A Christmas safari in Uganda swaps snow and shopping malls for misty rainforest, mountain gorillas and warm African sunshine. December is one of the driest and most beautiful months of the year here, and it falls right in the middle of Uganda's best safari season.
This guide is written for travellers from the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe who want to spend the holidays somewhere unforgettable. It covers the weather, flights, permits, festive lodge rates, a sample Christmas itinerary and our most popular packages, so you can plan with confidence.
Christmas Safari in Uganda: Quick Facts
- Season: dry season, December to February
- Weather: about 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F) on the savannah, cooler in the gorilla forests
- Gorilla permit: US$800 per person, limited to 8 visitors per gorilla family per day
- Safaris from: US$1,265 per person for 3 days, including park fees
- Book by: 3 to 6 months ahead for 20 December to 2 January
In this guide: Why go · December weather · Gorilla permits · Flights and visas · Festive lodges · Sample itinerary · Christmas packages
Why Take a Christmas Safari in Uganda?
Most people spend the holidays at home, doing the same things every year. A Christmas safari in Uganda gives you a holiday you will talk about for the rest of your life, and it is easier to arrange than most travellers think.
- The weather is on your side. December sits at the start of Uganda's long dry season, which runs to February. Forest trails are firmer, roads are easier and game viewing is excellent.
- It is warm when home is cold. While North America and Europe are in mid-winter, daytime temperatures on the savannah reach about 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F).
- You can trek gorillas on Christmas Day. Gorilla treks run every day of the year, and very few people at home can say they spent 25 December with a family of mountain gorillas.
- Uganda celebrates Christmas warmly. It is a largely Christian country, so you will hear church choirs, see festive decorations in lodges and towns, and feel genuinely welcome.
- Everything is in one compact country. Gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, the Nile and crater lakes all fit into one or two weeks, which suits a holiday break.
There is even a gorilla family called the Christmas group, one of the habituated families tracked from the Nkuringo area of southern Bwindi. Our guide to the Bwindi gorilla sectors explains where each family lives.
Uganda Weather in December
December is one of the most comfortable months for a Christmas safari in Uganda. The short rains of October and November have usually passed, the hills are still green, and the dust of the later dry season has not yet arrived.
| Area | Daytime | Night | What to expect in December |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bwindi and Mgahinga (gorillas) | About 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) | About 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F) | Cool mornings, possible light showers, muddy patches on steep trails |
| Kibale Forest (chimpanzees) | About 23 to 27°C (73 to 81°F) | About 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F) | Mostly dry, humid under the forest canopy |
| Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls (savannah) | About 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F) | About 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F) | Sunny and dry, animals gather near water |
| Entebbe and Kampala | About 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) | About 17 to 18°C (63 to 64°F) | Warm, with the odd afternoon shower over Lake Victoria |
Rain in the rainforest is never impossible, because Bwindi is a rainforest. Pack a light rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots and gardening gloves for gripping vegetation, as listed in our Uganda safari packing list. Dry trails and green hills are exactly what make December such a good month for a Christmas safari in Uganda. For a full month-by-month picture, see our guides to the best time to visit Uganda for safari and the best time to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking.
How Christmas Is Celebrated in Uganda
Christmas is the biggest family holiday of the year in Uganda. Many people working in Kampala travel "upcountry" to their home villages in the days before 25 December, so the capital becomes noticeably quieter over the holidays.
On Christmas morning, churches fill early with joyful singing and drumming, and visitors are always welcome to join a service. For many of our guests, it becomes a highlight of their Christmas safari in Uganda. The rest of the day is about food and family: matooke (steamed green bananas), luwombo stew cooked in banana leaves, roast chicken or goat, pilau rice and plenty of soda.
Boxing Day on 26 December is also a public holiday. On New Year's Eve, many Ugandans attend overnight "crossover" church services, and fireworks light up the sky over Kampala at midnight.
