research, I found an amazing tour company who took us on one of the most spectacular, immersive and unforgettable trips we have ever had. And honestly, it was the best decision I have ever made.
🇺🇬 A Little Bit About Uganda
Gorgeous Lake Bunyoni.
There are so many different things to do in Uganda. Wildlife lovers will be in paradise: not only can you do gorilla trekking in Uganda, but this amazing country is home to vast herds of elephants and buffalo, majestic lion prides, elusive leopards, noisy chimpanzees and much much more.
Hikers will enjoy the lush and dense rainforests in Bwindi and exploring the rugged Rwenzori mountains - one of the few places in the world to boast glaciers on the equator.
Adrenaline junkies can get their hearts racing by white water rafting down the Nile (one of the most popular activities in Uganda). Alternatively you can relax on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Mburo or work on your tan on the white sand beaches of Lake Victoria.
Throw in delicious food (we couldn’t get enough of gonja, matoke and Rolex) and Uganda’s unique traditional culture and history (it’s home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and you can see that this country really does have something for everyone.
Booking a guided tour of Uganda means that you can make the most of your trip, without the stress of planning every minute detail. And with our tips you can ensure that you choose the right tour operator for you!
🙋 Tours and Travel Companies in Uganda: How to Choose the Best Uganda Tour Company
Choosing a good tour operator in Uganda requires a little bit of work on your part, but I promise it will be worth it. Here are the main things you need to consider when selecting a tour company for your trip.
1) Read Reviews (Lots of Reviews!)
Vincent looking out over the incredible Murchison Falls in Uganda.
Whether you're planning to do gorilla tracking, a different kind of wildlife safari in Uganda or something else entirely, the first thing you need to do is your research.
These experiences are not cheap, so doing a little homework is essential. And given that there are literally hundreds of tour companies out there, how on earth do you choose?
The easiest place to start is with reviews. When I was planning our trip, I scoured TripAdvisor, Facebook and Google reviews of different tour companies in Uganda. So what was I looking for?
Quality of the service
First off, I was looking for comments on the quality of the service that clients received from their Uganda safari company.
How was their tour organised? Were there any problems? Was communication with the company good? Would they take a trip to Uganda with this organisation again? (The last question is very important, because if the answer is ‘no’, you know you need to scratch that company off your list!)
Reading reviews about a prospective tour company is all part of your Uganda preparation! (Image courtesy of TripAdvisor).
Quality of the guides
I also looked for comments on what the guides from the company were like. Were they friendly? Knowledgeable? Kind?
You might wonder why being friendly or kind is important - well, if you've got 10 days in a jeep with someone who isn't friendly or is totally moody, trust me, it's gonna feel long, you will be mightily pissed off and it'll definitely ruin your trip.
Equally, a good guide should be keen to tell you all about the country you are visiting and go above and beyond to give you memories that last a lifetime. Bottom line? A good guide really makes a difference on a tour.
Safety
Safety of Uganda tour operators was another thing I looked for in reviews.
I've been on tours in other countries where a driver is careering around at breakneck speed and I am holding on for dear life wondering if a brief view of a leopard is the last thing I'll ever see. Any reviews that mention safety concerns are a massive red flag.
Recent reviews
Make sure to check out the most recent reviews - a review from 2022 isn't going to be all that helpful if the company has changed hands and is now doing things differently.
We are budget to mid-range travellers who like to explore, but we also love a spot of chill-out time as you can see.
Reviews from travellers like you
Also look for reviews that fit with the kind of experience you want and your travel style.
Are you looking for a super budget trip and are happy with a group tour? Are you looking for tour operators in Uganda who can customise a tour for you based on your interests?
Do you want luxury accommodation in a remote setting combined with unique experiences? Does it seem like they offer value for money?
Reading reviews from people with interests and expectations similar to yours can really help narrow down your options.
Our Experience
Looking at reviews was what made it easier for me to decide to investigate booking a tour with Eastside Safari Expeditions (formerly known as Explore Uganda With Dan) and owned by Daniel Kabogoza.
I first found a review of Eastside Safari Expeditions on a blog. The blogger talked about how she was recommended to a local tour operator who customised an excellent 5-day tour for her and her friends.
