Treks can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorilla family is located that day. The terrain in Bwindi is steep and often muddy. Good hiking boots, long trousers and a moderate level of fitness are required. A porter can be hired at the trailhead — I always recommend one.

As of 2025/2026, Uganda visas must be applied for exclusively online before travel — through the official Uganda e-Visa portal. Visas on arrival are no longer available. I recommend applying at least 2 weeks before departure. I can guide you through the process.

Uganda is considered one of the safer destinations in East Africa for solo female travellers, particularly in the main national parks and tourist areas. Kampala requires the same city awareness as any major city. I always accompany or coordinate trusted local guides for every part of the journey.

Uganda can be visited year-round thanks to its equatorial climate. The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer easier trekking conditions and better wildlife viewing. Gorilla permits are available all year. I help you choose the right timing based on your priorities and budget.

Tap water in Uganda is not recommended for drinking or brushing teeth. All lodges provide bottled or filtered water. I always ensure accommodation on your itinerary has safe drinking water readily available — including in remote areas like Kidepo Valley.

Mabamba Swamp, located just west of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria, is widely considered the best place in the world to find the Shoebill in its natural habitat. A guided canoe trip through the papyrus wetland gives you the best chance of a close sighting — I include this on most itineraries that pass through Entebbe.

Kidepo Valley is Uganda's most remote national park — and for those who make the journey, it is often the highlight of the entire trip. National Geographic has ranked it among Africa's finest parks. You will find cheetahs, Rothschild's giraffe, vast buffalo herds and an almost total absence of other tourists. The distance is part of what makes it extraordinary.

Yes — and Uganda is the only country in the world where this is possible in a single itinerary. Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the southwest, while chimpanzee tracking is best experienced in Kibale Forest, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. Both can be combined comfortably in 8 days or more.