At safari lodges, the mood is festive but relaxed. On a Christmas safari in Uganda, expect decorated dining rooms, a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner, and often traditional dancers or a bonfire under the stars.
Booking Gorilla Permits for a Christmas Safari in Uganda
The gorilla permit is the one thing you must secure first. December to February is peak season, and each gorilla family can only be visited by eight people a day, so permits for the Christmas and New Year weeks often sell out months ahead.
| Permit (foreign non-resident, per person) | Price |
|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking, Bwindi or Mgahinga | US$800 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experience, Rushaga | US$1,500 until 31 Dec 2026; US$1,800 from 1 Jan 2027 |
| Chimpanzee trekking, Kibale Forest | US$250 until 31 Dec 2026; US$300 from 1 Jan 2027 |
| Chimpanzee trekking, Kyambura Gorge | US$100 until 31 Dec 2026; US$200 from 1 Jan 2027 |
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Trekkers must be at least 15 years old, so families with younger children should read our guide to gorilla trekking with children. Gorilla permits are non-refundable once bought, but can be rescheduled once if you change at least 30 days before the trekking date.
For a Christmas safari in Uganda, we recommend booking your permit three to six months ahead, and as early as possible for 24 to 26 December and 31 December to 1 January. Our full guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda explains the booking rules in detail.
Want to trek gorillas over Christmas?
Send us your dates and group size. We will check gorilla permit availability for the festive weeks across Bwindi and Mgahinga, free of charge.
Getting to Uganda From the USA, Canada and Europe
All international flights land at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 40 minutes from Entebbe town and one to two hours from Kampala. There are no non-stop flights from North America, so travellers from the USA and Canada connect once in Europe, the Middle East or Africa.
| Flying from | Main routes to Entebbe |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Non-stop with Uganda Airlines from London Gatwick, or one stop via Brussels, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Addis Ababa |
| Mainland Europe | Non-stop with Brussels Airlines from Brussels, or one stop via Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Addis Ababa |
| USA and Canada | One stop via Brussels, London, Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates) or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) |
Christmas is the busiest time to fly, so book your international tickets for a Christmas safari in Uganda as soon as your gorilla permit is confirmed. Uganda is three hours ahead of London in December, two hours ahead of Paris and Berlin, eight hours ahead of New York and Toronto, and eleven hours ahead of Los Angeles and Vancouver.
Visas, Vaccinations and Safety
- Visa: citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK and the EU need a tourist visa, applied for online before travel on the official Uganda eVisa portal. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$50. If you are adding Rwanda or Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa costs US$100. See our Uganda visa requirements guide.
- Yellow fever: a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. Check our guide to required vaccinations for Uganda and see your travel clinic early.
- Timing: apply for your eVisa at least three weeks before your Christmas safari in Uganda, to allow plenty of time for processing.
- Passport: make sure it is valid for at least six months after you arrive, with blank pages for your visa stamp.
- Safety: Uganda's safari parks are well protected and welcoming to visitors. Read our honest guide: is Uganda safe for safari.
Festive Season Lodge Rates and Supplements
Lodges are at their busiest between about 20 December and 2 January, the core weeks of any Christmas safari in Uganda. The best rooms in Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls are often booked months ahead, so the earlier you plan your Christmas safari in Uganda, the better your choice of lodges.
Some lodges add a festive supplement or a compulsory Christmas or New Year gala dinner, usually charged between 22 December and 1 January. These vary by lodge, and we include them clearly in your quote so there are no surprises on arrival.
Whatever your budget, there is a good fit. Our budget Uganda safaris use comfortable, clean lodges, while our Uganda luxury safaris include some of the finest forest and savannah lodges in East Africa. Browse our picks of the best Uganda safari lodges to see what each area offers.