I was also looking for a local tour operator who organised bespoke tours - I had a basic idea through my own research of what activities we wanted to do on this trip - so this piqued my interest.
I then went down a rabbit hole and found that the company had over 60 five-star Tripadvisor reviews that mentioned the company's reliability, safety, flexibility and communication.
I also looked at the company’s Google reviews, Facebook and Instagram - I am nothing if not thorough!
Our lovely guide Dan aka owner of Eastside Safari Expeditions.
In my case I was looking for a smaller, local, company - you might find that bigger international travel agencies in Uganda have high numbers of positive reviews but be sure to also check out how many negative reviews they have. A large number of negative reviews should give you pause.
If you want to narrow down your list of possible travel companies in Uganda - reading reviews is an essential part of your trip planning!
At the end of the day you will be forking out a substantial amount of money for a tour, so it’s worth doing a bit of detective work and seeing what people think of the companies that you like the sound of.
Reviews give you a great sense of the service they offer, value for money and whether they have a good reputation. Trust me, you’ll soon feel much more confident about choosing a tour operator for your Uganda trip.
2) Choose a Locally Owned Company
Whilst there are international travel operators who have great reviews and offer a range of tour packages, I'd recommend choosing one of the many local travel agencies in Uganda for the following reasons:
Price: International tour operators tend to be much more expensive. If you're planning your safari tour on a budget, you will find local travel agents in Uganda who still offer a very high quality service but at a much more competitive price.
Support the local economy: On the rare occasions that we decide to go on a tour, I want to make sure that my hard earned cashish is going to a local company and benefits the local economy and community.
Get a more authentic experience: Local companies often have contacts in communities that can give you unique experiences that larger, international tour companies won't have even heard of. They have a deep understanding of the culture and the communities you will visit and they'll make sure that your cash goes towards supporting local enterprises
Our Experience
The company we chose, Eastside Safari Expeditions, is locally owned (it is one of a number of travel agencies in Kampala Uganda) and operates in Uganda and across other destinations in East Africa.
Dan and his fellow guides are from Uganda and the wider region (Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania) and they have really strong relationships with local community guides, park rangers, and extensive knowledge of the local culture and traditions.
We saw the benefit of this local knowledge first hand during our trip. Eastside Safari Expeditions included unique experiences in our itinerary, such as a gorgeous organic lunch spread featuring traditional Ugandan foods at a homestead (a community member's home) and a guided walk through a wetland sanctuary where we could spot rare birds.
We didn't know these options existed beforehand and were so glad to have them included in our itinerary!
My plate filled with home cooked Ugandan food was so tasty that I started eating before I took this photo (naughty Sasha!)
Another benefit of choosing a local operator is that they are up to speed on the practical details: for example, I needed to get my yellow fever vaccine before I filled out the tourist visa application, as pictures of my certificate were required.
I didn’t realise this immediately but luckily I was in regular contact with Dan from the company and he made sure I knew which order to do everything in!
Dan also checked that I was bringing the correct money: Uganda has strict rules about US dollars that you bring to exchange, e.g. they cannot be folded, torn or have any writing or stamps on them and must be no older than 2009.
Furthermore, exchanging larger notes ($100 bills and $50 dollar bills) gets a better exchange rate than smaller bills.
Although I had seen some of this information through my own research, having it confirmed by Dan made me feel much more confident throughout my 'secret' preparations.
In summary, when you are making your shortlist of Uganda tours and travel companies - we'd advise going local.
3) Communication: Ask Loads of Questions!
This hippo is communicating that it is NOT happy.
I'll put my hands up and say that I probably asked Eastside Safari Expeditions about 100 questions before I booked my trip. And maybe another 200 after that.
And I am not ashamed of this.
Let's be honest: unless you're rolling in it, a trip to Uganda isn't cheap. And for most people, safari tours in Uganda or activities like gorilla trekking are often once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
So if you're a normal person like me and not a billionaire, you want to make sure that the company you choose is providing you with the exact experience you are after.
And how do you find this out? By asking a tour company in Uganda lots of questions.
