Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa with a diverse landscape that includes the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Its abundant wildlife features chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary, while Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is famous for its 43-meter-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos.

The point of entry into Uganda is Entebbe International Airport, which connects to many safari destinations locally. Kidepo Valley National Park occupies a rugged, semi-arid valley bordering South Sudan and Kenya, approximately 700 km from Kampala. The park is home to big game and hosts over 77 mammal species and around 475 bird species. During the dry season, the only permanent water sources are found in wetlands and remnant pools in the broad Narus Valley near Apoka. These seasonal oases, combined with the open savannah terrain, make the Narus Valley the park’s prime game-viewing location.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a vast forest located in southwestern Uganda in the Kanungu District. The park is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many bird species such as hornbills and turacos. It is renowned for its population of approximately 600 mountain gorillas—nearly half of the world’s remaining population of this endangered species.

Kibale National Park is one of Africa’s foremost research sites, where many scientists study chimpanzees and other primates. Others investigate the park’s ecosystems, wild pigs, and fish species, among other topics. It contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. The park is famous for chimpanzee tracking and is home to 70 mammal species, including 13 primate species, most notably the chimpanzee. It also hosts over 375 bird species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second-largest and most biodiverse park, as well as the country’s most popular safari destination. It encompasses a vast array of landscapes, including wetlands, swamps, crater lakes, tropical forests, and open savannah, supporting diverse wildlife. Highlights include elephants, buffaloes, Ugandan kob, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, and topi—with the unique attraction of tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector. In addition to game drives, visitors can enjoy boat cruises to spot hippos and crocodiles or hike through rainforests to track chimpanzees.

Visa applications can be completed online on the official Ugandan government website here.