Hunting in Uganda: Buffalo & Plains Game Safari
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
| Animal | Fee |
| African Crocodile | 2500 |
| Hippo | 4501 |
| Nile Buffalo | 4950 |
| Defassa Waterbuck | 2500 |
| Kob | 3500 |
| Bushbuck | 1950 |
| East Africa Bushbuck | 1950 |
| Jackson's Hartebeest | 3501 |
| Oribi | 2000 |
| African Rock Python | 2499 |
| Black backed Jackal | 1000 |
| Bushpig | 1000 |
| Guereza Colobus | 1499 |
| Olive Baboon | 501 |
| Spotted Hyena | 1500 |
| Vervet Monkey | 200 |
| Warthog | 950 |
Expect a constantly changing landscape of open savanna, rolling hills, river forests and vast papyrus wetlands, with each concession presenting its own unique hunting challenges. Good walking ability is recommended, as hunting often involves tracking game on foot through varied and occasionally demanding terrain.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Entebbe International Airport (EBB) |
| Air Charter Available: | Yes |
For hunters looking beyond Africa's better-known safari destinations, Hunting in Uganda offers something genuinely different. Home to species found nowhere else on the continent's hunting circuit, Uganda combines the challenge of pursuing the elusive East African sitatunga with the power and unpredictability of the Nile buffalo, creating one of Africa's most distinctive Big Game Hunting adventures.
This 16-day safari takes place across Uganda's renowned Aswa-Lolim, Karamoja and Kafu Basin concessions, where experienced professional hunters guide clients through papyrus swamps, river systems and remote wilderness in search of some of East Africa's most sought-after trophies. Success demands patience, good fitness and a willingness to hunt country that remains as wild today as it has for generations.
Unlike many African safaris that focus on high game numbers, Uganda rewards hunters seeking species they simply cannot pursue elsewhere. Every day offers a different challenge, making this safari as much an expedition into one of Africa's last great hunting frontiers as it is a trophy hunt.
Safari Price: From US$47,000 (Excluding Trophy Fees)
Duration: 16 Days / 14 Hunting Days
Hunter Ratio: 1 Hunter : 1 Professional Hunter
Observer Rate: US$490 per day
Rifle Hire: US$150 per safari (Ammunition charged per box used)
Arrival Airport: Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
The safari rate varies depending on the hunting concession selected and whether you hunt alone or share the safari with a friend. The table below outlines the available hunting options together with the applicable government royalties and required trophy deposit.
| Hunting Area | Duration | Hunting Basis | Safari Rate in US$ | Royalties in US$ * | Safari Total | Animal Trophy Deposit Fee |
| Kafu | 16 Days / 14 Hunting Days | 1 x Hunter / 1 x Guide | 39,000 | 8,000 | 47,000 | 40,000 |
| Aswa-Lolim | 2 x Hunters / 2 x Guides | 37,000 | 45,000 | |||
| Karamoja | 2 x Hunters / 1 x Guide | 36,000 | 44,000 |
* Royalties: Government Fees, Hunting Permit, Conservation, Concession and Community Development Fees, UWA and CITES Animal Export Docs, Dip & Pack, Car Transfers, Airport Pick up and drop off, Rifle Import for two rifles per hunter, and 18% VAT on safari rate.
Uganda offers something increasingly difficult to find in modern Africa, species that simply cannot be hunted in most other destinations. Rather than focusing on high game numbers, Uganda rewards hunters seeking unique East African trophies, remote wilderness and an authentic safari far removed from the more familiar hunting countries of southern Africa.
This safari combines two of Uganda's most iconic species: the powerful Nile Buffalo and the elusive East African Sitatunga. Together they provide two completely different hunting experiences, from tracking buffalo across open country to quietly stalking one of Africa's most secretive antelope through papyrus swamps and river systems.
Your safari price includes virtually everything required for a comfortable and professionally guided hunt in Uganda. Government hunting permits, conservation and concession fees, UWA documentation, airport and ground transfers, accommodation, meals, daily laundry and the services of your professional hunter, trackers, skinners and camp staff are all included.
Field preparation of trophies, rifle import permits for up to two firearms, dip and pack, on-territory transport and alcoholic beverages in moderation are also covered, allowing hunters to focus entirely on the safari rather than unexpected costs.
Safari Exclusions
The following items are not included in the safari price:
One of the great advantages of hunting in Uganda is the diversity of unique East African species available. Depending on your hunting concession and available quota, you may be able to add a variety of additional plains game, dangerous game and specialty animals to your safari.
Ask most people what they know about Uganda and the answer is almost always the same, mountain gorillas. While the country has earned a worldwide reputation for unforgettable wildlife viewing, relatively few hunters realise that Uganda also offers some of East Africa's most distinctive hunting opportunities.
Beyond the famous national parks lies a network of carefully managed hunting concessions where species such as the Nile Buffalo and East African Sitatunga continue to thrive. Hunting here is not about the sheer volume of game, but about pursuing animals found in very few other African destinations while exploring landscapes that remain remarkably wild and largely untouched.