When I started planning our trip I made enquiries with a few safari companies in Uganda. If a company was not prompt in responding to me (i.e. several days went by before they got in touch) and then there were further delays after I responded, I decided that it wasn't the company for me.
A good tour operator should respond promptly to your enquiries and give you plenty of information so you can start making decisions.
The weather in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was chilly, but Vincent was toasty because I told him to pack a jumper.
You should also feel free to ask questions that help you with planning your trip.
This includes questions like what to pack for a gorilla trek, the best times of the year to visit Uganda, the best season for gorilla trekking, and what kind of accommodation is included in your tour package.
You can also ask more specific questions - for example, I asked Eastside Safari Expeditions about whether the lodges provided vegetarian meals, whether there were cheaper accommodation options in certain places, what kind of vehicle we would be in and even questions about what I needed to fill in on our visa applications!
If you are considering booking a group tour you should also ask questions about the size of the tour group.
For instance, what is the maximum tour group size? Does the company offer small group tours (e.g. 6-12 people)? Is there a minimum number of people needed for the tour to go ahead? (There’ll be more on tour group sizes later on in this article!).
Finally, remember to always find out what the price of the tour package includes. Does it include meals - bed and breakfast, half board or full board?
Are chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permit fees included? (Both permits are costly and add a significant amount to your budget, so you don't want this to be a surprise).
A beautiful chimpanzee at Kibale Forest National Park.
Remember - the best tour companies in Uganda should always be willing to answer any questions you have and will be keen to put your mind at ease.
This is their chance to show how experienced and knowledgeable they are. If a tour company doesn’t answer you or chides you for asking too many questions, walk away and find a different company. It's honestly not worth it.
I talked to Eastside Safari Expeditions first via email (because I am old skool like that) and then via WhatsApp and asked questions for 3 months before I made a deposit for gorilla permits with them. Am I extra? Hell yes. Was it worth it? Hell yes!
I got the best guide, an excellent company and we had a spectacular experience. I have zero regrets about my pestering.
4) Compare the Packages of Different Uganda Safari Tours - Don't Just Pick the First One You Find!
If you haven't already guessed - there are tons of tours and travel agencies in Uganda all vying for you to book your Uganda experience with them.
And whilst it is easy to book your tour with the first Ugandan travel agency that seems to be offering what you need, we'd recommend enquiring with a few different tour operators and comparing the packages you receive.
Whilst the price of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are standard, prices for accommodation, meals, fuel and transport can vary considerably.
Any agency offering tour packages in Uganda should be able to explain to you why they are charging the prices they are. If there isn't an explanation for why something is costing so much (or so little), it's a warning sign and you should explore tours with another provider.
We compared the tour packages from four different companies - we'd recommend comparing offers from a minimum of three, maximum five companies before making a final decision.
Vincent chilling out at our lovely lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We loved all the accommodation chosen by Eastside Safari Expeditions.
💡 Tip: If you feel overwhelmed by the choice of tours and companies out there, you could search for the top 10 tour operators in Uganda and then narrow down your list of companies and packages from there.
(Keep in mind that this will give you the biggest and most established companies and will not include smaller organisations that are still offering excellent tour packages and services).
Uganda tours are expensive and I can't stress how important it is that you take the time to evaluate the pros and cons of different tour packages to make sure you come to the right decision.
If a company tries to rush you into making a decision or you feel they are trying to push you into making a booking, walk away.
Whilst it is true that gorilla trekking permits do get sold out in advance (especially in high season), you should never feel pressured into booking. And anyway, if you are doing all your research wayyy in advance (which we'd recommend), this shouldn't be a problem.
5) Choose a Company That is Committed to Responsible Tourism
The stunningly beautiful Murchison Falls in Uganda - the world’s most powerful waterfall.
In our opinion, the best tour operators Uganda has to offer are the ones who have a commitment to responsible tourism, conservation, and sustainability.
We know that travel does a lot of harm to the planet and wildlife. When we take a tour, we try to work with companies who we know share our passion for responsible tourism.
Some companies use a portion of their profits to deliver projects that benefit the local community.
For example, Eastside Safari Expeditions has launched a project to dig 20 boreholes in 20 different communities in Uganda, thereby increasing local communities' access to a sustainable source of clean water.
