daily travel budget uganda

The Cost of Travel in Uganda: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

Otherwise known as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda has so much to offer. It might be a bit less touristy and sought-after compared to its popular neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, but that’s part of its charm. When it comes to scenery, culture, wildlife, adventure, and people, Uganda hits the right notes every time. 

I visited Uganda on vacation while living in Tanzania , and I didn’t really know what to expect. But I was quickly drawn in by how comfortable I felt. Not to mention, everywhere I turned there was something beautiful to see. 

Uganda is one of the few places in the world that you can see endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. And seeing these these animals up close in their natural habitat is a life-changing experience. Furthermore, compared to gorilla trekking in Rwanda , the costs of a tour and permit are much cheaper in Uganda. 

Besides gorilla trekking, Uganda is home to some incredible national parks. It’s also the perfect place for adventure enthusiasts — from bungee jumping to white water rafting, there’s tons of things that you can easily cross off the bucket list here. 

All in all, I’d say Uganda is a top-tier budget destination for the region, especially given that the cost of some of the activities that you can engage in are significantly more affordable than they might be in other destinations. With that in mind, what are you waiting for? East Africa’s best kept secret has gems just waiting to be explored and adored. 

What’s Included in this Post 

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food while I travelled around the country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of Uganda as this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from.

The amounts in this guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. I also included some prices in Ugandan shillings (UGX), as this is the local currency that you will use the most. 

Okay — let’s get started!

The Cost of Accommodation in Uganda 

Budget accommodation is easy to find in Uganda. The best accommodation options in Uganda are hotels and guesthouses, with the occasional hostel. 

Ugandan hotels are priced pretty reasonably and you can expect to pay around $15 – $20 for a place that has all the basics. On the other hand, higher-end stays might cost you more in the $50 – $100 range , but you will only really find places like this in the larger cities and more popular destinations. If you’re planning on doing a safari of some sort and staying in one of the lodges, then expect to pay upwards of $500+ per night .

Here’s a list of my favourite accommodation options in Uganda :

Kampala —   TGS Homestay ($30 a night): As you start your Uganda travels in Kampala, there’s no better place to stay than here. Not only are you within walking distance from good restaurants, supermarkets and malls in Kampala’s city centre, you’re also in good hands thanks to the kind and generous host. Emmanuel will do everything he can to make your stay worthwhile.  Whether you need an airport pick-up, local sim card, bus tickets or recommendations—he’ll help you with anything. The rooms and common areas are also kept clean and tidy. So you can comfortably gather with other travelers, or cook your own food in the kitchen if you don’t feel like eating out.  The shared kitchen also offers unlimited tea, coffee and drinking water for your convenience!

Jinja —  Jinja BaseCamp ($15 a night): A trip to Uganda would not be complete without some time spent in Jinja, also known as East Africa’s adrenaline capital. Here you can do white-water rafting along the Nile River or bungee jumping. With all this adventure around you, stay at Jinja BaseCamp for a comfortable and rejuvenating rest. The value is excellent for what you get, which includes an outdoor pool, breakfast, and clean rooms. Surrounded by lush nature in a serene environment, but still close enough to Jinja centre, you can easily settle into relaxation mode before and after your daily activities. The standout of this place though, is the friendly staff who are attentive and create a warm environment for guests to feel at home right away. 

Gulu — Northern Pearl ($22 a night): Gulu is a relaxed city in northern Uganda, and it’s a great stop along the way to exploring some of the country’s most exquisite natural beauty and wildlife at Kidepo Valley National Park. That being said, there’s not many options of places to stay. Look no further than Northern Pearl, a sweet hotel in Gulu with comfortable rooms and a restaurant serving up delicious, quality Indian food. The owner and staff are incredibly welcoming and if you’re there on a Friday night, you can also enjoy a comedy show!

Fort Portal — Dutchess Hotel and Restaurant ($27 a night): Fort Portal is a beautiful town in western Uganda that is surrounded by the Ruwenzori Mountain range. A good launching point for nearby adventures and activities is this hotel located just outside the city center, but close enough to walk into town. It’s a comfortable hotel with clean rooms, friendly staff and is known for its restaurant that serves some of the best food in town (so you’ll never go hungry!). Whether you want to explore by foot, bicycle or car, the staff will help you sort out any travel arrangements. This hotel also makes an effort to reduce their ecological footprint by using more solar heaters and local fast-growing wood to make furniture.

Mbarara —  Nyore Hillside Retreat ($51 a night): If you’ve included Mbarara in your itinerary, then you have to stay at this gorgeous natural haven. Enjoy the lush countryside and majestic green rolling hills by day and then be prepared to watch the stars in all their glory as day turns to night. Besides the idyllic location, the food is exceptional and cooked to order. They even grow and roast their own coffee beans! The staff are always willing to help and make any arrangements necessary to ensure your stay is memorable, including guided hikes of the area.

The Cost of Transportation in Uganda 

If you’re planning on traveling extensively throughout Uganda, then you’ll likely be taking buses or minibus-taxis to get from city to city. Otherwise, when you’re in a city, boda-bodas (motorcycle taxi), minibus-taxis or walking will be your main way of getting around. 

Here are the most common forms of transportation in Uganda: 

Bus : There’s plenty of bus and coach services in the country to help you travel around the country. Nearly all towns and cities in Uganda are linked by bus. Plus, this is a very affordable and convenient way to get around. Just be prepared to take the bus with low expectations. Getting from place to place might take longer than you expect because of road conditions and 

The bus companies most commonly used for long-distance travel include: Horizon Coaches, Easy Coach, Link Bus Services, Post Bus, and Global Coaches Uganda. Most of the common bus companies offer busses travelling to cities like Mbale, Mbarara, Gulu, Fort Portal, and Jinja. On average, a one-way bus fare to most places will cost around 40,000 – 60,000 Ugandan shillings ($11 – $16) . 

The main way to book bus tickets is by either going to the bus station physically or calling the bus company directly. When you’re taking the bus, the most reliable time table of departure times will be at the bus station in whatever city/town you’re leaving from. I would recommend going to the bus station the day before to purchase your ticket as some of the more popular routes sell out fast!

Minibus-taxis : There’s never any shortage of minibuses in Uganda (also referenced as Matatus). You’ll notice these blue and white vans as soon as you arrive. They are one of the most common, and most affordable means of getting around, especially within a city or town. However, unlike busses, they don’t run on a set schedule; but rather, they leave when full. In this case, full often means packed like a can of sardines. So be prepared to feel crammed in. Most routes cost 1000 Ugandan shillings ($0.28) .

Boda bodas (Motorbike Taxi) : Taking a Boda Boda is one of the most popular (and most exciting) ways to get around in Uganda. That being said, riding one should be approached with caution, and don’t do it unless you feel comfortable. Either get the number of a driver that your accommodation recommends or use a mobile app such as SafeBoda where the drivers are properly trained on road safety and always carry a helmet for the passenger. This also takes away the pressure from negotiating prices with the driver because it’s all taken care of in the app! Rides usually start at around 1,500 – 17,000 Ugandan shillings ($0.42 – $5) depending on the distance.

Taxi : Also known as ‘Special Hires’ in Uganda, private taxis are a comfortable and reliable way of getting around and may be helpful in some cases. Though, this will be on the pricier side in comparison to the other methods of transport. If you are going to take a private taxi, ensure you take a trusted driver, preferably recommended by your accommodation, and negotiate the fare before getting in. The taxi starting rate is around 4,500 Ugandan shillings ($1.30) and then 2,000 shillings ($0.56) for every 1km. If you were interested in hiring a car for a day, the price can range from $50 – $100 . 

The Cost of Food in Uganda

You have plenty of food to choose from in Uganda, from local eats to western fare — take your pick, and all at reasonable costs! When it comes to local cuisine, some of the most popular Ugandan dishes include matoke (bananas), cassava (manioc), sweet potatoes, white potatoes, yams, beans, peas, ground nuts (peanuts), cabbage, and pumpkin. 

A standout street food for me was Rolex, a popular choice amongst locals and travellers for an easy snack. Rolex is made by mixing chapati with fried egg to make an omelette and then rolling cabbage, tomato and onion into it to form a wrap-like shape. Simple, yet so delicious.

When eating from local stands or at inexpensive restaurants, an average meal will cost around 8,000 – 10,000 Ugandan shillings ($2.30 – $2.82) . So if you decide to eat mostly local fares, you can easily spend around 20,000 – 25,000 Ugandan shillings ($5 – $7) per day . Not bad at all!

But if you’re like me, and want to integrate some variety in your meals throughout the day, then there’s plenty of mid-range restaurants serving up delicious eats. One of my favourite things to do in bigger cities is go cafe-crawling. Kampala has a vibrant coffee culture scene and some of my top picks included Cafe Javas and Prunes. When eating out at a more mid-range or western style cafe, you might expect to spend around 30,000 – 50,000 Ugandan shillings ($8 – $14 ) per meal. 

If you have access to a kitchen during your stays and want to shop at the markets or local grocery stores, then you’ll probably average around 50,000 Ugandan shillings ($14) for a bill that includes some protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Uganda 

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I was planning for my trip to Uganda, I simply had one thing on my mind: gorillas.

This region of Africa is the only place in the world where you can find wild mountain gorillas, and they’re still a rare breed: just 800 of these beautiful animals remain in the world.

If you have the means, I would also put gorilla trekking at the top of your Uganda experiences list. Keep in mind that the best time of year to go gorilla trekking is in June, July, or August for peak weather conditions. 

Hands down, one of the best places to experience adventure is in Jinja. Also known as the adrenaline capital of East Africa, you can partake in some dare-devil activities like bungee jumping or you can take a boat ride to see the Source of the Nile, which is the starting point of the longest river on earth. 

I did a one-day tour from Kampala to experience some of Jinja’s top sights, including the source of the Nile, Mabira Forest, and Sezibwa Falls. This was a great way to experience Jinja with a short amount of time, and I would definitely recommend it. 

Then when it comes to national parks and wildlife, you have plenty of options to go on the safari of your dreams. Notable parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. 

Below is a breakdown of some of the costs you might expect for the top attractions in Uganda. Keep in mind that this mostly consists of just entrance fees. For safaris or trekking, your final prices will change depending on the company you hire and the length of stay. 

Here’s a breakdown of some popular attractions in Uganda and their respective costs: 

• Kidepo Valley National Park: $40 per person, per day
• Mountain Gorilla Trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park): ~$970 per person for a 1-day tour with another person 
• Queen Elizabeth National Park: $40 per person, per day 
• Murchison Falls National Park: $40 per person, per day
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: $50 per person for 1-2 hours
• White water rafting on the Nile River: $125 per person (Half-Day Rafting)
• Bungee Jumping: $115 per person
• 1-day Jinja Tour (incl. source of the Nile Tour): $145 per person

Miscellaneous Expenses in Uganda

A local SIM card:  I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

This year, I started using  Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM card online  before  you arrive in Uganda, and then as soon as you land in the country, you can switch on your data and start using it. It’s worked flawlessly for me and I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. You’ll pay  $9 for 1 GB of data  or $35 for 5 GB of data and can top-up instantly on your phone through the Airalo app.

The Cost of Travel Insurance in Uganda

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Uganda. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Uganda? 

It’s time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs! It might seem like the total average amount is high, but that’s because you’re likely to experience some activity that adds on to the final amount spent. Uganda is a good country to spend more on experiences anyways!

• Accommodation: $25 per day
• Transportation: $15 per day
• Food: $20 per day
• Activities/Entrance Fees: $145 per day

Average amount spent in Uganda: $205 a day!

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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How to Travel Uganda on a Budget

Today’s guest post is from Alicia Erickson. She’s a travel writer who splits her time primarily between East and Southern Africa, India, and Seattle. She’s writing about how to save money in Uganda, a country I have longed to visit but still haven’t gotten around to doing. Alicia shares her tips and tricks to save on your next visit!

The magnificent and diverse color, vegetation, and wildlife of Uganda so inspired Winston Churchill that he nicknamed this East African country “the pearl of Africa,” a name that has stuck ever since.

Since shedding its violent reputation after a volatile period during the 1980s, Uganda has changed a lot. In particular, it’s invested resources into developing its wealth of national parks, largely aimed toward the repopulation of wildlife and the conscious development of infrastructure to help make its vast wilderness accessible.

Although East Africa is known for its expensive high-end lodges and activities, Uganda is more affordable than some of its neighbors. It spoils adventure-seekers with its bounteous nature. In a relatively compact and easily navigable area, one can trek with mountain gorillas in dense jungle, visit coffee and tea plantations, relax by volcanic lakes, drive through savannah abundant in tree-climbing lions and other wildlife, hike snow-capped mountains, and raft down rapids in the Nile River! The Uganda visa is affordable and easy to get too!

Uganda has enthralled me since I first started visiting in 2010 and, over numerous visits, I’ve only developed a deeper appreciation for it. In this post, I want to share that love for the country and help you travel Uganda on a budget!  

How to Save Money on Transportation

Boda Bodas (motorbikes) – Public motorbikes, known as boda bodas, are dirt cheap in areas such as Jinja and Kampala but are more difficult to find in rural areas and around national parks. While they are the most cost-effective form of transportation — between 5,000-6,000 Ugandan shillings (UGX) ($1.50-2 USD), though prices are always negotiable — exercise caution when using boda bodas, as they have a reputation for being quite dangerous: helmets aren’t provided, and drivers are known for being reckless.

However, Safe Boda and Uber, which connect passengers with drivers through their respective apps, have recently come to Kampala and provide much more reliable drivers and standardized pricing, with minimum fares starting at 5,000-6,000 UGX ($1.50-1.60 USD).

Matatus (local buses) – Local minibuses, known as matatus, are an inexpensive — though not altogether easy — way to get around Kampala. Matatus also run between different regions in Uganda, often without a set schedule, and leave once the bus has filled up.

Prices depend on route, though they are generally around 500-2,000 UGX ($.20-.25 USD). To catch one, just wave down one of these rundown white vans from the side of the road — but be warned that they are usually cramped and filled beyond capacity.

Taxis – Taxis are the most expensive way to get around cities, though also the safest. Prices are always negotiable, though expect to pay between 15,000 and 40,000 UGX ($4–11 USD) for a ride, depending on distance and time of day.

Coach Buses – Coach buses, run by a number of companies, are used to travel long distances within Uganda as well as to other East African destinations, such as Mombasa and Kigali. Costs are dependent on the route but generally run around 55,000 UGX ($13.50 USD) for a ten-hour journey.

Private Car Renting a car is an ideal way to independently explore Uganda and go deeper into some of the parks where public transportation does not go. Cars can be hired with or without a driver, as well as with or without camping equipment.

Although not necessary, a driver can be handy not only in navigating potholed roads but also by providing a wealth of historical and cultural insights and in spotting wildlife on safari. A reliable company I have used is Lifetime Safaris , which offered a safari rental car with starting at $60-80 USD/day. Your Drive Uganda offers rental cars from $30-40 USD a day and you can hire a car with a driver for $60 a day.  

How to Save Money on Accommodation

Hostels – There are only a handful of hostels in Uganda, mostly in Kampala. Red Chilli offers dorms at its property in Kampala for $12 USD/night and basic rooms for $30-45 USD, and Om Bunyonyi on Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda provides dorms for $15 USD/night or $45 USD for a private room.

Guesthouses – Guesthouses can vary widely in cost. A decent-quality one with relatively reliable facilities in touristic areas, such as Om Bunyonyi, runs around $25 USD/night for a double private room, though expect prices to be much higher around national parks. If you don’t book in advance and are stopping through a small town for the night, you can easily find very simple guesthouses for far less, approximately $14 USD/night. Water and electricity will often be unreliable in this style of accommodation, however.

Camping – Camping is a great option in the regions surrounding the national parks, such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, though prices will vary by location. At its site in Murchison Falls, Red Chilli offers camping for $8 USD/night. Other sites and lodges offer camping for $8–12 USD/night. Many places offer tents for rent, though bringing your own equipment will save you even more money.

Eco-lodges – Budget-consciousness is probably not what you have in mind when you think “eco-lodge,” given the trend toward fancy eco-friendly safari lodges in East Africa. However, lodges and safari camps are a prominent form of accommodation in the national parks, and not all of them have to break the bank! There are some reasonably priced ones that still can be a nice splurge on a budget holiday. They can cost around $100 USD per night and usually include three meals a day as well, reducing other daily costs.  

How to Save Money on Food and Drinks

Restaurants – Kampala has an extensive international restaurant scene. They are expensive in comparison to local restaurants, though cheaper than eating out in Europe or North America and cheaper also than similar restaurants in other major East African cities. Costs range from 30,000 to 70,000 UGX ($8–20 USD) for an average meal.

Local cuisine, in contrast, is fairly simple — consisting largely of potatoes, rice, beans, cabbage, chapati (unleavened flatbread), and ugali (maize flour porridge) — and much more affordable. There are many Ethiopian restaurants as well, offering more mid-range meals.

Food-on-the-go – Uganda has a handful of street food items, the most famous being an egg and chapati wrap known as a “rolex,” which can also have different vegetables added and cost as little as 1,500–3,000 UGX ($0.40–0.80 USD). Stock up on fresh tropical fruit, which is abundant in markets and along the road; the price is always up for negotiation.

Inexpensive roadside food and snack stands selling corn, samosas, nuts, and grilled meat are also prevalent and convenient on long trips. Eating in these ways can save significant costs in Uganda.

Drinks – Foreign-import wine and spirits can be found in Kampala, though cocktails and wine are costly in the capital city’s posh bars, restaurants, and clubs. Your best bet is to stick with local beers such as Nile, which should cost 4,000–9,000 UGX ($0.80–2.40 USD), depending on the venue you buy it from. Or try out Uganda’s local gin, called Waragi, at around 1,000 UGX ($0.25 USD) a pour. This potent liquor becomes more tolerable when mixed with a good dose of tonic water and lime.

Adventure Activities Costs

However, it is easy to intersperse those activities with low-cost days of relaxing by crater lakes, taking self-guided walks in the mountainous areas of southwestern Uganda, or volunteering. On those days, you can spend $30 USD/day or even less!

Here are some typical adventure-activity costs:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park : $40 USD/day for admission
• Murchison Falls : $40 USD/day for admission
• Rafting : $144 USD/per person for 5-6 hours
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale : $150 USD/permit
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi : $700 USD/permit

Other Tips for Saving Money in Uganda

• Explore beyond the high-priced attractions – Regions outside of the major attractions are still abundant in nature and are often more captivating, as there are few to no tourists. Think volcanic lakes, little-known mountains, rarely visited waterfalls, almost-deserted islands, and dense forests and coffee and tea plantations.
• Travel during the off-season – Don’t let the rainy season scare you off! Uganda is at its most lush during the rainy months (March to May and October to November), crowds are at a minimum, and permits and lodging are often discounted to encourage tourism.
• Travel off the beaten path – Check out Lake Bunyonyi, the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria, and Sipi Falls, for example. If you’re looking to do trekking in the region, the Rwenzoris are worth considering — while they aren’t “cheap,” they are a much more affordable option than Mt. Kilimanjaro and you can do shorter or longer treks depending on your time and budget.
• Consider volunteering – Avoid volunteer programs that charge money, but consider looking into opportunities such as those on Workaway , which will help save money on accommodation and offer a more in-depth cultural experience.
• Booking advice – Booking gorilla and trekking permits in advance is advisable to ensure a place, since permits are limited, but skip booking package safaris, as tour company costs are much higher than if one travels independently.
• Stay for a longer time – This might initially sound counterintuitive, but a longer stay means you won’t necessarily only be concentrating on the major tourist attractions. You’ll also have a better idea of how to navigate local transportation and become better acquainted with some of the regional cultures and smaller, underrated rural areas.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – To ensure your water is clean and safe (and to avoid spending money on single-use plastic) bring a reusable water bottle and a filter. LifeStraw makes a bottle with a built-in filter that ensures your water is safe and clean — no matter where in the world you are.

With the ever-increasing impact of globalization, once off-the-beaten-path locales are being put on the map. Much of Uganda still remains raw and less developed, though its increasingly improving infrastructure makes it the perfect destination for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Development and prices are already on the rise so don’t hesitate to explore this wild and beautiful East African nation before the secret is out!

Alicia Erickson grew up as a third-culture kid, developing a love for travel at a young age. She has been a digital nomad for the past 5 years, working as a political analyst, social entrepreneur, writer, and yoga teacher while she explores the world. She splits her time primarily between East and Southern Africa, India, and Seattle, where she seeks off-the-beaten-path locales and is particularly drawn to mountains and the savannah, food, wine, and design culture. You can follow her adventures at Journey with Alicia .

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Tips for a budget friendly trip to Uganda

It’s easy to spend thousands of dollars when travelling to Uganda – but did you know that Uganda is easy to visit on a budget as well? With some planning and preparation, you can have a fun and comfortable road trip while limiting your spending. Here are our top money-saving tips for visiting Uganda on a budget.

Money-saving tips to visit Uganda on a budget

Budget tip #1. Travel with friends

Don’t let those back seats stay empty! Invite friends or family along for your roadtrip in Uganda. The more people you can split your vehicle with, the more money you’ll save on your vacation. Group accommodations tend to be more budget-friendly as well - another great reason to travel to Uganda with friends. 

Budget tip #2. Go camping in Uganda

Uganda’s starry skies and beautiful views are good reasons to grab your tent and go camping. Another great thing? It's easy on your wallet too! Lots of places in Uganda offer camping grounds right on their property. This way, you get to enjoy all the luxurious amenities (pool, cocktails, common areas), without spending extra money for a fancy room you’ll only use to sleep.

