Uganda Wild Animals, Checklist & Where To See Them on Safari in Uganda

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Uganda like other African countries is a top tourist destination for tourists who want to explore the raw jungle life of Africa. The country has all the big five that is lions, African elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and Rhinos, it is the perfect destination for primate lovers and these can be seen in the open savanna grasslands found in the several National Parks.

Uganda has both small and large mammals and the recorded number is 342 different species. If you are planning on experiencing the wildlife of Uganda, there are several destinations that you can check out that will offer you an experience worth spending money on. Wildlife is categorized into different groups and we have listed them below.

Herbivores in Uganda

The herbivores that you should expect to see while on a safari to Uganda include the following:

Antelopes Of Uganda

Numerous types of antelopes are found in the different National Parks in the country and they are categorized into two that is large antelopes and medium antelopes. The medium antelopes include Impalas, Reedbuck, and Situnga, Lesser Kudu, Uganda Kob, Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Grey duiker, Hartebeest, Bate’s pygmy antelope, Blue duiker, Forest duiker and Peter’s duiker.

The large antelopes include the Hartebeest, Defassa waterbuck, Elands, Oryx, and Greater Kudu.

Other herbivores in Uganda include Grey Duiker, warthogs, Oribi, klipspringer, hippopotamus, Rhinos, Burchell’s Zebra, Buffalos, giant forest hog, African elephant, and Guenther’s dik-dik.

Uganda Hippos

Hippos can be seen in the different parks in the country and this is because of the different water bodies that are found in the parks. They are the second-largest animals after the elephants and mainly live in water. Note that these animals cannot float and swim and they only bounce at the bottom of the water. They can also be submerged in water without taking a breath for about 6 minutes. These are a guaranteed deal because Uganda has a large number of hippos. These are best seen while taking boat rides and they can be seen in Murchison falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National park along the Kazinga Channel, Lake Mburo National park, and Semuliki wildlife Reserve among others.

Zebras in Uganda

Zebras in Uganda are the common zebras and at the moment, Uganda has over 3000 zebras. They live in large herds and if you look closely each zebra has its unique pattern that is you cannot find two zebras with the same pattern. They do not do well when they are confronted by humans and in most cases tend to run away. They have also reduced in number and this is due to the ever-changing climate which reduces the vegetation that they feed on. Zebras like open grasslands where they can easily roam and the best place to see them are the Kidepo valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

Rothschild Giraffe

Rothschild Giraffe is also known as the Ugandan Giraffe is found in Uganda and Kenya only. These do not have any spotting on their legs and what differentiates them from other types of giraffes is that their spots are a bit darker and less defined than those of other giraffes. The male giraffes move in their herds separate from the female herds and are known to be some of the most peaceful animals. The only times that male giraffes fight are when they want to gain dominance and access to the females. The best place to see the giraffes is the Murchison falls National Park and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre where you can have a chance of feeding them.

The common warthog which was depicted in the famous lion king as Pumba is one of the animals that you should look out for while on a safari to Uganda. These live in barrows and are omnivores. These can be seen in almost every National park in the country like Queen Elizabeth National park and Lake Mburo National Park.

Ugandan Reptiles

Uganda’s proximity to the equator has led to the presence of different types of reptiles in the country. The commonest reptiles that you can see while in Uganda include snakes and crocodiles.

Snakes: there are different types of snakes and these include giant pythons, black cobra, green snakes, and the puff adder.
Nile crocodiles: these can be seen in the different water bodies across the country in the different national parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.

Carnivores in Uganda

Uganda has a total of 38 carnivores and these include the following Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Jackals, Mongoose, African civets, Hyenas, Otters, Genets, and Serval, Caracal, Bat-eared fox, and African wild cats.

