Uganda Family Safari

From $9,995 per family​

10 to 14 Days

Private Family Tour

Reviews Of Our Partner

No Age Restrictions

Excellent, Family-Rated Lodges.

Looking for a family safari in Uganda that keeps everyone entertained from toddlers to teenagers? The Family Favourite is designed to do just that. This is a private, family adventure that blends the thrill of tracking wild animals with the downtime kids need and the pool time they want. Educational, fun, bonding – and most of all, safe.

Search for a “living dinosaur”, walk among rhinos and giraffes, explore swamps and explosive craters, enjoy thrilling game drives and boat safaris. Raft down the Nile! Stay in hand-picked lodges that actually welcome children.

This isn’t just a holiday – it’s the family scrapbook moment you’ve been waiting for. Safe and thrilling adventure with a healthy balance of family downtime.

And check out our easy options to customize your adventure with our easy options along the way.

Summary

Day 1. Airport Arrival. Meet and transfer to hotel. Day 2. Living Dinosaur, Equator and Lake Mburo. Day 3. Bush Walk with Giraffes; Boat Cruise with Hippos. Day 4. Cultural Journey to Queen Elizabeth NP. Day 5. Dawn Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Safari. Day 6. “Top of the World” Crater Trek. Transfer to Kibale. Day 7. Bigodi Swamp Walk (Monkeys and Birds). Transfer to Murchison. Day 8. Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari. Day 9. Murchison Falls. Walk with Rhinos. Transfer to Jinja. Day 10. Nile Rafting/Adventure Day. Return – Entebbe/Jinja/Kampala.

Customise Your Tour

Add Hotel on Return · Lake Bunyonyi Chill-out · Tree Climbing Lions · Chimpanzee Trek (min 12 years)

The Details

A Safari That Grows With Your Kids

This family-friendly Uganda tour solves the biggest challenge of traveling with children: boredom. We keep travel times manageable, deliver “out there” interactive adventure, and ensure every lodge has a pool or space to run around. It is active, educational, and most of all, safe – giving parents a real holiday too.

Day by Day

Day One. Arrival – Welcome to the Adventure

Your driver guide will be waiting at Entebbe Airport, holding a sign with your name on it. No queues, no stress. We transfer you to your hotel, a family room, lush gardens and a pool – flight times permitting, perhaps a chance to relax or play before dinner. Perhaps try the local food.

Stay: Entebbe

Via Via or upgrade to Karibu

Day Two. The Last Dinosaur?

An early breakfast and off to Mabamba Swamp. Hop into a dugout canoe and glide through the papyrus. The mission? Spot the Shoebill Stork, a massive, prehistoric-looking bird that kids absolutely love. It stands completely still, then strikes like lightning. After lunch on the Equator – and watching the water trick! – we head for Lake Mburo to arrive late-afternoon. Check-in, pool time, and dinner under the stars. Why kids love it? Canoe ride, “dinosaur bird,” magic tricks at the Equator, hotel pool.

Stay: Lake Mburo

Rwakobo Rock Cottage or upgrade to Kigarama Wilderness Family Cottage

Day Three. Walking with Giraffes: Cruising with Hippos

Today is interactive. After an early breakfast, we enter Lake Mburo National Park with a ranger. This is a bush walk, not a drive. You will walk slowly through the savannah, approaching herds of zebra and impala on foot. The highlight? Giraffes. There is something magical about standing on the ground, looking up at these gentle giants as they glide between the acacia trees. After lunch and a bit of downtime back at the lodge, we take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. The boat gets close to hippos – watch those yawns! – and crocodiles sunbathing on the banks. As the sun sets, we drive back in the dark with spotlights looking for leopards and nightjars in the trees beside the track. Plenty to talk about over dinner back at the lodge. Why kids love it? Walking with animals, hippo spotting, night safari with torches.