Check out our camping guide for camping tips in Uganda. 

Budget tip #3. Skip the gorillas

Gasp! Did we really just say that? It might sound crazy but yes, it’s ok to skip the gorillas. There are many other wildlife viewing opportunities in Uganda involving rare chimps and primates.

If you're planning to see chimps, keep in mind that Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge are cheaper alternatives than trekking in Kibale Forest. Another great budget-friendly tip is the golden monkey trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – you will be able to see many different types of primates for less than the cost of going on a gorilla trek. 

Budget tip #4. Cook

Eating out in Uganda is not expensive. But cooking can still save you a considerable amount of money. Before you embark on your roadtrip, visit a supermarket and stock up on snacks, canned goods, and other non-perishable things. Entebbe and Kampala have well-stocked supermarkets. Once you’re on the way, you'll encounter various fruit & veg stalls as you go. You'll read more about this topic in our blog ' Camping in Uganda '. 

Budget tip #5. Don't visit too many national parks 

National Parks quickly become expensive because of the entrance fees. However, much of Uganda’s natural beauty also exists outside of the park boundaries. Make sure to visit Fort Portal and the crater lakes, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, Jinja and the Sipi Falls for natural beauty without an entrance fee.

Budget tip #6. Make sure to visit Uganda in low season

Uganda in low season (rainy season) means better deals for flights, car rental, accommodation and certain activities, whilst you have the beautiful lush parks almost all to yourself.

In Uganda, the rainy season usually spans from March to May and October to November. There's no need to worry about endless days filled with rain. Rains can be heavy, but are typically short, followed by bright sunshine. Peak season is from December to January and from July to September. Although the parks won’t feel crowded whatsoever, you will have to reserve your  rental car , gorilla permits, and hotels well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Last important piece of advice

When travelling through East Africa, the only thing we don’t recommend you skimp on is your car. Although main roads are well-paved, you’ll hit the occasional muddy patch or pothole-ridden road, or you find the treks in the national parks washed away after heavy rains. In those key moments, you’ll be glad you rented a reliable car with good roadside assistance . 

Apart from that, following our budget-friendly tips can really help you save some money. From carefully choosing accommodation to picking certain destinations over others, you’ll leave Uganda with lots of unforgettable memories (and some extra money in your pocket).

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How To Travel Uganda On a Budget

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Uganda is renowned for delivering stand-out safari experiences and some of the most sensational—and extravagant—forest adventures on Earth.

Less well-known is the affordable side of exploring the Pearl of Africa, also praised for its friendly and welcoming people, dramatic landscapes, epic wildlife encounters, decades of political stability, and safety.

Independent travelers can still travel in Uganda on a budget and get more of the extraordinary legacy of the still primitive, still wild, still free that Uganda encloses on a wide scale.

Popular neighbors, Kenya and Tanzania undoubtedly overshadow the magnificence of Uganda. Uganda may not be able to match the sheer number of wild packs, size, and leisure travelers they have, but the destination surely packs an impressive lot in its tinyness. Uganda’s small size, its treasures in nature and wildlife, and the little to no tourist crowds make it a great choice for private safari journeys.

Combined within this single small destination is the best of everything an African safari holiday has to offer. Uganda is home to the continent’s tallest mountain range, the snow-capped Rwenzori mountains .

The world’s longest river, the Nile, oozes gracefully out of the second-largest freshwater lake on the planet (Lake Victoria). The humble mountain gorillas roam the misty jungles up the mountain, and the tropical rainforests harbor one of the largest primates populations on earth. Kampala, the cultural hub and capital of Uganda is safer than most destinations in the region.

On top of all this glorification, Uganda’s ever-growing number of safari activities has earned it the Adrenaline Capital title. 

Yes, yes! But how can an interested traveler visit Uganda on a small budget? In this post, I attempt to help budget travelers get a close enough estimate of how much they can spend on a Ugandan trip.

How to travel Uganda on a budget; simple safari planning hacks

Because Uganda is at the threshold of its discovery as a tourism destination, now is the best time to travel to Uganda. Generally, the tourism industry is recovering from a travel lockdown because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Uganda is getting popular enough to push hotels and safari lodge s to the region’s excellent standards and offers relatively lower room prices than other destinations in the region. From shoestring to luxury, every traveler in their style will find where to stay in Uganda. But before you excitedly dive into planning your safari itinerary , here are a few ways on how you can travel in Uganda on a budget.

How to save money on transportation

Uganda presents a wide variety of transport means that include the indistinct but affordable public means and the trusted private but pricey means of transportation. Apart from commuter rail in some parts of Kampala and ferry service, public transport in Uganda essentially boils down to buses and other motorized road transport forms. And it’s basically the cheapest means to travel in Uganda on a budget. Let’s take a look at how you can save on road transport.

Boda Boda (Motorbike)

One of the most popular and cheapest ways of travel around Uganda is the motorcycle-taxi or boda-boda—so-called because it originated as a bicycle with large panniers, used for smuggling goods across borders by rural footpaths. Now fitted with pillions and powered with 50 to 200 cc engines, they are a convenient form of suburban transport and great for short side trips where public transport barely exists. 

Fares are negotiable and affordable — just about less than US$2 , which is about Ush1,000 to 10,000 per trip. And, two travelers can share the same bike with the rider and get away with it. You’ll be amazed when you see a family riding the same bike; it’s such a picture.

If you’re reliant on public road transport in Uganda, you’ll inevitably use a boda-boda at some stage. But before hopping aboard, you should be aware of a pretty poor urban safety record. Boda-boda riders are invariably lacking in formal training and road safety awareness, which is frequently suggested, much between the ears.

Subsequently, the unruly nature of Boda Boda transport in Uganda has recently attracted the tech eye. Ride-hailing services or ride-sharing apps are the new way of traveling around cities, and if you’re an ardent Uber user, you’ll continue to enjoy the services also in Kampala on Boda Bodas . This is a far great alternative to just hailing a bike on the street late in the evenings. Famous Boda Boda mobile applications you’ll find tolerable in Uganda include Taxify, SafeBoda, and UberBoda. The price is not different from street hailed bikes.

Minibus-taxis

Next to Boda Bodas, minibus taxis are the cheapest of transport around Uganda. In addition to buses in Uganda, most major road transport routes are covered by a regular stream of white minibusses, which have no set departure times but leave when they are full — every ten to 30 minutes on busier routes. They are significantly the fastest way to travel in Uganda on a budget.

Fares are generally slightly higher than for buses when traveling long distances but significantly lower if traveling within the same region, city, or town. For a dollar or less, a minibus taxi will take you 38km (23 mi), like Entebbe to Kampala. And it’s customary on most routes to pay shortly before arriving rather than on departure, so there is little risk of being overcharged provided that you look and see what other passengers are paying.

Minibusses are referred to as taxis in Uganda (though here we’ve called them minibus-taxis to preclude confusion with special hire taxis) and as matatus in Kenya, generally understood but not used by Ugandans . A law enforcing a maximum of three passengers per row is stringently enforced in most parts of Uganda, meaning that minibus travel is far more comfortable than in the majority of African countries where four bums per row are customary.

All minibus taxis by law now have to have a distinctive blue-and-white band around the middle with a taxi light sign on the top, and special hire cars have to have a black-and-white band.

Special hire taxis 

Special hire taxis are what a modern city dweller would be familiar with. (taxi or cab) Special hire is a term that means hiring a vehicle privately to take you somewhere. Urban taxis are also known locally as special hires and are usually painted yellow, or with a white and yellow band (Entebbe airport taxis) around the middle or with a taxi cab light on the top.

Taxicab fares are relatively more expensive than all the road transport means but far more secure to travel with if you organize a special hire vehicle, and bargain hard.

Alternatively, download one of those taxi-hailing apps that allow you to pay per distance traveled. They are much cheaper than special hires and are available in Kampala, Entebbe, and major towns. Uber and Taxify outshine the rest, download from Apple or Google stores.

Shared taxis

If you’re in a far-flung Ugandan town junction, shared taxis will be your cheapest means of transport. They are generally light saloon cars that carry four to six passengers. They drive into their own on routes that attract insufficient human traffic for minibusses. For instance, when traveling between Katunguru and Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park or between Kisoro and Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable NP. 

They tend to be crowded and slow compared to minibusses and on routes where no other public transport exists. Fares are quite affordable ($1 – $5 on shorter routes), considering it may be the only option you can get from where you are. Often highly inflated, though. The drivers habitually overcharge tourists, so establish the price in advance, so bargain hard.

Buses 

Coach and bus services cover all major routes and, all things being relative, they are probably the safest form of public road transport in Uganda. On all highway routes, large modern coaches typically maintain a speed of 100km/h or faster, allowing them to travel between the capital and any of the main urban cities in western Uganda in less than five hours for less than US$10.

Gaa Gaa Buses (West Nile) and Elgon Flyer, Mash, YY Coaches, and Easy Coaches (Mbale and the east to Kenya) are the picks of the bunch. The best of the rest are Horizon & Swift Safaris (southwest Uganda), Kalita (Fort Portal), and Post Bus (Gulu). 

Link operates seemingly well-maintained buses capable of terrifying speeds. The Post Office’s Post Bus service is considered the best Bus Service in the country because it’s twice a day set departures, arriving at set times, and runs a perfectly well-maintained fleet.

The better services mostly have reasonably fixed departure times, with one or another coach leaving in either direction between Kampala and the likes of Mbale, Mbarara, Kabale, Kasese, Fort Portal, and Masindi every hour or so from around 07.00 to mid-afternoon.

Other transport means

Other means are not necessarily budget options, like private car hire. If you’re going to hire a car in hopes of saving on transport, then you are reading the wrong blog. Gasoline alone is quite expensive in Uganda, and the car hire companies charge exorbitant prices per day. You’re looking at paying US$40 -$150 per day depending on the type of car, plus you have to refill the gas tank yourself and pay for national park car entry fees on top of yours.

How to save money on accommodation on a Uganda trip

Traveling on a budget in Uganda has never been simpler. Uganda has grown enormously in recent years, and wherever you travel, and whatever your budget, you’ll seldom have a problem finding suitable travel accommodation. Most towns have a good variety of moderately priced and budget hotels, and even the smallest villages will usually have somewhere you can stay for a couple of dollars. Travelers in Uganda have not always enjoyed such a wide choice.

Before going into further detail about the different accommodation categories, it’s worth noting a few potentially misleading quirks in local hotel-speak. In Swahili, the word ‘hoteli’ refers to a restaurant, while what we call a hotel is generally called a lodging, guesthouse, or gesti. So if you ask a Ugandan to show you to a hotel, you might well be taken to an eatery.

Another local quirk is that most east African hotels in all price ranges refer to a room that has en-suite shower and toilet facilities as self-contained, a term that I may use later in this post. Several hotels offer accommodation in bandas, a term used widely in Africa to designate rooms or cottages detached from any other building. 

Be aware, too, that Ugandan usage of the terms single, double, and twin is somewhat inconsistent compared to Western conventions. Rather than automatically asking for a double room, couples might also check the bed’s size in a single room. Several hotels now provide oversize beds in which two people may sleep at a single tariff. Where such places offer bed and breakfast, usually only one guest will be provided with breakfast. Some double rooms offer similar scope for triple occupancy, being furnished with a double and single bed. 

How to avoid expensive accommodation

Accommodation in Uganda is categorized in upmarket, moderate, budget, shoestring, and camping considered the lowest. The upmarket or luxury category embraces all hotels, lodges, and resorts that cater primarily to the international leisure or business traveler and would probably be accorded a three-star to four-star ranking internationally. Most hotels in this category offer smart, modern accommodation with en-suite facilities, mosquito netting, air conditioning or fans (depending on the local climate), and in cities digital satellite television (DSTV) in all rooms. A luxury room price bracket exceeds US$300, in a couple of instances topping US$1,000.

But if you’re to travel in Uganda on budget, this flimsy info is enough to help you avoid the luxury accommodation category.

With a slimmer wallet, your next option is the moderate category. Essentially, it embraces those accommodation facilities which, for one or other reason, could not truly be classified as a luxury but are also too expensive or of a sufficiently high standard that they cannot be considered budget lodgings. They are decent lodges or hotels in recognized tourist areas that charge considerably lower rates than their upmarket competitors but are clearly a notch or two above the budget category. Hotels in this range normally offer comfortable accommodation in self-contained rooms with hot water, a cooling fan, and possibly DSTV, and they will have a decent restaurant and employ a high ratio of English-speaking staff.

Most moderate hotels charge around US$100-$300 for a double room inclusive of breakfast, but some are slightly more expensive or cheaper. 

Budget Accommodation For Travelers in Uganda

If you’re still interested in saving on lodging and travel in Uganda on a budget, we still need to get you where to stay. The hotels in this category are generally aimed largely at the local market, and they definitely don’t approach international standards. Still, they will usually be reasonably clean and comfortable and a definite cut above the basic guesthouses that proliferate in most towns. 

Hotels and safari lodges in this bracket will more often than not have a decent restaurant attached, English-speaking staff, comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities, running cold, or possibly hot water, a cooling fan (but no air conditioning), and good mosquito netting. 

Budget room rates are typically around US$30-100 for a double , including breakfast, which may or may not be very substantial. This is the category to look at if you are on a limited budget.

Shoestring accommodation

This category is dominated by the small local guesthouses that proliferate in most towns, catering almost exclusively to locals. A few cater exclusively to backpackers like Red Chillin in Kampala and Backpackers in Entebbe. 

Exclusive local ones typically consist of around ten cell-like rooms forming three walls around a central courtyard, with a reception area or restaurant at the front. Guesthouse standards vary widely both within towns and between them, far more so than do their prices. 

Note that while backpacker hostels exist, their range of accommodation offered now extends far beyond cheap dorm beds, which are often more accurately classified in the budget category. This category may be a much larger selection of basic guesthouses clustered together in the vicinity of the bus station or market, and often there is little to choose between them. 

If you’re looking around, my experience is that guest houses run by women or with a strong female presence are generally cleaner and more hospitable than those run by men. That — standards of maintenance being low — the newest guesthouse will be the cleanest and the brightest. 

Shoestring accommodation typically costs around US$10-50 for a double , with some establishments costing a little more. In most cases, shared bathrooms and toilets are provided rather than en-suite (or self-contained) facilities, and breakfast will not be included in the room rate or will be very insubstantial if it is. 

Accommodation charges for units operated by the UWA vary widely from US$5 to US$ 15 per person depending on the standard of accommodation and whether they are sharing.

This category is the one to look at for travelers who want the cheapest possible accommodation on a trip to Uganda irrespective of quality. However, it does often include perfectly pleasant hotels that happen to be cheap. 

There has been a great increase in the number of organized campsites in recent years, and there are now very few established tourist centers where you can’t pitch a tent in a guarded site with good facilities. 

Camping typically costs around US$5 per person per night and US$10 in the national parks. UWA’s tents go for US$20-$30.

How to Save Money on Food and Drinks

If you are not too fussy and don’t mind a lack of variety, you can eat cheaply almost anywhere in Uganda. In most towns, numerous local restaurants (often called hoteli) serve unimaginative but filling meals for under US$2. 

Typically, local food is based around meat or chicken stew eaten with one of four staples: rice, chapati, matooke, and ugali (posho)—starchy cornbread eaten throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Matoke is a cooked green banana dish, served boiled or mushy heap, and the staple diet in many parts of Uganda. 

Another Ugandan special is groundnut sauce. Mandazi, the local equivalent of doughnuts, are tasty when they are freshly cooked but rather less appetising when they are a day old. Mandazi is served at hotelis and sold at markets. 

You can often eat very cheaply at stalls around markets and bus stations. Cheap it may be, but for most travelers, the appeal of this sort of fare soon palls. A common offering on the street is the Rolex meal. This is nothing more (or less) than a freshly cooked chapati enhanced by a fresh omelet, chopped onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and finely sliced cabbage. The latter items are rolled up inside the former, hence the name, and popped into a polythene bag.

You’ll find Rolex street vendors armed with metal hot plates, a charcoal stove, and a chopping board in all popular nightspots of ‘local’ flavor. It’s exactly the sort of street food your mother warned you against eating in Africa, so Rolexes are obviously a firm favorite with backpackers, gap-year students, volunteers (and this writer). Expect to pay around 60 cents to a dollar.

You’ll usually find a couple of better restaurants (sometimes attached to upmarket or moderate hotels) serving Western or Indian food for around US$5-10. There is considerably more variety in Kampala and Entebbe, where for US$10 per head, you can eat very well indeed. Good lodges in parks generally serve high-quality food. 

Vegetarians are often poorly catered for in Uganda safari lodges (the exception being up-market or Indian restaurants). People on guided tours should ensure that the safari operator is informed in advance about this or any other dietary preference. 

Note that Swahili names for various foods are widely used in Uganda, so it may come in handy catching up on those Swahili or Luganda words . 

Cooking for yourself

The alternative to eating at restaurants is to put together your own meals with ingredients purchased at markets and supermarkets. The variety of foodstuffs you can buy varies from season to season and from town to town, but in most major centers, you can rely on finding a supermarket that stocks frozen meat, a few tinned goods, biscuits, pasta, rice, and chocolate bars. 

Fruit and vegetables are best bought at markets, where they are very cheap. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, bananas, sugarcane, avocados, paw-paws, mangoes, coconuts, oranges, and pineapples are available in most towns. 

If you have specialized requirements, you’re best off doing your shopping in Kampala, where a wider selection of goods is available in big international supermarkets like Shoprite and Game. Big chains like Quality supermarkets provide great international choices too.

Brand-name soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Fanta are widely available in Uganda and cheap by international standards. If the fizzy stuff doesn’t appeal, you can buy local quality packed juices like Splash or imported South African fruit juices at supermarkets in Kampala and other large towns. 

Tap water is reasonably safe to drink in larger towns, but bottled mineral water is widely available if you prefer not to take the risk. 

Hot Beverages

Locally, the most widely drunk hot beverage is chai, a flavored sweet tea where all ingredients are boiled together in a pot. In some parts of the country, chai is often flavored with spices such as ginger and or cinnamon leaves. Another common hot beverage is African tea, that’s whole milk boiled with tea and flavored with ginger. For 60 cents or less, you get a decent cup of tea with cream.

Coffee is one of Uganda’s major cash crops. Still, you’ll be lucky if you ever find a Ugandan at a budget lodging who knows how to brew a decent cup — it will almost invariably taste insipid and watery except at upmarket hotels and quality restaurants.  Buy a pack of coffee for US$3, and make yourself a cup whenever you need a coffee fix.

The main alcoholic drink is a Lager beer brewed by two main players Nile Breweries and the pioneer Uganda Breweries. All local beers come in 500ml bottles, which cost US$1 in local bars and up to US$3 in some upmarket hotels. Nile Special is probably the most popular beer among travelers, though some prefer the milder Bell. If you’re serious about getting drunk, try Eagle Extra, which has an alcohol level of 6.5%. 

Two of Africa’s most pleasant lagers, Kenya Tusker and Congo Primus, sometimes used to be sold in towns near the respective borders but are now readily available across the country. If you’ve never been to Africa before, you might want to try the local millet beer (Marwa). It’s not bad, though for most people, once is enough. 

A selection of superior plonk-quality South African wines is available in most tourist-class hotels and bars, as well as in many supermarkets, generally at around US$10-20 per bottle — outrageous to South Africans who know that the same wine would cost 20% of that in a supermarket at home, but not unreasonable in international terms. Based on my experience, all wines — white or red — of more than two or three years’ vintage are best avoided in preference for younger bottles, presumably because they are poorly stored. 

Bond 7 Whisky and a local gin called Uganda Waragi can be bought very cheaply in various bottle sizes or 60ml sachets —very convenient for hiking in remote areas or taking with you to upmarket hotels for an inexpensive nightcap in your room.

These are known by the rather endearing term ‘tot pack,’ though the African fondness for tacking an additional vowel to the end of a noun has actually resulted in ‘totter pack’; you may appreciate this inadvertent irony if you overindulge.  

Choosing the right safari activities that fall under your budget

Planning your travel in Uganda on a budget is going so well until you choose adventures and things to do on your Uganda tour. Your budget will depend on what you select from the list of safari activities Uganda offers. Most considered is one of the two primate adventures in the rainforest jungles: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls national parks.

Gorilla Trekking ($700/$400)

Seeing the mountain’s gentle giant gorillas is unmissable, but the price tag on a permit is hefty. For US$700 per person for a gorilla permit, you’ll be escorted into the jungle with two armed rangers, a tracker guide, and seven other trekkers to where a gorilla family was last seen. With your facemask on, gloves, and 10 meters distance, you’ll only be allowed 60 minutes in their presence unless you chose the more lengthy habituation experience that allows you 4 hours for a hefty US$1,500.

The typical costs of a gorilla trekking tour for foreigners.

Find out how much

Even if you can’t afford gorilla trekking, Bwindi is a rewarding park to visit just for a chance to explore the lush virgin rainforest. Several 3 to 4-hour hikes run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) penetrate the Impenetrable Forest around Buhoma. The walks begin at 09:00 and 12:15 and cost US$30 per person (not including your park entry fee of $40). 

Chimpanzee Trekking ($50 and $200)

Chimpanzee trekking in Kanyanchu, Kibale forest, is the best alternative to gorilla trekking, cheaper and easier to access than Bwindi. A Kibale chimp permit costs US$200 though you can trek the greater apes in other parts of Uganda at a lower price.

