Uganda · 1-DAY TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 11 1-day tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Hike the three Sipi Falls with a private guide from Discover Sipi. Choose a short or longer route, then add coffee, caves, abseiling, sunset views, or local storytelling. Guides including William, Juma, Simon, Ezekiel, and Ian adjust the pace to suit your group.
“William was an incredible guide - clearly knows the routes like the back of his hand! Was an amazing experience to see so many angles of the sipi - would highly recommend!!”
Leave Kigali at 3:00 AM in a private 4x4 or safari van, cross into Uganda, and trek through Mgahinga National Park with an English-speaking guide and ranger. You get up to one hour with a gorilla family. Robert, Vincent, Hassan, Jefferson, and other team members have handled recent trips, though guide assignments can vary. The $450 tour price excludes the $800 gorilla permit.
“We booked the tour for the two of us and had to get into contact with the tour operator in regards to the permits for Uganda. This was all sorted in no time. The trip itself was amazing! We were picked up very early in the morning by Robert and taken to the border of Uganda. Robert supported us with immigration and then handed us over to Vincent who took us to the spot from where the gorilla trekking started. Apart from seeing the gorillas, the whole tour was organised perfectly and everybody worked together as a team. Thank you so much to Cosmos and his team, Erik and Bruce…”
Travel from Kampala to Jinja with guide Nasser, stopping at Namawojoro market, Ssezibwa Falls, tea and sugarcane fields, Mabira Rainforest, and the New Nile Bridge. A one-hour boat ride on Lake Victoria and the Nile, a buffet lunch, and a walk through Jinja’s markets round out a busy day.
“An excellent trip. Ondaba is a very professional company. They contacted me in advance, and I felt completely taken care of the entire time, especially in a city as difficult to navigate as Kampala. The guide I traveled with to Jinja was a very nice man, with a great sense of humor, and above all, he was extremely knowledgeable about Uganda and the places we visited during the trip. Even though I'm familiar with the history of this part of Africa, I learned many new things from him. I recommend him to everyone.”
Ride from Kampala to Kayabwe on a half-day visit to Uganda’s equator. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the route, lunch, water, and timing. At the equator line, you can take photos, watch water-flow experiments, learn about Uganda, and buy a stamped certificate. Guides named in guest feedback include Dan, Robert, Richard, and Daniel.
“Visiting the Uganda equator was a blast! Thanks to Dark Hills Uganda for organizing this and to our awesome driver Dan for making it even better!”
From Fort Portal, you’ll travel by private vehicle to Kibale Forest National Park for guided chimpanzee tracking. The permit is included, and you may see red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, forest elephants, and buffalo. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged.
“The tour operator was not straight forward with charges. Sent a message that the permit cost had gone up and wanted additional funds. I was prepared to pay this. When I reached there he had a higher quote than previously mentioned that had to be payed before we could start the trip”
You leave Kigali around 2:00 AM for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, cross into Uganda, attend a ranger briefing, and trek through thick forest in search of a gorilla family. The gorilla permit costs $800 separately. Expect an English-speaking guide, lunch after the trek, and a late return to Kigali.
“We had a great time gorilla trekking! What an amazing experience of a lifetime.”
Leave Kampala at 6:30am for Lake Mburo National Park with a private guide such as Fred, Sam, Samuel, or Ismael. Your day combines a game drive, two-hour boat safari, and guided walk, with zebra, impala, hippo, crocodile, buffalo, eland, birds, and Ankole cattle along the way.
“This is was my first Safari experience and must say it was amazing! Sam, the tour guide, was super friendly and we talk all the way there. The communication and the service were exceptional. They answered all my questions very fast and clarifyRead more”
Start at Victoria Mall with an English-speaking guide such as Amos, Aggy, or Agnes. Walk through Entebbe’s markets, sample a Rolex, visit the botanical garden, see historic sites, stop at Nambi’s lakeside fish market, taste Ugandan coffee at extra cost, and shop for crafts. The day ends at Victoria Mall or your hotel.
“The Entebbe town walk was a success. Amos is a happy and adventurous guy. I liked the botanical garden the most. Moreover, I learned a lot about facts from the city's history and more. Unfortunately we were not at the Chipanzee Trust which was on the programme. That's why I give it 4/5 stars.”
Leave Lake Bunyonyi at 5:00 am for a private drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After a senior Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger briefing, hike through the forest to find a gorilla family and spend one hour watching them. Aron may arrange the trip, with guides such as Martin and Francois involved in past departures.
“Asked for a last minute safari one my way. I chose the good one tour operator ! A wonderful day in Mgahinga National Park with gorillas, in this so magical area of Uganda.”
Meet your English-speaking guide in Entebbe, reach Nakiwogo Landing Site by 7 am, then take a boat and smaller canoe through Mabamba Swamp. You will search for the shoebill stork while watching papyrus wetland birds. Guides such as Agnes, Barbie, and Amos provide bird facts and help position the canoe for better views.
“Super skøn tur, så træskonæb storken, samt mange andre fugle alt i et stille tempo i kano og tæt på naturen. Guiden fortalte mange spændende ting”
Start with an 8:00 am pickup in Entebbe and travel to Mabamba Swamp for about five hours on the water. Your private group searches papyrus channels for the rare shoebill, while guides point out wetland birds and explain this protected Ramsar site. Musah is one guide associated with the shoebill trips.
“Great experience. Beautiful swamps and amazing bird life. A half day boat trip through the swamps, guided by experts with knowledge, enthusiasm and a willingness to give us the best possible experience”
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