AFCON 2027 Uganda safari planning starts with the calendar: the tournament runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027, and Uganda has prepared Namboole in Kampala, Hoima and Lira as its venues. Between fixtures you can trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, track chimpanzees in Kibale or cruise the Nile at Murchison Falls, all in the drier mid-year months.
Sense of Adventure is a licensed Nairobi safari operator and DMC, registered with Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority, and we run private Uganda safaris alongside our trips in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. For football fans, that means one team handles the gorilla permits, the guided transfers and the timing around your matches, so the only thing you need to think about is the score. Start with our Uganda safari holidays page if you are new to the country.
Table of Contents
✅ AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari: The Quick Answer
- Tournament dates: 19 June to 17 July 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja banner.
- Ugandan venues: Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kampala, Hoima City Stadium and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, pending CAF’s final match allocation.
- Best wildlife add-ons: Murchison Falls near Hoima, gorillas in Bwindi, chimps in Kibale and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Time needed: three days for one park between matches, five to seven days after the tournament for the classic primate and savannah circuit.
- Key costs to plan for: UWA’s published tariff lists USD 800 for a gorilla permit and USD 250 for Kibale chimp tracking; 2027 rates are confirmed when we quote.
- Book early: gorilla permits are capped at eight visitors per family per day, and the tournament adds extra demand in June and July.
Planning to watch the Cranes and see the gorillas?
Send us your likely match city and travel window, and we will sketch a private plan that fits wildlife around your fixtures.
💬 Plan My Match-Day SafariAFCON 2027 in Uganda: Dates, Venues and What Is Still to Be Confirmed
AFCON 2027 is confirmed for 19 June to 17 July 2027, the first edition shared by three host nations. Uganda’s local organising committee has prepared three stadiums, while CAF still has to publish the final venue list, the match allocation and the ticketing plan. Build your trip around a travel window first, then lock in match days.
The details that are fixed are already enough to plan an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari. The dates are set, the three Ugandan grounds have been through CAF inspections, and Uganda’s organisers have told CAF the facilities will be ready by the end of 2026. Everything else, from which teams play where to how tickets are sold, comes from CAF. We always point fans to the official CAF website for fixtures and tickets, and we plan the safari side around whatever CAF announces.
The three Ugandan venues for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari
Namboole sits on the eastern edge of Kampala, an easy guided transfer from the city’s hotels and roughly an hour or more from Entebbe International Airport depending on traffic. Hoima lies in western Uganda, close to Lake Albert and within reach of Murchison Falls National Park. Lira, home of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium, is in the north, a longer drive from Kampala but well placed for the northern side of Murchison.
| Venue | City | Nearest safari option | Typical guided transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) | Kampala | Lake Mburo, Ziwa rhinos, flights to Bwindi | About 3.5–4 hours to Lake Mburo; about 2 hours flying to Bwindi |
| Hoima City Stadium | Hoima | Murchison Falls National Park (south), Budongo Forest | A few hours to the southern park gates |
| Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium | Lira | Murchison Falls National Park (north bank) | Around 3–4 hours to the northern sector |
| Any Ugandan venue | Kampala and beyond | Kibale chimps and Queen Elizabeth | About 5–6 hours to Kibale, or a short flight |
What CAF has published so far
At the time of writing, CAF has confirmed the dates and the 24-team format but not the match allocation by city. That matters for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, because a group-stage base in Hoima suggests Murchison Falls, while a base in Kampala makes a fly-in gorilla trek the easiest win. Our advice is simple: plan a flexible window, and we will tighten the itinerary as soon as the schedule appears.
Why June and July Suit an AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari
June and July fall in one of Uganda’s drier spells, so forest trails are usually firmer and savannah game drives are productive. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking run all year, so an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari is never limited by the tournament dates, and drier ground simply makes the walking more comfortable for most visitors.
Uganda sits on the equator, and its seasons are shaped more by rain than by temperature. Mid-year days in the parks are typically warm, while early mornings in the Bwindi hills can feel cool. For an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, that means packing for two climates: light layers for match days in Kampala and Hoima, and a warm fleece and rain jacket for the gorilla forests. For a month-by-month picture of game viewing across the region, see our best time for safari in Africa calendar.
