- +256-782195052
- book@budgetsafaristours.com
- 31 Ntinda II Road, Ntinda, Kampala
Our Uganda Budget Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tours are designed to combine thrilling gorilla treks, big game safaris, and authentic cultural encounters in a way that fits a moderate budget.
Picture yourself tracking mountain gorillas through misty Queen Elizabeth forest, watching elephants drink by the Kazinga Channel, and sharing meals with Batwa pygmies in Bwindi. With us, you enjoy these moments without strain on your wallet.
We offer a safari that feels personal, relaxed, and rooted in local culture. Whether you live in San Francisco, Paris, Nairobi, or Kampala, this safari is built to feel familiar yet transformative.
By choosing our services, you get to understand why Uganda is a dream destination, as we guide you regarding the best seasons to visit, insider tips to maximize value, the best wildlife and cultural spots, detailed safari and trekking activities, and answers to common questions.
Let’s start crafting your unforgettable journey in Uganda.
Mountain Gorillas Without a Luxury Price Tag
Gorilla trekking is often viewed as an exclusive experience but, we can change that perspective.
Our packages include Gorilla Permits, local guide services, and comfortable camps in Buhoma or Ruhija at affordable rates. Our locations are chosen for their proximity to gorilla habitats and community-supported lodges.
You will trek early with an experienced guide, learn to read the forest, and spend an hour with these gentle giants. That is a highlight most people treasure forever.
Big Game Sighting and Birdlife encounters.
Uganda is home to vibrant savannah parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. You do not need luxury lodges to see lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. Our affordable safari camps are just outside park boundaries to keep costs down. A shared 4×4 game drive or boat cruise introduces you to incredible wildlife at a price that fits most traveler budgets, but delivers unforgettable moments.
Exclusive Community Visits
Our tours include visits to Bantu, Batwa, and Acholi villages as you learn how coffee is handpicked, or colobus monkeys are protected. You may even join a honey hunt or learn traditional beadwork.
We work with local families so you directly support employment and cultural preservation. There is no tourist performance. These experiences reflect real life in Uganda’s rural communities.
Flexibility and Group Efficiency
We understand every traveler has a different dream—solo adventurers, families, honeymooners, student groups. That is why we offer flexible itineraries. A 5-day gorilla trek and safari or a 10-day full circuit including Lake Bunyonyi, Kibale chimp-trekking, and Semliki hot springs.
We include shared vehicles and small group sizes to keep costs down. You can extend your stay or swap activities to fit your schedule and budget.
June through September is the dry high season. Trails to gorilla families are firm and easier to hike. Savanna parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls offer optimal wildlife sightings and clear skies for boat cruises.
December to February is another great dry season. It is slightly warmer but still an excellent time for gorilla trekking. Many lodges offer discounted rates between the seasons.
March to May is the rainy season. Roads may get muddy and gorilla hike trails can be slippery. However, park entry fees drop slightly and the forest is lush and green. Birders love this time for rare migrant species.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This UNESCO site is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas. Villages like Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo offer modest lodges and community guesthouses. Trails start near your lodging, reducing travel time. Plus, your stay directly supports the local Batwa pygmy community.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the perfect complement to a gorilla trek. A day can include game drives through the Kasenyi plains and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where hippos and crocodiles gather. The side of the park like Kyambura Gorge invite chimp tracking, tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, and stunning scenery.
Murchison Falls National Park
This northern park offers boat rides under the powerful falls, game viewing in savannah woodlands, and adventurous hikes to the top of Murchison Falls. You stay in budget lodges near the park entrance without paying expensive park-centre rates.
Kibale Forest National Park
Best known for its chimpanzee tracking, Kibale is within easy driving distance from Bwindi. You have an option to combine trips letting you visit both gorillas and chimps in one affordable journey. Friendly guides share insight about forest ecology, and birdwatchers see turacos, hornbills, and sunbirds.
Lake Bunyonyi
This serene lake surrounded by hills is perfect for relaxation after trekking. It is ideal for canoeing, swimming, and meeting local pineapple growers. Budget-friendly boat tours let you explore the islands and learn how coffee and pineapple are grown on steep terraces.
Semliki National Park and Hot Springs
This less-visited park offers primates, birdlife, and hot springs for relaxation. You stay in community-run guesthouses and take a forest walk with a local guide. It is a tranquil experience without tourist crowds or high entry fees.
Gorilla Trekking
We wake early and drive through hilly roads to reach gorilla trails. You join a small group with your guide and trackers. Quietly, you follow the forest path. Then you hear a gorilla grunt. Through the trees, you see a silverback chewing bamboo. Your heart races. You spend one hour observing their calm behavior. Each family is different.
Some graze in open glades. Others rest with young infants clinging to their backs. We provide warm packed lunches so you can eat beside them. It is a lifetime moment at a budget you will remember with gratitude.
Chimp Tracking
In Kibale, chimps swing through the trees around you. You may see mothers teaching infants to forage. Tracks on muddy trails can alert us to where the group has gone. If chimps are shy, we stay patient. Bird calls and magic light through forest canopies fill the air. Bird lovers may spot green-breasted pitta or ruler’s weaver. Children often gape in wonder at these lively primates.
Game Drives and Boat Cruises
In Queen Elizabeth, a morning game drive may begin with a herd of Uganda kob grazing at dawn. You see elephants by waterholes and leopards dozing in trees. In the afternoon we cruise the Kazinga Channel. Hippos open their lips in the water. Crocodiles sun themselves on muddy banks. On the river shores, elephants wade and buffalo drink in long lines. The balance of water and land life leaves you in awe.