A Sample 10-Day Christmas Safari in Uganda
This route shows how a Christmas safari in Uganda can work over the holidays, with gorilla trekking on Christmas Day and a relaxed Boxing Day by the lake. Every date and lodge can be adjusted to your flights and budget, and the same route works just as well over New Year.
| Day | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 Dec | Arrive at Entebbe, meet your driver-guide and relax by Lake Victoria |
| 2 to 3 | 19 to 20 Dec | Murchison Falls: Ziwa rhino tracking, game drives and the Nile cruise to the foot of the falls |
| 4 | 21 Dec | Drive south to Kibale Forest via the crater lakes of Fort Portal |
| 5 | 22 Dec | Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale and the Bigodi swamp walk |
| 6 to 7 | 23 to 24 Dec | Queen Elizabeth: Kasenyi game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise and a Christmas Eve dinner at the lodge |
| 8 | 25 Dec | Christmas Day gorilla trek in Bwindi, then a festive dinner in the forest |
| 9 | 26 Dec | Boxing Day by Lake Bunyonyi: canoeing, island views and a slow, lazy afternoon |
| 10 | 27 Dec | Scenic flight or drive back to Entebbe for your evening flight home |
Like this Christmas itinerary?
We will price it for your exact dates, change any day you like, and hold your gorilla permits while you decide.
Prefer to see in the New Year on the beach? Many of our guests finish with a few days in Zanzibar, which is a short flight from Entebbe. Read our guide to a Uganda safari and Zanzibar holiday, or explore the 10 Days Murchison Falls to Bwindi Safari, which follows a similar route.
Christmas Safari in Uganda for Families
The school holidays make December a natural time for a family trip, and a Christmas safari in Uganda is a wonderful way to spend them together. Children under 15 cannot trek gorillas, but they can join game drives, boat cruises, the Bigodi swamp walk and cultural visits, while one parent or an older sibling treks.
Many lodges offer family rooms or interconnecting cottages, and some host special Christmas activities for children. Ask us for lodges that welcome younger guests when you request your quote. Lake Bunyonyi and the Kazinga Channel cruise are especially popular with children.
Tips for Planning Your Christmas Safari in Uganda
- Secure the gorilla permit first. Everything else on your Christmas safari in Uganda, including lodges and flights, is built around the permit date.
- Book flights early. Fares from North America and Europe rise sharply from October for late December travel.
- Allow a buffer day. Plan at least one night in Entebbe before your trek in case of flight delays or lost bags.
- Consider flying between parks. A short Uganda fly-in safari saves long drives and gives you more time with the animals.
- Bring cash for tips. Bring clean, recent US dollar notes, as older or damaged notes are often refused. Our guide to tipping in Uganda suggests fair amounts for guides, porters and lodge staff.
- Plan a Kampala day. If you arrive early or leave late, our guide to things to do in Kampala covers markets, crafts and restaurants that stay open over the holidays.
Book a Christmas Safari in Uganda With Tulambule
Each of these safaris can be timed for the Christmas and New Year weeks. Prices are per person for two people sharing a private 4x4 with mid-range lodges and permits included. Festive lodge supplements, where they apply, are added to your quote.
Flying into Kigali instead? Rwanda and Uganda combine easily over the holidays. See our Rwanda safaris, or browse every route on our Uganda safaris page.
Is a Christmas Safari in Uganda Worth It?
For most travellers, yes. You trade a few predictable days at home for dry trails, warm sunshine, uncrowded parks outside the gorilla forests, and a Christmas Day you will never forget. The only real catch is demand, so the key to a smooth Christmas safari in Uganda is to plan early.
A Christmas safari in Uganda works best for couples, friends and families with teenagers who want adventure with comfort. With a local team handling permits, lodges and festive supplements, all you need to do is pack, fly and enjoy the holidays in the Pearl of Africa.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Now that you know how a Christmas safari in Uganda works, the next step is checking gorilla permits for your dates before the festive weeks fill up.
Let us plan your Christmas safari
Tell us your travel dates, group size and budget. We will check gorilla permits for the holidays, choose lodges with festive dinners and send you a free, tailor-made quote within 24 hours. Festive permits are limited, so the earlier you ask, the more choice you have.
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