Spotted Hyenas are the most common carnivores in Uganda and even though they are mainly nocturnal, there is a chance that you might spot a few during the day. The hyenas hunt in groups of 2 to 5 and they can both hunt for their own and also eat carcasses including their bones. They communicate through their barking which sounds like a laugh to inform the pack that there is potential food in the area. The best chances of seeing the hyenas are in Kidepo National park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The big Six Animals

Uganda is home to the big five and these are found in the different National Parks around the country like Murchison Falls National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo National Park. While Uganda is best known for being the best destination for gorilla trekking, it is also a good destination for the four of the big five that is lions, buffalos, leopards, and elephants.

White Rhino

Uganda at the moment has only the white Rhino and although it is known as the White Rhino, it has the same colouring as the black rhino. The black Rhino is the fifth member of the big five and it is extinct in Uganda due to poaching however the white Rhino has been re-introduced into the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. The black rhino was declared extinct in 1983 and around the year 1997, the government of Uganda started a campaign and first re-introduced 22 white Rhinos. The only place in Uganda where you can see Rhinos is the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Mountain Gorilla

The term referred to as the big five is slowly changing due to the introduction of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The Mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The mountains gorillas live in the forest and are considered an endangered species. About 600 of them are found in Uganda, that accounts for only 50% of these remaining apes.

Lions Of Uganda

Lions are a bit rare as well because of the easy way that they camouflage with their environments but with an experienced tour guide, you will be able to spot a few. The best place to see the lions is in Ishasha which is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lions in Ishasha are known as the climbing lions because they are found up in the fig trees. Climbing lions are rare to see and that is why you should not miss out on the chance of spotting these lions lazily lying in the trees. Other places where you can see lions include Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Semuliki although they are rarely seen.

Leopards

Leopards are scientifically known as Panthera Pardus Pardus and are one of the animals to see. Unlike the lions that move in crowds, the leopards operate alone and mostly hunt at night. They normally rest during the day in either trees or caves and move out at night to hunt. But in case you get a chance to see a leopard during the day, it will blow your mind. Leopards can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National park, Lake Mburo, and Semuliki National park.

African Elephant

The African elephant is one of the big five and the largest animal in the jungle. They normally live in groups and these groups are led by a female elephant. Eating about 350kgs and over 200 litres of water per day, the African elephant can live up to 70 years of age. Uganda previously had over 30000 elephants but due to constant poaching, the number greatly reduced to about 2000 and although measures have been put up to stop poaching, it will be hard to get back the high number of elephants because only one calf is born every nine years. Elephants like the open savannah grasslands and can be seen in Murchison falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other National Parks have elephants but are rarely seen.

African Buffalo

The African buffalo are also known as the Cape buffalo is one of the big five that you should look out for. They are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in the wilderness and should be avoided at all times if possible. They usually stay in large herds and move in the same direction and due to the high temperatures s experienced in the country, they spend most of their time in water cooling off. Buffalos like staying in the water all the time and can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo National park.

Bird species in Uganda

Uganda has over 1000 bird species that can be seen in their natural habitats. The best time for birding is during the wet season because this is the time when migratory birds fly into the country as well.

Bird species that you should look out for while on a safari in Uganda include African shoebill, ostriches, African crowned crane, brown-backed scrub Robin, croaking Cisticola, grey-backed fiscal, white-tailed lark, African green pigeon, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, little bee-eater, Nubian woodpecker, pelicans, and Cormorants among others. Uganda has a recorded number of bird species amounting to about 1070 as of 2021.

Primates in Uganda

The different primates found in Uganda include Golden monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Bush babies, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Patas monkeys, Red colobus monkeys, Potto, Red-tailed monkeys, and lesser bushbaby.

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are the mainly visited wild animals in Uganda. They are a top tourist attraction and this is mainly because they can only be found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. They are endangered species and that is why no one passes on the opportunity of seeing them. You will a gorilla permit at $700 per person to see the primates and to know more about what to expect from gorilla trekking, check out our article about gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorillas are found in two Parks that is the Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Olive Baboons

Olive baboons are a major tourist attraction in Uganda and can easily be seen as you drive along the highways. They are not afraid of humans and when they see a car approaching, they tend to approach it in hope of getting food but do not feed them because it is a crime and do not knock them down. Baboons live in groups of about 150 and these groups are led by dominant males who can weigh up to 50 kgs. Baboons can be seen in every National Park in the country.

