Find the best Uganda safari companies for gorilla trekking, wildlife tours, and adventure trips. Compare trusted tour operators in Entebbe, Kampala, and Jinja, and learn how to choose the right one for your budget and travel needs.
Uganda tour operators play an important role in making your holiday a success. You need to choose a company with a good reputation that you can trust for your trip.
There are many companies in Uganda, both small and big. The company you choose matters a lot.
Now, let’s look at some of the tours and travel companies in Uganda that we recommend for booking your Uganda safaris.
Best Uganda Tour Operators & Safari Companies
- Magical Gorilla Adventures
- Gorilla Hurly Burly Ltd
- Great Lakes Safaris
- The Uganda Safari Company
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Wild Frontiers Uganda Ltd
- Volcanoes Safaris
- African Gorilla Tours
- Gorilla Riddles
- Uganda Safaris Adventure
Over the years, we have seen tours and safari companies in Uganda focus on what they offer. Some offer all kinds of safaris, while others focus on specific areas.
If you want to book a gorilla tour, we advise you to consider gorilla trekking companies instead as they focus on gorilla trips.
If you are interested in chimpanzee trekking, you can look at dedicated chimpanzee trekking companies. It is important to choose Uganda safari operators who focus on what you want so you get good service.
If you plan to combine multiple East African countries, some of these travel agents can help you as well.
Now let’s look at some factors to consider when choosing a tour and travel company in Uganda.
First, you should consider average companies even if they have few years of experience or few reviews, especially if you are booking online. This can help you get a comfortable safari at a fair price and the service you pay for.
Forget about big companies. They are expensive and do not always offer the best service for budget and standard trips. Small and average companies can be a better option. Here is why.
Employees of Big Companies Have Started Small Companies
Many workers from top Uganda tour operators leave to start their own companies and do the same work. They use the same guides, places to stay, and ways to plan trips, often at lower prices.
Booking with them can give you a comfortable safari and fair prices. But not all new companies have experience, and some have no reviews, making it hard to know who to trust.
Some websites are fake. Many travelers use referrals to find good companies. You do not always need to book with the biggest operators.
This article will help you choose a good company for your trip.
Responsiveness
It is frustrating to wait long for a reply from a Uganda tour company. Good safari companies should reply to emails quickly, even outside working hours, because tourism is a 24/7 business.
Fast replies show good service and help you feel safe when booking your trip. When you contact about five companies for quotes, choose the ones that respond quickly. This helps you get clear answers and plan a good trip.
Avoid companies that reply slowly, as they may not handle your needs well. It is best to narrow down to three companies, then choose one to plan your trip with.
Pricing Matters
Price is very important when booking a Uganda safari. Do not pay more than you can afford or too much for few activities. A good package should match its value, not too cheap or too expensive.
Many scammers offer cheap deals, so be careful. Package price depends on the trip length, number of people, accommodation, vehicle, activities, and distances.
Do not choose a package only because it is cheap. Check if it has many activities. It is better to book a package with more activities, even if it costs more, so you can enjoy your time in Uganda and avoid missing experiences.
What Travel Activities Are Being Offered?
Uganda has 10 national parks, including Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Mburo, Kidepo, Semuliki, Rwenzori, Mgahinga, and Mount Elgon.
Each park has different activities, and it is best to visit parks close to each other if you have few days. Most top parks are in western Uganda, while Kidepo in the north is good for wildlife but needs a long drive.
Uganda is great for gorilla trekking, with many gorillas, permits, and lodges. However, do not visit only for gorillas.
Choose a package with many activities to enjoy your safari in Uganda fully.
Routing is Everything
Many clients book safari packages without checking routes and driving times. This can ruin your trip, as you may spend too much time traveling and have less time for activities.
Always check travel times and activities in your package. Avoid adding far places like Kidepo or Murchison Falls with Bwindi in one trip unless you use flights, which are more comfortable.
It is better to combine Bwindi with nearby parks like Queen Elizabeth. Some companies sell poorly planned packages to get paid.
Choose operators who give good routing advice. Google Maps can help but roads in Uganda can be slow.
What Do TripAdvisor Reviews and Social Media Say About the Tour Operator?
TripAdvisor is the main review site for Uganda tourism. It helps you check reviews about Uganda tour operators. Social media like Facebook also helps, as you can see replies, posts, and followers to know if a company is serious.
Reviews are important, but remember every company started with zero reviews. If a company has few reviews but you like their package, ask for their trading documents. Also, a few reviews can be enough if they are genuine.
Some bad reviews are normal if most reviews are good. If you like a package, check the reviews well before you book your safari.
Accommodation Offered
Where you sleep during your Uganda safari is important. Choosing poor lodges can ruin your trip. Some clients pick cheap lodges and regret it later because of bad service, broken sinks, or no water heaters.
Some lodges use generators that run out at night, leaving you in the dark. Uganda has good and affordable mid-range lodges, so it is better to choose comfort.
Trust your tour operator to pick good lodges within your budget. Do not trust online photos alone, as they can be edited. Read lodge reviews to help you choose.
Good accommodation and a comfortable car will make your trip better.
Good Tour Operators Stick to Their Proposal
Bargaining too much for a lower price on a Uganda safari is not a good idea. If a package is good, within the normal price range, and you like it, book it without pushing for big discounts.
Some operators who give very low prices may use your payment for other things and change your package at the last minute. This can ruin your trip.
Tour companies need to make a fair profit to run your safari well.
If you want a comfortable and well-planned safari, trust a fairly priced package. Not all cheap deals are good, and some bring problems.
Modes of Payment Supported by Uganda Safari Companies
The main payment methods for Uganda safaris are bank transfers, credit cards through Pesapal and XpressPay, and rarely PayPal. Wire transfers are the cheapest and take 2 to 5 days.
Add a transfer fee to your deposit to cover intermediary bank charges, as they take a small fee. Credit cards are secure and easy but cost 3.5% to 5% in fees, so they are best for payments under $10,000.
PayPal is not supported in Uganda, and only a few foreign-owned operators use it. Do not pay using cryptocurrency, Skrill, or PerfectMoney, as no real Uganda tour operators use these methods.
Only Book with Local Tour Operators
Booking with local tour operators in Uganda will save you money. International travel agencies act as middlemen, so you pay more because both them and the local operator need profit.
Foreign agencies have local agents and offer well-organized but expensive trips, often called luxury tours. Booking directly with a local operator is cheaper.
Search online, list local operators, and contact them to save money, but be careful to avoid fake operators. This guide helps you choose the best company for your Uganda safari.
If you need help checking any tour company in Kampala or Entebbe, you can ask for advice.
Wrapping Up
Finding good Uganda safari operators online is now easy. In the past, it was hard because there were few review sites, no social media, and few operators online.
Now, you can find and book with good Uganda safari companies in minutes. The listed companies in this article are professional, real, and will give you good service.
If you need help or more information about using any of these tour operators for your Uganda safari, you can email for guidance.
You can also check the list of recommended Uganda tour operators shared.