Things to Do in Uganda: Wildlife, Nile, Culture

October 30, 2026

Advisory as of October 2026. The US State Department places Uganda at Level 4, Do Not Travel; it moved there from Level 3 in May 2026 during an Ebola outbreak that Uganda declared finished in late August 2026, and its reasons also include crime, terrorism and unrest. The UK FCDO does not advise against all travel but warns that terrorists are very likely to try to attack, national parks included. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 makes same-sex sexual activity illegal and sets long prison terms. Compare the FCDO safety page with the US listing , then insure your route.

The Short Version

Primates: gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, chimpanzees at Kibale, golden monkeys at Mgahinga.
Water: rafting and bungee near Jinja, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and below Murchison Falls.
Plains and rhinos: game drives, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and, since March 2026, Kidepo Valley.
Culture: Kasubi Tombs, the Baha’i temple and the Uganda National Mosque in Kampala.

Primates

Gorilla permits are the biggest expense. The standard fee for a foreign non-resident is about USD 800, dropping to about USD 600 in April, May and November when dates are fixed and payment is immediate. Permits are issued to licensed operators, cannot be refunded or transferred and are never sold at the gate. Trekkers must be at least 15. The rules at the forest edge are simple: stay 7 metres away, expect about an hour with the group and stay home if you are ill. Masks are recommended.

At Mgahinga, near Kisoro, you can add golden monkey tracking. At Kibale, near Fort Portal, chimpanzee permits cost about USD 250 (about USD 200 in the low months) and the minimum age is 12. Bwindi and Mgahinga sit by the Congo border, so armed escorts go with most groups, and tours that enter the Congo should be avoided.

Rivers and Lakes

Rafting runs from below the Bujagali dam to the Itanda rapids, which are graded IV to V. Bujagali Falls vanished under the reservoir, and most rapids downstream were flooded by a second dam at Isimba. Full-day Grade 5 trips with transfers and lunch are about USD 125 to 155 for ages 16 and over. Adrift also offers a bungee platform at Kangulumira.

On the water in the west and north:

Kazinga Channel cruise from Mweya, about 2 hours, about USD 30. Queen Elizabeth National Park lost two tourists and their driver to an attack in October 2023, so travel with a reputable operator and never drive at night.
Murchison Falls cruise from Paraa, about USD 30, to the foot of a 43-metre drop.

Skip swimming in Lake Victoria, the Nile and the Kazinga Channel. Bilharzia, hippos and crocodiles are the reasons.

Rhinos and Plains

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lets you follow southern white rhinos on foot, escorted by an armed ranger. Rhinos were reintroduced to Kidepo Valley in March 2026, but the programme is young, so sightings should not be expected. Kidepo and the Karamoja region see cattle raids and lie near the South Sudan border, so avoid night driving.

Kampala

Kasubi Tombs reopened to visitors in 2026. The Baha’i Mother Temple on Kikaaya Hill welcomes all faiths. The Uganda Museum is closed for renovation.

Before You Fly

Pay for fees in dollars or by card, and carry shillings (roughly 3,600 to 3,900 per dollar) for small items. Apply for your e-visa at visas.immigration.go.ug , bring your yellow fever certificate and check requirements for your nationality and routing. Uganda restricted the Congo border on 27 May 2026 and screens arrivals at Entebbe, because the outbreak in the Congo continues. Avoid roads after dark outside main towns.

See tour listings on GetYourGuide .