The boreholes will be in schools and local communities and eliminate the need for local people to walk long distances to access safe drinking water.
When Vincent and I worked in Zambia, digging boreholes in local communities was one of the projects we fundraised for. And we saw firsthand what a difference it made.
Other companies might support local business initiatives or projects that focus on eco-tourism, access to education, water conservation or wildlife conservation activities. You should also look for companies that operate in a way that respects the local community, culture and beliefs.
If you're passionate about giving back, choose a tour operator that will offer you the opportunity to volunteer in some of these projects as part of your trip or even provide donations for communities.
The best travel agencies in Uganda will always have some kind of commitment to sustainability.
6) Safety and Accreditation
Me taking photos of the Great Rift Valley and making Vincent very nervous because yet again, I am standing on the edge of something.
When you are planning your wildlife safaris in Uganda, your focus is naturally often on what you are going to see and experience. Will I see the Big Five? How close will I be able to get? Did I bring the right zoom lens?
But it's important to remember that anything involving wild animals comes with a degree of risk. Wild animals are unpredictable and you are in their environment, so it's important to travel with a tour operator who takes safety seriously.
The best tour operators in Uganda will have qualified guides who have extensive knowledge on how to keep you safe.
For example, they will have an in depth understanding of how different animals behave, which ones are particularly dangerous and how you should behave around them.
For instance, keeping your voices low, avoiding eye contact with gorillas as they may feel threatened and not getting out of the vehicle during a safari unless your guide tells you it’s safe.
The last one might seem obvious but trust me, you'd be surprised how many people don’t listen! Your guide will also tell you how close you can get to animals in the wild without compromising your safety.
I took this photo with a very good zoom lens and kept my distance from this beautiful silverback mountain gorilla.
Responsible guides will also take into account the welfare of the animals - at the end of the day you don't want to scare the wildlife or make them anxious by getting too close. Anxious animals can quickly become dangerous.
A great example of this was during our tour with Eastside Safari Expeditions. We were watching a herd of elephants approach a road and our guide Dan moved our vehicle away from their direct path whilst ensuring we still had a great view.
He explained that if you block the elephants’ path, they are just going to go straight through you, because they’re stubborn like that! And in the fight between a safari car and a herd of elephants...well I think you know how that ends.
Quality tour operators will also have excellent vehicles and great driver-guides who are used to safely navigating the muddy, bumpy and uneven terrain.
(You'll still need to hold on so you don't go flying out of the vehicle and be prepared for the "African massage" i.e. the sore bum, legs and arms you'll get from being thrown around for hours on end).
Luckily for us, our three years living in Zambia means we are now African massage veterans!
A great vehicle and a good driver are vital: the last thing you want is to be stuck in a game park baking in the midday sun.
Elephants: they ain’t here to play.
So when researching a company don't be afraid to ask about their safety record. What training do their guides receive? What are their vehicles like? Do they have a plan for an emergency situation? Do they carry a first aid kit?
Another way to make sure that you are travelling with a reputable company is to check if they are licensed and accredited by Uganda's tourist board or associations.
For instance, Eastside Safari Expeditions is partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO).
When I was thinking about organising our trip independently and looking at how to get our permits for gorilla trekking, I emailed the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
They gave me a link to a list of companies in Uganda who could organise gorilla permits and I found Eastside Safari Expeditions (under its former name Explore Uganda With Dan) on there. It gave me the confidence to look into booking my whole trip with them.
A company that has accreditation from an organisation like AUTO shows you that it is trustworthy: they have been assessed by an outside body and have been officially recognised as complying with a specified set of standards.
Choosing an accredited, safe and responsible tour company means that you can have a worry-free, relaxed safari experience.
Africa safaris are amazing if they are done properly!
7) Itinerary
The best safaris in Uganda always have an itinerary that fits with your interests, travel style and the number of days you have available.
Before you approach a tour operator, it's useful to think about what YOU want out of the trip. For instance, are you looking for luxury safaris in Uganda or a budget experience? Do you want a tour operator that offers private tours or would a group tour be sufficient?