Stay: Lake Mburo

Rwakobo Rock Cottage or upgrade to Kigarama Wilderness Family Cottage

Day Four. Culture and Craters

After a relaxed breakfast, we drive to the Igongo Cultural Centre, a brilliant, hands-on museum where kids can see traditional homesteads, try grinding millet, and learn about the kingdoms of Uganda. It is a screen-free, tactile history lesson. After an early lunch at the centre, we then ascend into the Rift Valley, arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park late afternoon. Your lodge overlooks the savannah. Unpack, swim, and if the kids have energy, we can take a short evening drive to find some elephants before dinner. Why kids love it? Trying traditional tools, spotting elephants, hotel pool.

Stay: Kyambura

Elephant Hab Family Cottage. No upgrade available.

Day Five. Lions at Dawn, Hippos at Noon

Pre-dawn start with a packed breakfast and off to find the lions. We drive into the Kasenyi Plains as the sun rises. This is predator hour. We watch the elephant, buffalo, antelope and warthog on the plains and scan for lions on the hunt, perhaps leopards in the trees. Late morning, we head to the boat dock for a floating safari on the Kazinga Channel. You will see buffalo and elephant drinking at the water’s edge and pods of hippos so close you can hear them grunt. The birdlife is dazzling: kingfishers, fish eagles, and maybe a skimmer. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and relaxing afternoon and evening.. Why kids love it? Predators, boat ride, elephant and hippos.

Stay: Kyambura

Elephant Hab Family Cottage

Day Six. “Top of the World” Crater Trek

No rush this morning. A leisurely family breakfast and off for a short, sweet hike. We drive to the Kasenda Crater Lakes and take a gentle community trail up to the “Top of the World” viewpoint. The reward? A 360-degree view of emerald craters, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and a picnic lunch at the summit. Keep an eye out for black-and-white colobus monkeys leaping through the trees. Then a short transfer through Kibale Forest – home of the monkeys – to arrive at the lodge mid-afternoon. Why kids love it? “Summiting” a volcano crater, monkey spotting.

Stay: Kibale Forest

Turaco Treetops Family Cottage or upgrade to Luxury Family Cottage

Day Seven. Bigodi Swamp Walk

Another relaxed breakfast and a visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk on raised boardwalks through the swamp. This is prime monkey territory. Look out for grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons. Perhaps also some rare birds, if you’re lucky, the Great Blue Turaco – massive and loud! After lunch in Fort Portal, we drive to Murchison Falls. The scenery changes dramatically as we skirt Lake Albert and head to the Nile, arriving at the lodge late afternoon to relax before dinner. Why kids love it? Boardwalks feel like an adventure, monkeys overhead.

Stay: Murchison Falls

Murchison River Lodge Thatched Cottage. No upgrade available.

Day Eight. The Nile Experience

A squeaky early breakfast and off for a dawn game drive into big-game country. Herds of elephant, giraffe, and the strange-looking Jackson hartebeest roam the plains. We search for lions on the plains down by the Nile Delta. Late morning, we take the best boat safari of them all – a 2-3 hour cruise up the Nile towards the base of the powerful Murchison Falls – banks lined with impossibly large crocodiles; elephant and buffalo on the rivershore and hippos everywhere. And watch out for the birds: fish eagles, skimmers and Goliath heron. Return to the lodge for a late lunch, relax and play around the pool before dinner. Why kids love it? Counting crocodiles, the boat “battle” with the current, seeing the spray of the falls.

Stay: Murchison Falls

Murchison River Lodge Thatched Cottage. No upgrade available.

Day Nine. Roaring Falls and Rhino Walk

An early start and off to trek the top of Murchison Falls. A short walk leads to the viewpoint where the entire Nile River is squeezed through a 7-metre gap and crashes 40 metres down to the Devil’s Cauldron below. It is raw power – kids will get wet in the spray! We then transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda to see white rhinos in the wild. Armed with a ranger, you walk through the bush to find them. Standing 10 metres from a rhino, on foot, is an unforgettable family memory. After lunch at Ziwa we drive to Jinja: Source of the Nile and the “Adventure Capital of East Africa” – aiming to arrive late afternoon. Why kids love it: Walking with rhinos (safari on foot), the thundering waterfall.