It is this combination of unique species, diverse habitats and genuine wilderness that makes Uganda one of Africa's best-kept hunting secrets, and one that continues to surprise hunters fortunate enough to experience it.
While countries like Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa dominate discussions about African hunting, Uganda quietly remains one of the continent's best-kept secrets. Hunters don't travel here simply to add another buffalo to their trophy room. They come to pursue species found in very few other places, hunt remote wilderness that still feels largely untouched, and experience an East African safari unlike anywhere else on the continent.
Uganda is not defined by sheer game numbers or luxury lodges. It is defined by diversity. From the papyrus swamps of the Kafu Basin to the rugged landscapes of Karamoja and the rolling savannas of Aswa-Lolim, every concession offers a completely different style of hunting. It is this variety, together with Uganda's unique wildlife, that keeps adventurous hunters returning to what many consider one of Africa's last true frontier hunting destinations.
This safari combines two of East Africa's most sought-after trophies, yet the hunting methods could hardly be more different.
A typical day spent hunting Nile buffalo in Uganda often involves covering miles of open country behind experienced trackers, reading fresh spoor and constantly checking the wind before attempting to close the distance. It is a physical hunt that rewards patience, teamwork and sound decision-making, with every track revealing a little more about the herd ahead.
A Sitatunga hunt presents an entirely different challenge. Often called Africa's "ghost antelope," the East African sitatunga spends much of its life hidden amongst dense papyrus swamps and river systems. Success depends less on distance covered and more on slowing down, watching carefully and waiting for the brief opportunity when this remarkably elusive antelope reveals itself.
It is this contrast that makes Uganda so unique. Few African safaris allow hunters to experience two completely different styles of hunting during the same expedition, making this one of East Africa's most rewarding combinations for hunters seeking something genuinely different.
The greatest challenge when hunting the East African sitatunga is not finding the swamp. It is finding the animal.
Papyrus grows in dense walls that often tower well above a hunter's head, reducing visibility to only a few yards. Instead of glassing distant hillsides or open plains, hunters spend hours studying narrow openings between the reeds, knowing that a mature sitatunga may appear for only a few seconds before melting back into cover. Quite often, the first sign of its presence is not what you see, but the faint splash of water or the gentle rustle of papyrus stems moving somewhere ahead.
Unlike many African antelope that rely on speed to escape danger, sitatunga depend on remaining unseen. Their elongated hooves allow them to move effortlessly across soft, waterlogged ground where most predators, and hunters struggle to follow. It is this remarkable adaptation that has earned them a reputation as one of Africa's most elusive plains game animals.
Success in the swamps demands a completely different approach to hunting. Every movement must be slow and deliberate, conversations are reduced to whispers, and patience quickly becomes the hunter's greatest asset. The professional hunter and trackers are constantly searching for the smallest clue, a fresh track in the mud, a bent papyrus stem or the faint outline of an ear above the reeds.
When the opportunity finally comes, it is often over in a matter of seconds. There is rarely time to range the distance or think through every possibility. Hunters who remain calm, trust their professional hunter and react decisively are usually the ones who succeed.
Perhaps that is why so many hunters describe the East African sitatunga as Africa's "ghost antelope." Not because it is impossible to hunt, but because, even when you know it is there, it somehow always seems to disappear back into the papyrus before you fully understand what you've just seen.
Uganda forms part of East Africa, sharing the region's rich wildlife heritage with neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya. Yet despite its location, it remains one of the least explored hunting destinations on the continent, offering a style of safari that feels remarkably untouched.
Unlike some destinations where roads, fences or neighbouring properties are never far away, many Ugandan hunting concessions remain vast, lightly populated and largely undeveloped. A day's hunting may pass without seeing another vehicle, another camp or another hunter. It is simply your professional hunter, the trackers and miles of wild country stretching towards the horizon.
That sense of isolation is what makes Uganda so memorable. The trophies are exceptional, but it is the feeling of exploring one of East Africa's last true hunting frontiers that stays with hunters long after the safari has ended.
Hunters travelling from the United States and Canada will normally fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB) via major international hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa or Istanbul. There are currently no direct flights from North America, with most itineraries involving a single international connection before arriving in Uganda.
Depending on the hunting concession, the final journey to camp may be completed either by road or by charter aircraft. For remote areas such as Karamoja, charter flights are highly recommended as they significantly reduce travelling time and allow hunters to begin their safari sooner. Charter flight costs vary according to aircraft size and availability and can be arranged as part of your safari planning.
Current charter rates are approximately:
Every hunting concession in Uganda offers a different style of safari. Rather than asking which area is "best," the more useful question is which concession best matches the type of hunt you want to enjoy.
Bordering South Sudan and Kenya, Karamoja is one of East Africa's last true wilderness hunting areas. Vast open landscapes, low hunting pressure and healthy populations of Nile buffalo make it an outstanding destination for hunters seeking an authentic walk-and-stalk dangerous game safari. The region is also home to several unique East African plains game species rarely encountered elsewhere on the continent.