In the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura (Chambura) Gorge is a beautiful green scar running through the savanna, a little Eden brimming with chimpanzees and other primates. A chimp permit here costs US$50, but in Semuliki NP, the permit costs US$30.

What else can match seeing gorillas in Uganda

The alternative primate safari in Uganda without gorillas

Other typical safari adventures

The primates may not be your choice of adventure. However, there are many options that you can spread out through your safari trip to Uganda .

In the east is the adrenaline capital, Jinja, the famed source of the Nile river. There’s a menu of adventure sports offered along the Nile corridor north of the town. Activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, and quad biking attract a young and young heart traveler’s steady flow. You might spend US$120 to $220 for a guided whitewater rafting excursion.

If hyping adrenaline is not a choice for you, take other low-cost activities in the savannah parks or a self-guided walk in the mountainous areas, relax by the crater lake in western Uganda, take a birding expedition or travel with a purpose and sign up volunteers. On such days you could spend US$35 or less. Let’s glimpse through what you may incur on entrance fees:

• Murchison Falls NP entrance $50/day
• Bigodi Wetland guided walk/birding $23 per person 
• Queen Elizabeth NP entrance $50/day
• Lake Mburo NP  entrance $50/day
• Rwenzori Mountains entry $35/day
• Semuliki NP entry $35/day
• Mount Elgon National Park entry $35/day
• Mountaineering fee of US$50/day in Elgon & Rwenzori (includes park entry)

How else to travel on a budget in Uganda

We’ve basically explored the common areas for cutting the cost of travel in Uganda, but there’s more;

Go off the beaten path

Get off the beaten path and explore places most tourist vehicles won’t go and discover raw, untouched wild places. Sipi falls near Mount Elgon is a site to check out. Rarely visited waterfalls, almost-deserted islands, and dense forests and coffee and tea plantations adorn Uganda’s nature and are a perfect choice for travel in Uganda on a budget. 

The volcanic lakes dotted around western Uganda’s mountainous region (especially in Fort Portal & Kasese) offer stunning views. Lake Bunyonyi en route to Bwindi will surely keep you immersed in nature’s own ambiance. Tourists have referred to the Bunyonyi region as the Switzerland of Africa, and it’s a top birding place in Uganda.

Kilembe town in Kasese, perched at the edge of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, the village is a popular set-off point for dedicated hikers who spend up to a week in the National Park enjoying the marvels of its wildlife. Ptolemy and other antiquity historians referred to this mountain range as The Mountains of the Moon and the glacial source of the Nile. However, those of you who do not wish to venture into the Heart of Darkness, or do not have a few hundreds of dollars to spare, can spend a few days in the village and invest their money into community tourism. You can pay less than $20 for a community guide.

Travel during the wet season

The off-peak (or low season) is the best time to travel to Uganda on a budget. It’s low season in Uganda during the Wet season. Hotels, Camps, and lodges are charging lower rates because there’s less travel traffic. If you don’t mind a downpour once a day and are looking to travel on a budget, this is the best time for a Uganda trip. The off-peak covers months between March to May and September to November.

This is the period when the country is at its most beautiful, the savannah plains, and the whole country is covered in green, and photography is at its best, especially when the sun shines over the afternoons.

Although wildlife in the savannah reserves is harder to spot in the Wet season due to high vegetation and animals spread all over the plain, you’ll still see plenty of newborns and witness concomitant gut-wrenching thrills when hungry predators battle with vigilant mothers or snatch the helpless young.

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During the dry season, patches of grass or savanna should be avoided when looking for a place to park your car. There is a risk that the exhaust pipe or other hot engine parts will ignite the parched vegetation and spark off a fire, possibly damaging or destroying the car.

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Backpacking Uganda: The ULTIMATE budget Uganda travel guide

Backpacking Uganda: Top Experiences

• Come face-to-face with a silverback mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Get your adrenaline pumping with a wild raft ride down the Nile River’s Class V whitewater in Jinja
• Spot lions, elephants, giraffes, and crocs on a game drive and boat trip in Murchison Falls National Park
• Hike through impossibly green hills and friendly villages in the Toro Crater Lakes region
• Paddle a dugout canoe to Uganda’s best backpacker hangout — Byoona Amagara — on Lake Bunyonyi

Jump to the list of posts from Uganda , or read on for my comprehensive Uganda travel guide.

Uganda itinerary ideas

Uganda is a tiny country that packs a huge punch. Unusually for Africa , you can get between just about any two cities within five hours. But at the same time, every single destination looks and feels wildly different.

The southwest is the focus for most Uganda itineraries. The typical route heads west from Kampala to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Forest. Then, spend a couple days in Queen Elizabeth National Park , where you can do game drives and boat trips through an incredible diversity of landscapes. Finally, continue to the far south near the Rwandan border to track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park — potentially basing yourself at Lake Bunyonyi for some post-trek relaxation. This Uganda itinerary can be covered in as little as ten days.

With more time, there are plenty of diversions along the way. Instead of rushing through Kibale Forest just to track chimps, spend a few days trekking through the nearby Toro Crater Lakes region. Or explore the monkey and bird life at Bigodi , just 5 km from the chimp trailhead. A number of excellent budget camps and lodges in the area, plus a very low volume of tourists, make this a great region for backpackers to explore. Serious trekkers should check out the Rwenzori range — where you could have a 7-day peak-bagging expedition all to yourself.

Another increasingly popular pit stop is Lake Mburo. The national park may not have much in the way of Big 5 wildlife, but it’s the only place in southern Uganda where you can see zebras. The savanna landscape is gorgeous (and unusual for Uganda), and you can mix it up with walking, biking or horseback safaris.

If you have two weeks in Uganda or more, you could consider adding Murchison Falls National Park to your itinerary. Out on a limb in the north-central region, this park has far superior game viewing compared to Queen Elizabeth, and it’s less crowded. Budget travelers backpacking Uganda usually visit on a three-day safari organized by Red Chilli Tours in Kampala .

With three or more weeks for your Uganda itinerary, branch out to the east with a day of whitewater rafting in Jinja . Then, make your way north to Sipi Falls in the stunning Mount Elgon region. From here you can easily hop across the border to Kenya , or branch further north to Kidepo Valley National Park and the Karamoja Region — but consider hiring a driver for this very remote area.

Uganda weather and when to visit Uganda

Uganda’s equatorial location means temperatures are consistent year-round, so rainfall is the biggest factor to consider when deciding when to go. Overall rainfall is far higher than its neighbors, and even in dry season, you’ll get rain a few times a week.

The best time to visit Uganda is in December-January, or in June-August. Mornings are usually dry, as are some afternoons. Animals are more likely to venture out of the bush and be visible. It also makes for more pleasant gorilla and chimp tracking when you don’t have to wade through ankle-deep mud. If you plan to trek in the Rwenzori or Mount Elgon, visiting in dry season is essential, but you should still plan for tons of rain and mud.

The downside of visiting in dry season is tourist numbers are at their peak. Uganda isn’t a touristy country, so you won’t feel constantly surrounded by safari vehicles like you might in Kenya or Tanzania. But you’ll need to book gorilla and even chimp permits many months in advance — ideally 6 months or more.

In rainy season, tourist numbers drop dramatically and the possibility opens up of getting last-minute permits for chimps. It’s still quite difficult to get last-minute gorilla permits , but a month or two advance booking is fine. The downside is, well, it’s really wet and muddy. Some roads wash out. Hiking and camping becomes a miserable prospect, especially in the Rwenzori. That said, you’ll have the country largely to yourself and the landscape will be incredibly green.

One other important thing to keep in mind when backpacking Uganda is most of the country is above 1,000 meters in elevation. This means temperatures range from warm and pleasant to quite chilly (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night is not unusual). The areas around Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are cold enough to make camping unpleasant without a four-season sleeping bag. If you trek in the Rwenzori or Mount Elgon, you should pack snow gear.

Language in Uganda

The primary local language spoken in Uganda is Luganda . It’s a Bantu language with origins in the Buganda kingdom in the eastern part of the country. It’s pronounced exactly as written.

However, there are a total of 41 recognized languages spoken in the country. Many of these are Bantu-derived, and mutually intelligible with Luganda, but others are totally different and not mutually intelligible.

As a result, nearly everyone in Uganda speaks English. You’ll often hear Ugandans speaking English with each other. As a tourist, you can default to English most of the time. But Ugandans are accustomed to hearing English spoken with the Ugandan accent (which is closer to a British accent and has a whole host of its own dialectical quirks), so you may need to speak extra clearly if you have a strong American accent.

In very rare cases, you’ll encounter someone who doesn’t speak English or Luganda. In these cases it’s okay to try Swahili. But most Ugandans don’t use Swahili on a daily basis, and it can even come off as culturally insensitive (like you’re lumping Uganda in with other East African countries rather than recognizing its own unique cultural heritage). Whatever you do, don’t greet people in Uganda with a hearty “Jambo!” or you’ll get some pretty nasty stares.

Whichever language you use, make sure to properly greet people before diving into a conversation. Whether it’s a guard at a national park, a waiter at a restaurant, or someone you need to ask for directions on the street,  always  start with, “hello, how are you?” and genuinely listen to the answer. If someone else initiates the conversation, the proper answer to “how are you?” is “I am fine”.

The one word everyone backpacking Uganda will become quite familiar with is “mzungu.” This marks you as a person from North America, Europe or Australia (regardless of your skin color — your mannerisms and dress give you away). It’s not an offensive term, just a statement of fact. Sometimes you’ll hear Ugandans using this word when talking about you (as in “that bag is the mzungu’s,”), and other times they’ll use it to get your attention (as in “Mzungu, this is your bus stop!”)

Budget for backpacking Uganda

Backpacking Uganda can be extremely cheap — until you want to do any activities. Day-to-day travel costs are quite low. But nearly every wildlife encounter or adventure tour is pricey. As a result, the most useful way to organize your Uganda budget is separate day-to-day costs and big-ticket activities.

A daily budget for food, accommodation, and travel while backpacking Uganda could be as low as $30/day if you’re camping — but $40 per day would be more comfortable. This would include cheap activities like village walks, hiking and even some wildlife experiences where you don’t have to pay park fees. A healthy mid-range budget would be $80-100 a day, for which you can stay in some very nice lodges and eat at excellent restaurants.

Then, you’ll want a big-ticket activity budget of at least $1,000 — enough for a gorilla permit, chimp permit, and one day of game drives and boat trips in Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you can up it to $1,500 you can also do a Murchison Falls safari and go whitewater rafting in Jinja.

The cheapest hang-out spots for backpackers are Lake Bunyonyi and Jinja. You could camp for days in gorgeous surrounds for a total budget (food and activities — but not rafting — included) of around $20 per day. The Ssese Islands used to be a popular budget getaway, but dodgy ferries and higher malaria risk have made them less appealing as Bunyonyi has developed more for tourism.

ATM’s abound in urban Uganda. They mostly play nicely with foreign Visa cards, but not Mastercard. They dispense shillings, which you need to pay for food, bus tickets, small day tours, curios, etc. If you’re going to be in the bush for a few days, such as on the Bwindi-Queen Elizabeth-Kibale Forest safari circuit , plan your ATM visits in advance — villages and small towns generally don’t have ATM’s.

Most guesthouses and tour agencies quote prices in U.S. dollars, but you can pay in either dollars or shillings. Tips for guides are expected and should always be in local currency. A stash of $100+ in hard currency — dollars are best — is useful for when ATM’s don’t work or the power is out. Euros and pounds are useless except at Forex bureaus.

Cash is king, but mobile money is also popular. It’s kind of like PayPal, but with a cell network instead of web-based. MTN is the most popular provider, and you’ll need a local SIM card to use it. You can only pay with credit card at high-end lodges.

Sample costs (quoted in USD, but usually paid in shillings)

Camping with your own tent at a lodge in or near a national park: $5-10

Rolex (street food): $0.30

Meal at a mid-range restaurant: $3.50

Large French press coffee with local single-origin beans: $2

Half-day village walk or cultural tour: $8-10

Bus from Kampala to Fort Portal: $5.50

Boda (motorcycle taxi) from Lake Bunyonyi to Kabale: $1.30

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park: $70 for the vehicle (up to 4 people) plus $40 park entry fee per person

Gorilla permit: $600, must be paid in dollars

Uganda visa requirements

Nearly everyone backpacking Uganda needs a visa. Unfortunately, the country is shifting rather chaotically to an e-visa system. Reports of whether you can get your visa on arrival are muddled and confusing. Immigration officials don’t know the rules on a day-in, day-out basis, or have different interpretations of the rules. So if you can, you should arrange your Uganda visa in advance.

For citizens of the U.S., Canada, most European countries, and Australia, the visa for Uganda costs $50. You can apply online here at least five days before you arrive. You need a copy of your Yellow Fever certificate and evidence of onward transport out of Uganda. You’ll get a form to bring to immigration when you enter the country, which is when you’ll actually receive the document for your passport (and possibly when you’ll make the payment, although the online system seems to intermittently require you to pay when you submit).

If you’re visiting Kenya and Rwanda on the same trip, it’s cheaper to apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa. This costs $100 and grants you multiple-entry, unlimited travel within all three countries for 90 days. It does not cover Tanzania.

You must apply for the EAT visa from the country that you will visit first. Theoretically you can get it on arrival, but it’s better to organize in advance, as there are conflicting reports about its availability at both Entebbe airport and at land borders. Just make sure you still get a Ugandan entry stamp — you’ll need it to buy a SIM card.

Accommodation in Uganda

When backpacking Uganda, you can choose from a range of accommodation at any budget level. Value for money is outstanding.

Uganda has few traditional backpacker hostels. You can find them in Kampala and, to a lesser extent, Jinja. Elsewhere, some camps and lodges have dorms to suit budget travelers. Prices run about $12 a night for a dorm bed.

Every decent-sized city in Uganda — such as Fort Portal, Kabale, Mbale, or Katunguru — has budget hotels catering to local travelers. $5-10 a night will buy you a clean room with a shared cold-water shower. For more like $15 a night, you can upgrade to a hot-shower en-suite room. The biggest downside is you won’t be immersed in the nature that makes Uganda so special. But if you don’t want to carry camping gear and want your own space, these hotels can be useful staging points from where you can pick up a boda (motorbike taxi) to natural attractions.

If you want to save money, have total flexibility, and avoid dorms, camping in Uganda is the way to go. You can pitch your tent in the yard of virtually any lodge in the country for $5-10 a night. You get to use the lodge’s facilities, including fantastic restaurants and swimming pools. And you usually get a good hot shower and clean restrooms.

You never have to book in advance (you don’t get a campsite, you just pitch your tent in any open space on the property). You can rent camping gear at many popular camps — called “lazy camping” — for more like $20 a night.

There are a couple downsides to camping while backpacking Uganda. First, charging your electronics is a constant struggle. Camps usually only have charge points in their restaurants, which the entire camp competes for during the few hours a day when the electricity is on. Second, because you’ll be way out in the bush, food options are limited. Camps generally don’t have self-catering facilities, and they’re often far (like 30 minutes by motorbike) from even small villages. So you may be stuck eating a three-course dinner at the $15-per-person restaurant rather than grabbing something more local. Finally, while camping in Uganda is very safe, always remember to check with the staff about wildlife — in Murchison Falls a hippo came within a meter of my tent!

If you have a bit more money to spare, Uganda has some world-class budget lodges. These are ideal for exploring the national parks. For $80-$100 a night (including all meals), you can stay in lodges that would cost three times that in Kenya or Tanzania. Most have fewer than 20 rooms and highly personalized service. Sometimes the “rooms” are permanent tents (under a thatched-roof shelter). But don’t worry, you’ll still get a proper bed, electricity, and a bathroom and hot shower inside.

Food in Uganda

Nobody goes backpacking in Uganda for the food. But if you don’t mind a little repetition, you can eat healthily on a budget.

Uganda’s classic street food is the Rolex. It’s not a high-end watch — it’s a freshly-made omelette, with tomatoes, onions and herbs, wrapped in a chapati (Indian-style flatbread) and rolled up. Delicious, healthy, and cheap at about $0.30 per egg. You can find Rolex in even the smallest villages. Rolex stands also sell plain chapati — a useful bus snack — for 500 shillings per piece.

In the markets, you can find veggies ranging from dark leafy greens to 3 kinds of sweet potatoes to broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, several varieties of eggplant, and more. Huge, sweet, creamy avocados are another standout.

The most typical starch in Uganda is a type of boiled plantain called matoke. Other options include ugali (a polenta-like cornmeal dish), potatoes, and rice. These starches are served with meats like goat and chicken, freshwater fish from Lake Victoria, or beans, and a boiled veggie or two. It’s flavorless but it’ll fill you up and cost you about $2.

You’ll also find a huge variety of tropical fruit throughout Uganda. The biggest treat is fresh passion fruit. Watermelon, pineapple, sweet lime, and mango are also popular. Bananas are big business in Uganda — there are 16 different words for “banana”! If you want to buy them from the market, ask for “ kabaragala ” (the yellow sweet ones that you can eat raw). Most other varieties are meant to be cooked or grilled.

At some point when you travel in Uganda, you won’t be able to look at matoke or chapati one more time. But don’t worry — you can get a variety of Indian, Western and fusion (think “Ugandan burrito”; it’s delicious) cuisine for $5-8 at tourist-oriented restaurants. You’ll find them in cities and larger towns.

If you’re traveling in the bush, often your only option is to eat at your lodge or camp. Breakfast is usually a full breakfast with eggs, toast, baked beans or bacon, and a plate of fruit. Lunch is normally smaller, with a vegetarian or meat sandwich served with chips or a salad. Dinner is a three-course affair, with a vegetarian soup, veggie or meat main, and simple dessert.

Lodge meals are more interesting than what you’ll find at restaurants, but considerably more expensive. Budget-oriented camps are a little cheaper and you can sometimes order off a menu, but the menu tends to amount to “veggie burger or tomato and avocado sandwich,” which gets real old after a few days.

Lodges need to know who is eating, what they’re eating, and what time in advance. So call ahead if you plan to eat there on the day you arrive and tell the staff at breakfast what time you want your dinner.

Drinks in Uganda

Uganda is a major coffee and tea producer. The best tea comes from the Toro region, while coffee production centers around Mount Elgon. Most of the best coffee and tea is exported. But when you visit these regions, you can find the good stuff in any local shop or cafe. Unfortunately, outside of these regions, you’ll mostly find sludgy instant coffee and mass-produced cheap tea. If you order “African” tea or coffee, it’ll be 80% milk.

Fresh fruit juices are another Uganda backpacking highlight. Watermelon juice is particularly delicious. Order it from any restaurant or fruit vendor. It’s safe — if they use water or ice, it’ll be boiled. You can also buy all the usual soft drinks, plus some local brands. Try Honey ginger beer and the pineapple soda.

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage when backpacking Uganda. You can buy it at local shops and any tourist lodge or camp. It won’t always be cold. Nile Special is the most popular brand. If you’re up for an adventure, try the local banana beer from the Fort Portal area. Wine is generally imported and only available at nicer restaurants and tourist lodges. When it comes to spirits, gin rules. Usually it’s made from millet or banana.

Ugandan tap water is questionably safe to drink. Water pumps and wells are  probably  okay. If locals offer you tap water, it’s almost certainly been boiled. But most travelers err on the safe side by buying bottled water, which you can buy everywhere. Consider bringing a Steri Pen so you can fill a reusable bottle from the tap without worrying about getting sick.

Activities you can do while backpacking Uganda

Backpacking Uganda is all about the wildlife. The country offers the single most diverse safari circuit in all of Africa.

Most people come to Uganda to track critically endangered mountain gorillas. This is perhaps the most moving wildlife experience on the planet. After tramping through the forest for anywhere from one to eight hours, you’ll spend one magical hour in the company of a gorilla family — often coming within 3 meters of a 350-pound silverback! The sense of recognition and mutual understanding is extraordinary.

You can track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The permit costs $600 — there is no way around this expense. Only eight visitors can meet each gorilla group each day, and in high season, permits sell out up to 6 months early. Success rates are close to 100%.

If you can’t afford the steep gorilla tracking fee, tracking chimpanzees is almost as good. (Although it’s no substitute.) This costs just $150 for an hour with the chimps. The trekking is easier than with the gorillas when the chimps are on the ground, but you may have to run through the forest to follow them when they’re in trees.

Chimp tracking is available in Kibale National Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and near Murchison Falls. Kibale has the highest success rate by far (upwards of 90%) and usually less than an hour of walking before you find them. Permits are easy to come by in wet season, and you can get them just a few weeks before in dry season.

In addition to gorillas and chimps, Uganda has all the typical African wildlife. The three main safari parks are Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley. Lake Mburo is growing in popularity due to its location as an easy overnight stop between Kampala and Bwindi. You can reach Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo on public transport , but you’re better off taking a tour or hiring a driver for Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley.

Uganda also offers the unique experience of tracking white rhinos on foot. Unfortunately rhinos have been wiped out of all the national parks, but the excellent Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary operates a breeding program, with eventual plans to reintroduce them to the wild. It’s an unforgettable stop between Kampala and Murchison Falls.

Besides the wildlife, the most popular activity in Uganda is whitewater rafting on the Nile River. The long-feared Isamba Dam project is now complete, but most of the rapids survived, and it’s still an intense and fun day on the river.

Rafting companies Nalubale and Nile River Explorers have exceptional safety records. Still, you should be water-confident to take on this trip. Three of the rapids have a 70-80% chance of flipping. Even if you’re prepared, it’s terrifying — you’ll be trapped underwater for 30 seconds or so, battered by the whirlpools and waves, before you can find one of the air pockets under the raft. Rafting costs $140, including transport from Kampala, all food and drinks, and up to two nights at the rafting companies’ camps in Bujagali.