Similarly, are you mainly interested in wildlife viewing or do you want to explore Uganda's culture? Are adrenaline rush activities like white water rafting your kind of thing? Or do you want a trip with other physical activities like trekking and hiking? Alternatively, is a chilled trip with more time relaxing at the lodge more your vibe?
By answering some of these questions, you can choose a tour operator that caters to your interests and also give them a better idea of what you are looking for.
Don't worry if you look at these questions and think "I have literally no idea"- the best Uganda tour operators will always discuss your trip with you and suggest activities they think you would like.
Our primary interest on this trip was to see Uganda’s spectacular wildlife.
Here are some things to consider when you are looking at a sample itinerary from a tour operator:
Does the itinerary fit with your travel style and interests?
For instance, if you want luxury tours or to do lots of hiking - does the accommodation and activities featured in the itinerary align with this?
How many days do you want to spend in Uganda?
Think about how many days you want to spend in Uganda and select an itinerary that matches the number of days you have available.
💡 Tip: It's worth considering your trip as a whole and not just focus on the main activities that draw people to Uganda i.e. gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking.
Gorilla trekking lasts between 2-3 days, whilst chimpanzee tracking can be done in one day. And unless you live next door, it's quite far to fly to Uganda for just a few days!
Our Experience
When I was planning Vincent's surprise trip, I initially enquired about a 4-day trip, to include gorilla trekking (our main reason for going to Uganda) and a game drive.
However after a lot of consideration and much more research I realised that flying 4605km for just a few days wasn't enough. I didn't want us to feel rushed and I realised how much more Uganda had to offer. I ended up extending our trip to 11 days and it was the perfect amount of time.
Obviously everything also depends on how much money you have to spend, but based on our experience I'd suggest spending a minimum of 8 days in Uganda so you can really explore what the country has to offer. However, most tour operators will offer shorter packages too!
Gorilla trekking in Uganda was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip but we’re so glad we took our time exploring the rest of the country.
What's included in the itinerary?
A comprehensive itinerary should cover your accommodation, fuel, activities, permits and meals.
Our Experience
Our itinerary included all of the above and I could clearly see the price of each item.
We had full board accommodation which was great - we didn't have to worry about food at all and spent a lot of time feeling very, very full (Dan had warned us that we wouldn't lose weight on this holiday!)
Some tour operators offer bed and breakfast and half-board options to keep the costs down. However, keep in mind that accommodation in national parks and in Bwindi are usually away from the nearest town.
So if you struggle to find any restaurants nearby you’ll likely end up eating at your lodge anyway.
If there are certain items (e.g. meals or transfers) that are not included in the tour price because you are going to pay for them yourself, add these in so you can see what the overall tour costs.
How long are you spending at each place on the itinerary?
You might be keen to see EVERYTHING, especially when you're parting with a lot of cash, but it's important to make sure an itinerary isn't rushed or unrealistic. It's better to explore fewer destinations at a slower pace than make a whistle stop tour where you actually don't see anywhere properly.
How physically taxing is the itinerary?
A safari trip can be tiring - there are A LOT of early mornings (Dan was always ready at 06.00am sharp while we were not) plus bumping around in the back of a car can also take it out of you.
Some activities, such as gorilla trekking, are more physically demanding: it can sometimes take hours to reach the gorillas, depending on where they are.
Gorilla trekking is sweaty and tough….
….and there’s no time to fix your hair.
Review the itinerary and make sure that there is enough time between activities to rest and recuperate.
You should also consider your mobility and fitness level - if this is an issue, have an honest conversation with yourself about what activities might be out of the question or what you are willing to pay to make it happen.
Yes, it would be disappointing to not be able to go on a gorilla trekking experience but it would be worse to pay for the permits and then not be able to actually do the experience.
(You can be carried on a sedan chair or stretcher to see the gorillas if you are elderly or have mobility issues - it costs around $400-$500 depending on how much you weigh).
Our Experience
I added a boat ride and a game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park into our itinerary and asked Eastside Safari Expeditions if this would be too much given that we had already done both activities at Murchison National Park.
Dan assured me it would be fine and I am so glad we included it! We also had a rest break at Lake Mburo before going on a cycling safari. It was pretty hot that day so the chill out time was needed before our bicycle adventure!