Guided Village Visits
We visit a Batwa community to learn about forest life. You might walk with them to their local gardens or brew banana beer. A local elder shares stories of forest spirits while showing how to weave baskets from local plants. You will laugh, learn, taste local food, and leave knowing you have supported their ways of life.
Community Conservation Work
In parks like Semliki or Queen Elizabeth we partner with community initiatives. You may plant a tree at a local school or learn about wildlife monitoring. These efforts protect water catchments and create income for families at risk. Your presence supports sustainable change.
Hot Springs Relaxation
After days of hiking and game drives, you will enjoy a dip in thermal hot springs near Semliki or Bunyonyi. It is a natural spa in the African hills. You soak in warm mineral waters, feel the breeze from the lake or forest, and release the journey’s tension. It is simple, healing, and affordable.
Birdwatching and Photography
Uganda’s varied habitats mean colorful birdlife is everywhere. We offer binoculars and field guides with no extra cost. You may spot African fish eagle hovering over lakes, or carmine bee-eaters diving by the Nile. Photographers will enjoy dramatic lighting, primate close-ups, and candid community scenes. Our guides help with framing shots and sharing their stories.
Nature Walks and Night Safaris
In Murchison Falls and Semliki, we offer guided nature walks and optional night drives. A night safari yields bush babies heading toward acacia trees or Genet cats exploring termite mounds. A nature walk through woodland reveals butterflies, chameleons, spiders, and forest mushrooms. These low-cost experiences give fresh perspective on Uganda’s biodiversity.
What exactly is included in a budget safari and gorilla trek?
Our packages include transportation in shared 4×4 game vehicles, gorilla and chimp permits, accommodation in 2 or 3 star-budget lodges or community guesthouses, all meals, national park entrance fees, and services of trained local guides.
You do not stay in luxury lodges or travel in private vehicles. You get everything that makes the trip magical without luxury markups.
How physically demanding is gorilla trekking?
Trekking can last 2 to 6 hours, depending on gorilla location and trail difficulty. Terrain can be steep and muddy. You should be reasonably fit, able to walk on uneven ground. We provide walking sticks and porters for assistance. At the top, the reward of a gorilla sighting makes the effort all worthwhile.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Yes. A park ranger and lead guide always accompany your group. Gorillas are habituated to human presence through careful protocols. You should maintain 7 meters distance, avoid sudden movements, and follow your guide’s instructions.
There have been no serious incidents. Trekking is regulated to protect both gorillas and guests.
Can I see big five animals?
Uganda has four of the big five. Big cats, elephants, buffalo, and rhino (in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary) are possible. Lion and leopard sightings happen often in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth. Rhino sightings require a short trip to Ziwa. Buffalo and elephant are nearly guaranteed on game drives or boat cruises.
How do I get to Uganda and the parks from outside?
You can fly into Entebbe International Airport. From there a shuttle bus or private transfer brings you to Kampala or directly to accommodation near parks. We include all inland transport in our packages.
A flight from Nairobi or Kigali to Entebbe takes under 2 hours. We can arrange your travel from any major gateway city.
What vaccinations or medication do I need?
You need yellow fever vaccination certificate. Routine vaccines like tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis A are recommended. Malaria medication is advised. We provide mosquito nets, clean drinking water, and health checks at lodges. We also keep first-aid kits in vehicles and lodges.
Can I bring my children?
Yes. Children over age 12 can trek. Younger kids can stay at lodge or explore nature trails. We work with families to create fun and safe experiences. Walking shorter trails, canoe rides, or village tours can keep children entertained and curious.
Do you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. We cater to vegetarians, vegans, halal, and gluten-free diets. Our chefs are flexible and experienced. Simply share your preferences before arrival. We take pride in serving meals that are both safe and delicious.
Can I travel solo?
Absolutely. Solo travelers join small mixed groups. We never charge a solo supplement when sharing a vehicle or lodge room. Our guests often say they make new friends and have meaningful conversations along the way.
Will I have communication and electricity?
Most lodges and camps have solar power lighting and charging stations. Limited Wi-Fi is available at some lodges. Cell phones usually get 2G or 3G coverage. Many guests prefer to switch off and fully enjoy the natural environment. We support both connection and disconnection.
We believe safari and gorilla trekking should inspire not only your imagination, but also real change in Africa. Uganda Budget Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tours gives you a journey that is exciting, respectful, and affordable.
You will trek among mountain gorillas, watch elephants drink at sunset, and engage with local families whose lives are intertwined with the land. You do all this without paying luxury prices. Every dollar you spend supports community education, health services, and wildlife conservation.
No matter where you are, we are ready to create your Uganda story, we are ready. We will craft your itinerary, answer questions, and support every step. With us, safari meets purpose and affordability.
You just need to say yes. Let us turn your dream into reality. Contact us today to start your Uganda adventure.
Not every safari must be expensive. Get in touch and let's start planning an unforgettable adventure at unbeatable safari costs
GET A QUOTE
+256 782 195 052 (UG)
+255 757 430 372 (TZ)
book@budgetsafaristours.com
Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda,
Msola Rd, Njiro, Arusha - Tanzania
Friendly Gorillas Safaris
Plot 14, Ring Road, Kulambiro,
Kampala.
Phone: (+256) 782 – 195-052
Email: book@budgetsafaristours.com