Finally, Uganda is a hiker’s paradise. The big trekking region is the Rwenzori Mountains.  Rwenzori Trekking Services   in Kilembe offers 5-7 day treks (and is far more reputable than Rwenzori Mountain Services, which can’t really be recommended for safety reasons). Mount Elgon is another popular trek, and it’s relatively affordable.

If you don’t want to take on the rain and altitude of the biggest mountains, consider day-hiking on their lower slopes. Near Fort Portal, you have a range of possibilities in the lower Rwenzoris — from the Rwenzori Day Hike to self-guided trails around the Toro Crater Lakes. Sipi Falls, on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon, offers plenty of day-hiking possibilities for nominal guide fees ($5-10).

Transportation in Uganda

Traveling independently in Uganda is still a pretty novel concept. When you’re in the research phase of your backpacking Uganda trip, the most important thing to remember is that there is  always  a way to get where you want to go. The Internet just doesn’t always know it. So you could Google until your eyes bleed and still not find a single article describing the bus route you want. But if you show up and ask locals, you’ll never have a problem getting around.

Private transport and tours

The top rung of the transportation ladder is to hire your own driver. If you’re traveling in a group, this is very affordable — prices start around $100 per day plus fuel, split among passengers. 4-wheel drive is a good idea anytime, but absolutely essential in rainy season or if you’re visiting Bwindi. A private driver is by far the most common way travelers explore Uganda, and it’s the only realistic option if you’re here for less than two weeks.

Even if you don’t hire a driver for the whole trip, you’ll occasionally need to hire one for a day or two. This is especially common in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can get to the park gates on your own, but you can’t actually get to the wildlife without private transport. The good news is, it’s even more affordable — $50 a day is pretty typical. Email me   if you want contact info of a couple of great drivers who charge very fair rates.

Another easy option is to take a budget group tour. Some people backpacking Uganda travel on overland trucks with companies like Intrepid or G Adventures. These tours offer good value for money, but they’re very rushed and miss most of the highlights of Uganda. Instead, consider booking with a local tour agency like Red Chilli.

Coach buses in Uganda

If you’re not limited for time, on a shoestring budget, and want more of an adventure, consider traveling by public transport. You’ll almost always be the only mzungu on your vehicle and you’ll get much more exposure to local life.

The best choices for getting around Uganda on public transportation are coach buses. Preferred companies include Jaguar Executive Coaches, Link Bus, and Elgon Flyer, or take the government-run Post Bus. International companies Trinity Coaches, Mash Bus, and Modern Coast are useful for longer routes connecting to Kigali or Nairobi. Normally each bus company has its own ticket office and departure point, but some smaller cities have a central bus park.

Buses leave at set departure times until about 2 pm. You can buy tickets the day you travel. Most short-haul buses have six seats across instead of the four seats more typical in the U.S. or Europe. Drivers stop every 4 hours or so for a “comfort break.”

Matatus and shared taxis

Unfortunately, not all routes are covered by coach buses. If you’re heading to a smaller destination or along a shorter route, you’ll have no choice but to use minibuses, known as “matatus” or, more commonly, “taxis.” (What we’d call a “taxi” in the U.S. is called a “special hire” in Uganda — confusing, I know.) You can identify taxis by their blue bands painted around the middle.

Taxis are pretty much the worst. They’re more expensive than buses. Conductors routinely try to overcharge passengers. They only leave when full, which can take 2+ hours, and then they stop everywhere . The drivers are extremely reckless — you may notice speeds of 140 km/hr on narrow two-lane roads (when the speedometer works at all). Your head will slam into the ceiling every time the driver hits a pothole. And “full” to a taxi conductor doesn’t mean “each of the 14 seats is filled” — it means “there are at least 22 people in this vehicle but potentially as many as 30, sitting on each other’s laps and in every spare inch of space, plus at least three chickens and probably a basket of dead fish.”

That being said, taxis can get you to parts of Uganda that buses can’t, and they’re fast once you know how to use them. The key is to find an alternative “taxi stage” — or bus stop — that isn’t the central taxi park. This way, you can pick up a nearly-full taxi as it’s passing rather than waiting for one to fill. The only way to find taxi stages is by asking locals.

In some cases, your only option will be to pick up a taxi from the central taxi park. The second you arrive, hordes of people will come at you shouting “where are you going?” as they steer you into vehicles (and then demand tips for their “assistance”). It’s chaotic and confusing, especially since routes aren’t posted.

Just stay calm and remember that the people telling you which bus to get on are taxi conductors who have a financial stake in you choosing their vehicle. If you walk around on your own for 5-10 minutes, appearing disinterested whenever someone approaches you, a window will eventually open to ask calm questions about which vehicle to use. Always verify the destination with locals in the vehicle, ask for a formal receipt for your ticket, and negotiate if the price seems high.

Safety is all relative when it comes to taxis, but a few words of advice: The driver may offer you a seat in the very front of the vehicle. This is a polite offer, but one you should never accept — you’ll be the first one to die in a head-on collision at high speed. Instead, choose a seat smack dab in the middle of the vehicle. You’ll be better protected in a crash and you won’t fly out of your seat at every speed bump or pothole.

On very local or low-traffic routes, sometimes shared taxis replace matatus. While backpacking Uganda you’ll most likely find these on the way to Sipi Falls or between Kabale and Kisoro. They operate the same way — leave when full, cram 12 people into a 5-seat sedan, and drive like maniacs. Shared taxis have the blue stripe around them just like taxis to indicate that they’re a public vehicle.

Bodas, special hires, hitching and informal transport

Uganda’s public transportation network is pretty good. But it will only get you into major towns and mid-sized trading centers. If you want to reach smaller villages, wildlife destinations, or pretty much anywhere down a dirt road, you will have to use motorcycle taxis, called “bodas.”

It’s not hard to find a boda driver anywhere in Uganda. Just look for guys (they’re always guys) hanging out on street corners with motorbikes. Simply say where you’d like to go and start bargaining on price. Prices are fairly standard, and you rarely need to bargain hard. 5,000 shillings per 8-10 km is fair. You can use bodas for distances as long as 20-30 km — drivers will be happy to take you.

Boda drivers don’t carry helmets for their passengers. This makes them theoretically quite dangerous. You’re totally unprotected in an accident, which is not, like, out of the realm of possibility on Uganda’s insane roads.

However, if you ask drivers to go slowly, they respect this request. Usually they’ll even check on you a few times during the trip to make sure you feel comfortable. I never once felt unsafe on a boda in Uganda, and I used them a lot. 

The only downside is you’ll be covered in dust when you use bodas on dirt roads. And this should go without saying, but because you will see people doing it: never use a boda in a national park where predators or buffalo may be present.

If you’re not up for taking bodas, the alternative to reaching remote destinations is a special hire taxi. This is where you commission a private driver for a short trip (like a taxi in the U.S.). Special hires aren’t cheap — think $10 for a ride that costs 5,000 shillings on a boda. Technically special hires are supposed to have a yellow band around them, but in practice, you’re more likely to find drivers with unlicensed vehicles.

Finally, in remote areas (but not national parks), many private vehicles double as public transportation. These range from trucks carrying agricultural workers to farms, to park ranger and military vehicles, to U.N. convoys, to newspaper delivery vans. You can hitch a lift for the comparable public transport fare. Confirm a price with the driver before getting in.

Use common-sense precautions when hitching. If a driver offers a free ride or you’d be the only passenger, that should be a warning sign that something’s up. Where informal transport is common, your lodge staff can call ahead or go with you to the departure point to arrange a safe ride.

Some people backpacking Uganda choose to hitch lifts with other travelers. This can be convenient — like getting a ride back to town from others in your chimp tracking group. But never, ever depend on hitching when you have somewhere to be at a set time. There are horror stories of backpackers losing $600 gorilla permits because the lift they were hoping for from their lodge to the trailhead just a few kilometers away never materialized. Uganda simply doesn’t have enough tourists at this point for hitching in the parks to be a reliable transport option.

Safety when backpacking Uganda

Uganda is an extremely safe country to travel in. Of course you could get unlucky and something totally unpredictable could happen, but in terms of day-to-day travel, it’s one of the safest places along the Cape Town to Cairo route. I never once felt unsafe in nearly a month of solo travel in Uganda.

Crime and violence

Street crime is almost unheard of when backpacking Uganda. Even Kampala — which is a big, busy, extremely crowded city — has little in the way of petty theft or muggings. Use common sense: keep an eye on your valuables anywhere near the Qualicell Bus Park due to the crowds, and don’t hop on the back of an unknown boda driver’s bike at 1 am coming out of a nightclub. But you can safely walk around after dark just about everywhere.

Uganda has managed to stay insulated from the violence in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, just on the other side of the border. Problems aren’t totally unheard of — like the American and her guide who were kidnapped from Queen Elizabeth — but it’s pretty rare and not a cause for concern.

The one place where you should use extra caution is in Karamoja, on the way to Kidepo Valley National Park. For years, this region struggled with armed cattle rustling battles across the Kenyan border. Things have calmed down considerably, but you should check with Uganda Wildlife Authority officials before heading this way overland.

Road safety and traffic accidents

Road safety is a really serious issue in Uganda. You can’t open a newspaper or turn on a television without seeing grisly footage of boda and taxi accidents. In fact, you’re pretty likely to witness or drive past a recent head-on collision or two when traveling on Uganda’s roads.

Your main defense against being in a road accident is avoiding taxis. Use coach buses whenever you can. When you have to use taxis, sit toward the back of the vehicle. Unfortunately there’s no convincing a taxi driver to slow down or stop blind-overtaking once you’re in the vehicle.

Bodas and private drivers are also a potential road risk. But you can protect yourself by asking them to drive slowly, or insisting that they slow down if you feel unsafe. They’ll respect your request.

If Uganda’s roads are a nightmare during the day, they’re a death sentence at night. Drivers don’t use headlights. Wildlife, livestock and pedestrians wander aimlessly across the road. Potholes become invisible. Don’t risk it — make sure you leave early enough to arrive at your destination before 7 pm.

Dangerous animal encounters

Besides road safety, the other potential risk to life and limb when backpacking Uganda is wildlife. Baboons and hippos are the main concerns — but it’s pretty easy to avoid a genuinely dangerous encounter.

If you’re camping, never store food in your tent, even if you think it’s well-sealed. Lodges will store it at reception for you. Baboons can open zippers and have been known to tear down tents with people inside if they smell food.

Additionally, never, ever feed baboons or other monkeys. Baboons aren’t aggressive by nature — but if they’re trained to associate humans with food, they become aggressive. If you encounter them on foot, give them a wide berth. If they growl and show their teeth, slowly back away and be prepared to drop your backpack (which is what they really want). Never try to take food back from a baboon.

Hippos are the deadliest large mammal in Africa. That’s not because they’re aggressive — they’re actually very chill animals. But they feel quite vulnerable when they come out of the water to graze, and they’re spooked easily. So if you surprise them they can easily trample you in a panic as they rush back to the safety of the water.

Never walk between a hippo and a water source (or a hippo and her baby). If you see a path through the reeds, avoid it — it was probably created by hippos, and you don’t know if any are on land or not. Anytime you camp or stay in a lodge near water, check with the staff about the presence of hippos, and always carry a torch (flashlight) when walking between the restaurant and your room/tent. If you do encounter a hippo at close range, give it a wide berth and don’t shine a torch at it or use the flash on your camera. (On the other hand, having a hippo come graze inches away from your tent is one of the coolest experiences you can have in Africa, so don’t be too freaked out!)

Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter a lot of large wildlife on foot when backpacking Uganda — from gorillas to chimps to rhinos to warthogs. These activities are safe in the company of a trained guide. But you absolutely must adhere to the guide’s instructions at all times. This includes not using flash on your camera and staying the required distance back from the animals. One idiot tourist can put the whole group in danger.

Health: Ebola and malaria in Uganda

Most travelers to Africa worry about Ebola. That’s understandable, considering what a horrific disease it is . But unless you’re going to be working/volunteering in the medical field in Uganda, you’re extremely unlikely to be exposed to it.

Ebola is actually quite hard to transmit — you probably won’t get it from a cough or a sneeze. Those most at risk are those handling the bodies of people who have died of the disease.

Uganda has exceptional protections in place to contain Ebola outbreaks. However, I’m mentioning it here because there is currently (September 2019) an outbreak in a highly politically unstable region of the DRC that borders Uganda. In June 2019, a Congolese-Ugandan family slipped across the border and died in Uganda of the disease.

The government reacted quickly to tighten border security and distribute experimental vaccines in the Kasese area, and the average traveler has little to worry about. But the situation in the DRC is unlikely to resolve anytime soon, so it’s worth doing some Googling before your trip.

Ebola may be the most headline-generating, but the most serious health risk that all travelers to Uganda should take precautions against is malaria. Malaria is transmitted by a type of mosquito that bites during dusk and at night.

While many people backpacking Uganda are under the impression that malaria is a minor and easily treatable disease, this is not true at all. If you get sick, at a minimum, you’re looking at a few weeks of feeling like death. But the most common type of malaria in Uganda is “ cerebral malaria ” — which is also the most deadly. Even when people have access to world-class health facilities (which, in Uganda, you won’t), the death rate could be as high as 10%.

Luckily malaria is highly preventable. Simply taking anti-malarial medication — doxycyclene, larium, or malerone — reduces your chance of getting the disease by as much as 90%. Combined with common-sense bite prevention (like wearing mosquito repellent with a high amount of DEET, sleeping under a net, and wearing long sleeves and long pants starting an hour before dusk), taking anti-malarials virtually eliminates the risk to typical travelers.

Maddeningly, many backpackers decide to forgo taking anti-malarials due to the cost or concern about side effects. This is a really dumb way to put yourself at risk. Most people experience minimal side effects from the pills, and even if your health insurance doesn’t cover them, you can get doxycyclene for pennies per pill. Most medical experts agree that no homeopathic prevention methods out there serve as an adequate substitute (so leave that dodgy tea at home and just take the pills!).

However, no malaria prevention is 100% effective. If you find yourself with a sudden high fever at any point during your trip or up to a year afterwards, you must assume you have malaria and seek medical attention immediately. Even the smallest clinic in the smallest village in Uganda has malaria tests. The faster you seek treatment, the less likely the disease is to progress to the dangerous cerebral stage. If you’ll be in very remote areas in Uganda for long periods of time, you should pack a small extra stash of malerone — which can be used as a treatment in an emergency — to hold you over until you can get to a proper medical clinic.

But really, if you take antimalarials as directed and do your best to prevent mosquito bites, you’d have to be quite unlucky to get sick.

Uganda travel advice for women alone

Uganda is perhaps the easiest country I’ve ever been to as a solo woman.

Yes, seriously.

Ugandans are overwhelmingly friendly. Even if you’re walking around a major city, people will stop to say “hello, how are you” everywhere you go. Every time you go to a restaurant, go on a solo hike, or hire a guide for a community walk, you’ll meet new friends. Plus, everyone speaks English — so you can make connections with local people that are impossible in many countries due to the language barrier.

At the same time, Ugandan men are incredibly respectful of women. I never once experienced cat-calling, inappropriate physical contact, or any other form of threatening behavior. And I could count on one hand the number of times a guy got even mildly flirty with me.

That’s not to say sexual assault never happens. Of course it does. But if you’re backpacking Uganda, it’s a much smaller concern than getting into a car accident.

Sometimes guys will ask where you’re staying or where you’re going — questions that could seem invasive. I always found it harmless, since it seemed like it was innocent curiosity. But it would be understandable to lie or give a vague answer if you’re getting a creepy vibe. New friends will also ask for your phone number. I usually say I don’t have a SIM card yet, but ask for their contact info, so that I’m in control if I want to text them later.

Really, though, it’s incredibly refreshing to travel somewhere where you can hang out with local guys at a cafe, text them later to keep the connection, and all the while never worry that you’re leading them on.

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Carrie is the founder of Trains, Planes and Tuk Tuks. For more than seven years, she's been solo-backpacking around the world to places few other tourists dare to explore -- from Ethiopia to Nicaragua to Jordan and beyond. When she's not on the road, you can find her hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and eating the world's best barbecue in her home city of Asheville, NC.

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I’d love to visit Uganda. I’m all about the animal encounters and it looks like there would be plenty here. Although I haven’t had the chance to visit Africa yet, I’m already planning the places I’d want to go and this is so far up the list I have to make it a reality soon

Africa is the best! And Uganda is the best of Africa. I hope you get the chance to visit soon :).

This is such an informative post, thank you! Gorilla trekking is a bucket list item for me so saving for when I finally get there.

Thanks Rachel! Gorilla trekking is unbelievable, absolutely deserving of a place on your bucket list.

I want to go to Africa but I don’t know how to choose! How did you select Uganda over other African nations?

Two reasons: I posted in the backpacking Africa FB group “I have a month, where should I go” and pretty much everyone said Uganda because of the friendliness; and I really wanted to see the gorillas. Plus it’s safer than Kenya, cheaper than Tanzania, lower malaria risk than Malawi, radically cheaper than Zim/Zam/SA/Botswana, more diverse than Moz, and the small size means you don’t spend a lot of time in transit. This was actually my fifth trip (and eighth country) in Africa though — I might have been more nervous to choose Uganda if I didn’t have a general sense …  Read more »

Wow what a wonder guide to all the activities in Uganda! This really is the ultimate guide that is so informative and helpful. I have always wanted to do the gorilla trekking but had no idea you could also trek the chimps. I really want to go now after reading this! 🙂

It’s so amazing, you should totally do it! The chimps were really cool. My group got super lucky and saw them on the ground for ~20 minutes before they became more active (and harder to photograph).

Thank you so much for this! I just started planning my solo trip to Uganda and your blog has been by far the most useful thing I’ve read so far. Based on your info, I’ve figured out how I want to do QENP without a tour, so thanks for saving me some money! I did have one question, though – what are your reasons for suggesting a tour/driver to Kidepo NP? My plan was to go by public transport, but I was wondering if there was info you picked up while traveling in country that made this inadvisable?

Aww yay, I’m so glad to hear that — thank you! Re: Kidepo, I didn’t do it, so I can’t 100% vouch for this, but all the volunteers I met in Uganda who had done it said it’s a three-day overland journey from Kampala each way with the worst bus company in Uganda (Gateway), and car hire in order to see wildlife is expensive if you rent from near the park. You’ll pay around $200 for a car with a driver for a single game drive, not even a full day, from Apoka Rest Camp. It’s not really ‘on the …  Read more »

That’s super helpful. Thanks!

Thanks alot Carrie for the Ultimate Uganda Guide. We’re so grateful for our country’s nature honestly and the love you’re spreading. I’m really falling for the love and research you have. I wish I could meet you someday and just hug you. Keep it up and God bless you. Love from Uganda 😍

WAW !! Thank you for your incredible guide about Uganda! I’ve always wanted to visit this country. However, I didn’t know that it was possible to do it “the backpackers way” as it Central Africa with very remote places and not a lot of information about how to travel from one place to another without a tour. Now I know it’s doable! 😀 Ps: If you wanna share your private drivers contact (for Bwindi, Kibale or QE National Park), I would be more than happy, because it’s decided now thanks to your blog… My partner and I are going to …  Read more »

Woohoo, you can totally backpack it! Shoot me an email ( [email protected] ) and I’ll share my guides’ info.

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How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide!

Uganda is the true ‘Pearl of Africa’ and has so much to offer with both animals and beautiful scenery. I have been to Uganda 3 times so far, the longest I stayed was 3 months and I love it there! This is the perfect place to learn How to Travel Uganda on a Budget whilst appreciating everything this country has to offer.

Although the cost of living in Uganda is very low compared to Europe, this is not necessarily reflected in the cost of Tourist activities. The Tourism industry at the moment caters for high end travel although the budget industry is starting to develop.

In this post, I walk you through how to travel Uganda on a Budget. To experience Uganda for the lowest prices, you need to live like a local. As well as saving costs, this way you get to experience the hospitality and friendliness of the local population.

My general rule of thumb of if it is for locals or tourists is whether it is in Uganadan Shillings (USX) or US Dollars (USD). If the cost is in USD, it is marketed at tourists only and not for the local population.

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: Transport

Transport is where you can expect to save lots of dollahhh.

Public transport

Local buses go across the country between all major towns and cities, this is the cheapest way to travel long distances. Do not expect any form of timetable or bus route! But they are very frequent and readily available. Buses look like vans and sometimes have a taxi light on top as well as blue stripes down the side of the van. There is a conductor that will sit in the front and negotiate prices as well as stops. Expect to pay approximately 5000USX per hour, this fluctuates depending on fuel prices as well as demand.

To stop the bus, stand at the side of the road and wave at them, there are no official stops. Tell them where you are going and clarify the price. If you are going for a long distance (ie multiple towns), expect to get a bus to the next town and then change bus. Because of the frequent stops to pick up and drop off people, buses can be quite slow. Foreigners don’t often get on the buses so expect to make friends!

When you are in a big city or town, get around by Boda Boda. Boda Boda’s are taxi motorbikes. In Kampala, use the app SafeBoda to organise your rides. This works like Uber and calculates the price automatically and the drivers are trained to be able to drive for them.

Fun story: I met someone in a hostel in Kampala that had travelled around Uganda for 3 months on a bicycle! This was the real budget option and he lived like a true local throughout his travels. He had some great stories as he ended up in loads of places that tourists would usually never go to.  