Stay: Jinja

Afro Smile Hotel or upgrade to Adrift River View Cottage

Day Ten. Source of the Nile Adventure

The grand finale. Depending on ages and bravery, we hit the Nile. Options include:
  • Family Rafting: Class 3 rapids – bouncy, wet, and safe for confident swimmers (usually 8+).
  • Tube Float: A lazy float down the river for younger kids.
  • Kayaking: A gentle introduction.
Other possible options include a family cycle ride or horse-ride along the banks of the Nile, a sunset cruise to the source of the Nile or a city tour around Jinja. Why kids love it? The ultimate splash battle. This brings the tour to an end and we bid you farewell. We can drop you at your next destination in Jinja, Kampala or Entebbe. Check out our option for “Hotel on Return’ including hotel, board and airport transfer next day. An airport transfer is viable from either of these locations, though prices may vary.

Tour Ends

Customise your Tour

Check out these options or just tell us what you are looking for and let us see what we can do.

Hotel on Return

Let us take care of you on return from your safari. We will drop you off at the hotel and provide accommodation, dinner and breakfast the next morning – after which we will pick you up and drop you at Entebbe Airport in time for your departure flight.

Stay: Entebbe

Via Via or upgrade to Karibu Guesthouse

Lake Bunyonyi Chill-out

Enjoy a rest day at the stunningly beautiful and eerily mystical Lake Bunyonyi. Go wild swimming in the safe waters, take a boat cruise to Punishment Island, take to the water in a dug-out canoe or chill out down by the lake.

Stay: Lake Bunyonyi

Paradise Eco Hub or upgrade to Birdnest

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

Add an extra night in Queen Elizabeth to visit the Ishasha sector. Here, lions famously lounge in fig trees. A unique wildlife spectacle.

Stay: Kyambura

Elephant Hab Family Cottage. No upgrade available.

Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Trek (Min age 12 years)

If the kids are over 12, stay over an extra day and do a chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest – the ”Primate Capital of Africa”. Home to the largest colony of wild chimps in Africa, it is also host to a dozen other primate species, most of them rare or endangered.

Stay: Kibale Forest

Turaco Treetops Family Cottage or upgrade to Luxury Family Cottage

* Pricing is based on a family of four: 2 adults and 2 children under 15, sharing family accommodation.

Item Mid-range Upgrade
Uganda Family Safari
10 Days		 $9,995* $11,495*
Customise Options (per family*)
Hotel On Return $225 $595
Lake Bunyonyi Chill-out $895 No upgrade
Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions $995 No upgrade
Kibale Forest Chimp Trek (Min 12 Years) $1,795 $1,995
Savings
Delete Day 1 (Hotel/Transfer) $225 $595
Travel by Tourist Van -$40/day -$40/day

What’s Included

Expertise: Private, English-speaking, child-friendly driver/guide Activities: All park fees, boat safaris, bush walks, treks and rafting Transport: Custom Safari 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, fridge and charging points Accommodation: Hand-picked lodges. Family rooms/cottages Meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Drinks: Soft drinks and drinking water. Complimentary water bottle Relaxation: Two complimentary lodge massage or spa treatment (for the adults?) Safety: Emergency air evacuation coverage.

What’s Excluded

  • International flights and visas
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Vaccinations and anti-malarials
  • Premium soft and alcoholic drinks
  • Chimp permits (unless added)
  • Options: upgrades, supplements and savings – unless specifically included

Though Uganda is relatively compact compared to other safari destinations, transportation is nonetheless a significant feature of any African safari – connecting the dots between activities and destinations.

We aim to minimize impact of time spent ‘on the road’ by carefully optimizing routes, creatively breaking up the journey and promoting activities to get you out of the vehicle every chance we get! Nonetheless, significant journey time is inevitable and of paramount importance to us is your comfort and, above all, safety.

Our risk assessment identifies four key factors.

