Uganda safari services: permits, planning and every transfer in between
From booking your gorilla trekking permit and reserving chimpanzee permits to planning routes, lodges and airport transfers, Uganda Wildlife Tours handles the arrangements so you can focus on the wildlife. We are a Kampala-based, UTB-licensed tour operator.
Core service
Your Uganda gorilla permit, booked for the right date and sector.
Mountain gorilla trekking is limited to a small number of permits each day, and a permit is issued for a named person, a specific date and a specific location. We book your Uganda gorilla trekking permit with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and match it to your lodge and route, so your trek fits your trip instead of the other way around.
- Bwindi and Mgahinga. Permits for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Sector planning. Bwindi permits are issued for a specific sector, so we choose the sector with your lodge and drive time in mind.
- Rwanda permits too. We also arrange Rwanda gorilla permits (Rwanda Development Board) for combined trips.
- Habituation experience. Ask us about the longer gorilla habituation experience if you want more time with a family.
- Clear paperwork. We ask for your names exactly as on your passports, because permits are issued in those names.
New to permits? Our guide to booking a Uganda gorilla permit explains how the process works.
Core service
Chimpanzee tracking permits, reserved and matched to your route.
Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. Tracking is done with rangers on foot, and permits are issued through the Uganda Wildlife Authority for a named person, a date and a site. We reserve your chimpanzee permit and fit it into your itinerary, usually alongside gorillas or game drives.
- Kibale Forest. Chimpanzee tracking permits for Kibale Forest National Park, one of the most popular chimpanzee-tracking forests in Uganda. See our Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari.
- Other tracking sites. We can also reserve permits for other chimpanzee sites that suit your route, such as Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Habituation experience. Ask us about the longer chimpanzee habituation experience where it is offered.
- Gorilla and chimp combined. Our 4 days gorilla and chimpanzee tour pairs two great apes in one compact itinerary.
- Age and fitness. We confirm the minimum age and what the trek involves for everyone in your group before we reserve.
One team for the whole trip.
Permits are only part of a safari. These are the other services we plan and manage, either as part of a full itinerary or tailored to what you need.
Tailor-made safari planning
A route, pace and itinerary built around your dates, budget and interests, from a one-day gorilla trek to multi-week circuits. Browse our short safaris or long safaris as a starting point.
Plan my safari
Airport transfers and driver-guides
Pickup from Entebbe airport and a driver-guide who knows the roads, parks and wildlife, with comfortable transport between destinations.
Ask about transfers
Accommodation booking
Lodges, camps and guesthouses chosen to match your budget and your permit location, from budget stays to comfortable lodges near the forest or savannah.
Discuss accommodation
Rwanda and Uganda combinations
One trip across two countries, with permits, border logistics and transfers arranged. See our Rwanda and Uganda safaris.
View combined safaris
Game drives, boat cruises and adventure
Game drives and boat cruises in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, plus Jinja adventure activities, balloon safaris and rhino tracking at Ziwa.
Add activities
Cultural experiences
Batwa cultural encounters near Bwindi and other community visits, added to your safari to give wildlife days a human side. See the 2 days Uganda gorilla safari.
Add a cultural visit
Self-drive safari support
Route planning and permit arrangements for independent travelers. See our 10 days Uganda self-drive safari.
View self-drive safari
Group and private safaris
Private trips for couples and families, and trips for small groups, planned with your group size and age mix in mind.
Plan a group trip
Pre-trip support
Advice on what to pack, which documents you need and how to prepare for your trek, and a team you can reach on WhatsApp before and during your trip. Read what to expect on a safari in Uganda.
Message usFrom your first message to a confirmed permit.
The same four steps apply whether you want a gorilla permit, a chimpanzee permit or both inside a full safari.
Tell us your dates
Send your preferred dates (and any flexibility), group size and which permits you want.
We check availability
We check permit availability with the authorities and suggest the best sector or site for your route and lodge.
Confirm and send details
You approve the quote and send traveler details exactly as on your passports so permits are issued correctly.
Permits secured, trip finalised
We secure the permits, confirm lodging and transport and send your final itinerary and briefing.
What we need from you
- Full names exactly as on each passport
- Preferred dates and any flexibility
- Number of travelers and their ages
- Any health, mobility or dietary needs
Good to know
- Dates sell out. Peak months fill early, so plan permits well ahead.
- Authority rules apply. Changes and refunds follow UWA and RDB rules; see our terms.
- Prices change. Permit fees are set by the authorities, and we confirm the current rate in your quote.
Local expertise, clear arrangements.
Kampala-based team
You deal with a local team that knows the parks and the permit system, reachable on WhatsApp.
Licensed operator
Afrik-Trek Holidays Ltd holds Uganda Tourism Board license UTB/RTT/TO/2024/100950. Details are on our About Us page.
Flexible itineraries
Every trip is planned around you, not around a fixed template, with room to adjust dates and pace.
Written quotes
Your quote lists what is included and what is not, so you can compare it with any other offer.
Real traveler reviews
Read our reviews on TripAdvisor, where travelers name the guides who looked after them.
Not sure who to trust?
Our guide to selecting a reliable Ugandan tour operator lists what to check before you pay anyone.
Questions about permits and bookings.
Yes. We book Uganda gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority for Bwindi and Mgahinga, matched to your dates and route, and we also arrange Rwanda gorilla permits for combined trips. Send us your preferred dates and we will check availability.
Yes. We reserve chimpanzee permits for Kibale Forest National Park and can arrange other tracking sites that fit your route. Chimpanzee tracking pairs well with gorilla trekking, as in our 4 days gorilla and chimpanzee tour.
Permits need to fit lodging and transport, so we usually arrange them as part of a safari. If you only need help with a permit, contact us and we will tell you what is possible for your dates.
Book as early as you can, ideally three to six months ahead for peak travel, because daily permit numbers are limited and popular dates sell out.
Each traveler’s full name exactly as on the passport, your preferred dates, group size and any health or mobility needs. We will tell you the safest way to send any documents.
Permit changes and refunds depend on the rules of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board at the time, and many permits are non-refundable or only partly refundable. We explain what applies when we quote. See our terms and conditions.
Yes. We arrange Entebbe airport pickup, a driver-guide, transport between parks and accommodation to suit your budget and permit location.
Tell us your dates, and we will check your permits.
Share when you want to travel, how many people are coming and which permits you want. Our Kampala team replies with availability and a clear written quote, usually the same day.
Prefer email? Write to ugandawildlifetours12@gmail.com. Office hours: Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (East Africa Time). Your details are handled as described in our Privacy Policy.