Rent car and drive yourself

If time is not on your side, the next cheapest option is to hire a car and drive around yourself. Uganda drives on the left hand side and the roads can be busy so be prepared for that. Imports of cars are really expensive in Uganda (tax can be up to 3x the cost of the car). Therefore rental cars can be more expensive than you would expect. The cost of this starts at $40 USD per day for the lowest cost vehicle (compact, 2 wheel drive). Check in advance if your driver’s license if valid for car hire.  

If you are planning to do game drives, renting a 4×4 car for the trip is a good idea to prevent having to rent a van for the national parks. I visited Lake Mburo national park in a 2 wheel drive, I regretted it. You can hire a ranger guide by the day through the Ugandan Wildlife Authority for game drives which is a great idea to see more animals as they are experienced as spotting animals.

Rent car and have a driver

Travelling with a driver really takes all pressure off but also comes at a price, expect to pay at least $50 per day for the driver (not including car hire).  This is done through a tour company. Before hiring a driver check with the company if the driver can act as a guide throughout the national parks. There can be ranges on how much drivers cost based on their experience as well as languages spoken. A more experienced guide really adds a lot of value to the trip and is worth the extra in my experience. If you are passionate about knowing certain things, such as birding, this can be requested through the company.

Internal flights

Internal flights are for maximum budget, minimum time. The small charter planes go between Entebbe and the main tourist national parks. If you are really restricted on time this is the best option but expect to pay a premium for it.

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: Accommodation

Local guest houses.

Local guest houses are the cheapest option. They will not appear on google or booking websites but are truly for the local population. You will find them by signs on the side of the road or ask a local boda boda driver. The cost is the cheapest you can find but expect the comfort to be a minimum too.

(Top Tip: if you are looking for anything, the boda boda drivers will know where to go)

The cheapest possible option is to camp and bring your own tent and camping equipment. Some campsites and tour companies offer tents for hire too. There are a wide variety of campsites in Uganda, from UWA (Ugandan wildlife authority) run to community run campsites. Some luxury lodges even allow camping on their grounds which gives options to use their pools! Camping can cost between $5 and $15 per night.

Hostels and dorms

There is a growing amount of hostels and accommodation that offers dorm rooms accommodations in Uganda. There are options in most touristy areas. I stayed in a hostel the Five Horsemen hostel in Kamapla that was really nice and had a roof top bar which was a great way to spend an evening.

Lodges and hotels

There are many options for high end lodges in all tourist areas of Uganda. There are a growing number of lodges catering to lower budgets. When looking for lodges, I tried to find lodges owned by Ugandan people. This means that the money you are spending goes back into the local economy rather than to foreign investors.

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: Food

Local road side cheapest.

The cheapest option you will find for food is roadside market stalls. You can expect to eat here for less than 5000USX. If you are travelling in a local bus, local vendors will often pop up at the window offering a variety of things. If you are travelling in the right season, you can be brave enough to eat crickets!

Local restos

There are many restaurants that cater to the local population only. This is where you will find very high quality Ugandan food but on a local budget. The choices can sometimes be limited and will often be posho or matoke based. Expect to spend 5000-10000USX per meal in local restaurants.

Tourist restaurants

Any restaurants catering to the international market will be more expensive than local restaurants. With this, you have the option of more variety of food from all over the world rather than just Uganda. Expect to pay between 20000-50000USX per meal.

Hotels is where you will find the most expensive food in food in Uganda. This is usually comes with very high quality and tasty food. Some hotels include the food with the price of the room so this can vary significantly.

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: National park Entry Fees

Visiting the National Parks is the reason to visit Uganda and sadly a high and unavoidable cost. Permits to track the Gorillas and Chimpanzees are very expensive with no option. The only way to have reduced costs for park entry and permits is to either live in and East African Country or be a Ugandan National (evidence must be provided of course).

Many tour companies offer to purchase the permits for Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking in advance for you. As the tour companies can do this in advance, this guarantees permits on your preferred day but the tour companies charge a commission for this service. To purchase the permits yourself, you must go to the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Kampala. They are not available online and expect to wait a while to do this. The risk of doing this is that the permits might not be available, pre-covid times the gorilla tracking booked up 6 months in advance.

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: Tips

I have travelled to Uganda both before Covid and since it began. The tourism industry was really hit by Covid and it was obvious while I was there the effect that it had. Tips is something that I always advice not to budget on, especially if the person has done a great job. Even though you may be paying a lot for a service there is no sure way that the money is trickling down to the workers. $5 for us might not seem a lot, but for the local population it really is. As someone who has worked in the tourism industry, believe me when I say a tip can make the persons day!

How to Travel Uganda on a Budget: Money and Sim Card

If you are travelling on a true budget, the best way to deal with money is like the locals do, cash and mobile money. This includes using your phone for all money transactions rather than credit cards. I have written a post on how to do this here . With a local sim this means you can get data without having to rely on going to accommodations that have wifi. Data coverage in Uganda is very good and having data makes planning journeys etc so much easier.

Now you Know How to Travel Uganda on a Budget!

Now you know how to travel Uganda on a budget and to get the best out of your trip no matter the budget you have! Have the best time and let me know how it goes.

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Visiting Uganda on a Budget: Budget Safaris in Uganda

Uganda is known for providing exceptional safari experiences as well as some of the most thrilling extravagant—forest activities on the planet. Less well-known is the cost-effective side of visiting the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is also recognized for its nice and hospitable people, spectacular scenery, epic wildlife encounters, and decades of political stability and safety. Tourists can travel in Uganda on a budget and experience more of the exceptional legacy of the still primitive, wild, and free that Uganda encompasses on a large scale.

Popular neighbors Kenya and Tanzania surely outshine Uganda’s magnificence. Uganda may not be able to compete in terms of the sheer quantity of wild packs, size, and leisure vacationers, but the region certainly packs an astounding amount into its small space. Uganda’s tiny size, natural and wildlife assets, and lack of tourist throngs make it an excellent choice for private safari experiences. This little place combines the finest of everything an African safari vacation has to offer.

The snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, located in Uganda, are one of the continent’s tallest mountain range. The Nile, the world’s longest river, flows gently from the world’s second-largest freshwater lake (Lake Victoria). Mountain gorillas prowl the foggy jungles up the mountain, and the tropical rainforests are home to one of the world’s greatest monkey populations. Kampala, Uganda’s cultural capital and capital, is safer than most places in the region. On top of all of this adoration, Uganda’s ever-expanding range of safari activities has earned it the label of Adrenaline Capital. But how can a budget-conscious traveler visit Uganda? In this post, I’ll try to give budget visitors a good idea of how much they can spend on a Uganda trip.

Visiting Uganda on a Budget

Because Uganda is on the verge of becoming a top tourist attraction , now is the perfect time to visit. In general, the tourism sector is recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic’s travel ban. Uganda is becoming popular enough to compel hotels and safari lodges to meet the region’s high standards, and it has lower lodging rates than other locations in the region. Every traveler, regardless of budget or taste, will find a place to stay in Uganda. But, before you get too enthusiastic about organizing your safari itinerary, here are a few methods to Visiting Uganda on a Budget .

How to Cut Transportation Costs when Visiting Uganda on a Budget

Uganda has a diverse range of transportation options, including indistinct but affordable public transportation and dependable but expensive private transportation. Uganda’s public transportation largely consists of buses and other modes of motorized road transport. And it’s the cheapest way to travel in Uganda on a tight budget. Let’s look at how you can save money on road transportation.

Travel with friends or Family.

As a solo traveler, you foot the bill of fuel, guide and car rental. As a group or family, the cost is divided amongst the different individuals on the safari. For instance, a safari car costs between $50 and 150$ a day. If 4 people are on safari, the cost per person per day will be paying $12.5 per day. This will greatly reduce the cost of your overall safari.

Boda, Boda (Motorbike)

The motorcycle-taxi, also known as a boda-boda, is a popular and inexpensive mode of transportation in Uganda. It was originally a bicycle with heavy panniers used for smuggling items over borders via rural pathways. They are now equipped with pillions and powered by 50 to 200 cc engines, making them a practical mode of suburban transportation and ideal for short side trips when public transportation is scarce. Fares are negotiable and inexpensive, costing less than US$2, or Ush1,000 to 10,000 per trip. Furthermore, two travelers can ride on the same bike as the rider and get away with it. When you see a family riding the same bike, it’s a sight to behold. If you rely on public transportation in Uganda, you will almost certainly utilize a boda-boda at some point. However, before you board, you should be informed of the city’s dismal safety reputation. Boda-boda riders are almost always deficient in official training and road safety awareness, which is usually urged.

As a result, the disorderly character of Ugandan Boda Boda transportation has recently caught the attention of the tech world. Ride-hailing services or ride-sharing applications are the new method to get around cities, and if you’re a big fan of Uber, you’ll be able to use it in Kampala on Boda Bodas as well.  This is a considerably superior option to simply hailing a bike on the street late at night. Taxify, SafeBoda, and UberBoda are examples of popular Boda Boda smartphone applications that are acceptable in Uganda. The cost is the same as for street-hailed motorcycles.

Minibus-taxis

Minibus taxis, along with Boda Bodas, are the cheapest mode of transportation in Uganda if you are Visiting Uganda on a Budget. In addition to buses, most main road transit routes in Uganda are served by a steady stream of white minibuses that leave when they are full – every ten to thirty minutes on busy routes. They are by far the quickest method to travel on a budget in Uganda. When traveling large distances, fares are slightly higher than for buses, but substantially lower when traveling within the same region, city, or town. A minibus taxi will drive you 38 kilometers (23 miles) from Entebbe to Kampala for a dollar or less.

And, because it’s common on most routes to pay just before arrival rather than on departure, there’s minimal chance of getting overcharged if you glance about and observe what other passengers are paying. Minibuses are known as taxis in Uganda (though we’ve dubbed them minibus-taxis to avoid confusion with special rental taxis) and matatus in Kenya, which Ugandans understand but do not use. In most regions of Uganda, a regulation requiring a maximum of three people per row is strictly enforced, making minibus riding significantly more comfortable than in the remainder of African countries, where four bums per row are standard. By legislation, all minibus taxis must now have a unique blue-and-white band across the middle, with a taxi light sign on top, while special hire cars must have a black-and-white band.

Special Hire Taxis

A modern city inhabitant would be familiar with special hire taxis. A special rental car is one that you hire privately to take you somewhere. Urban taxis, also known as special hires in Uganda, are normally painted yellow, around the middle (Entebbe airport taxis), or with a taxi cab light on top. Taxis are more expensive than other modes of transportation, but they are significantly more secure to travel with provided you organize a particular hire vehicle and haggle hard. Alternatively, you might use one of those taxi-hailing applications that charge you based on the distance traveled. They are far less expensive than customized hires and are available in Kampala, Entebbe, and other important towns. Uber and Taxify outperform the competition; download from the Apple or Google app stores.

Shared Taxis:

If you’re in a remote Ugandan town, shared taxis are the most cost-effective mode of transportation if you are Visiting Uganda on a Budget. They are typically four to six seat light saloon automobiles. They drive into their own territory on routes with inadequate human traffic for minibuses. For example, when traveling between Katunguru and Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kisoro and Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

They are usually packed and slow compared to minibuses, and they run on routes where no other public transportation is available. Fares are reasonable, given that it may be your only alternative from where you are. However, they are frequently exaggerated. Drivers frequently overcharge tourists, so set the price ahead of time and bargain hard.

Coach and bus services serve all main routes and, all things considered, are undoubtedly Uganda’s safest mode of public road transportation. Large modern buses often go at 100km/h or faster on all highway routes, allowing them to travel between the capital and any of the major urban areas in western Uganda in less than five hours for less than US$10.The picks of the lot include Gaa Gaa Buses (North and West Nile) and Elgon Flyer, YY Coaches to the East, and Easy Coaches, modern cost and Mash Poa to Kenya). Horizon & Swift Safaris (southwest Uganda), Kalita (Fort Portal), and Post Bus are the best of the others (Gulu). Link operates buses appear to be well-maintained and are capable of frightening speeds. The Post Office’s Post Bus service is regarded as the best in the country due to its twice-daily departures, on-time arrivals, and properly maintained fleet.

The better services have somewhat fixed departure schedules, with one or more coaches leaving every hour or so from around 07.00 to mid-afternoon between Kampala and places like Mbale, Mbarara, Kabale, Kasese, Fort Portal, and Masindi.

Self drive safaris are increasing in popularity and are one of the ways to minimize on your Safari cost. Car rental in Uganda ranges from $40-100$ a day. With this, you will cut down on the costs of hiring a guide. Better yet, you can rent a roof tent which will eliminate the cost of accommodation. Laba Africa has a wide selection of safari vehicles ranging from small SUVs to 4×4 land cruisers. These rental cars can include camping equipment and cooking utensils cutting down the costs of buying food and accommodation.

Other modes of transportation when Visiting Uganda on a Budget

When Visiting Uganda on a Budget, private car hire , is not always a low-cost alternative. If you’re looking to save money on transportation, you’ve come to the wrong blog. In Uganda, gasoline alone is fairly expensive, and automobile rental businesses demand outrageous daily rates. You’ll pay between $40 and $150 every day, depending on the model of car, plus you’ll have to empty the gas tank yourself and pay national park car entry fees on top of that.

How to Save Money on Uganda Accommodation when Visiting Uganda on a Budget

Budget travel in Uganda has never been easier. Uganda has expanded tremendously in recent years, and no matter where you go or how much money you have, you’ll have no trouble finding excellent holiday accommodations. Most towns have a good selection of mid-priced and low-cost hotels, and even the smallest settlements usually have somewhere to stay for a couple of dollars. Tourists in Uganda have not always had such a diverse range of options.

Be aware, too, that Ugandan use of the phrases single, double, and twin differs from Western norms. Rather than simply requesting a double room, couples may want to inquire about the size of the bed in a single room. Several hotels now provide larger beds in which two guests can sleep for the price of one. When such establishments offer bed and breakfast, breakfast is normally served to only one guest. Some double rooms, which are furnished with a double and a single bed, allow for triple occupancy.

How to Avoid Expensive Lodging when Visiting Uganda on a Budget

In Uganda, lodging is classified as Luxury, midrange, budget, shoestring, or camping, with camping being the most affordable. The upmarket or luxury category includes all hotels, lodges, and resorts that cater largely to international leisure or business travelers and are likely to be rated three to four stars globally. Most hotels in this category provide smart, modern accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, mosquito nets, air conditioning or fans, and digital satellite television (DSTV) in all rooms in cities. A premium room costs more than $300, and in certain cases, more than $1,000.

However, if you want to vacation in Uganda on a budget, this information will help you avoid the premium accommodation category.

The intermediate category is your next option if you have a slimmer pocketbook. Essentially, it encompasses those lodging facilities that, for one reason or another, cannot genuinely be defined as a luxury but are also too pricey or of a sufficiently good grade to be labeled budget lodgings . They are respectable lodges in well-known tourist regions that charge far lower rates than their premium counterparts while remaining clearly a grade or two above the budget category. Lodges in this price category often provide comfortable lodging in self-contained rooms with hot water, a cooling fan, and maybe DSTV, as well as a quality restaurant and a high proportion of English-speaking personnel.

Most midrange hotels charge between $100 to $300 for a double room with breakfast, however, others are somewhat more or less expensive.

Budget Accommodation in Uganda for Travelers

If you want to save money on housing and travel in Uganda on a budget, we still need to find you a place to stay. The hotels in this category are often focused primarily at the local market and do not meet international standards. Nonetheless, they will normally be relatively clean and pleasant, a big step up from the basic guesthouses that are common in most cities. This category of hotels and safari lodges will typically include a respectable restaurant, English-speaking personnel, comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities, running cold or maybe hot water, a cooling fan, and good mosquito net.

Shoestring Accommodation:

This category is dominated by small local guesthouses, which are common in most towns and serve virtually entirely to residents. Some, like Red Chill in Murchison falls national park  and Backpackers in Entebbe, cater solely to backpackers. Exclusive local ones often have 10 cell-like rooms arranged in three walls around a main courtyard, with a waiting area or restaurant in the front. Guesthouse standards vary significantly more than their prices, both within and between towns. While backpacker hostels still exist, their lodging options have expanded much beyond cheap dorm beds, which are generally more correctly classed as budget.

This category may have a significantly greater number of modest guesthouses crowded together near the bus station or market, with little to pick between them. If you’re looking for a place to stay, I’ve found that guest homes owned by women or with a significant female presence are often cleaner and more welcoming than those run by men. Because maintenance standards are minimal, the new guesthouse will be the cleanest and brightest.

A twin room on the cheap normally costs around US$10-50, with some establishments charging a little more. In most cases, common bathrooms and toilets are offered rather than en-suite facilities, and breakfast is either not included or is very small. Housing fees for UWA-operated units range from $5 to $15 per person, depending on the level of accommodation and whether they are sharing. This is the category to look at if you want the cheapest available lodging in Uganda, regardless of quality. However, it frequently includes absolutely pleasant hotels that are also inexpensive.

In recent years, the number of organized campsites has increased dramatically, and there are currently very few established tourist centers where you can’t pitch a tent in a guarded site with adequate facilities. Camping costs about $5 per person per night in most places, and $10 in national parks. Tents at UWA cost between $20 and $30.

Hiring a car with a roof tent

Hiring a car with a roof tent is one of the optimal ways of cutting down on the cost of your Uganda safari. Not only does this option cut out the cost of a hiring a safari guide, it comes with a roof top tent for accommodation. We have 2 person tents and family tent that sleeps up to 4. These tents are comfortable and comes with sleeping bags, camping chairs, tables with options of cooking utensils. You will have the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to your preference, spending more time in your areas of interests.

Saving Money on Food and Drinks

You can eat cheaply practically everywhere in Uganda if you are not picky and don’t mind a lack of variety. In most towns, numerous local restaurants serve uninspiring but full meals for less than US$2. Local cuisine is typically composed of pork or chicken stew served with one of four staples: rice, chapati, matooke, and ugali (posho)—a starchy flatbread eaten throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Matoke is a boiling or mushy mound of cooked green bananas that is a staple food in many parts of Uganda.

Groundnut sauce is another Ugandan specialty. Mandazi, the local version of doughnuts, are delicious when they are freshly prepared but less so after a day. Mandazi is available in hotels and stores. Food vendors near markets and bus stations are frequently inexpensive. Although it is inexpensive, the appeal of such a fare quickly fades for most travelers. The Rolex lunch is a popular street offering. This is simply a freshly cooked chapati topped with a fresh omelet, chopped onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and thinly sliced cabbage. The latter are rolled up within the former, thus the name, and placed in a polythene bag.

In many popular ‘local’ nightspots, you’ll find Rolex street merchants armed with metal hot plates, a charcoal grill, and a chopping board. Rolexes are undoubtedly a firm favorite among travelers, gap-year students, and volunteers since it’s exactly the type of street food your mother cautioned you against eating in Africa Expect to pay between 60 cents and a dollar. For around US$5-10, you’ll usually find a couple of finer restaurants (often attached to expensive or midrange hotels) serving Western or Indian cuisine. There is far more choice in Kampala and Entebbe, where you may eat pretty well for US$10 per person. Good park lodges typically serve high-quality food.

Vegetarians are frequently underserved in Uganda safari hotels (the exception being up-market or Indian restaurants). People on guided trips should make sure that the safari operator is aware of this or any other dietary restrictions in advance. It’s worth noting that Swahili names for various items are extensively used in Uganda, so brushing up on your Swahili or Luganda may come in handy.

Making food for oneself

Making your own meals using goods acquired at markets and supermarkets is an alternative to eating out. The variety of items available varies by season and location, but in most of the big cities, you can count on finding a store that sells frozen meat, a few canned products, biscuits, pasta, rice, and chocolate bars. Vegetables and fruits are best purchased at markets, where they are quite inexpensive. Most towns sell potatoes, bananas, onions, tomatoes, sugarcane, paw-paws, avocados, mangoes, coconuts, oranges, and pineapples. If you have specific needs, you should buy in Kampala, where large international supermarkets such as Shoprite and Game have a greater assortment of goods. Quality supermarkets, for example, offer a wide range of international options.

Hot Beverages:

The most popular hot beverage in the region is chai, a flavored sweet tea made by boiling all of the ingredients together in a saucepan. Chai is frequently seasoned with spices such as ginger and cinnamon leaves in some sections of the country. African tea, which is whole milk boiled with tea and flavored with ginger, is another popular hot beverage. An excellent cup of tea with cream costs 60 cents or less. Coffee is one of Uganda’s most important economic crops. Even so, you’ll be unlikely to find a Ugandan in a budget hotel who knows how to make a great cup of coffee – except in luxury hotels and fine restaurants, it will nearly always taste insipid and watery.

The principal alcoholic beverage is lager beer, which is produced by two major manufacturers, Nile Breweries and the pioneer Uganda Breweries. All local beers are sold in 500ml bottles for $1 in local bars and up to $3 in some upscale hotels. The most popular beer among travelers is definitely Nile Special, though some prefer the milder Bell. If you’re looking to get drunk, consider Eagle Extra, which has a 6.5% alcohol content. Kenya Tusker and Congo Primus, two of Africa’s most palatable lagers, were once only available in towns close to their respective borders but are now widely available throughout the country. If you’ve never gone to Africa, you should try the local millet beer (Marwa). It’s not horrible, but for most people, once is plenty.

Most tourist-class hotels and bars, as well as many supermarkets, sell a selection of superior plonk-quality South African wines for around US$10-20 per bottle — outrageous to South Africans who know the same wine would cost 20% less in a supermarket at home, but not unrealistic in international terms.