For an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, mid-year also brings shorter grass on the savannah. In Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, that helps your driver-guide spot lions, elephants and Uganda kob, and the Nile and the Kazinga Channel stay rich with hippos and waterbirds. There is no wrong month for primates, but June and July give you a good balance of comfortable trekking and strong game drives.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: Fans often underestimate how tiring a tournament schedule is. If your AFCON 2027 Uganda safari includes a gorilla trek, place it at least one clear day after a late kick-off, so you start the forest walk rested rather than straight off an overnight transfer.
Which Park Fits Between Matches?
The right park for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari depends on where you watch your football and how many days you have. Hoima pairs naturally with Murchison Falls, Kampala works best with a short flight to Bwindi for gorillas, and a longer gap between rounds opens up Kibale’s chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth’s tree-climbing lions.
Murchison Falls: the Nile and big game on an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari
For an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari based in the west, Murchison Falls is the pick. Uganda’s largest national park is where the Nile forces its way through a narrow cleft in the rock before spilling into Lake Albert. A launch trip to the foot of the falls, a walk to the top and game drives on the northern bank make this the obvious choice for fans based in Hoima or Lira. Read more on our Murchison Falls National Park safari page.
Bwindi and Mgahinga: gorillas for your AFCON 2027 Uganda safari
Uganda protects more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and UWA reports 27 habituated families visited by tourists. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By road it is a long day from Kampala, which is why most match-goers fly. See our Bwindi gorilla trekking safari guide for sectors and lodges.
Kibale: chimpanzees and crater lakes
For a longer AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, Kibale Forest is Uganda’s best-known chimpanzee destination, with the crater lakes around Fort Portal for gentle walks afterwards. It works well for a four or five day gap. Our chimpanzee trekking in Uganda guide explains how tracking days run.
Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo: classic savannah
Queen Elizabeth National Park adds the Kazinga Channel boat safari and the Ishasha sector’s tree-climbing lions, while Lake Mburo is the closest savannah park to Kampala for zebra, eland and walking safaris. Both slot easily into a longer route.
| Park | Best for | Best paired with | Suggested minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murchison Falls | Nile launch, falls, giraffe, lions | Hoima or Lira matches | 2 nights |
| Bwindi Impenetrable | Mountain gorilla trekking | Kampala matches, with flights | 2 nights |
| Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee tracking, crater lakes | A gap of 4 days or more | 2 nights |
| Queen Elizabeth | Kazinga Channel, Ishasha lions | Kibale or Bwindi | 2 nights |
| Lake Mburo | Zebra, eland, walking safaris | Kampala matches, by road | 1–2 nights |
Not sure which park suits your fixtures?
Tell us your host city and how many free days you have. We will compare Murchison, Bwindi and Kibale for your exact gap and send a clear recommendation.
💬 Pick My Park Between Matches7 Ways to Build an AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari Around Your Fixtures
The smartest plans match a park to the gaps in your match schedule. These seven approaches to an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari cover most fans, from a single night on the Nile to a full week of gorillas, chimps and savannah after the final whistle.
1. Hoima match plus Murchison Falls
This is the simplest AFCON 2027 Uganda safari. Watch your match, then transfer the next morning with your private driver-guide to Murchison Falls for a Nile launch trip, a game drive on the northern bank and the walk to the top of the falls. Three days is comfortable; four lets you add an early morning drive.
2. Fly-in gorillas from Kampala
From Kampala, scheduled or charter flights reach the airstrips that serve Bwindi in roughly two hours. Fly in, trek the following morning, and fly back the day after. Our three-day Bwindi gorilla trek shows the classic shape of this plan.
3. Chimps and crater lakes in a longer gap
A four or five day gap suits Kibale on an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari. Combine a chimpanzee tracking morning with the crater lakes and, if time allows, a gorilla trek further south, as in our Uganda gorillas and chimps safari.
4. The full primate and savannah circuit after the final
If you are staying until 17 July, an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari can stretch into the classic western circuit: Kibale chimps, the Kazinga Channel and gorillas in Bwindi. Our Uganda wildlife and gorillas safari is a good starting point.
5. A primate warm-up before the opening round
Arriving a week early for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari lets you trek before the crowds of the tournament build. You finish your safari, settle into Kampala and enjoy the opening matches without watching the clock.
6. Lira and the north bank of Murchison
Fans following a team based in Lira can reach the northern side of Murchison Falls by guided transfer. Our four-day Murchison Falls and Nile safari can be adapted to start or end near the northern venue.