The Kafu Basin is synonymous with East African sitatunga hunting. Its extensive papyrus swamps, river systems and wetlands create the perfect habitat for Africa's elusive "ghost antelope." Hunters pursuing sitatunga often have the opportunity to add species such as Nile bushbuck, Defassa waterbuck and Bohor reedbuck, making this one of Uganda's most rewarding mixed-bag hunting areas.
Bordering the famous Murchison Falls ecosystem, Aswa-Lolim combines open savanna, riverine woodland and papyrus wetlands into one remarkably diverse concession. The varied habitat supports excellent buffalo hunting together with a wide selection of East African plains game, making it an ideal choice for hunters wanting to experience the diversity that Uganda has to offer.
One of the pleasures of hunting in Uganda is that the safari still feels wonderfully uncomplicated. The camps retain the traditional atmosphere of an East African safari while providing all the comforts needed after a rewarding day in the field, allowing hunters to focus on what they came for, long days in wild country, good food, great conversation and an early night before heading back into the bush.
Accommodation varies between concessions and typically consists of comfortable safari tents or traditional thatched chalets with private facilities, reliable electricity and everything needed after a demanding day on foot. Freshly prepared meals, daily laundry and attentive camp staff ensure hunters can relax and recharge between hunting days.
Preparation is equally straightforward. Good waterproof boots, lightweight clothing in neutral colours and a quality pair of binoculars will serve you far better than packing unnecessary equipment. Because many hunts involve tracking buffalo or walking the edges of papyrus swamps, a reasonable level of fitness will help hunters enjoy every opportunity that Uganda has to offer.
If you are hunting Nile buffalo, practising from shooting sticks before your safari is highly recommended, and hunters should arrive with a rifle suitable for dangerous game. Your professional hunter will discuss shot placement, shooting distances and hunting methods throughout the safari, but arriving well prepared allows you to concentrate on making the most of every opportunity.
Before travelling to Uganda, hunters should consult a travel medicine clinic regarding recommended vaccinations, malaria prevention and any current travel health advisories. As with travel to any African destination, health recommendations can change over time, so obtaining the latest advice before departure is always recommended.
One of the biggest surprises awaiting hunters in Uganda is discovering just how different East Africa's plains game is from the species traditionally hunted farther south. Hunters familiar with greater kudu, bushbuck and waterbuck will quickly notice that many of Uganda's animals belong to unique East African subspecies, each adapted to different habitats and environments.
Uganda is also home to species found in very few other hunting destinations, including the Uganda Kob, Jackson's Hartebeest, Sudan Oribi and the elusive East African sitatunga. For collectors of African trophies, these animals represent far more than another antelope, they are species that many hunters spend years hoping to pursue.
That is one of Uganda's greatest attractions. Rather than hunting familiar species in familiar places, Uganda offers the opportunity to explore an entirely different side of African hunting, where unique trophies and truly wild country combine to create one of the continent's most rewarding safaris.
Most hunters arrive in Uganda with a specific trophy in mind. For some, it is the powerful Nile buffalo. For others, it is the challenge of hunting the elusive East African sitatunga or collecting species found in very few other parts of Africa.
Yet the trophies are rarely the only reason hunters return.
Uganda has a way of reminding hunters what first drew them to Africa. Long days spent tracking fresh spoor, quiet mornings beside papyrus swamps, experienced trackers reading signs invisible to everyone else, and evenings around the campfire discussing tomorrow's plan all combine to create a safari that feels wonderfully authentic. It is hunting at a slower pace, where patience is rewarded and every opportunity must be earned.
Perhaps that is why Uganda remains one of Africa's best-kept hunting secrets. It is not simply another destination to tick off a list. It is a country that leaves hunters wanting to return, not because they have hunted everything, but because they know there is still so much more to discover.
Whether this is your first safari in East Africa or the next chapter in a lifetime of African hunting, Uganda offers one of the continent's most rewarding Hunting Trips. If you would like to learn more about this safari, current availability or building a custom itinerary around your hunting goals, the Game Hunting Safaris team would be delighted to help you plan your adventure.
Uganda offers an unforgettable safari, but it is generally better suited to hunters looking for something beyond the traditional southern African experience. The country rewards those who enjoy tracking game on foot, hunting remote wilderness and pursuing unique East African species that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Yes. One of the greatest advantages of hunting in Uganda is the opportunity to combine the powerful Nile buffalo with the elusive East African sitatunga during the same safari. Depending on your hunting concession and available quota, additional East African plains game species can also be added to create a truly unique safari.
While Tanzania and Zimbabwe are famous for their classic dangerous game safaris, Uganda offers hunters the chance to pursue species found in very few other destinations. The combination of Nile buffalo, East African sitatunga, Uganda kob, Jackson's hartebeest and other regional species makes Uganda one of Africa's most distinctive hunting destinations.
Hunting takes place throughout much of the year, although the drier months generally provide the most comfortable conditions for tracking game on foot. The ideal timing also depends on the hunting concession and the species you wish to pursue, so discussing your safari dates with your outfitter before booking is always recommended.
Please note that terms, conditions and price are subject to change without notice and rates at the time of the hunt will apply
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