Vehicle.

Our preferred vehicle is the Toyota 70 Series Landcruiser with custom 6-seater safari package. This has 4 comfortable, customer captain’s seats in the elevated rear cabin and two lower front seats for driver and occasional ranger/guide. For larger groups, we use an extended 8-seater version with 6 customer Captain’s seats.

Comfort.

All captain’s seats are window seats for excellent game viewing. The vehicle has an open ‘safari’ roof for standing and game viewing in the parks and is equipped with wifi (subject to network coverage), charging points and a fridge for cold drinks and snacks.

Safety.

These vehicles are super-strong, relatively slow and unstressed, providing inherent safety and protection. They have excellent ground clearance and 4-wheel drive to cope with all but the roughest terrain. Enhanced safety features include GPS tracker, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangles, tools and two spare tyres.

Maintenance.

A robust maintenance regime is essential to ensure reliability and safety on the road. All our vehicles are rigorously maintained and inspected before each trip. You will see this for yourself. We intend to get you there – and back! If you like, you can count the wheelnuts on some of the other trucks – ours will have 6.

Driver.

Our driver-guides are suitably qualified and experienced. They are instructed not to exceed speed limits (50kph in town; 80 on the open road) and are required to maintain an accurate safety record. As driver and guide, they will be more than happy to offer information and dialogue along the way, but we would ask that conversation is sensitive to road conditions and to be mindful of distracting the driver.

Route.

Routes are carefully planned and optimized to minimize overall travel time; limit drive time to 2.5h hours between breaks; a maximum 10 hours within a 24-hour period; and, to avoid driving after dark (19.00). This is as much for your comfort as it is driver safety.

The Unforeseen.

This is Africa. Things do not always go according to plan. Punctures and breakdowns happen; traffic conditions can create huge delays; adverse weather can wash out tracks.

Your guide will keep you fully informed of such events and their likely impact. He is also required to advise our duty officer so that we can assist in improving outcomes: sourcing and sending a mechanic; checking and agreeing alternative routes; or calling the lodge to hold dinner.

Feedback.

We welcome your constructive feedback on our transportation – or any other aspects – before, during or after your tour. Please contact +256 704 042234 by phone or whatsapp, or email: [email protected] with suggestions or to report concerns.

Joeboentoe Safaris deliver a vital and sustainable funding stream to our non-profit operations, with resources especially directed towards supporting and empowering local communities. Through these initiatives, tourism becomes a practical vehicle for social impact, helping to fund community development, training opportunities, and conservation-linked livelihoods.

Safaris are delivered in partnership with Meanda Uganda, a leading Ugandan tour operator, as part of their strong commitment to responsible and ethical tourism. This collaboration ensures that each journey is professionally managed while also aligning with shared values of environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and meaningful community engagement.

Our joint mission is to curate transformative safari experiences that touch the soul, creating lasting memories for travellers while honouring a deep and active commitment to conservation and local communities. By combining immersive wildlife encounters with authentic cultural interaction, we aim to ensure that every safari contributes positively to both people and nature.

Highlights

Why Book This Uganda Family Safari?

Because a family safari needs to be flexible. Kids get tired. Kids get hungry. Kids get bored. On this private tour, the itinerary bends to your family’s rhythm. Want to skip a walk and swim? Fine. Need an extra snack stop? No problem.

We have chosen lodges that genuinely like children ones with pools, safe gardens, and staff who go the extra mile. This is a stress-free introduction to Africa, designed to create a lifetime of “do you remember when…” moments. It is the best Uganda family holiday for first-timers and seasoned travelers alike.

Our non-profit NGO delivers safaris in partnership with Meanda Uganda. As part of their Responsible Tourism Charter, Meanda Uganda share 25% of their profits with Joeboentoe, with an additional marketing bonus for safaris initiated through us. So, as you travel around Uganda and come face-to-face with those who may be struggling more than others, just know that you are supporting their journey as well as your own. Read more about it above in the tab ‘Sustainable Safari’.