We climbed up to this viewpoint at Lake Mburo National Park. Thankfully we’d rested our legs at a lodge earlier in the day.
Is the itinerary flexible? Can you add/remove elements of it?
In my experience, the top tour operators will offer a tailor-made itinerary that fits your preferences, interests and your budget.
Even companies offering group tours with 'fixed itineraries' can be customised to a certain extent e.g. they might offer different levels of accommodation and various meal packages, such as full board, half board or bed and breakfast.
One company I enquired with offered different types of vehicles - from a small standard car (cheap) to a 4x4 Land Cruiser (much more expensive per day) and also offered the option of clients self-catering their own lunch.
In my opinion, a company offering a standard 'one size fits all' safari package should be avoided. There is nothing 'typical' about safari - it's a unique experience that should be personalised where feasible.
Our Experience
Eastside Safari Expeditions allowed me to change elements of my itinerary right up until we were about to leave for Uganda.
Whilst I had extended my trip to 11 days, I was still operating on a budget, so I often asked Dan for cheaper accommodation options (I'd personally rather have cheaper accommodation and splurge on experiences!).
Dan suggested alternative options but was also honest - for example he said that accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was more expensive and he had selected the most affordable option in that area that still offered good service.
I also added in activities: again Dan was able to tell me what was possible and he also suggested alternative activities for a better experience.
Our epic accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The best tours Uganda has to offer will feature a well planned itinerary designed with your interests, preferences and budget in mind and feature a variety of activities that enable you to really explore the wonders of the country at a relaxed pace.
At the end of your trip you should feel like you've had the time of your life!
8) Tour Group Size
These giraffes were on a small group tour.
Size matters.
Get your mind out of the gutter - I am talking about the size of group tours!
If you're looking at booking a Uganda budget safari or you're a solo traveller who is keen to socialise with other travellers, chances are that you will most likely be booking a group tour.
Whilst we explored Uganda on a private tour with Eastside Safari Expeditions, we have gone on tours in other countries (Laos, Botswana, Zambia, Malaysia, and China) that were group tours.
If we're not travelling independently or on a private tour, then we usually opt for a small group tour.
Why? Firstly a small group tour (usually around 6-8 people, sometimes up to 12 people) is more efficient.
Imagine waiting for a coachload of 40 people to be ready at the same time? Someone is invariably going to forget something in their room or get up late for breakfast or need the toilet just before you leave and before you know it, your tour is running hours late. Highly annoying.
Waiting around = less time to explore and see the things you want to see.
The look I give when I have to wait for other people.
If you're travelling alone and are keen to make friends, it's also easier to get to know your guide and other travellers on your tour when you're travelling in a small group.
You'll sit together for your meals and have a drink after the day's activities are over. These interactions are far easier in a small group.
Want to get off the beaten path on your Uganda trip but still travel in a group? Then a small group tour is the best of both worlds!
Smaller groups can still easily visit lesser-known attractions like local food markets, tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving home cooked food, or secret waterfalls.
You can also have a more authentic and meaningful travel experience - striking up a conversation at a cafe with a local or chatting to someone in a shop is much easier to do without a huge crowd of people.
If you're a solo traveller looking for tours and travels in Uganda where you get to meet other travellers but still have an authentic experience, then definitely choose a small group tour!
9) Price
How much is a tour going to cost?
For most people (my millionaire readers excluded), the price of a tour in Uganda is something that will have an impact upon which tour operator you decide to book with.
If you're interested in budget Uganda safaris you might be tempted to go with a tour operator that offers the lowest price.
However price shouldn't be your only consideration - you should really make sure you are getting value for money as well. Before you part with your precious dollar dollar bills, here are a few things to consider.
What's included in the price?
A good tour operator should clearly break down what is included in the tour package. We'd recommend checking whether the overall tour cost includes your meals, fuel, accommodation, transportation, activities, national park entrance fees and permits.
As we mentioned before we'd recommend making a list of companies in Uganda offering tours that you like the sound of and then taking the time to compare the packages from three or four of them.
