LGBT holidays in Uganda


Our Uganda Holidays
Gorilla safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
Uganda wildlife holiday
This you cannot miss while in Uganda -The wild and beautiful!
Gorillas and big game, Nairobi to Kigali tour
See classic African game and gorillas
Uganda gorilla safari and Murchison Falls holiday
Explore two of Uganda's iconic conservation areas
Uganda wildlife and activity holiday
Experience the Pearl of Africa...true African adventure!
Privately guided Uganda holiday
Gorilla habituation, volcanic crater lakes and safari
Small group adventure holiday in Uganda
Experience the fresh waters, wilderness & Jungle in Africa!
Uganda highlights tour
Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi & Murchison Falls National Parks
Gorilla and game safari in Uganda
The great Silverback Gorilla & wildlife all in one package!
Uganda primate trekking and community holiday
Community focused gorilla and chimpanzee safari
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Incredible wildlife experience in Uganda and Rwanda
Best of Uganda wildlife tour
Chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions & more
Mountain gorilla project in Uganda
Work towards conservation of the majestic gorilla in Uganda
Tailor made gorilla and chimp tracking safari, Uganda
The Ultimate Primate experience in the Jungle!
Chimp and gorilla tracking in Uganda
The best trip for tracking chimps and Mountain Gorillas
4 day gorilla safari in Uganda
Enjoy the Ultimate Wildlife Tick-List Experience!
Primate tour in Rwanda and Uganda
Track down mountain gorillas and chimps in Uganda & Rwanda
Uganda gorilla tracking and wildlife safari holiday
A wonderful gorilla and wild life experience in Uganda
Gorilla safari and game parks, Uganda
A wildlife experience like no other
Best of Uganda holiday
An easy-paced trip tracking Gorillas in the Ugandan forests.
Uganda tailor made holiday
A tailor made Gorilla safari in Uganda
Culture and birding holiday in Uganda
Experience the wildlife and birding in Uganda
Eastern Trans Africa & Gorillas overland tour
Journey up the Nile through to Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya
Uganda National Parks wildlife holiday
Discover the spectacular wildlife of Uganda
Gorilla and Rwenzori expedition in Uganda
Discover the beauty in the heights of the Pearl of Africa
Holidays to Uganda
See the incredible primates of the African jungle
Uganda gorillas and wildlife holiday
An incredible adventure into the heart of Africa
Uganda tailor made tour
A nature lover’s wonderland, where savannah meet jungles
Horse riding safari in Uganda
Follow the Nile on horseback where it leaves Lake Victoria
Attitudes towards the LGBT community


It is ironic, therefore, that many of the Ugandans who are opposed to homosexuality today claim that this is because it is anti-Ugandan, anti-African. Despite Uganda’s sexually liberal history, homosexuality is seen as a Western custom – being “introduced” into the continent as a form of cultural colonialisation. Some people have even suggested that it is being deliberately “promoted” by Westerners as a way to stop Africans from procreating.
These attitudes are strengthened by religious beliefs, as Uganda is deeply Christian. LGBT rights organisations also point a finger at evangelical groups and their opposition to “gay agendas”, such as the US missionaries who arrived in the country in 2009. In speeches held in front of thousands of participants, they claimed that homosexuality was evil, and explained how to make gay people straight.
In many countries with harsh, anti-LGBT stances, we would emphasise that it is important not to confuse the citizens with the government. People often disagree with the laws of their country. However, in Uganda, for the reasons cited above, it is the case that much of the population shares the government’s views, which certainly makes it much harder to visit as an LGBT traveller. A survey carried out by the Pew Research Center in 2013 revealed that just four percent of Ugandans believed that society should accept homosexuality.
There are a handful of brave NGOs here fighting for LGBT rights, and a few low-key events, including Pride Uganda. However, these events are seen as “promoting” homosexuality, being held to “recruit” gay people and convert children. “Pride” is sadly something of a misnomer; due to the clear danger of joining such parades, participants cover their faces, numbers are very low, and public spaces are avoided – but even so, they are still seen as a “threat” by authorities. Previous Pride events have been subject to police raids, and August 2017’s Pride Uganda was cancelled after the organisers were threatened with arrest.
Why is Uganda known for being so homophobic?
One reason may be that many of the other African countries – which include Mauritania and Sudan – are not considered to be tourist destinations, so their oppressive laws are less likely to gain international press coverage. But there have also been a number of incidents in Uganda that have propelled gay rights into the international spotlight. One of these was an edition of the local tabloid newspaper called Rolling Stone, which was published with the headline “100 pictures of Uganda’s top homos leak: Hang Them.” Terrifyingly, the article featured the photographs, names and sometimes even the home addresses of the gay men, and incited Ugandans to take “justice” into their own hands. More articles followed, claiming, amongst other things, that these men were a threat to children. Unsurprisingly, a spate of homophobic violence followed – including the brutal murder of a transgender man – with the victims having no legal recourse.
Then in January 2011, three months after the publication, David Kato, one of the country’s highest profile gay rights activists, was murdered outside his home. His death made headlines around the world. The police attributed it to a robbery gone wrong; campaigners refute this. Kato was Uganda’s first openly gay man and one of its best known LGBT campaigners. He founded the nonprofit Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) in 1994 to fight against anti-gay laws and promote LGBT rights in the country. He was 46 when he was killed.
Learn more about David Kato’s life – and shocking death – in the award winning 2012 documentary Call me Kuchu.
Our top Uganda Holiday
Gorilla safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
2021: 11 Sep
2022: 25 Jun, 10 Sep