Uganda Day Trips
1 Day Trips In Uganda From Kampala
Uganda is one of Africa’s most ecologically diverse safari destinations, known for its extraordinary biodiversity.
Here, ancient rainforests shelter mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, vast savannahs are patrolled by the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—while tropical rivers and lakes teem with hippos and crocodiles. Bird lovers will be thrilled by Uganda’s staggering 1,080 recorded species, making it Africa’s premier birding destination.
Of course, a single day is not enough to experience all that Uganda has to offer. But for travelers with limited time, there is still plenty of adventure within easy reach of Kampala and Entebbe.
Whether you want to track rhinos on foot, raft the legendary Nile River, visit a chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria, or search for the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork in Mabamba Swamp, Uganda delivers unforgettable experiences—even in just one day.
Best Uganda Day Trips
Uganda Day Trips FAQs
Which Uganda day trips are available from Kampala or Entebbe?
From Kampala or nearby Entebbe, travelers can enjoy several exciting day trips, each offering a unique taste of Uganda. Bird lovers often choose Mabamba Swamp, a wetland on the edge of Lake Victoria where local guides paddle visitors through the reeds in dugout canoes.
This is one of the best places in Africa to spot the rare shoebill stork, along with other special birds such as the African pygmy goose, blue-breasted bee-eater, and papyrus gonolek.
For those seeking adventure, white-water rafting on the Nile near Jinja is an unforgettable experience. This section of the river is famous for its Grade 5 rapids, providing a thrilling ride just a short distance from where the Nile flows out of Lake Victoria.
Wildlife enthusiasts often head north of Kampala to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, where visitors can track white rhinos on foot and learn more about efforts to protect these endangered giants.
Another memorable option is a boat ride across Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island, home to a highly respected chimpanzee sanctuary that has cared for orphaned chimps since 1998.
Whether your passion is birds, wildlife, adventure, or conservation, these Uganda day trips let you enjoy some of Uganda’s highlights in just one day.
Can I book a gorilla trekking day trip in Uganda?
In principle, yes—you can arrange a gorilla trek as a one-day trip once you are in Uganda.
In reality, however, there are some challenges. The first is availability. Gorilla trekking requires a permit, and these are limited in number. During the busy season from June to September, permits often sell out well in advance. If no permits are available on your preferred date, you won’t be able to go.
The second challenge is distance. Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the only places where gorilla trekking takes place in Uganda, are at least a 10-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe. Because of this, the shortest practical gorilla safari starting and ending in these cities is usually three days and two nights.
That said, there are options if you can travel closer to the gorilla parks in advance. From the towns of Kabale or Kisoro, you can join a one-day trek in Bwindi. Similarly, from Kisoro, which lies very close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, it’s possible to do a one-day trek into the forest to see the gorillas.
In short, while a gorilla trekking day trip isn’t realistic from Kampala or Entebbe, it is possible if you’re already staying near Kabale or Kisoro.
Is a One-day safari in Lake Mburo National Park worth it?
That really depends on where your trip begins. Lake Mburo National Park is the closest true safari destination to both Kampala and Entebbe, lying about 4 to 5 hours’ drive to the southwest.
If you stay at one of the lodges near the park, a full day inside is definitely worthwhile. With a combination of game drives and a boat trip, you can expect to see an impressive range of wildlife, including buffalo, hippos, giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, bushbucks, and defassa waterbucks, along with a rich variety of birdlife.
However, if you plan to start and end the safari in Kampala or Entebbe on the same day, the experience is far less rewarding.
The round trip alone can take more than ten hours, leaving only a short window for game viewing—right in the middle of the day, when animals are least active, the sun is hottest, and the light is harsh for photography.
In this case, you’ll spend much more time on the road than actually enjoying the park.
All things considered, a one-day safari to Lake Mburo makes sense only if you are already staying nearby. If you’re coming from Kampala or Entebbe, it’s far better to plan at least one night close to the park so you can enjoy the wildlife at its best in the early morning and late afternoon.
How much does a 1-day Uganda safari cost?
The cost of a 1-day safari in Uganda varies widely depending on the destination.
The most expensive option is gorilla trekking, available as a day trip only from the southwestern towns of Kabale or Kisoro. This experience typically costs between US$1,000 and US$1,200 per person, with most of the expense coming from the US$800 gorilla trekking permit.
Other popular day trips from Kampala or Entebbe—such as birdwatching in Mabamba Swamp, rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or white-water rafting on the Nile—are far more affordable.
Prices for these usually range from US$120 to US$400 per person, depending on the activity and level of comfort. Costs are often lower if you travel in a group, since transportation expenses can be shared.
In short, gorilla trekking is a premium adventure, while most other Uganda day safaris are budget-friendlier and can be tailored to different interests and price ranges.
What is included in a 1-day Uganda Tour?
Most 1-day safaris in Uganda are offered as all-inclusive packages.
Typically, the price covers transportation, the services of a driver and/or professional guide, and all park entrance fees or activity charges. Lunch, snacks, and drinking water are also usually provided.
What’s not included are alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and other personal expenses. In addition, you can tip your guide and driver if you want, as tips form an important part of their income.
In short, a well-organized 1-day Uganda trip takes care of the essentials, leaving you free to focus on enjoying the experience.
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