Uganda is renowned it's incredible range of biodiversity, from the delicate rainforest canopies to the rocky, glacial Rwenzori mountains. Here we can delve into a lesser known paradise, along little trodden paths to visit untouched nature. These are once in a lifetime kind of trips, and we have extensions on offer to make the most of your time in Uganda.
How to get to Entebbe
All of our tours begin and end in Entebbe, which is just south of
Kampala, Uganda's capital. You will need to arrive into Entebbe
International Airport (EBB). KLM and Brussels Airlines fly to EBB from all of
the major UK airports. Flights tend to leave early in the morning, transferring
at Luchthaven Schiphol, Amsterdam’s main airport or Brussels, then Kigali
International airport, before arriving at EBB late that same evening. Emirates
also offer flights via Dubai. From the US, Delta offer flights with a
similar flight path to KLM, however arrive the next day. Emirates and Qatar
also offer flights, transferring in Dubai and Doha respectively.
We will arrange transport from the airport to your hotel at
any time, including the late evening or early morning. The transfer takes
approximately 40 minutes. As flights into Entebbe tend to arrive around 10pm in
the evening, we would recommend planning in an additional rest day after such a
long flight to recover and prepare yourself and your kit for the trip, rather
than heading out straight away the next morning.
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage
at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3
hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival,
travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time
taken to re-check baggage.
Travelling Responsibly
Here at Kandoo, we like to support our guests to make their
travel more sustainable. As of 2025, we are offsetting the carbon on all of our
trips from your arrival in destination to drop off at the airport. As we don't
include flight travel in our trips these aren't included in our offsetting
calculations, so we are providing you with the calculator below for you to do
this yourselves.
We have great selection of trips, ranging in difficulty from active Gorilla Trekking to one of our toughest challenges, summiting Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori mountains. Here we have outlined our trips and what they involve:
MOUNT STANLEY CLIMB & SAFARI | Over 16 days, experience the incredible highlights of Western Uganda; trekking amongst playful chimpanzees before reaching new heights amongst the aptly named 'Mountains of the Moon' and summitting a 5,000m peak on the equator! This trip culminates with 4 days spent immersing yourself where the savannah meets the rainforest in the national parks of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo.
GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA| Our 12-day trip immerses you in the abundance of wildlife that inhabit Western Uganda. Spending time in the well-known national parks of Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo, you will have the opportunity to view a whole host of incredible wildlife, from delicate birdlife to the gentle gorillas that roam across the forest floor; this trip really encapsulates the true heart of Africa.
SIPI FALLS & MOUNT ELGON| Spend a week rubbing shoulders with the locals and experiencing the real Africa, treading off the beaten track and exploring a unique area, lesser known to the wider world. Visit the roaring rapids at the source of the Nile, photograph the glistening torrent of Sipi Falls and summit the achievable peak of Mount Elgon on a 4 day full service, camping trek.
This a brief summary. Weather should be the first thing you think about when you decide when to trek. Uganda has two wet seasons, one between September and November and another from March to May.
During these periods there is a high probability of rain every day. Outside
these periods, from December to February, showers are still common but much less frequent and lighter fall. In June to August the weather is mainly dry and clear. We would recommend travelling during the dry seasons as there is less likelihood of flooding and muddy conditions in the Rwenzoris.
Training for your trek in Uganda
The trekking in the Alps fairly consistently involves steep ascents up to mountain passes, then steep descents down the other side. Poles are an essential for anyone who struggles with knee or hip pain. Our trekking routes don't require any technical equipment and are doable by anyone with trekking experience and a good mindset, however we would stress the importance of a training plan that involves ascent. Often the alpine passes will involve ascents of 1000m+ and you may be doing this over consecutive days which can create a tough challenge so you will need to be really fit when you arrive. We recommend getting out into your local mountains or hills and doing some long walks of 5-6 hours at the weekends to prepare. During the week having a solid exercise plan to build up your general fitness will really help with your enjoyment of the trip.
If you are embarking on one of our peak climbs then some experience of using technical equipment; ice axe and crampons, is highly recommended prior to the trip. For UK guests, mountain centres in the Cairngorms or Lake District offer winter skills courses that are the perfect introduction to winter climbing. If there aren't any of these centres near to you then some climbing walls in London, Glasgow and Manchester have indoor ice walls where you can hone in your skills.
All of our pre- and post- climb accommodation is based in Entebbe. Where your hotel basis is B&B, you can usually purchase snacks or meals at the hotel, which can be paid in Ugandan Shillings, or often in US Dollars. When you arrive at the hotel, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the layout and the procedures in the event of a fire, especially your escape routes and fire exits. Please be aware that Uganda is still a developing country and cut offs in both water and electricity supply still happen regularly. The hotel will help as far as they can, but these outages are outside their control.
On the treks in the Rwenzori and at Masaba Camp on Mount Elgon we will be staying in mountain huts. These are small, wooden cabins or A-frames housing between 4-16 people in dormitory-style beds. We provide mattresses and in some huts, blankets too, but you still need to bring a warm, sleeping bag. Rooms usually have solar powered lighting but no electrical sockets and your meals will be served in an indoor dining hut with a stove. Toilet facilities are primitive and consist of sheltered long drop toilets - these aren't necessarily a pleasant experience.
The huts on the Kilembe Trail in the Rwenzori are maintained and run by the Rwenzori Trekking Service (RTS). To use these facilities we have partnered with RTS for our trek. This ensures you get the benefit of the best maintained huts in the Rwenzori.
Whilst on safari, you will stay in comfortable safari lodges in spectacular locations. Rooms will be either double or twin with en-suite facilities and your stay will be on a full board basis.
Food in Uganda
When trekking you will be accompanied by a cook who will prepare all of your meals. Evening meals will always be made up of delicious Ugandan cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Expect to
sample local cuisine such as matoke, cassava, chicken and beef stews, fresh
fish and millet bread. We can provide vegetarian, and vegan meals on request. Please be aware that gluten free options aren't always available in Uganda so you may need to bring your own gluten free pasta or bread to add to your stew/meat. If you have special dietary requirements please let us know when booking your trip.
In Entebbe, at the start and end of your trip, you can purchase meals at the hotel or head out in to the city to find a restaurant. You will find restaurants offering both Ugandan and western alternatives. Beer is probably the most widely available alcoholic
drink across Uganda as well as the locally made fermented banana beer - Pombe.
On the treks we will boil mineral water for you to fill your bottles each morning and evening, however we suggest you bring a water purification system in case you need to refill your bottle from a natural spring during the day. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use
plastic bottles and there will be nowhere to purchase these during your time in the Rwenzori Mountains or Mount Elgon National Park.
Budget
The Ugandan Shilling is a closed currency so you will not be able to buy these at home before you arrive. It is advisable to travel with US Dollars, as these are widely accepted and can be easily exchanged. It is very important that US bills be new (no more than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. If you need to take out more local currency whilst in Entebbe then we can take you to an ATM or bank. If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it.
Please Note that not all hotels can accept card payments so you may need to use an ATM to access funds.
Tips
Tipping customs vary all over the world and can be very confusing when travelling to a new country. In Uganda tipping is always appreciated - it is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual. Tips are not a substitute for good wages: our guides are all well paid and well looked after. If you are pleased with the service your guides have provided and feel you have been well looked after, we would recommend the following tips for your trips (where applicable):
US $10-15 per person per day for your hiking team (this can be given to the Rwenzori trekking guide in an envelope at the end of the hike, who will split it between the support team)
US $5 per person day for the Kandoo guide and drivers
US $2-5 per person per day for Chimpanzee guides and rangers