7. A three-country tournament trip
Because Kenya and Tanzania also host matches, an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari can follow your team across borders. Pair gorillas in Uganda with the Masai Mara or the Serengeti using short regional flights. See our multi-country safari combinations for routes that already work well.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: Keep one flexible day in every itinerary built around a tournament. Kick-off times can move once broadcasters confirm their slots, and a spare day lets us shift a transfer without losing a permit.
Permits and Park Fees for an AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are the largest fixed costs in an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari. The figures below come from the Uganda Wildlife Authority conservation tariff currently published on its website, which covers July 2024 to June 2026. UWA has announced revised rates for 2027, so we confirm the exact figures in writing when we quote.
| Activity or fee (foreign non-resident) | UWA published rate (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking permit, Bwindi or Mgahinga | 800 | Includes the guide fee and park entry for the day |
| Gorilla habituation experience, Bwindi | 1,500 | Longer time with a family in training |
| Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale | 250 | Includes Kibale park entry |
| Chimpanzee tracking, Kyambura Gorge | 100 | Park entry charged separately |
| Park entry, Murchison Falls (per day) | 45 | Category A+ park |
| Park entry, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Lake Mburo (per day) | 40 | Category A parks |
| Launch cruise, Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth | 30 | About 2 hours |
You can read the full tariff on the official UWA conservation tariff. UWA sets a minimum age of 15 for gorilla trekking and 12 for chimpanzee tracking, limits each gorilla family to eight visitors a day, and states that gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-residents are booked through licensed tour operators. For a wider comparison of permit costs, see our gorilla trekking permit cost guide.
Entry Rules: Uganda Visa, East Africa Tourist Visa and Yellow Fever
For an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, most visitors apply online for a Uganda visa before travel. Uganda’s missions list the single-entry tourist visa at USD 50 and the East Africa Tourist Visa, covering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, at USD 100. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is listed among the documents for a Ugandan tourist visa.
Applications go through the official Uganda e-visa portal, the only government site for online visas. If your AFCON 2027 Uganda safari also takes in matches in Kenya or Tanzania, each country has its own entry steps, and we confirm the right combination for your passport and route when we plan your trip. Our yellow fever certificate guide for East Africa sets out the rules for all four countries we operate in.
Before you book, we talk you through your route and current travel conditions.
When to Book Your AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari
Book your safari elements as soon as you know your travel window, and buy match tickets only through CAF’s official channels. Gorilla permits are date and sector specific, and June and July are already popular months, so the tournament adds pressure to a limited daily supply.
In practice, an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari comes together in three steps. First, choose a window, for example the group stage or the knockout rounds. Second, let us hold gorilla or chimp permits and lodge rooms for that window. Third, once CAF publishes the schedule and you have tickets, we fine-tune the day-by-day plan. Remember that UWA charges a fee for late permit reschedules and for trekking in a different location from the one booked, so getting the sector right early saves money later.
Lodge choice matters on an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari too. Some of the best-placed gorilla and Nile lodges are small, and fans travelling in groups need several rooms on the same nights. Browse our Uganda safari lodges and camps for the main options in each park.
Ready to hold your AFCON safari window?
Share your likely travel dates and group size. We will check gorilla permits and lodge space for those dates and send an itemised 2027 quote within 24 hours.
💬 Hold My AFCON Safari DatesGetting Around: Flights, Guided Transfers and Match-Day Logistics
Most fans on an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari fly into Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometres from central Kampala. From there, we move you by private 4×4 vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide, or by domestic flights to the airstrips serving Bwindi and Murchison Falls when time is short.
Match days on an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari need their own planning. We build in time for traffic around Namboole, arrange transfers to and from the stadium for your party, and avoid long drives on the morning after a late match. For an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari that moves between Kampala, Hoima and the parks, the vehicle stays with you, so luggage, water and charging are always to hand.
On an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari, flights save the most time on the longer legs. The road from Kampala to Bwindi is a full day, while a flight takes roughly two hours. Murchison Falls is closer and works well by road, especially from Hoima. We book light-aircraft seats for you and plan around the soft-bag luggage limits these flights use.
AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari Sample Plans: 3, 5 and 7 Days
Three days covers one park between fixtures, five days adds a second species or region, and seven days after the final lets you see gorillas, chimps and savannah at an easy pace. Every AFCON 2027 Uganda safari plan below is private, with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
| Length | Route idea | Best for | Closest Sense of Adventure trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Kampala, fly to Bwindi, gorilla trek, fly back | A short gap in the group stage | Bwindi Gorilla Trek (3 Days) |
| 4 days | Hoima or Kampala to Murchison Falls, Nile launch, top of the falls | Fans based in Hoima or Lira | Murchison Falls and Nile Safari (4 Days) |
| 5 days | Kibale chimps, then gorillas in Bwindi | A gap before the knockouts | Gorillas and Chimps Safari (5 Days) |
| 7 days | Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi after the final | The full Uganda experience | Wildlife and Gorillas Safari (7 Days) |
Price on request – message us for a 2027 quote. Prices depend on lodge level, flights, permits and group size, and we confirm 2027 park and permit rates at the time of quoting. If you would like to see how a longer regional trip fits together, our Gorillas and Savannah safari across Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya is a useful model.
What Your Private AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari Includes
A private AFCON 2027 Uganda safari with Sense of Adventure is built around your fixtures and your group. These are the services we arrange, with every line itemised in your written quote:
- A private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide for the whole trip.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park entry and activities such as Nile and Kazinga Channel launch trips, arranged through official channels.
- Lodge and camp bookings in each park, from comfortable mid-range stays to premium lodges.
- Light-aircraft bookings to the airstrips serving Bwindi and Murchison Falls when time is short.
- Airport and match-day transfers in Uganda, plus meet and greet at JKIA or Wilson if your route starts in Nairobi.
- Complimentary AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover for the duration of your safari.
- Group and supporters’ club travel, with several vehicles and rooms held on the same nights.
Quotes arrive within 24 hours of your enquiry. You can also share your details through our plan my safari form if you prefer email to WhatsApp. For wider planning, our Uganda national parks guide and the official Explore Uganda tourism site are good places to read around the country.
AFCON 2027 Uganda Safari FAQs
When is AFCON 2027 and which Ugandan cities host matches?
AFCON 2027 runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027 across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Uganda has prepared Mandela National Stadium at Namboole in Kampala, Hoima City Stadium and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira. CAF confirms the final venue list and match allocation, so check its official site before booking.
Can I see mountain gorillas during the AFCON 2027 tournament?
Yes. Gorilla trekking runs every day of the year in Bwindi and Mgahinga, and June and July fall in a drier spell. Fly from Entebbe to a Bwindi airstrip and you can trek and be back in Kampala within three days, which fits neatly between group-stage fixtures.
How much is a gorilla permit for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari?
The tariff UWA currently publishes lists USD 800 per foreign non-resident for gorilla trekking and USD 1,500 for the gorilla habituation experience. UWA has announced revised rates for 2027, so we confirm the exact 2027 permit price in writing when we quote and book your trek.
Which park is best for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari from Hoima?
Murchison Falls National Park is the natural partner for Hoima. The southern side of the park can be reached on a guided transfer in a few hours, so a match in Hoima and a Nile boat trip to the foot of the falls fit comfortably into a three or four day plan.
Do I need a visa for an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari?
Most visitors apply online for a Uganda visa on the official portal, visas.immigration.go.ug. The single-entry tourist visa is USD 50 and the East Africa Tourist Visa is USD 100. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is listed among the documents for a Ugandan tourist visa.
Can I combine an AFCON 2027 Uganda safari with Kenya or Tanzania?
Yes. All three countries host matches, and flights between Entebbe, Nairobi and Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam are short. Many fans pair gorillas in Uganda with the Masai Mara or the Serengeti. We plan the full route, park permits and transfers as one private itinerary.
How far ahead should I book a safari around AFCON 2027?
Book as soon as you know your travel window. Gorilla permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day, and June and July are already popular months. Holding dates early protects your permits and lodges, and the itinerary can be adjusted once CAF publishes the match schedule.
Turn Your Tournament Into the Trip of a Lifetime
Gorillas in the forest, the Nile in full roar and the Cranes on home soil. Tell us your dates and we will build a private Uganda safari around every kick-off.
💬 Start My Uganda Tournament Trip📞 Call +254 799 160 081✉ Email Our Uganda DeskEscape. Explore. Discover. Quotes within 24 hours from our Nairobi team.