Bond 7 Whisky and Uganda Waragi, a local gin, may be purchased for very little money in various bottle sizes or 60ml sachets – ideal for hiking in isolated places or taking with you to fancy hotels for a budget nightcap in your room.

Choosing the best safari activities within your budget

Visiting Uganda on a Budget is going swimmingly until you decide on adventures and things to do on your Uganda vacation. Your budget will be determined by the safari activities available in Uganda. One of the two primate adventures in the rainforest rainforests that are most popular is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks or chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks.

Gorillas Trekking ($700)

Seeing the mountain’s gentle big gorillas is unmissable, but permits are expensive. For US$700 per person, you’ll be taken into the bush by two armed rangers, a tracker guide, and other trekkers to the location where a gorilla family was last spotted. You’ll only be permitted 60 minutes in their presence with your facemask, gloves, and a 10-meter distance unless you choose the longer Gorilla habituation session that permits you 4 hours for a whopping US$1,500. 

The average cost of a foreigner’s gorilla trekking tour.

Even if you cannot afford to go gorilla trekking, Bwindi is a rewarding park to visit simply to enjoy the lush virgin rainforest. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) runs several 3- to 4-hour walks through the Impenetrable Forest around Buhoma. The hikes commence at 9:00 and 12:00 p.m. and cost $30 per person

Chimpanzee Trekking ($50 and $200)

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest , is the ideal option to gorilla trekking because it is less expensive and simpler to reach than Bwindi. A Kibale chimp permit costs US$200, although you can trek the bigger apes for less in other parts of Uganda. Kyambura (Chambura) Gorge, located in the eastern portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is a lovely green scar snaking through the savanna, a little Eden teeming with chimps and other monkeys. A chimp permit costs $50 here, but $30 in Kalinzu Forest.

Other typical safari experiences

You might not want to go on an adventure with primates. However, there are other possibilities that you can spread out over the course of your Uganda safari trip. Jinja, the famous source of the Nile River, is located in the east. Along the Nile corridor north of town, a variety of adventure sports are available. Activities like whitewater rafting, quad biking, kayaking, and bungee jumping draw a continuous stream of young and young-at-heart travelers. A guided whitewater rafting experience could cost US$140

If a rush of adrenaline isn’t your thing, try alternative low-cost activities in the savannah parks or a self-guided trek in the hilly areas, relax by the crater lake in western Uganda, go on a birding trip, or travel with a purpose and sign up as a volunteer.

How else can you travel in Uganda on a budget?

We’ve covered the most frequent areas for lowering the cost of travel in Uganda, but there’s more;

Venture off the beaten path.

Get off the main path and discover raw, unadulterated untamed locations where most tourist cars will not go. Sipi Falls, near Mount Elgon, is a must-see. Rarely seen waterfalls, almost-deserted islands, deep woods, and coffee and tea plantations beautify Uganda’s natural beauty and are an excellent choice for a budget vacation in Uganda. The volcanic lakes that dot western Uganda’s mountainous terrain (particularly around Fort Portal and Kasese) provide breathtaking views. Lake Bunyonyi, on the way to Bwindi, will undoubtedly immerse you in nature’s unique ambiance. The Bunyonyi region has been dubbed “the Switzerland of Africa,” and it is a popular birding destination in Uganda.

Kilembe hamlet in Kasese, nestled at the edge of Rwenzori Mountains National Park , is a popular starting place for dedicated hikers who spend up to a week in the National Park marveling at its biodiversity. This mountain range was known as The Mountains of the Moon by Ptolemy and other antiquity historians, and it IS the glacial source of the Nile.

Those of you who do not want to go into the Heart of Darkness or do not have a few hundred dollars to spare can spend a few days in the village and invest your money in community tourism. A community handbook can be purchased for less than $20.

Traveling during the rainy season

The ideal time to visit Uganda on a budget is during the low season. The wet season in Uganda is the low season. Because there is less travel traffic, hotels, camps, and resorts are charging lower rates. If you don’t mind a daily deluge and want to travel on a budget, this is the greatest time to visit Uganda. The off-season runs from March to May and September to November.

This is the time of year when the savannah plains and the entire country are clothed in green, and photography is at its best, especially when the sun shines in the afternoons.

Although wildlife in the savannah reserves is more difficult to spot during the Wet season due to high vegetation and animals dispersed across the plain, you’ll still see plenty of newborns and experience gut-wrenching thrills as ravenous predators battle with watchful mothers or snatch the helpless young.

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Uganda Travel Tips: What to know before planning a trip to Uganda

DISCLOSURE: I may link to relevant products, companies or helpful info which may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate & other affiliates, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you. The views & opinions are my own. Please see the disclaimer and privacy policy .

Last Updated on April 6, 2024

What you should know before taking a trip to Uganda

Are you planning a trip to Uganda?  

Use this guide and all the Uganda Travel Tips to help plan your Uganda Safari Trip, including the pre- and post- safari extensions.  This travel guide to Uganda will tell you what you need to know when planning a trip to the Pearl of Africa. It is colorful and rich in culture. You will have the vacation of a lifetime on your bucket list trip to Uganda. 

Our trip to Uganda was full of fun activities, amazing animal sightings, culture, and transformative vacation experiences.  Use these Uganda Tips, including the best vacation places in Uganda , so that you can plan ahead, know what to expect, and have the best trip to Uganda ever!

In fact, Uganda is home to one of the best places to see elephants in Africa ! Mark the Uganda national parks for some of the best wildlife sightings ever!

I can’t begin to tell you everything there is to know about Uganda since there is so much to say. I was only a tourist there, traveling through the country. I can only tell you what it was like to be a guest in the beautiful nation of Uganda. These are all of my impressions, right or wrong.

These are my feelings as I experienced the Pearl of Africa.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO UGANDA

Take a look at this list of Uganda Travel Tips and jump to the section that you need.

Meeting the locals in Uganda

Society & Language in Uganda

Everyone we met in Uganda was friendly and helpful.

There are almost 40 languages in the multilingual country of Uganda!  The most spoken language is Luganda, originally from the Buganda tribe in the center of Uganda.  The official language is English, so usually everyone understands a little English.  The only place that we needed Google Translate was in a pharmacy in Entebbe! When we were in the villages, there was usually someone who spoke English that could translate for us.

Some of the phrases are a little different than what is common in the USA.  The common greeting that we encountered was “ All is good ?”  Yes, everything was always good when traveling in Uganda!!

NOTE:   Ugandans talk softly, so pay attention so that the background noise doesn’t drown out their friendly greetings and helpful suggestions!

What is Mzungu?

We heard it all the time!

Everywhere I went I heard cries of  mzungu . The Ugandans were calling for my attention. Mzungu literally means ‘Wanderer” but is used to refer to a “white tourist.”

My guide explained that it is not an insult, and I did not feel like I was being insulted… after all, I really WAS a White Tourist!

Everyone waves at the safari vehicle passing by.  We got a lot of attention. The kids all yell Mzunga, stop what they are doing to wave and run to get a glimpse! Some of them were happy to see the tourists, excited to greet us and receive a wave in return.  Mzunga is the word that is used to describe foreigners in Uganda.

When we got further into the country, they were expecting more than a wave. In addition to waving, sometimes they yelled for candy and sometimes they yelled that they wanted money.

Ugandan time

No one is pressed for time in Uganda, no one is in a hurry and they follow Africa time! For example, 2 o’clock is any before dinnertime.  The expression of time is not so important and is not very precise.  I had an appointment to teach baton twirling at an orphanage in Kampala at 2pm and had to twist my driver’s arm to get him to get me there by 2:30 pm.  Yes, I was late!  BUT….so was everyone else!!!

Preparing for a trip to Uganda

Let me help you plan your trip to UGANDA

Everything will get dirty

First of all, you must be prepared for everything to get dirty.  Your shoes will get dirty, your socks will get dirty, and your bags will get dirty.  Don’t take anything white because it won’t be white after a trip to Uganda!

Order some hiking boots! The roads and the hikes are all dirt paths. Your shoes will be layered in dirt. Take them off before you go inside the lodges! Get some good quality hiking boots for any serious trekking that you plan to do in Uganda.

I recommend a lightweight waterproof pair with good tread like my Cestfini hiking boots . They kept my feet dry even during the pouring rain of the gorilla trek for 3 hours! You won’t regret that purchase!

Take tissue and baggies

There are no bathroom breaks on road trips.  The rest breaks are usually behind a bush and there are no amenities there.  You will need to provide your own paper and a way to dispose of it (put it in a baggie for later!)  One of the ladies in our group had the great idea to take a whole roll of toilet paper with her in the safari vehicle for everyone to share.  It got quite a lot of use!

Facial tissue was not found in any of the lodges.  I have a lot of allergies and therefore many a runny nose!  I quite missed having facial tissue but did pack a whole bunch of travel packs that I was able to use.

Want to know WHAT TO PACK for a trip to Uganda? Take a look at these helpful packing tips for Uganda that will tell you what you need to bring on this bucket list trip and what you will need for your gorilla trek adventure.

Getting around in Uganda

Many roads need all-terrain vehicles

Most of the roads we traveled on were dirt roads and the road condition was B.A.D.  They are bumpy with potholes on one side and then huge canyon-like craters on the other side so we rocked back and forth, flinging rocks and dirt behind us as we traveled onward in our 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The dirt roads are even worse during the rain. The mud gets cakes into the tires and traction is difficult. Our safari vehicle got stuck on a muddy climb in Bwindi. The whole town came out to help push us up the hill!!!

Road conditions on the main highways are not much more comfortable!

When we got to a main road that was paved, there were infinite speed bumps.  This controlled the speeders, but in a safari vehicle (and in the back seat) it just added to the bumpity pain of the rocking vehicle as we experienced a short mountain every few minutes.

Walking on the side of the road?

Seems like no one has a car and everyone walks.  They are always on the side of the road, carrying water jugs for thirsty families, large sticks for construction, or potatoes for dinner on their heads. 

There are no sidewalks, so they are always in the roadway.  It often looks dangerous as little kids run on the side of the road with large cars and trucks whizzing by in the countryside!

Well, everyone is walking in the road until you get to Kampala and then it seems like the whole city is in their car on the road and in a traffic jam.

What are the Villages like in Uganda?

Every town that we drove through in the villages of Uganda had shops lining the streets.  People were selling everything from coffee that was drying in the sun on tarps on the grass to bright-colored clothing hanging from the rafters.  Locals wandered in and out of the shops, chatting with their friends and filling up their baskets with their daily supply of produce before putting it on their heads and walking back through the streets to their own residences.

Out in front of each shop was always a handful of chickens, running this way and that way, and ironically sometimes crossing the road. 

Next to the collection of chickens were goats tethered to the grassy areas.  This was the method of yard maintenance.  They were the Ugandan lawnmowers and weed killers.  They were on long ropes that were rotated through the grassy property. Once they were done with the daily meal, they lounged in the sun and waited to be taken to a new spot for fresh greenery.

The Boda Boda is how to get around in Uganda

Besides walking along the road, the most popular way to travel in Uganda is a boda boda.  They are motorcycles and dirt bikes that have become the Ugandan taxi.  They zip around and seem to be everywhere.  They have official pick-up sites where numerous boda boda drivers hang out, waiting for their fare.  OR, you can flag down a boda driver on the road, just like a taxi, and ask for transport.

They transport locals to their jobs and to their schools.  They carry grocery shoppers home from the market with hands, bags, and laps full of vegetables.  They carry items that are so large that they are double and triple the length of the boda!  They carry multiple people.  I think the most we saw on our trip was four people on one boda!

BOOK YOUR OWN BODA TOUR in the city in Uganda

Technology needed for a trip to Uganda

A VPN is needed for access to Facebook . Uganda blocks Facebook, so you need to have a VPN in order to use that social media.  We got the cheapest VPN, Surfshark , and it seemed to work everywhere we went …once I figure out how to use it.  Mine was still set on USA instead of the fastest available…so didn’t work for half of the trip until I noticed and changed it.  Don’t make my rookie mistake!!

Best advice is to research the best VPN for travel to your destination so that you can get the best service!

Get a VPN before your trip to Uganda HERE

A SIM CARD might be needed for international calling .

My cell phone’s international plan is ridiculously expensive.  I opted to get a Uganda SIM card.  I watched a detailed Youtube and what to get and how to get it and was prepared for a lot of hassle.  HOWEVER, while I waited for my bags in the airport, I saw a booth right with a short line.  The guy in front of me was looking for a paper clip –which the cell phone lady didn’t have, but I did, so I loaned it to him. 

The cell phone lady waited on me, took my passport information, and installed my SIM card in 5 minutes.  The only problem was that they didn’t accept credit cards and I didn’t have any change yet.  The paper clip man heard my troubles.  He came over quickly and paid the cash for me.  I think it was a total of $10 USD for the card and the cheapest plan.  This was my first exposure to Ugandan hospitality!

Is there good phone service in Uganda?   I would say that I had service everywhere we went except while in Bwindi National Forest!  I used my Uganda phone everywhere that I didn’t have wifi, barely had a problem getting service, and didn’t run out of data!

Is it safe to drink the WATER In Uganda?

The water in Uganda is not safe for travelers to drink.

Bring a filtered water bottle or a sterilizing pen water purifier .  The pen sterilizes water with a UV light rather than a filter.

All the hotels and lodges will provide a bottle of water upon check-in.  However, any further water will have to be purchased and it is sold in environment-killing plastic bottles.  It is much better if you are able to make your own drinkable water to put into your reusable water bottle.

Our safari vehicle had a large reservoir of clean water to fill our reusable water bottles , but when we forgot to fill them up at the end of our drive, we were lucky to have our filtered water bottle! Make sure your reusable water bottle has a carabiner clip so that it can attach to your backpack for easy access!

Food in Uganda

I am a really picky eater, however, I was able to enjoy all the meals that were served in the lodges. They were all very good!

Something unique in Uganda is that they eat grasshoppers. We saw a lot of vendors in the marketplace preparing grasshopper snacks. The grasshoppers are caught in large metal tins that you see as you drive through the towns.

What about the Cops in Uganda?

I can’t generalize that many cops are corrupt in Uganda.  I can only say that we were indeed pulled over by a cop.  Our driver said that the cop told him that he needed something for his family.  Our driver then paid him 10,000 shillings to get his driver’s license back. I was glad that I wasn’t driving!

Documents needed to travel to Uganda

There are two documents that you need to make sure that you have before you travel to Uganda. 

• Passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry into the country
• Approved visa

There are two types of tourist visas . 

• Uganda visa : $50 USD. 
• East African Tourist Visa : $100 USD. It is one document that allows entry into Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.  It is valid for 90 days, and is the best option if you are planning an extended tour around those 3 East African countries.

Where to get your Uganda Travel visa

Make sure you have all the documents ready to go and that they are formatted correctly.  They are picky with the file types and sizes, so reformat and shrink your file to comply with the requirements of 5 – 250 kb for the jpg, png, bmp, or pdf.  Several travelers in our party had to resubmit many times before it went through. 

• Passport details
• Vaccination Certification: Yellow Fever details – see Vaccination Requirements below
• Passport photo (you can even take this while submitting the application)
• Onward flight details (copy of your flight home)

How long does it take to approve the Uganda Tourist Visa?

If your submission is accepted, it is usually quite fast for approval.  Mine came the next day and hubby’s came In 2 days.  They say that it can take from 2 – 15 days depending on the workload at the consulate at the time.

Vaccination Requirements for Uganda

I am not a physician or health care worker, so my advice is to check with your own doc for the most accurate immunization requirements for Uganda.

Look at the official Uganda health websites to see the requirements in order to get the proper immunizations and stay protected.  Take this information with you to your appointment.

Schedule an appointment at a travel clinic because that is often the only place some of these immunizations are given. 

The main vaccination requirement for Uganda is a yellow fever immunization.  This is the one that will be uploaded prior to your tourist visa approval and entrance to the country.

Check the Uganda COVID requirements

Check the other Uganda vaccination requirements

Best places to visit in Uganda

Any trip to Uganda wouldn’t be complete without visiting the big cities like Entebbe, the former capital and Kampala, the current capital .  There are many things to do within those cities before and after your bucket list safari trip.

Pre and Post Safari Trip Ideas:

• Kampala City Tour
• Entebbe City Tour
• Jinja Whitewater Rafting the Nile River

Find out what it is like to tour a Slum in Kampala Uganda

Safari Trip Ideas : Best things to do in Uganda

After the cities, make sure to plan a bucket list safari trip throughout Uganda’s National Parks.  This will include game drives, boat rides, and of course mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking!

Best vacation places in Uganda: Must-see sites on your Uganda Safari Itinerary

• Murchison National Park
• Kibale National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Ziwi Rhino Sanctuary
• Lake Bunyonyi

Find out what a gorilla trek is like in Uganda?

Don’t want to plan your own safari trip through Uganda’s natural beauty?  Sign up for the next group trip to be included in the next safari adventure with gorilla trekking!

What are the prices in Uganda? 

Are things cheap in Uganda? 

Yes and no.  There is a Mzungu price that is definitely more than the local price.  The tourists pay more.  Try your hand at bargaining.  Bargaining is expected at the markets, so start sharpening your bargaining skills.  You still won’t get the same price as the locals, but they will definitely lower their initial offer if you threaten to walk away empty handed.

Souvenirs stands often have the same items in each booth.  I ended up purchasing two small gorillas outside of Bwindi for a package deal of 25,000 shillings ($7 USD).  My t-shirt was also 25,000 shillings and I bought a sweatshirt at a gift shop at the equator that was $20 USD.

How to convert Uganda Shillings to USD

Is it safe to travel to Uganda?

We felt safe during our trip to Uganda.  There were even times when we were without our Uganda travel guide in the cities but we still felt safe.  We did stand out as travelers, but the Uganda locals were always friendly with us.

However, you should always take general safety precautions to protect yourself while traveling.

• Don’t walk around at night.   Walking around the streets during the daylight is the safest way to travel.
• Be aware of your surroundings.   Turn off your phone and put it away.  Keep your head up, stay alert, and pay attention to what (and who) is around you.
• Protect your valuables.  You shouldn’t be traveling with anything really valuable anyway.  Zip up your bags, carry a slash-proof bag, carry your wallet in the front pocket, and connect yourself to your bag with a carabiner.
• Number One Safety Tip – GET TRAVEL INSURANCE!!   We have had many things go wrong on our last few vacations and it is nice to know that we are protected.  I was able to worry about getting my husband medical care, rather than worry about paying for his flight home!

Find out what went wrong on our Cruise from Puerto Rico!

When to book a trip to Uganda

Are you ready to use all of these Uganda travel tips to plan your bucket list trip to see the gorillas and go on a safari in Uganda? I can help you with that and you can take a stress free vacation vacation of a lifetime. Plan your trip using our expert Uganda guide and let us do the work for you:

Visit Uganda NOW !

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Related posts:

This is such a comprehensive and informative post – it’s really useful thank you. I appreciate you sharing all of these tips. I’m saving it!

That was informative! I wasn’t aware of the East African combo Visa; good to know about it when visiting the region!

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Uganda Travel Budget

by KateandKris · Published February 27, 2020 · Updated January 22, 2022

When we chose to take a trip to Uganda, we assumed it was going to be expensive. I mean, gorilla trekking permits are known to be very pricey and safaris aren’t something we think of as being cheap. So we were surprised when we calculated our Uganda travel costs and found that they were much lower than we had predicted. For those wanting to do a trip to Uganda, here is our Uganda travel budget.

Investigating how much it cost to travel in Uganda, we first looked at guided tours. Obviously, these range in price massively, but budget ones cost about $4000 per person for the two-week trip. This included the gorilla and chimp trek permits, accommodation and travel. That seemed pretty reasonable.

Then we read about people who had done their Uganda trip as a self-drive. That appealed – we like road trips, having recently done them in the USA and Greece, and we liked the idea of the independence of an independent trip. What we didn’t know was whether it would save us money.

We calculated all of our Uganda travel costs during the trip, using the Tripcoin app . Our total travel budget for Uganda was $4,262 for both of us (USD – all costs in this blog will be in USD, despite us being British).

That’s right, doing our trip independently halved our travel costs. And that included all food and drink during our trip, which was not all part of the cost of a guided tour.

Let’s look at the Uganda travel budget breakdown:

How much does it cost for activities in Uganda?

Cost of chimp and gorilla trek permits for uganda.

This was by far the biggest chunk of our Uganda travel budget. Gorilla trekking permits for Uganda cost $650 each and chimp trek permits were $150 each. Both were well worth the money.

Read about our experience gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Ugandan National Park costs

National Park fees also contributed to the high activity cost in Uganda. We paid $40 each for entry into Queen Elizabeth National Park and the same for Lake Mburo National Park. National Park fees for Kibale National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park were included in the price of our trek permits.

As well as entry into the national parks, we paid for guides in both Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo which cost $40 and $20 respectively. We also paid for activities such as the Bigodi Swamp Walk (around $14 each) and Kihingami Wetlands Walk (around $16 each).

Read more about our chimp trek and birdwatching in the wetlands around Kibale National Park

Total cost for activities in Uganda: $2,065 for two people, an average of $137 a day.

Cost of transport in uganda.

We hired a car in Entebbe to drive us around for our two-week trip. We used Self Drive Uganda , who we completely recommend. They provided excellent service, booking our gorilla and chimp trek permits for us, delivering the car to our accommodation in Entebbe and picking it up, and providing great support while we were on the road.

Read more about our tips for self-driving in Uganda

Our car hire of our Rav 4 cost $49 a day, plus an additional $40 for delivering it and picking it up.