Uganda Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee tracking is second after gorilla trekking and is a thrilling experience. Chimpanzees have the closest DNA to humans and in most cases act like humans. They however can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Uganda has over 5000 chimpanzees with some of them being habituated so that they can get used to the humans. You will also need a chimpanzee permit to trek the primates and we have an article describing more about chimpanzees and what to expect. Chimpanzee trekking can be done in Kibaale National Park, Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National, Park and Kyambura in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Black & White Colobus Monkeys

Black and white colobus monkeys are the most common monkeys in Uganda and can easily be found in every National Park in the country. The colobus monkeys are born white but at three months, they get their black colouring.

Golden Monkey

This is one of the most beautiful primate found in Uganda. Golden monkey trekking is becoming a famous 3rd trekking activity just the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and the Chimps in Kibale.

National Parks in Uganda

There are several National parks from where you can go for game viewing and these have been listed below so that you can choose your destination.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is famous for gorilla trekking and is home to other primates. It has the largest population of the endangered Mountain gorillas in Uganda and while on a trek here, you also get to see other primates like monkeys and chimpanzees.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison National Park which is best known for the large herds of elephants is the place to go for an all-year-round wildlife viewing while on a safari in Uganda. You will also be able to see other animals and birds and not forget the magnificent Murchison Falls.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National park is located in the western part of Uganda and is the most visited National park in the country. The park has 95 recorded animal species, 612 bird species, and beautiful scenery that every tourist should check out. The scenery includes views from Mountain Rwenzori, Lake George, Lake Edward, and the Kazinga channel among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo National park is located in the Northern part of Uganda and has excellent wildlife including lions, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, black-backed jackals, the cheetah which can only be found here, and leopards among others.

Kibaale National Park

Kibaale Forest Reserve is located in south western Uganda and is home to a large number of primates in the country. Some of the primates that are found in Kibaale include the black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, and red-tailed monkeys among others.

Lake Mburo National Park

Located in western Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park has a variety of animals that are endemic to it and not found anywhere else in the country like the Topi and it has the largest population of impalas in Uganda.

Forest Reserves in Uganda

Forest reserves are also tourist attractions in Uganda where you can see the different wildlife especially primates and bird species.

Budongo forest
Kalinzu forest reserve
Pabidi forest reserve
Mabira forest
Kanyiyo forest reserve

Packing list for wildlife viewing in Uganda

The packing list normally depends on the adventures that you are going to engage in while on a safari in Uganda. Some activities are demanding like hikes and then some are not physically exhausting like game drives. The first thing that you should pack is the anti-malarial drugs and then the following should follow:

Binoculars and cameras

Binoculars with at least 8×30 magnification should be brought on your safari. These will help you see the animals that are far away from you and those that blend in perfectly with their surroundings like the leopards. The camera should come with extra batteries because rest assured you are going to take a lot of photos while on your safari.

Strong and comfortable hiking boots: hiking boots are a must if you plan on taking a safari to Uganda. It is one of the best ways in which you can explore the National parks and get close to the animals. The shoes might not be new but make sure that they are not heavy because this might slow you down when trekking with the group.

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (neutral colors)

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers help in preventing your skin from being scratched and the neutral colors are to help you blend in with the wild easily. Brightly colored clothes attract the attention of the animals and some of them might feel threatened.

Waterproof jackets or coats

Ugandan weather is extremely unpredictable and therefore you should carry your waterproof coat or jacket at all times so as not to get wet even when you have planned for your safari during the dry season.

Rules for wildlife viewing in Uganda

The Uganda wildlife Authority and park management have come up with certain rules to make sure that the animals and the habitats where they say are conserved and not threatened in any way. The rules were put up to reduce the death of the animals, and poaching and to also protect humans from being attacked by the animals. These rules need to be followed because if any of them is broken, you might be fined or banned from accessing the parks again.

