Destination · East Africa
Uganda fam trips for travel agents and hosts
A Uganda fam trip introduces travel agents to gorillas, forest trails and classic safari. Use this guide to discuss a focused itinerary with a host, compare the experiences on offer and clarify what is included. Actual dates, availability and hosted arrangements depend on the individual programme.
Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash
Which places in Uganda should travel professionals know?
Key parks, reserves, cities and coastlines in Uganda, with when to go and how guests usually get there. Each links to Google Maps.
National parkBwindi Impenetrable National Park
South-western Uganda, Uganda
A forested World Heritage Site on the edge of the Albertine Rift that UNESCO says holds almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking runs from four sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, and needs a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, booked separately from accommodation.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkQueen Elizabeth National Park
Western Uganda, Uganda
A 1,978 km² park straddling the equator, founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park. Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel pass hippos, buffaloes and elephants, and the southern Ishasha sector is known for lions that rest in fig trees.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Alvinategyeka, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkMurchison Falls National Park
North-western Uganda, Uganda
Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area at 3,840 km², where the Victoria Nile is forced through an 8 m gorge and drops 45 m. Boat trips on the Nile run towards the base of the falls, and game drives cover the park’s savannah.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Jedesto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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National parkKibale National Park
Western Uganda, near Fort Portal, Uganda
A rainforest park with 13 primate species, where the Kanyanchu chimpanzee community has been habituated to people since 1993. Chimpanzee trekking here needs a Uganda Wildlife Authority permit and is often combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkLake Mburo National Park
Kiruhura District, south-western Uganda, Uganda
A 370 km² savannah park close to the Kampala–Mbarara highway and Uganda’s only home of impala, with zebras, elands, more than 315 bird species, boat trips and guided walks.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Alvinategyeka, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkKidepo Valley National Park
Karamoja, north-eastern Uganda, Uganda
Uganda’s most remote national park, 1,442 km² of semi-arid valleys and mountains in Karamoja on the border with South Sudan and close to Kenya, about 700 km from Kampala. It was gazetted in 1962.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Kateregga1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CityKampala
Central Uganda, Uganda
Uganda’s capital, around 40 km north of Entebbe International Airport on Lake Victoria. Domestic flights to the parks leave from Entebbe and from Kajjansi airfield between the two.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Andrew Regan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TownJinja
Eastern Uganda, Uganda
A town on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, where the Victoria Nile leaves the lake at the point marked as the source of the Nile; short boat trips run to the source.
Open in Google Maps ↗
How should a Uganda fam itinerary be planned?
Build the itinerary around confirmed primate activities, then choose a manageable safari extension. Ask the host to explain the difference between a lodge inspection and a confirmed trekking place.
Confirm trekking permits separately from accommodation. Ask about terrain, walking expectations, porter arrangements and transfer time between each stop.
What should agents confirm with the host?
Ask for a written itinerary and inclusions list before accepting. A hosted stay does not automatically include transport or every experience.
- Accommodation, meals and the activities included at each stop.
- International and domestic travel, transfers, fees and any permits.
- Personal costs, cancellation terms and the expected follow-up after the trip.
- Current entry requirements for your passport, travel advice and suitable insurance for the planned activities.
When is the best time to visit Uganda?
The drier months of December to February and June to August are generally the best time to visit Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and game drives, although trekking runs all year.
General pattern only; it varies by region and from year to year.
| Months | Season | What agents see |
|---|---|---|
| December to February | Main dry season | Drier across most of the country, though showers are still possible |
| March to May | First rainy season | The first of two main rainy seasons over most of the country |
| June to August | Mid-year dry season | Normally dry in the south-west, centre and Lake Victoria basin; rain continues in the north |
| September to November | Second rainy season | Rains return over most of the country, easing towards December |
What do travellers to Uganda need to know?
- Capital
- Kampala
- Currency
- Ugandan shilling UGX
- Official languages
- English, Swahili
- Time zone
- East Africa Time UTC+3
- Dialling code
- +256
- Driving
- On the left
Plugs and power
Plug type G. Mains supply 240 V, 50 Hz. Bring a plug adapter for these types; check whether devices also need a voltage converter.
International gateways
- EBB Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe
Entry
Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, applied for online before travel through the official immigration portal. Rules differ by nationality and do change, so check the current requirements for each passport before booking.
Health
Under the International Health Regulations, Uganda requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate from all travellers aged one year or over, and TravelHealthPro lists a high malaria risk throughout the country. Check vaccinations and malaria prevention with a travel health professional well before travel.
Checked against the sources below. Rules change: confirm entry and health requirements before travel.
Questions travel agents and hosts ask
Are Uganda fam trips always free?
No. The invitation determines which costs are hosted and which are paid by the agent. Confirm flights, transfers, permits, activities and personal expenses before accepting.
Where can travel agents find Uganda fam trips?
Hosts list fam trips on RepBud, where travel agents can join RepBuddies free. Availability varies by destination and market; a country guide is not a promise of a current departure.
When is the best time to visit Uganda?
The drier months of December to February and June to August are generally the best time to visit Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and game drives, although trekking runs all year.
What plugs are used in Uganda?
Uganda uses type G plugs. The mains supply is 240 V, 50 Hz.
What currency is used in Uganda, and what time zone is it in?
Uganda uses the Ugandan shilling (UGX) and is on East Africa Time, UTC+3.
Explore the destination
Destination references for this guide. Confirm current arrangements with your host.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority
- UK FCDO: Uganda entry requirements
- Uganda e-visa (official)
- TravelHealthPro: Uganda
- IEC World Plugs (retired by the IEC in 2026; archived copy, January 2026)
- ISO 4217 currency code list (SIX, maintenance agency)
- Constitution of Uganda 1995, Article 6 (official language)
- Uganda National Meteorological Authority: June–August seasonal rainfall outlook (2021)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park