Look carefully at what is included in each package and decide which company offers you the best value for money.
Our lovely room in Lake Mburo National Park.
Our Experience
From the outset Eastside Safari Expeditions sent me clear itemised invoices outlining what was included in the tour packages I was interested in.
The invoices showed the cost and quantity of each item plus the the overall amount and included everything mentioned above. Eastside Safari Expeditions also explained that the tour cost would not include tips or drinks at the lodges.
Anytime I added or changed anything in the tour, they sent me an updated invoice. There were no unusual additions or surprise costs.
The transparent pricing was one of my key reasons for selecting Eastside Safari Expeditions. (You can probably tell by now that I think Dan’s company is the best travel agency Kampala Uganda has to offer because I had SUCH a good experience with everything! Am I biased? Yes, unashamedly so.)
Consider the season you are travelling in
If price is an issue, it's worth considering travelling outside of the peak season (June to September). Whilst the prices of the permits for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is the same in both peak and off-peak seasons, prices for accommodation are usually lower.
Some tour operators might also offer discounts for bookings during Uganda's rainy season/off-peak season. If you're looking at booking one of the many Uganda budget safaris on offer and want to save even more money, definitely consider travelling in off-season.
The rainy season in Uganda can make for very dramatic photos!
What is the quality of the services you are being offered and does this match the price?
For example, if you're interested in luxury tours of Uganda, make sure that what is included in the price matches these standards.
For instance, luxury travellers should get beautiful, comfortable and exclusive, luxury accommodation, a high quality 4x4 safari vehicle and incredible cuisine, amongst many other things!
Check out reviews of the lodges suggested by your tour operator and make sure that what you're getting fits with the price tag.
Whether you're a budget/mid-range/luxury traveller, some things - like having a professional, hospitable and knowledgeable guide - should always be standard on your trip to Uganda.
A good company always strives to provide excellent customer service to all their clients: if the customer service levels of a tour operator seem to be related to how much you're paying, choose somebody else.
Compare the prices from different tour companies
It's always worth seeing what other companies are charging for similar tour itineraries. You can then work out if the tour operator you are considering booking with is charging the standard market price (i.e. something reasonable) or whether it's highway robbery.
Consider everything really carefully.
Don't get sucked in by the lowest prices
Yes, we all like to save money, but if you find a tour operator offering a dirt cheap package that vastly undercuts other companies, something is definitely up!
It could be as simple as gorilla/chimpanzee permits not being included or your accommodation not including all meals. Worse case scenarios could be that the accommodation and vehicle on offer are of a poor standard.
In some cases the activity costs can be vastly different depending on where you do them: one tour company offered me chimpanzee trekking either at Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
At Kibale, the permits for chimpanzee trekking are $200 per person whilst at Queen Elizabeth they are just $50.
However the tour company explained that the experiences differ significantly - at Kibale you have a much higher chance of seeing the chimpanzees. It is after all considered to be the “primate capital of the world”!
The reality is that tours in Uganda are not cheap so if a price gets your spidey senses tingling, it's worth doing a bit more digging.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Perfect Tour Company in Uganda?
We hope that this article has been helpful and makes the process of choosing a tour company in Uganda just that little bit easier.
In my experience, spending time looking at reviews of tour operators and comparing the packages, tour prices and itineraries offered by various companies really made a difference to our Uganda trip.
Ultimately, it will ensure that you also pick the best tour company for an unforgettable adventure in Uganda.
Further Reading
Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Uganda and Africa guides:
Visiting Chobe National Park in Botswana
Ultimate Guide to Victoria Falls and Livingstone in Zambia
Other articles about safari tours:
Safari in Sri Lanka: Yala National Park
Find more travel tips and useful information on Uganda here.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
Some of the links in this Tours and Travel Companies in Uganda guide are affiliate links.
That means that if you drop any ca$h monies on any products after clicking one of these links (i.e. make a purchase), we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This enables us to MAKE IT RAIN, BABY, (nah just kidding, we actually use it to buy coffee which we drink whilst creating more useful and entertaining content like this).
Mog and Dog Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Don’t worry, we only link to places that we really like and products that we actually own or would buy for ourselves.
Want more like this?
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!