Littering in the parks

When going for game drives, tourists carry snacks and bottled water. You must at all times keep the rubbish inside the van so that the park is conserved. You need to leave the National Park the way you found it so that other tourists also get a chance of exploring the national parks.

Keep a distance away from the animals

It does not matter whether you are excited to see the different animal species that is those that you have never seen before or the old ones, you must keep a distance to protect the animals and yourself. If you try to approach the animals they might feel threatened and even in the presence of a tour guide, you do not want to find out how they will react. For those that are into primate trekking, you must avoid them if you are not feeling well.

Maintain a slow speed while driving

While on your safari, you first need to know that the animals have a right of way and rule the wilderness. You are not to speed, you are supposed to drive on the given track and not go off course and this is to prevent drivers from knocking down the animals

How to watch the wildlife in Uganda

Wildlife in Uganda is best seen on game drives. Game drives are carried out in the different parks twice a day with the first session starting as early as 7:00 am and the second session in the late afternoon. Game drives take you around the National Parks and get you as close as they can to the animals and some of the rules that you should follow while on game drives include not getting too close to the animals, not alight from your vehicle, following all the instructions given to you by the tour guide and avoid making noise. Other ways in which you can view the animals include nature walks and mobile camping.

Best time for wildlife viewing in Uganda

Ugandan parks can be visited all year round for game viewing but the best time is during the dry season. The country experiences two dry seasons that is from June to August and January to February. During the dry season, the grass is scarce and short and there is limited water forcing the animals to converge around the waterholes for water making it easy for tourists to spot the animals. The roads within the National Parks during the dry season are passable during both game drives and nature walks. The dry season is also known as the peak season with many tourists visiting the country for wildlife viewing and during this period, the cost doubles.

The wet season is also experienced twice a year from September to December and March to May. Birding is the best activity that is carried out during the wet season although you can also enjoy other activities like game drives and trekking. The roads are nearly impassable and flooded during the wet season and you should be ready for this if you are planning on visiting Uganda during this period. Note that the wet season is known as the low season and this is because it receives few visitors and the accommodation fees are also reduced.

Best Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Our Uganda Wild Animals, Checklist & Where To See Them on Safari in Uganda Reviews

      
   Insight Safari Holidays
   196 Tripadvisor reviews 
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   Jessie M 
 2024-03-10
 
 
  The trip of a lifetime
We loved the trip Insight Safaris planned for us through Uganda. From Murchison Falls to Lake Mburo, it couldn’t have been a more delightful mix of game drives, boat tours and primate treks. The lodging selections were well suited to our comfort level. The people at all of them were friendly, helpful, professional and courteous and the food was (mostly) wonderful. At first, I was worried that we would be spending more time driving than experiencing, but I was wrong. Even the drives between the other events were an experience I wouldn’t want to have missed. We loved the fact that we saw cities, towns and villages; we experienced savannah, jungle, forest and wetland ecosystems. And the whole time, we had answers to any question we could pose right in the driver’s seat. We saw birds, ungulates (antelope, elephants! giraffes! rhinos! hippos!), and primates—oh my gosh—the primates were amazing! After the chimpanzee trek, we couldn’t imagine better, but then there were the gorillas. We were pretty sure that would be the pinnacle, and when the forecast was 80% rain for the Golden Monkey Trek, we considered that we would be OK if it were cancelled. As it turned out, the Golden Monkey trek was the highlight of the whole trip. It was marvelous! We were especially fascinated by the cultural aspects of this tour. Uganda is an affirmation that humans don’t need machines and technology to thrive. Americans are preoccupied with fiscal prosperity and personal comfort, but I don’t think we are as healthy and as happy as Ugandans. For our trip guide, Insight Safaris managed to find the best match in Uganda for us. He was a walking encyclopedia about Uganda. He was good-humored and cheerful under all conditions, helpful, accommodating, interesting, intelligent, and most important, patient. He listened to what interested us and added a few excursions—vanilla bean and coffee bean cultivation/production as well as elephant-dung paper manufacturing. We are birders and he managed to find guides who were especially suited to our interests so that our game drives and boat trips seemed to be reserved especially for us—so much better than we could have expected. We both shot more than 4,000 photos and he accommodated our voracious appetite for snapshots to take home whenever and wherever it was safe. He narrated every part of the trip without being too chatty or intrusive. In short, it was the experience of a lifetime!
  
