Cost of a Uganda safari – How much does a Uganda safari cost? – How much does it cost to go to a safari in Uganda? – Cost of Uganda safari per person – Cost of Uganda safari per day
Cost of a Uganda safari: A Uganda safari costs can range from roughly $300 per person per day for a budget trip to over $700 or $800 per person per day for luxury experiences, with additional costs for permits like gorilla trekking (around $800) and chimpanzee trekking ($250). Prices vary significantly based on the level of accommodation, transport, included activities, and the time of year.
Uganda is one of the most budget friendly tourist destinations in Africa although luxury Travelers can also enjoy amazing safaris in the beautiful country. Uganda is blessed with lots of impressive physical features, excellent weather and amazing wildlife. The country is the best place to view the rare mountain gorillas and at a relatively lower cost. Gorilla permits in Uganda cost 800 US Dollars and this is a bargain when you consider that her neighbor Rwanda charges 1500 US Dollars for her permits.
Apart from mountain gorillas, Uganda is also excellent for viewing other primates and that is why she is referred to as the Pearl of Africa. Primate Tours can be combined with other amazing tourism activities like game drives, mountain hiking, fishing, nature walks, boat cruises and cultural tours among others. All these activities have certain costs attached to them as we shall discuss in the subsequent paragraphs.
Factors influencing cost
Permits: The main variable is the cost of permits for specific activities, such as gorilla trekking ($800 for gorillas and $250 for chimpanzees).
Accommodation: You can find budget camps under $200/night and luxury lodges over $500/night.
Transport: Hiring a car or safari vehicle can range from $100–$200 per day, with luxury options like Land Cruisers costing more.
Activities: Costs for activities like game drives ($30–$40), night game drives ($40), and boat cruises ($30) are additional.
Park Fees: Expect to pay park entry fees for national parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley, which are typically $40-$45 per person per day.
Cost examples
- Budget: Approximately $300 per person per day.
- Mid-range: Around $425–$600 per person per day.
- Luxury: Over $700 per person per day, often exceeding $800 or more for high-end experiences.
How to budget for your safari
- Permits: Factor in the cost of permits for the primate species you want to see.
- Accommodation: Decide between budget, mid-range, or high-end lodging.
- Vehicle Hire: Choose a vehicle type that fits your budget and luxury preferences.
- Season: Consider traveling during the off-peak season to find lower rates.
- Package Deals: Many tour operators offer packages that include accommodation, meals, park fees, and transport, simplifying budgeting.
How much does a Safari in Uganda Cost?
Travelers often inquire about the cost of safaris in Uganda while expecting a fixed cost. Giving a general cost is not realistic because different Tour Operators in Uganda charge differently for their tours. Moreover, several factors are at play when determining the cost of a particular tour. As a result, the final cost of a trip to Uganda is usually different for each Traveler due to several factors at play. It is also important to know that most travel operators in the country don’t include air tickets, Visas, travel insurance costs and very personal expenses when sharing their itinerary. They expect tourists to cater for those costs on their own.
Factors that contribute to the overall price of a safari in Uganda
Travel Season: The season you plan to go for your safari may determine the final cost of your safari in Uganda. Travelers should know that certain seasons are busier than others. For example, those who plan to travel during the dry seasons (also known as the peak seasons) that fall between the months of December to February and June to August should expect their Uganda safari to cost higher. This is because there are very many tourists visiting the country at that time and hence there is high demand for things like hotels or gorilla permits. Hotels and other service providers increase their prices and do no offer discounts. Travelers who visit the country during the non-peak seasons (March to May and September to October) always enjoy discounted travel rates because people visiting the county are few. A Traveler who wants to take advantage of discounts should travel during the low seasons.
Choice of travel Activities: The activities in your travel itinerary are a great determinant of how much your safari in Uganda will cost. The Price of Gorilla Trekking is high compared to other activities. Gorilla permits in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks cost 800 US Dollars for Foreign Non Residents, 700 US Dollars for Foreign Residents and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for East African citizens. The gorilla habituation experience permit costs 1500 US Dollars. The good news is that gorilla permit fees also cover entrance fees, Game Ranger fees and a certificate to show successful completion of the trek. By purchasing these permits, you indirectly help contribute towards gorilla conservation programs. Most tourists combine their gorilla trekking activities with game drives, mountain hiking, cultural experiences and more. Game drives from any of Uganda’s major national parks (Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park and Kidepo) cost 40 US Dollars. Visiting any of the country’s other parks (Semiliki National park, Mount Elgon national park, Mount Rwenzori National park) costs 35 US Dollar. A chimpanzee Permit for Kibale National park costs 250 US Dollars while other activities like boat rides, nature walks cost Travelers about 30 US Dollars.
Choice of accommodation: Your choice of accommodation will also greatly determine the final cost of your safari in Uganda. Uganda has excellent accommodation facilities for Luxury Travelers, mid-range Travelers and also those traveling on a tight budget. Travelers should therefore choose their accommodations carefully knowing that some are more expensive. A budget lodge can cost about $80 while a mid-range lodges about $185 per night. Luxury Lodge cost about $500 per night while the Super Luxury Lodge may cost between $1000 and $2500 per night. Accommodation facilities within the protected areas of the safari parks are costlier than those outside the parks.
The number of Travelers: The cost of a safari in Uganda is lower for those traveling in a large group. This is because they share the cost of transportation, hotel rooms and other services. Solo Travelers pay more because they have to have their own vehicle, Driver Guide and fuel. The hotels will also charge them slightly more than if they had a friend or partner.
The Duration of the safari: On average, a safari in Uganda costs about 250 US Dollars per day per person. Travelers who go on short trips which last between 1 to 5 days find themselves spending less on transport, accommodation and other major costs. The reverse is true for Travelers who choose to go on lengthy trips of 6 days and beyond. Though they will have more time to experience the beauty of Uganda, it comes at an additional cost.
Food and drinks: While on your way to safari parks which are all far from the capital Kampala, you will need to make a few stop overs to grab something to eat. The costs of meals are usually included by Tour companies in the travel package but you might be traveling on a self-drive or using public buses. You will find that there are restaurants along designated Tourism hubs like the Igongo Cultural Centre or the Equator Crossing in Kayabwe. A decent meal goes for between 15 and 35 US Dollars.
The choice of Transport: Travelers can get to the safari parks by either road or Air. Tour Operators will provide a 4×4 Tour Van or book a charter flight with either Aero Link or Bar Aviation. It’s important to note that although air transport is generally quicker, it is more expensive in Uganda. Road transport on the other hand is cheap but involves traveling for long hours. A road trip in Uganda has some advantages. It is more fun and interesting as you will have the opportunity to enjoy the feel of traveling in Uganda’s roads. You will also have opportunities to view a lot of beautiful features and stop at interesting places along the way such as the equator crossings. The best way to observe and study the country is to take a road trip. Luxury Travelers are usually given Toyota Land cruisers with great viewing positions and Air Conditioning. Such Land cruisers can go for $150 to $250 per day without fuel and the Driver. There are also cheaper Toyota Rav 4’s which go for $60 or less per day without fuel and the Guide. The type of car assigned to Travelers contributes a lot to the final cost of a safari in Uganda.
Cost of Souvenirs and Tips: One of the things that will make your safari in Uganda memorable is purchasing items to take home with you. These items include paintings, art and craft among others. These items are sold in designated tourist spots like in safari parks, cultural centers, markets and specialized Artisan shops. As you travel in Uganda, you will at some point feel the need to give tip to hotel staff, Park Rangers or your Driver/Guide. Whereas tipping is not compulsory in Uganda, it is a kind gesture that requires spending some of your money.