Student safaris in Uganda turn classroom theory into real-life learning. Are you a student, a teacher or a school looking for the right place for research, a study tour or a short excursion? Then look no further than Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. In fact, we organise student tours for groups from all over the world. Our trips are educational, practical, fun and inclusive, with plenty of wildlife, geography, biology, culture and history to explore.
Once in Uganda, you do not just travel for fun. Instead, you gain knowledge and see with your own eyes what you have studied in theory. In addition, Uganda has lodges for every budget, a good road network and very hospitable people. Together, these make a study trip both practical and worthwhile.
Our 8 day Uganda family safari packs the very best of the Pearl of Africa into one easy, well-paced trip. You track rhinos on foot, cruise the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls and look for chimpanzees in a hidden gorge. Then you search for tree-climbing lions, meet mountain
Our 5 day gorillas and chimps tour from Kigali brings you face to face with Africa’s two great apes. Words can hardly describe looking into the eyes of a mountain gorilla just a few metres away. On this trip, you track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in
Our 5 day Uganda primate safari brings you close to two of our nearest relatives. First, you walk with wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. Then, you trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. On both treks, you
Uganda is a natural classroom. Along the way, students meet a huge range of wildlife. For example, birds include the great blue turaco, the common bulbul, the green-breasted pitta and the rare shoebill. You can also study primates, the Big Five, aquatic animals such as crocodiles, and reptiles such as snakes. Below are the subjects and places our student groups explore most often.
Uganda’s lakes and rivers make it a great place to study physical geography. To begin with, Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the River Nile flows north from Uganda and is often described as the world’s longest river. At Murchison Falls, the Nile forces its way through a gorge only about seven metres wide. Further south-west, Lake Bunyonyi is one of the deepest lakes in Africa and is dotted with 29 islands.
Students can also research primates in their natural habitat. For example, you can study mountain gorillas in Bwindi, golden monkeys in Mgahinga and chimpanzees in Kibale. Chimpanzee trekking and habituation take place in Kibale National Park, while Ngamba Island cares for rescued chimps. Likewise, gorilla trekking and habituation take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Our primate tours page explains each option in more detail. Please note that gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, so we plan alternatives for younger students.
For ecology and biology, there is plenty more to see. For instance, you can visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Semuliki National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. Closer to Entebbe, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and the Uganda Reptile Village offer hands-on learning. In addition, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lets students see how endangered white rhinos are protected. For hikers, Mount Elgon offers a good climb, while the Rwenzori Mountains suit more serious mountaineering.
Uganda’s cultures offer rich material for history and social studies. For example, students can visit the Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara and community projects near Kibale and Fort Portal. You can also meet the Batwa community near Bwindi and learn about the Karamojong in the north-east. Our community and cultural tours can be added to any study trip.
Learning works best when students stay curious and engaged. So, alongside research, we include plenty of hands-on activities, such as:
Our birding tours are especially popular with biology groups.
While you study, good rest and good food matter a lot. Fortunately, your group can stay in hotels or lodges close to each study site. The accommodation in and around the main attractions is safe, and the meals are healthy and tasty. Alternatively, adventurous students can try camping. After all, camping lets you feel the cool night air, hear the birds and listen to the sounds of the bush after dark.
With our experience, you can count on a relevant and flexible itinerary that gives your group hands-on learning. First, tell us about your group, your subjects and your budget. Then we suggest accommodation, transport, research areas and, where possible, internship placements. Park entry fees and permits are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and change from time to time, so we confirm the current rates when you enquire. Is your group travelling mainly for leisure? Then see our group tours in Uganda instead.
Yes. Simply tell us your learning goals, and we will choose the parks, sites and activities that support them.
Uganda is a welcoming country, and we plan every route with care. In addition, your driver-guide stays with the group throughout the trip.
It depends on your programme. For example, we plan short excursions of a few days as well as longer research trips of several weeks.
Love to Travel? We are the whole Tool & Box that you need. At Roots Tours & Travel Uganda we look forward to speaking to you!