 
       
   Robyn Campos 
 2024-03-10
 
 
  Rwanda and Uganda (Bwindi) Adventure
Our trip to Rwanda/Uganda with Insight Safari Holidays was an amazing experience. The initial contact and coordination of our itinerary with Calah was easy and she was always available for questions. She was also super accommodating when we had a change in travel plans. All of the chosen parks, lodges/hotels and cultural opportunities were beyond fantastic. And none of this could have been accomplished without our trusted guide Steven. He safely drove us from one side of Rwanda to the other with insight, humor and professionalism. He took us on safari in Akagera, coordinated all of our activities in Nyungwe, crossed into Uganda flawlessly (where he easily switched up driving direction and language) and stopped at every opportunity for my photographer husband to get the best picture. He allowed us to experience this beautiful part of Africa in ways we will forever be grateful. We look forward to our next visit!!!
  
 
       
   Karin 
 2024-02-06
 
 
  Amazing journey through Uganda
We booked with 3 friends a 9 days tour through Uganda. The country is very beautiful and safe and the people very welcoming. The communication with the agency through WhatsApp was very easy and they adapted the tour according to our wishes. We spent all 9 days with the same guide called Ayub. He was extremely nice and always made sure we would have the best experience possible. A big thank you to him for making our stay amazing. I would recommend Insight Safari Holidays to anyone seeking for an authentic journey in Uganda.
  
 
       
   placestodiscover111 
 2024-02-05
 
 
  Amazing experience
We booked a nine-day tour with Inside Safari and had the best experience ever! Starting in Entebbe, our journey led us to Queen Elizabeth National Park, then to Bwindi, where we had a unique gorilla tracking experience. We continued to Kisoro near Mount Sabinyo and then to Lake Bunyonyi. Our tour guide, Ayup, was incredibly friendly, attentive, and thought of everything! The places we visited were breathtaking, the people incredibly friendly, and the accommodations positively surprised us. The entire trip felt truly authentic. Highly recommended and would gladly do it again!
  
 
       
   Lorrie G 
 2024-01-09
 
 
  Our Ugandan Adventure
We just finished a 25 day tour of Uganda and would like to thank Calah and her team in the office for putting together an amazing itinerary. Calah organized all the lodges and possible activities to do at and around each lodge. Each lodge we stayed at were first rate with the services and meals provided. Calah was very good with requests or questions we had during the planning process of our trip. She was quick to respond to our messages with positive feedback or suggestions. And, of course, a special thank you to our guide/driver and friend Edmund, who made the tour special. His skill as a driver was phenomenal as the roads in Uganda are challenging. We always felt safe travelling with Edmund. We appreciated his knowledge and experience on all the game drives he took us on. We found the stories about his country, the history and current situations most interesting, broadening our own knowledge of Uganda and it people. Uganda is so much more than gorillas and chimps. There is the whole Eastern side of Uganda to explore from Sipi Falls, Pian Upe, Moroto (the Karamajong) and Kidepo Valley still raw and pristine, the Africa of years ago. Of course we did Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Bwindi but take a look at those other places you won’t be disappointed. We even took a side trip to see the famous bee lady of Uganda in Lira with the added bonus of one of the best African massages of the whole trip. Thanks Edmund your massages were the best. If anyone is thinking of a trip to Africa consider Uganda and Insight Safari Holidays. You won’t be disappointed! Uganda has everything: fantastic people, big mountains, the Nile, open Savanna, rivers, falls and lush forests, and, of course, all the animals and birds you could imagine. We will never forget Uganda and the amazing adventure we had there!
  