We filled it up with petrol five times during the trip, at a total of $215 for the trip.

Our transport costs for Uganda were $939, and an average of $62 per day (we didn’t have it for the time in Entebbe).

Of course, this didn’t include the cost of getting to Uganda. We flew return from Kyiv to Entebbe for around $1000 each. Originally we had cheaper flights with Fly Dubai, but they cancelled the route and we had to rebook. By that time we had already booked and paid for our treks and various other travel costs, so we couldn’t be flexible with the dates.

We didn’t include the $2000 flight costs in the total Uganda travel budget

Uganda travel budget for accommodation.

Our Uganda travel costs for accommodation ranged from about $70 a night for the most expensive hotel, to $21 for the cheapest. We would probably label ourselves as ‘flashpackers’ in terms of accommodation. We like a double room and ideally our own bathroom, but as long as it is clean and comfortable we don’t need luxury.

Our total accommodation costs in Uganda were $653 for two of us, an average of $40 a night.

To break this down per hotel, this was:

Entebbe : 2 nights in the Carpe Diem Guesthouse – $70 a night (en suite bedroom)

Fort Portal : 3 nights at the Westend Motel – $21 a night (small en suite room, including breakfast)

Queen Elizabeth National Park : 3 nights at the community-run Elephant Home – $50 a night (large en suite room)

Mgahingha Gorilla National Park : 2 nights at the Amajyambere Iwacu community Camp – $40 a night (twin room with bathroom shared with rest of camp)

Lake Bunuoni: 1 night at Bunouni View – $30 a night (en suite double room)

Lake Mburo National Park : 2 nights at the Leopard Rest Camp- $50 a night (‘lazy’ tent with shared bathroom)

Entebbe : 1 night at La Feve Bed and Breakfast – $$46 a night (en suite double room with breakfast)

As you can see, there didn’t seem to be any relationship between the price and what you got. Around the national parks, where most accommodation was big posh safari lodges, accommodation was far more expensive than in the towns.

Uganda Travel Costs for Food and Drink

We ate in a range of places in Uganda, from stalls selling traditional ‘rolex’ (a thin omelette wrapped in a chapatti) to expat run restaurants. Many of our meals were in the places we stayed, because on safaris there aren’t many other places to eat.

Most hotels had set menus for $10 each, which generally had 2-3 courses. You got a salad or soup starter, a main meal and then a dessert. Portions were huge! Main meals could be a chicken leg with two sides e.g. potatoes and rice, plus vegetables. Perhaps surprisingly, there were a lot of vegetarian and vegan options, and often hotels only offered those for their lunch menus.

We like a beer or two in the evening on holiday and had a few bottles of the local Tusker beer or Nile Special every night. In Entebbe and Fort Portal we explored a few bars, where a bottle of beer only cost $1-2 each.

Food and drink cost us $525 for the trip, which was $35 per day.

Other uganda trip costs, travel insurance.

We generally use World Nomads for our travel insurance, because we don’t have to be in the UK when we start the policy. Another advantage is that you can extend the policy while you are travelling.

We paid about $170 for their Explorer policy for our two-week trip.

Travel Vaccinations

It’s essential to have had a yellow fever vaccine before you travel to Uganda. You have to show it at immigration before you enter the country. We had our vaccines at a clinic in Kyiv, and paid about $40 each.

Find out more about how we planned our independent trip to Uganda

Visas for Uganda

A visa for Uganda costs $50 each, or you can get an East African visa for $100. We were only visiting Uganda so we added $100 to our Uganda travel budget.

Mobile Phone Sim Package

As we were driving ourselves around Uganda, we bought a sim card with a one month package including 9GB of data for $11. What we didn’t realise is that it didn’t include social media. You have to pay OTT tax to use Facebook, Instagram and the like. If we’d known, we would have paid that as well.

So, our final Ugandan travel budget came to just over $4000 , half of what it would have cost to do a guided tour. Now, of course, there are many advantages of having a guide and a driver – you can relax and sleep on long journeys and you always have an expert on hand.

However, we loved our self-guided trip, and had the added bonus of saving a lot of money. It cost far less than we had budgeted for, which is always nice to find out at the end of a holiday.

Read all of our posts on our Uganda trip .

Have you done a trip to Uganda? How much did you pay? Let us know in the comments to share with others.

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Thanks for sharing your experience of your self-drive trip in Uganda. This is very helpful as we are thinking of doing the same in the fall of this year.

We are accustomed to driving rentals in foreign countries and prefer that mode of transportation. We drove around Zanzibar last year. Other countries have been Indonesia, Jamaica, South Africa, Iceland and New Zealand.

Did you make reservations for hotel stays before you embarked on your trip, or did you stop at places along the way?

Did you feel that you were easy targets for locals being tourists?

Did you drive at night, or only during the day?

Were you stopped by police at all? We were victims of a police shakedown in Zanzibar last year.

Any other information that you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, we made hotel reservations before we left, but there were places you could stay in along the way

We didn’t feel targets at all. Locals were very friendly.

We only drove by day. Our car rental didn’t cover us for driving at night, and it’s not at all recommended.

If you read our post on driving in Uganda, Kris talks about police, but the quick answer is no.

Have a look at our other post and send us a Facebook message if you have more questions.

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Over 15 years since we first started out,  we’ve taught English in Kyiv and Odessa in Ukraine, Ho Chi Minh City and Haiphong in Vietnam, Shanghai, Madrid and Bangkok.

We blog about our travels which generally focus on wildlife watching, history, food, beer and quirky museums and attractions.

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The Ultimate Two Week Uganda Itinerary – Including Hotels for Every Budget

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Known as the Pearl of Africa for a reason, Uganda is a beautiful country chock-full of amazing natural and cultural attractions . It’s also surprisingly affordable when compared to its more famous neighbours to the East (i.e. Kenya and Tanzania).

Especially when it comes to safaris, Uganda is the place to go if you’re on a budget but still want to get familiar with the incredible wildlife of East Africa . Apart from that, we were amazed by its magnificent waterfalls , rich cultural history and very warm and welcoming locals , which all added to the appeal.

Don’t be fooled by Uganda’s seemingly small size, though. While it may look tiny on a map, squeezed in between the DR Congo and Kenya as it is, there’s still a lot to see in the country. As a matter of fact, we spent almost five weeks here, but for those who don’t have that amount of time, I’ve condensed the highlights into a well-rounded 14-day itinerary.

This post may contain affiliate links, and I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more info, click here .

How to Get Around in Uganda on Your Own

Uganda’s main cities are connected by regular buses , while smaller towns and villages can be reached by minibuses (locally known as matatus ). The latter are super cheap, but not exactly comfortable, as they tend to fill up waaaay beyond capacity.

Also, they don’t run on schedule but rather start when they’re full, frequently stopping along the way, which makes them slow and unpredictable . While we frequently used them, I would only recommend taking matatus if your money is limited, but you’ve got plenty of time.

For destinations that don’t even have a matatu connection (like National Parks), organized tours are often the only option. While you technically could hitchhike or use one of the ubiquitous motorcycle taxis (known as boda-boda s ) to get to the entrance, you won’t be able to enter most National Parks without a 4×4.

If you’re short on time, renting a car is probably the best solution, as it gives you a lot more flexibility than any of the public transport options ever could.

Organized Uganda Tours

If you prefer to explore Uganda without the hassle of sorting out your own transport, accommodation and wildlife permits, taking an organized tour might be the way to got for you. There are plenty of companies offering longer adventure and safari tours , a lot of them including Mountain Gorilla Tracking.

Have a look below for some possible options.

Two Week Uganda Itinerary

• Day 1: Entebbe

Most visitors will arrive at Uganda’s only international airport in Entebbe. Sitting on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Victoria, the city has a relaxed vibe and serves as a good introduction to the country.

On your first day, you can get familiar with the country’s nature at the splendid Botanical Garden or its Wildlife Education Centre, take a stroll through the small Zika Forest Reserve or just wait for that jet-lag to pass, while watching the hamerkop birds on the shore of pretty Lake Victoria.

See also: 5 Awesome Things to Do in Entebbe, Uganda

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Elementis Entebbe (Dormitory)
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Precious Guesthouse
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Protea Hotel Marriott Entebbe

Day 2: Kampala

Uganda’s chaotic capital might not be the most relaxing place in the country, but it has enough historical attractions to warrant a stopover before venturing further afield.

While here, you could check out the UNESCO-listed Kasubi tombs of the Buganda Royal Family or the more recent remains of the country’s darker historical periods at Mengo Palace , erstwhile residence of notorious dictator Idi Amin. The national museum is also worth a peek, as are a number of historical churches and mosques spread out over the city.

See also: 10 Extraordinary Things to Do in Kampala, Uganda’s Vibrant Capital

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Bushpig Backpackers
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Koki Hotel
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Kampala Serena Hotel

Day 3 and 4: Jinja and the Nile Source

Spend the morning exploring Kampala, before continuing east to Jinja. The pretty town is not only home to the source of the White Nile (at least where it flows out of Lake Victoria, the actual source is disputed), but also the country’s best centre for adventure sports and outdoor activities.

If you’re into those, you shouldn’t leave here without taking a white water rafting tour on the Nile, including some exciting grade 5 rapids as well as serene stretches of river to relax in between. If you’re not an adrenaline junkie, there are also more laid-back River Cruises available. Have a look at the options below.

See also: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Jinja Backpackers
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Buutu Nest
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Jinja Nile Resort

Day 5 and 6: Sipi Falls

Continue on to Sipi, which to me is one of the prettiest places in Uganda . On the way from Jinja you could stop in Tororo to climb the mountain towering over the small town – the views from the top are amazing.

The main reason to come to Sipi is to visit the series of spectacular waterfalls , but there are plenty of other great trekking opportunities in the area. Sitting in the hilly region at the border to Kenya, the area is full of amazing viewpoints and cute villages.

I suggest spending at least one full day in the area, although there are definitely destinations enough for a longer stay. If you have some more time, you could even tackle Mount Elgon, reputedly one of the best hikes in the country.

See also: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Sipi Falls Area in Uganda

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Sipi Guest House
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Sipi Traveller’s Lodge
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Rafiki Lodge Sipi

Day 7: Travel to Masindi

Most of this day will be spent traveling to Masindi in the country’s north-west. If you want to break up your trip, you could stop near Kumi to check out the well-preserved Rock Paintings in Nyero . The rest of the trip leads through the pretty marshland north of huge Lake Kyogo dominating the country’s centre.

We used matatus for the trip, but it’s long and potentially uncomfortable. Apparently YY Coaches now has an office in Lira , which lies about halfway between Mbale and and Masindi (thanks to reader Oz for the update!), so you might be able to take bigger coaches to travel to Masindi.

Masindi is a cute small town and a great base for day trips to nearby attractions, like the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or the picturesque Butiaba Village on the shores of Lake Albert . It’s also the closest town to the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, with some of the country’s best wildlife spotting opportunities.

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Murchison Backpackers
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Kabalega Resort

Day 8 and 9: Murchison Falls National Park

Do a day trip from Masindi in the morning (see the suggestions from the previous day), before continuing to nearby Murchison Falls National Park to spend the night. This is one of the most popular National Parks in the country, and for good reason.

It’s home to some of the most diverse wildlife in Uganda, including lions, elephants, hippos and giraffes as well as plenty of buffaloes, antelope, warthogs and over 450 species of birds.

See also: Everything to Know About Visiting Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s Best Safari Destination

A great way to spend a day here is to go for a Game Drive in the morning and take a river cruise along the Nile to the powerful Murchison Falls in the afternoon. If you don’t have your own 4×4 available, there are several companies in Masindi that can sort out a trip into the National Park for you, or you could book one online. You can have a look at a couple of options below.

If you go with an organized tour, they will likely also provide the accommodation. Otherwise, you can check out these recommendations.

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Red Chili Rest Camp
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Murchison Falls Bamboo Village
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Twiga Safari Lodge

Day 10: Fort Portal and the Crater Lakes

The capital of the Kabarole District in Uganda’s western part is surrounded by a picturesque landscape of hills and lakes. Originally established as a British military fort in the late 19th century, Fort Portal is a vibrant town that forms a good base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions .

These include the impressive Amabare Caves close to town, as well as the beautiful Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lake Region a bit further afield. The latter is a great area for hiking and deserves at least half a day of your time, but if you can spare it, it’s well worth spending a couple of days here – there are many cute villages and scenic lakes to explore.

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Yes Hostel
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Silver Oaks Hotel
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Fort Motel

Day 11 and 12: Bwindi or Mgahinga NP

Move on to small Kisoro in the south-western corner of the country. Close to the borders of Rwanda and the DR Congo, the town has a beautiful location in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains and is a good base to explore two of the most exciting National Parks in Uganda.

If you have the necessary funds available, you could take a trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track the Mountain Gorillas . For us, the permit fee was far above our budget, so we had to skip it (although now we have a reason to return in the future).

If you want to go for it, you could either arrange a permit via the Uganda Wildlife Authority on Kiira Road in Kampala or go with an organized tour, where the company will sort out permits, accommodation, transport and the like. Have a look at a few options below.

If you also have to pinch your pennies, visiting nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a great alternative. Despite its name, chances to spot Gorillas here are pretty slim (although not non-existent), but there are other cool activities available. We loved the Batwa Cultural Trail , which gave us a chance to get acquainted with the history and culture of the local Pygmy Tribes .

• Budget Accommodation Tip: Ntebeko Homestay (Mgahinga NP)
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Mondi Lodge Kisoro
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi NP) or Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Kisoro)

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi

End your explorations of Uganda at stunning Lake Bunyonyi, a serene freshwater lake surrounded by rolling hills and lush green vegetation. It’s home to several small islands , each with its own unique history and cultural significance, that can be explored by canoe.

Otherwise, you can just relax on the shore of one of Uganda’s few lakes that actually allow for safe swimming (i.e. no crocodiles or Bilharzia). It’s a beautiful setting and a fitting finale for every trip through the Pearl of Africa.

• Budget Accommodation Tip: OM Hostel Bunyonyi
• Midrange Accommodation Tip: Paradise Eco-Hub
• Luxury Accommodation Tip: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Day 14: Return to Entebbe

On the way back to Entebbe you can stop at the Monument where the Equator crosses the highway between Masaka and Kampala to take those inevitably cheesy pictures.

Mpanga Forest near Kampala is also worth checking out for its surprising biodiversity (given that it’s a rather small forest). If you have some extra time before your return trip, you could even spend the night here looking for Bush Babies with a ranger, although you need to bring your own powerful flashlight for that.

Two Week Uganda Itinerary Map

All the suggested stops on the two-week Itinerary can be found in this map of Uganda.

If You Have More Time: Three Week Uganda Itinerary

With an extra week in the country, you could spend some more time at the places mentioned in the two-week itinerary and squeeze in a couple of extra stops.

For instance, this three-week itinerary takes a slower approach and also includes Hoima , which is home to some important historic places of the Bunyoro Kingdom and the laid-back Ssesse Islands in Lake Victoria. The other stops are all included in the two-week itinerary detailed above.

• Day 2 and 3: Kampala
• Day 4 and 5: Jinja
• Day 6 and 7: Sipi Falls
• Day 8 and 9: Masindi and surroundings
• Day 10 and 11: Murchison Falls NP
• Day 12: Hoima
• Day 13 and 14: Fort Portal  and  Crater Lakes
• Day 15 and 16: Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks
• Day 17 and 18: Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 19 and 20: Ssesse Islands (Buggala Island or Banda Island)
• Day 21: Back to Entebbe

With even more time and funds, you could also take part in a guided multi-day hike through the Rwenzori Mountains near Fort Portal or to Mount Elgon near Sipi. While these areas look stunningly beautiful, the required permit fees were above our modest backpacking budget, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for detailed advice.

If You Have Less Time: One Week Uganda Itinerary

If you only have one week in Uganda, you’d be well advised to get a rental car, so you’re not reliant on the country’s hit-or-miss public transport system. The following itinerary condenses the absolute highlights of the two-week version into one busy week.

• Day 1: Explore Kampala, then continue to Jinja
• Day 2: Jinja (Visit the source of the Nile and go rafting)
• Day 3: Drive to Murchison Falls NP, stop in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way
• Day 4: Explore Murchison Falls NP
• Day 5: Explore the Crater-Lake Region near Fort Portal, then continue to Bwindi
• Day 6: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi or Mgahinga NP
• Day 7: Spend a few hours at Lake Bunyonyi, then return to Entebbe

10 Extraordinary Things to Do in Kampala, Uganda’s Vibrant Capital

5 Awesome Things to Do in Entebbe, Uganda

10 thoughts on “ The Ultimate Two Week Uganda Itinerary – Including Hotels for Every Budget ”

These itineraries look great! I’ll have to save this for a future trip since I’d love to visit Uganda someday.

• Website - https://pokylittlewanderer.com

Hi Kelly, I’m glad you find the itineraries useful. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions about traveling in Uganda:)

Uganda is so beautiful! Fabulous two-week itinerary to explore.

I agree – it’s a beautiful and super diverse country to explore.

Hi Reinhard,

How did you you travel between the destinations? Did you book a tour from start to finish or only for the trips? Do you have any advise, cause i don’t see tours who offer the two or three weeks.

Hello Ruben,

we did the entire trip independently using public transport. If an adventurous trip appeals to you, you could easily follow my itinerary independently. Getting from A to B by public transport is usually straightforward and doesn’t require you to get tickets [much] in advance. It’s also a lot cheaper than a guided tour, albeit slower and likely less comfortable.

If you prefer a guided tour, there are several companies offering two to three-week trips of Uganda (most with a focus on wildlife), but obviously, none of them will follow the exact itinerary I described (which is a result of personal planning). I saw a few longer tours on Viator, limiting themselves to Uganda.

This one (note: affiliate link) sound pretty good, for instance. It includes most highlights of the country, but obviously it’s a lot pricier than doing it on your own. Still, it’s a lot cheaper than some alternatives listed on the site.

I hope this helps Reinhard

Hello, Could you specify any company for trips Mbale-Masindi? And Masindi-Fort Portal? Or was it just matatus? Regards

Hi, for those two connections, we only used matatus, so I can’t give you any first-hand information on bigger buses, but you should be able to take a Link Bus from Masindi to Fort Portal, as they have offices in both cities.

For the route from Mbale to Masindi we took a matatu to Gulu, spent the night there and took another to Masindi the next day, although you should be able to do it in one day if you start early. It is quite a long ride however, and I don’t believe any bigger buses are available for that connection. It might actually be easier to take a Post Bus from Mbale to Kampala and a Link Bus (or other big bus) from Kampala to Masindi. This would probably be more comfortable, although in my opinion, the scenery north of Lake Kyoga is a bit nicer, and we actually enjoyed the long matatu ride (the matatu wasn’t too full on that route).

In any case, it’s usually easiest to ask for recommendations at the bus stations – in most cases people give you their honest opinion on what’s best instead of getting you to use their company/matatu. Hope this helps!

Hello, Reinhard,

thanks for your answer. All the info helps to understand what to expect in such country 🙂 Noticed that YY Coaches have new office in Lira so as I understand there should be possibility to go with big bus Mbale-Lira-Masindi.

Thanks for help

Ah – that’s amazing. I wasn’t aware of that, that should make the trip a lot easier. Thanks for the update!

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The Ultimate One Week and Two Week Travel Itinerary for Uganda

• Last Updated On: September 20, 2022

Uganda, a country whose beauty denies description, should be at the top of everyone’s bucket lists. From its impossibly green landscape, to its magnificent lakes, to the vast wilderness tracts covered in great herds of animals, there is something for everyone here. And of course, let’s not forget the mountain gorillas of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which is an experience you’ll never forget.

Uganda is easy to travel around and two weeks is more than enough to explore the highlights of the area. At the bare minimum, Uganda deserves a week to see all of its highlights and this itinerary will break it down as such!

In addition, I will also add a section after the itinerary on how to combine the trip with Kenya. It is a common trip to visit Kenya and enter Uganda by land.

Where I went in Uganda

I came to Uganda primarily to Gorilla Trek in May. Gorilla’s can be seen year round as they are concentrated within the one park, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In addition, there are other fantastic sights within the country as well including Murchison Falls, and the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Uganda has two wet seasons: From mid-September to November, and March to May. The dry seasons run from June to August, and December to Feb (although this season is less dry). I visited in May during the wet season as the park was running a promotion at the time of discounted gorilla permit fees for $350. They are normally $600. The same discount is no longer offered (to my knowledge at least).

In total, this itinerary is perfect for anyone with 7 -14 days . These are the highlights of the trip

• Murchisan Falls
• Lake Bunyonyi
• Gorilla Trekking in the Bwindi
• Queen Elizabeth National Park

If these places ring a bell and sound like the places you want to visit, this is the perfect itinerary for you! I did my trip in that specific order but it is easy to mix and match depending on what you want to see.

What you need to know about Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

It’s likely the main reason you’re visiting Uganda is because of the gorillas. It certainly was mine. There is a lot to know about trekking the gorillas, including booking tours, purchasing a permit, what to pack, and what to expect from your day. I’ve written a detailed guide on everything you need to know about gorilla trekking .

How To Travel Around Uganda

Like the rest of East Africa, booking some sort of tour is necessary to travel to the points of interest in Uganda. Booking tours in Uganda is even more necessary than its neighbors Kenya and Tanzania .

Booking a tour in Uganda

Booking some sort of tour is absolutely necessary to visit the gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Prices for these tours are usually quoted  without  the gorilla permit which costs $600 USD . These “tours” are normally 3-4 days and just involves a driver that drives you the 6+ hours to your accommodation near the Bwindi, and then to the entrance of the Bwindi when it’s your turn to visit the gorillas.