 
       
   Cave fish 
 2023-10-26
 
 
  Gorillas and Lions made possible by an extremely professional operation
Before departure: From the outset Calah was extremely helpful. Providing a number of potential itineraries for us and letting us know about the availability for dates that would work for us. From then on it was all plain sailing. We were sent the full outline of our trip and given a check list of items we’d need for the gorilla trekking. The trip itself: We booked a 4 day trip from Kampala to do the gorilla trekking in Bwindi and also to see the tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We were picked up bang on time by Moses. He was very smart and professional. The van was immaculately clean and there was water available for the journey. Throughout, Moses made us feel comfortable and at no point, even during many hours on the road through Uganda, did we feel anything other than totally safe. He also explained the various interesting things we saw from our window as we crossed Uganda. The places we stayed along the way were really nice and the gorilla trekking was excellent! I don’t need to say much more really. We saw the gorillas, it was incredible. In Queen Elizabeth National Park Moses turned from driver into expert nature spotter. We were lucky to come across the lions pretty much immediately but he also spotted us a leopard that we’d never have seen. We also had the Kazinga Channel boat cruise on our itinerary. This was brilliant as we saw an elephant in the water, hippos and various birds including fish eagles and kingfishers. Everything we wanted to get from this trip we got. We’d definitely recommend Insight Safari. Thank you so much Calah and Moses for your professionalism and for making our gorilla dreams come true.
  
 
       
   4dchops 
 2023-10-15
 
 
  Holiday of our Dreams.
We want to thank Calah and her team for arranging our 2 week trip through Uganda. We were able to work our own itinerary with them and they arranged all the accommodation and permits for the Trekking we did. Communication was clear, swift and regular and gave us confidence when organising and booking. Payment was in 2 reasonably easy international transfers, but we also had the option to take the balance with us as cash if that was more convenient. We were met at the airport as arranged and had our own guide and vehicle the whole trip. We had an amazing time and saw so many wonderful things and met so many wonderful people. Ayub was a wonderful guide and driver and really looked after us so well. We could not fault anything and would not change anything (except maybe to spend more time there!) We would of course recommend Insight to anyone who will listen! All the accommodation was amazing and although we booked as 'basic' we felt we were in luxury with the best service and food we could have wished for. Would highly recommend contacting Insight for your African adventure.
  
 
       
   Victor R 
 2023-09-26
 
 
  Incredible Experience led by a Wonderful Guide
My wife and I had an amazing vacation in Uganda because of the fantastic service provided by Insight Safari Holidays. We did a six-day tour which included gorilla habituation, chimpanzee trekking, and safari game drives. Our guide, Jacob, was so incredibly friendly, kind, knowledgeable, helpful and skilled as a driver. He had answers to every single question we asked - even anticipating our questions before we asked them a number of times. His connections all across the country, in every park we visited or every lodge we stayed in was invaluable. When we went on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Jacob was the first to get us to see a pair of lionesses stalking a herd of cape buffaloes, he was the first to spot a leopard walking along the savannah, he was the first to get us to a hyena skulking amongst antelopes; each time, we'd get there first and then other Land Cruisers would follow. When we went chimp trekking, Jacob made sure we were connected with the most experienced guide in the park, Jasper. On our anniversary, Jacob had the staff at the Twin Lakes lodge set up our dinner table outside the restaurant with a gorgeous view overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park. When we went gorilla trekking, Jacob got us set up with one of the Bwindi rangers that he knew personally, making for an unforgettable hike and experience with the gorillas. After our tour was over, he also got us back to Entebbe early enough to check into a hotel there and relax for five hours before our flight home. It was a perfect tour, and we can't thank Jacob enough for making it so. We booked the tour in January 2023, and we worked with Calah to do so. She was so helpful, and so quick to respond to all of our inquiries, and made the process of booking so smooth. We checked in with Calah periodically in the eight months leading up to our tour, and she made sure to keep us up to do on all the documents we needed and when we needed them, what to pack, what to expect on our tour, and when we landed in Uganda, she kept us informed as to when to expect Jacob to pick us up. If you're considering a trip to Uganda for any reason, I can not emphasize enough how much I recommend working with Insight Safari Holidays!
  
 
       
   Philip 
 2023-09-21
 
 
  Excellent and efficient safari company
We booked our 4 day gorilla and chimp safari with Insight and they have been excellent in every way. We booked with them direct from the UK and they were always efficient and helpful in replying to my emails. Making the payment to them was also very easy. When we arrived in Uganda everything worked very smoothly. We were picked up promptly at 7am from our hotel and driven by our very competent driver Jack (driving in Kampala was not for the faint hearted!) to Bwindi. The two lodges where we stayed were fantastic and both the gorillas and the chimp visits were amazing. I could not fault any part of our trip and would wholeheartedly recommend Insight to anyone thinking of visiting Uganda for a safari
  
 
       
   Christopher 
 2023-09-17
 
 
  A truly life changing adventure
This was the adventure of a lifetime, and a huge part of that is thanks to Edmund and the incredible team at Insight Safari Holidays. My wife and I had been wanting to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda for several years. We finally started to plan the trip, and got a recommendation from a friend to look at Insight Safari Holidays. This was hands down the best decision we could have made. From the beginning, they put together a detailed itinerary that ended up being just about flawless. Calah was incredibly helpful and attentive, from making sure we had all of the necessary documentation, to booking permits, stays, and everything we needed; this made what was a pretty complex trip so easy that all we had to do was show up. But above all, I want to give a huge and heartfelt thank you to our guide and driver Edmund. He is by far the most skilled, considerate, friendly, and entertaining tour guide you will ever met. From his superhuman wildlife spotting skills, to his skilled driving, to the fact that he is friends with absolutely *everyone*, this is someone who is clearly so passionate about his country and his work. Edmund went above and beyond every day to make sure our holiday was incredible - his vast knowledge and experience guiding meant he knew every park ranger, every secret lookout to get a better view, and even what time of day to circle back to see a leopard while everyone else was rushing to the lodge for a boat tour. This is already too long of a review, but I mean it when I say I could write a book about our experience there. I tell everyone I meet that travelling through Rwanda and Uganda this is a must-do, life-changing adventure, and I wouldn't do it with anyone other than Edmund, Calah, and the Insight team. To Edmund if you're reading this - thank you for making this the trip of a lifetime. While obviously the wildlife and the country was incredible, some of the moments we looked forward to the most - and the memories we look back on most fondly, were sitting down at dinner with you each night. Thank you!

      
   Insight Safari Holidays: Uganda Safaris
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   Chris Goldsmith 
 2024-04-02
 
 
  I have booked a family holiday for later in 2024 and I have been dealing with Calah who is the head of  reservation at insight safaris and she has been absolutely amazing with all questions and requests.   I am also dealing with other companies in south Africa and Zimbabwe and Calah is by far the most accommodating to our requests and nothing seems like too much trouble.
  
 
       
   Richard Dimblebee 
 2024-02-06
 
 
  Our unbelievable once in a lifetime trip in Uganda was brilliantly organised by Calah. She was so responsive to us by email and extremely helpful. Once we arrived in Entebbe, we were welcomed by Godwin, our tour guide. You will struggle to find a better tour guide anywhere in the world, extremely knowledgeable about his country and also a fantastic human being. Such an incredible experience. Thank you so much Insight, Calah and Godwin!
  
 
       
   Karin Namba 
 2024-02-06
 
 
  We booked with 3 friends a 9 days tour through Uganda. The country is very beautiful and safe and the people very welcoming. The communication with the agency through WhatsApp was very easy and they adapted the tour according to our wishes. We spent all 9 days with the same guide called Ayub. He was extremely nice and always made sure we would have the best experience possible. A big thank you to him for making our stay amazing. I would recommend Insight Safari Holidays to anyone seeking for an authentic journey in Uganda.
  
 
       
   P. Schmidt 
 2023-08-17
 
 
  Our visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park with Insight Safari Holidays was outstanding! Calah was easy to work with and patiently answered questions and provided new quotes as we sorted through where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. Our guide, Godwin, was knowledgeable about not just the animals, but also history, industry and culture. He went out of his way to make sure we had a great experience. We were impressed with how much we were able to see in just three days, without ever feeling rushed.
  
 
       
   Abigail Stallworth 
 2023-07-30
 
 
  3-Day Murchison Falls Safari - one of the best trips of my life!
A friend and I (two women) had an amazing experience with Insight Safari. Calah was very communicative and transparent about the trip, including logistics and costs. Our guide Jones was nothing short of outstanding - warm, friendly, funny, and intelligent. The game drives were beautiful and fun, the Nile river cruise exciting, and the top of the Falls just an indescribable place.
  
 
       
   Bronte Forsgren 
 2023-07-21
 
 
  Insight Safaris planned our three day Gorilla Trekking experience from Kampala to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We had an absolutely fantastic experience and cannot recommend them more! In particular, our driver Jones was excellent, friendly, safe, personable, and fun. They coordinated everything well for us, and each stop was easy, including (more importantly) the gorilla trekking itself. Cannot recommend more!
  
 
       
   Linn Tomasdotter 
 2023-05-25
 
 
  Thank you Edmund and Calah for the best service one can get,
You enabled experiences that I will never forget.
Edmund went above and beyond to a true Ugandan adventure create,
Met friendly honey makers and the most delicious fruit & food we ate.
Learn from lodge managers, locals & rangers,
About nature, birds and how Ugandan excel in making friends from strangers.
Encounter the beautiful gorillas - from silverback to babykid,
Was one of the best thing I ever saw & did.
Feel the breeze of the Bwindi mountain woods,
The busy markets and Western UG community neighborhoods.

Edmund showed plantations for banana, coffee, ground nut and passion fruits,
He shared insights into country development & found the right & effective routes.
He is so knowledgeable, kind, flexible, service-minded & fun,
If you like a booker who answers you rapidly, Calah is number one.
Communication with Insight was accommodating, nice, efficient & clear,
They will your wishes to the best of their ability adhere.
The lodge staff & people we met was welcoming & friendly,
We had interesting and insightful conversations unendly.

I highly recommend Insight for those looking for relaxed, personal and unforgettable moments,
I hope you after times of pandemic challenges get many safari enrollments.
Again, appreciation and thank you of all my heart,
I really don’t want from you incredible country depart.
  
 
       
   Matt Lanigan 
 2023-05-02
 
 
  Insight brought myself and a group of friends on an incredible (custom-crafted) trip through Uganda - which included setting up a surprise birthday party for a friend and accommodating us wanting to meet up with another group during our trip.  Edmund was a great tour guide - knowledgeable and fun!  I would absolutely book a tour with Insight (especially with Edmund) again!
  
 
       
   Joy and Dave Temple 
 2023-04-12
 
 
  Our Insight Safari Holidays was a magical tour of the southwestern national parks in Uganda. It exceeded my expectations from our fabulous driver Edmund, to the accommodations and meals, to the spectacular animals we saw in the parks. Edmund was not only a fabulous driver, he knew so much about the areas, and the animals and their behaviors and we learned so much from him. He had an uncanny ability to locate where the animals were so we saw so many animals. Everything went smoothly from the excellent communication and payment processes with Calah in the office to our excellent lodging hosts and most importantly to our fabulous guide Edmund. We even got him to join us on our white water rafting trip on the Nile at the end of our trip since he had never experienced such a thing!
  
 
       
   Matt Temple 
 2023-04-11
 
 
  We had a lovely time with Insight Safari Holidays.  The tour that Calah helped plan out was lovely.  I really appreciate all of the help sorting out the details.  And spending time with Edmund (our tour guide and driver for the week) was an absolute treat.  He is such a lovely man and a wonderful host.  Thank you both so much for making our holiday wonderful!