It’s not easy to do this excursion on your own. You could take a bus from Kampala to Kabala, and then take a taxi to your accommodation near the Bwindi. You’ll still need to find a transfer to the entrance of the Bwindi and back on your own.

Similarly, you could somehow find public transportation to a place like Murchison Falls, or Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, once you get there, you’ll still need to pay for game drives and people to take you around.

In addition, you can’t get the gorilla permits on your own. There’s no website where you can just purchase a permit with a credit card. To get just the gorilla permit, you’ll need to go through a tour operator and they will upcharge you the permit fee (normally $100-$200 extra), as they need to make phone calls and physically pick up the permit.

I am not sure you would save much money visiting the gorillas or Murchisan Falls or Queen Elizabeth NP on your own as opposed to booking a tour.

Rent a car with a driver

This is another population option for those traveling Uganda. Similar to Madagascar , It’s possible to rent a driver with a car and plan your own customized itinerary. This includes picking where you want to stay, and as well as obtaining your own gorilla permit. There are numerous tour agencies that offer this option and will contract out the driver and take care of your gorilla permit as well. You can expect to pay $100-$150 a day depending on the vehicle. This is perfect if you have two or more people as it will likely be much cheaper than joining an organized tour.

Road Trip Uganda has great fares and an easy booking system for this. Also, you can rent a car without a driver if you want to brave it on your own. The roads in Uganda are pretty decent and I would consider driving myself the next time I visit!

Overland Tours for Uganda

I did the entire trip on an overland tour with Nomad Africa . An overland trip will be slightly more expensive than doing it yourself but I’d highly recommend them if you are one or two people and you don’t want the hassle of planning the trip. In addition, you get to meet some amazing people that will keep you entertained the entire trip. This itinerary focuses on those that are not planning to do an overland tour! For more info about overland tours, read my detailed Overland Tour Guide.

Detailed Posts

• Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla trekking part 2

Is Uganda Safe to Travel?

This is a common question I always get about traveling through Africa. It’s not unfounded as you’re constantly being bombarded by the media in Western countries about crime statistics, poverty, political unrest and the like.

I’ve traveled extensively all around Africa and it’s like any other developing part of the world I’ve been to. There are some sketchy pockets but the vast majority of the country is completely fine assuming there’s no civil war happening. This is like  every country I’ve ever been to , first world or third world. Like South Africa’s safety  or Egypt’s safety , the big cities see more crime, and potential for crime picks up at night time. Avoid flashing the cash, reciprocate the friendly attitudes of the locals, try the local food and drinks, and you’ll be fine.

With that said, I found Uganda to be incredibly safe and welcoming. The people here are very warm and friendly. Kampala is actually one of the more interesting African capitals I’ve been to and I wish I had more time to explore the city from a local’s perspective.

Visas for Uganda

Visas for Uganda can be purchased at entry for all Western passports. There is no work needed beforehand. The cost of the visa is  $50 USD . If you’re planning to visit Kenya or Rwanda as part of your itinerary, it might make sense to purchase the East Africa Visa for $100 USD. This visa gives you access to all three countries and you only need to buy it once.

As always, make sure to have crisp post 2006 USD notes. Any sign of wear and tear can result in them rejecting your money!

Full Uganda Itinerary

The Itinerary starts in Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital. Most people will get here by way of Entebbe Airport, located about 40 km outside of Kampala. Many people elect to stay in Entebbe before embarking on trips to Jinja, Murchison, or the Gorilla Trek but I wanted to explore Kampala.

From Nairobi, head to Murchison Falls for a 3 day 2 night excursion at the epic waterfalls there before returning to Kampala again. Then the journey starts to the Lake Bunyonyi, which is the base camp for the Gorilla trekking. From here, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a two day safari, as well as hiking with the chimpanzees.

Return to Kampala afterwards.

Day 1-2: Explore Kampala

After landing in Entebbe Airport, the first thing I noticed was how green the country is. Africa is known for its lush vegetation and Uganda is perhaps the epitome of it. The traffic to get to Kampala goes through one main road with one lane. At most hours of the day, it’s a disaster. It took me over 1 hour to get to my guesthouse in the city.

Kampala is actually a very interesting city. It has seen drastic changes in the past few decades and is really a city that is on the rise. Take a day tour on a Boda Boda with  Walter’s Tours . Boda Boda’s are little motorcycles and the preferred way for Ugandan’s to get around. They are everywhere and are a much cheaper alternative to taxis. Because of the terrible traffic, Boda boda’s are also a great way to avoid being stuck in traffic.

The tour takes you to the main highlights of Kampala including the King’s Palace where you can see the prisons Idi Amin tortured his prisoners, the Gadaffi Mosque, and numerous fantastic vantage points. Tell them you want to sample the local Ugandan food as well and they will take you to their favorite street vendors selling delicious chapati’s and the famous Rolex (it’s a roll with eggs, get it?).

Where to stay in Kampala?

As I was only here for two nights, I wasn’t too bothered by where I stayed. Red Chili Hideaway is the de facto accommodation option for those on any type of budget. I got a small room for myself with a shared bathroom for $30 a night. Dorm style accommodations can be had for $10 a night.

The grounds are actually quite nice as they have a large pool and numerous dining options on hand. I liked the Red Chili Hideaway as they have another location in Murchison Falls and offer good deals on tours. For Murchison Falls, the price is around $300 per person for the 3 day 2 night tour. It’s perfect for solo travelers as there will always be other travelers staying at the Red Chili.

Day 3-5: Murchison Falls

This is the largest national park in Uganda and has a large concentration of wildlife animals. Start the day with an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile River with a bigger concentration of game where you will be able to view those animals that are unique to the African Savannah like the giraffe, lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant hyena, the Uganda kob etc. The bird life is also impressive, with the African fish Eagle being one of the prized sightings and with luck the rare shoebill stork. There is also a variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swamp lands to broad Savannah.

From Kampala, we left very early the first day before arriving at the top of Murchison Waterfalls in the afternoon. The second day was awesome. The morning was an epic game drive through the national park where we saw loads of elephants, hippos, and birds. The afternoon was followed by a boat cruise around the Nile river where we saw loads of hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Of course, the scenery was also captivating.

The third day was another game drive in the morning, before returning home to Kampala in the evening.

There are loads of tour operators offering this tour to Murchison Falls with varying itineraries. Some offer more game drives, some offer a visit to the rhino sanctuary, but all follow generally the same route. The fair price to pay for this 3 day/2 night excursion is $300-$400 per person.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls:  I really liked the Red Chili Hideaway in Murchison Falls. Accommodation is fantastic for all budgets.

Day 6-9: Lake Bunyoyi and Gorilla Trekking

Next part of the itinerary is to visit the famous mountain gorillas of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest! While I did my tour with Nomad Africa in an overland tour, there are countless other tour operators that offer the exact same itinerary at similar prices. I personally liked the overland tours because of the people you meet. But it does involve camping (which you can pay to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations) and the overland truck is not the most comfortable.

• Read in depth about my gorilla trek experience
• And also about everything you need to know about gorilla trekking

Lake Bunyonyi (‘place of many little birds’) is undoubtedly the loveliest lake in Uganda. Its contorted shore encircles 29 islands, surrounded by steep terraced hillsides reminiscent of parts of Nepal.  A magical place, especially with a morning mist rising off the placid waters, it has supplanted the Ssese Islands as  the  place for travellers to chill out on their way through Uganda, and has a selection of gorgeously remote and bucolic places to stay on distant islands, where you’ve only the birds for company. Best of all – unlike many lakes in East Africa – Bunyoni is bilharzia, croc and hippo free, and so its crystal-clear waters are all yours to swim in. Bliss.

Those visiting the Bwindi can elect to stay in Lake Bunyonyi, or closer to the Bwindi National Park in numerous different camps and lodges. I found Lake Bunyonyi to be very picturesque and relaxing. There are also other activities here you can enjoy like hiking and boat tours.

One full day here is of course dedicated to seeing the gorillas. I left early in the morning from Lake Bunyonyi as it’s a 2 hour drive. Sunrise was over the misty mountains of the area which was a nice touch. Once I reached the park, the rangers give you a short briefing and you’re off to track the gorillas starting at 9. Depending on the day and where your specific family of gorillas are, it can take any time between 1 to 8 hours to find the gorillas.

Once you find them (and you’ll always find them), you get 1 hour to interact, take photos, and generally gawk at what you’re witnessing. This hour will feel like 10 minutes but gorillas need their space as they are wild animals after all.

Where to stay in Lake Bunyonyi

• Luxury: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge
• Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Where to stay in the Bwindi National Park

• Luxury (Buhoma/North): Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
• Luxury (South): Chameleon Hill lodge
• Mid range (Buhoma/North): Silverback Lodge/Engagi Lodge
• Mid range (South): Chameleon Hill Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Budget (Buhoma/North): Buhoma Community Bandas/Bwindi View Bandas
• Budget (South): Gorilla Mist camp

Day 9-12: Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, it’s time to go to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, a park known to boast the highest bio-diversity ratings of any game park in the worlds with habitats to include; lakes, forest, savannah grassland as well as wetlands. It’s also known for its famous tree climbing lions, large elephant herds and an abundance of hippos in Lake Albert.

• Read in depth about my trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Our accommodations here were next to a local village and Lake Albert. You could see so many hippos from land which means that at night, you could see them on the land. Hippos routinely travel up to 30km from the confines of the water to graze for food at night. There were so many hippos inside our lodge campsite area which was an incredible experience (also the first hippo you see at night is terrifying).

Kibale Chimpanzee Hike

Kibale National Park is known for its families of chimps. Like the gorillas, it’s also possible to hike to see the chimps. It’s much cheaper, and also much quicker of a hike to see these guys. I found this hike to be just as amazing as the gorilla trek I went on days earlier. While chimps mostly hang out in the trees, there were many of them running around on the ground and it was incredible to see them in their natural environment!

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
• Mid range: Park view Lodge/Kasenyi safari lodge
• Budget: Enganzi lodge

Kenya to Uganda overland

This is separate from this itinerary. Coming to Uganda via Kenya is very popular. You can combine the best of both countries with a visit to the Masai Mara and then westward to Uganda. Numerous airlines make this flight including Kenyan Airways, RwandAir, and Jambojet. By land, EasyCoach and MASH bus service make the drive on a daily basis.

The cost for transfer is normally around 2,000 to 2,500 Kenyan Shillings one way and takes roughly 12 hours. EasyCoach also stops in Jinja where you can join a tour for white water rafting before continuing on to Kampala.

Uganda Two Week Itinerary Day by Day breakdown

Here is a day by day breakdown of my two week Kenya and Tanzania itinerary.

Day 1 – Arrive in Kampala:  Explore Kampala Day 2 – Kampala:  Full day Boda Boda Tour Day 3 – Kampala to Murchisan Falls:  Beginning of Murchisan Falls tour, visit the waterfalls in the afternoon Day 4 – Murchison Falls:  Full day Murchison Falls game drive and boat tour Day 5 – Murchison falls to Kampala:  Transfer to Arusha by bus Day 6 – Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi:  Early morning transfer to the Serengeti, afternoon game drive Day 7 – Gorilla Trekking in the Bwindi:  Full day game drive Day 8 – Lake Bunyonyi :  Full day exploring Lake Bunyonyi Day 9 – Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park:  Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, this will take the entire day Day 10 – Queen Elizabeth National Park:  Full day game drive Day 11 – Queen Elizabeth National Park:  Chimp hike in Kibale National Park Day 12 – Return to Kampala: Early morning transfer back to Entebbe or Kampala Day 13 – Jinja:  If time permits, a full day white water rafting tour to Jinja. I think white water rafting on the Zambezi is better but this is still a great option! Day 14: Fly home

Uganda One Week Itinerary Day by Day breakdown

This itinerary is for those that have around 1 weeks time (7-8 days). This will have gorilla trekking because this is likely the reason you’re coming here. To supplement the gorillas, I would recommend  choosing between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls. There will not be enough time to do both.

Day 1 – Arrive in Kampala:  Explore Kampala Day 2 – Kampala:  Full day Boda Boda Tour Day 3 – Kampala to Murchisan Falls:  Beginning of Murchisan Falls tour, visit the waterfalls in the afternoon Day 4 – Murchison Falls:  Full day Murchison Falls game drive and boat tour Day 5 – Murchison falls to Kampala:  Transfer to Arusha by bus Day 6 – Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi:  Early morning transfer to the Serengeti, afternoon game drive Day 7 – Gorilla Trekking in the Bwindi:  Full day game drive Day 8 – Lake Bunyonyi :  Full day exploring Lake Bunyonyi

Uganda Self Drive Two Week Itinerary Day by Day breakdown

This itinerary is for those that are renting a car with a driver, or planning to drive themselves. In this case, you don’t need to go on prebooked tours, and can book your own accommodations. The tour agency that you rent the car and driver with, can help you find accommodations and arrange the gorilla permits for you. Highly recommend this option if you are more than 2 people as it will be much cheaper and you will save plenty of time.

Day 1 – Arrive in Kampala:  Explore Kampala Day 2 – Kampala:  Full day Boda Boda Tour Day 3 – (CAR RENTAL STARTS HERE) Kampala to Murchisan Falls:  Drive to Murchison Falls and visit the waterfalls Day 4 – Murchison Falls:  Full day Murchison Falls game drive and boat tour Day 5 – Murchison falls to Kibale National Park:  This is a long day of driving from Murchison falls to Kibale National Park. This will likely take 8 hours or more. Day 6 – Kibale National Park:  Morning chimp hike in Kibale, relax in the afternoon Day 7 – Kibale to Queen Elizabeth NP:  Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning and afternoon game drive Day 8 – Queen Elizabeth National Park:  Full day game drive and boat cruise Day 9 – Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:  Drive to the Bwindi National Park to prepare for the gorilla hike Day 10 – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:  Full day gorilla trek, drive to Lake Bunyonyi once finished Day 11 – Lake Bunyonyi:  Relax and full day exploring Lake Bunyonyi Day 12 – Return to Kampala: Early morning transfer to the north of Zanzibar , Beach time Day 13 – Jinja:  If time permits, a full day white water rafting tour to Jinja. I think white water rafting on the Zambezi is better but this is still a great option! Day 14: Fly home

Continue Reading:

• Walking With Giants – Ultimate Guide To Gorilla Trekking in Africa
• Uganda Overland Trip: Intro and Kampala
• Uganda Overland Trip: Queen Elizabeth NP and Chimpanzee Trekking
• Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – An Out of the Ordinary Travel Experience
• The Best Of Johnny Africa – Top Moments Traveling Through Africa
• Guide To Visiting Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
• Awesome Safari Parks in Botswana
• Gorillas In The Mist: The Ultimate Congo Gorilla Trekking Experience
• Guide To Visiting The Okavango Delta in Botswana
• Trekking With Orangutans in Sumatra: The Ultimate Guide
• Why South Africa Is The Perfect Destination To Learn English
• The Ultimate One To Two Week Travel Itinerary For Guatemala
• Hlane National Park, Swaziland

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This is makes a very interesting and informed reading. Certainly useful to all travelers who are not very familiar with Uganda. Thank you for your research.

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Uganda again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

The Ultimate 3 Week Uganda Itinerary

Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla’s, over 5000 chimpanzees and the largest number of monkeys and baboons. Uganda has mind-blowing landscapes from gushing waterfalls and crater lakes to rainforests, mountains and the vast African savannahs. It’s where you can find the source of the Nile and 10 national parks to spot lots of birds and big game. Over the last couple years the Traveltomtom team has extensively traveled around the country and as a result they came up with this ultimate Uganda Itinerary that covers all the best places to visit and cool things to do in Uganda. 

World’s premier primate destination and more

The gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  and chimp habituation experience were definitely among the Uganda highlights, but we also discovered that this beautiful East African country offers a lot more than encounters with these endangered primates. In this Uganda travel blog we will share all the destinations we visited in November 2018, May 2021 and August 2021. This Uganda itinerary includes countless Uganda travel tips to make the most out of your trip.

If you are searching for the most complete Uganda travel guide and itinerary this is a must read!

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Best time of the year to travel to Uganda

The best time of the year for Uganda safaris are during the dry season from June to August and from December to February. The high season is from June to September and it is advised that in this period you book your gorilla permits way ahead. Peak season doesn’t really exist as mass tourism luckily doesn’t apply to Uganda travel. Between March and May is the wet season and then it is a little harder to travel to Uganda as roads and trails can be in poor condition.

How to travel around Uganda

Renting a 4WD with a knowledgeable driver/guide is a great way to explore the country. We traveled in a Toyota Land cruiser with pop-up roof, which is great for game viewing activities and photography. It is recommended to find a comfortable ride if you are planning to travel in Uganda for 3 weeks, because you will also spend a lot of time on the road. Find a motivated and trusted tour operator for your Uganda safaris. A big plus is if you can find a Uganda based tour operator, since they know the country intimately and can give you the best Uganda travel tips.

We explored the country by car, but you can save time by flying to most of the popular places to visit in Uganda. Domestic flights in Uganda are not common, but it is possible. Obviously this is gonna costs you way more money. Personally we loved being on the road on our Uganda trips, getting to know the environment and all the different landscapes; seeing the real Uganda.

Make sure you stay connected when traveling to Uganda. The best, easiest and cheapest way is to buy a local prepaid sim card in Uganda . Click on the link for my complete guide or see the following article for tips about buying a sim card at Entebbe Airport on arrival.

Related: Traveltomtom Group Trip Uganda !

Ultimate 3 week Uganda itinerary

Below you can find the route we created to get to the best places to visit in Uganda, including distances and driving time.

• Day 1: Jinja

Day 2-3: Sipi Falls

• Day 4-6: Kidepo National Park

Day 7-9: Murchison Falls National Park

Day 10: ziwa rhino sanctuary, day 11-13: kibale forest national park.

• Day 14-16:Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 17-19: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

• Day 20-21: Lake Bunyonyi

Day 22: Lake Mburo National Park

• Day 23: Entebbe

 Day 1: Entebbe arrival and Jinja

Our trip started (and ended) at Entebbe Airport in Central Uganda. Entebbe sits on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest (fresh water) lake. The lake reaches up to Jinja, which is about 80 km from Entebbe. From the airport we drove directly to Jinja. The road constructions are getting better and better and without traffic jams around Kampala, it will take you around 4 hours. On your way you will enjoy the views of plenty tea and sugar plantations.

If you decide to stay in Entebbe go check out their most remarkable beach. Visiting Aero Beach and its graveyard for planes and funny statues is worth it. Also make sure you buy a sim card for Uganda. Check out my guide for buying a sim card at Entebbe Airport .

Jinja, the source of the Nile (1 day)

Jinja is one of the upcoming places to visit in Uganda. It’s famous for the historic source of the (White) Nile and also called the adrenaline hotspot of East Africa because of the many white water activities like rafting, kayaking, jet boating and bungee jumping. A private boat tour is a more relaxing way to experience the Nile. You will spot many birds like the kingfisher, heron, stork, ibis and the fish eagle and you’re able to see the (real) source of the Nile. Don’t expect too much of this place, it is not one of the best things to do in Uganda, just a fun place. It’s a very small (touristic) spot on the river where you can jump off the boat and walk over a wooden deck towards the ‘source of the Nile’ sign to make a quick photo.

It is the point where the longest river in the world begins to flow. All the way from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea through central and northern Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt. Did you know it takes the water about 3 months to complete this journey? For thousands of years the true source of the Nile has been a subject of speculation but for the majority of the people, Lake Victoria is still considered to be the real source. Jinja is a great way to start your Uganda trip. For those wanting more adrenaline based activities Jinja has to be part of your Uganda itinerary, but then reserve a little bit more time.

At the Eastern bank of the River Nile you’ll also find a monument dedicated to Mahatma Ghandi, the world famous apostle of peace and non-violence. After he was murdered in 1948 his ashes were split in portions to be scattered in the main rivers of the world.

Where to stay in Jinja?

Nile Village hotel is a perfect layover for your Nile activities. It’s centrally located in Jinja town and close to the main road to proceed to Sipi Falls. The hotel has a laidback vibe with a nice garden area and an outside bar near the pool where they often offer live music in the evening. Locals visit the place as well. The staff is very friendly and the Wi-Fi and hot water worked well, two things that aren’t usual when you travel to Uganda. 

Sipi Falls is a series of three huge waterfalls that lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park and the border of Kenya. The unharmed landscapes of the Sipi Falls area are absolutely spectacular; a perfect place to unwind and one of the best places to visit in Uganda. Even the route to Kapchorwa is beautiful. You will drive through small, authentic villages and slowly drive up the mountain road where you’ll get a good impression of this incredible area.

Mbale town is the last bigger town before you will reach Sipi Falls. This is your chance to buy things like a Uganda prepaid sim card, water stocks or medicines. If you fancy a cup of Ugandan (Arabica) coffee, have a short stop at Eco Shamba Café.

Sipi is a hiker's paradise! The actual falls are only accessible by foot and it takes around 3,5 hours to visit all three falls (7-8 km). A local guide will accompany you on your hike. They are all well informed about the historical and geographical background of the area and the fee you pay is a way of supporting the community to benefit from the tourist visiting Uganda.

The guide will also provide you with a walking stick to give you support since you go through some steep spots. Especially when it rains the paths get slippery and muddy. I would also suggest packing a thin raincoat. Not only because it can rain any time but also because you’ll get very close to (and even behind) the falls.

You also have the possibility to expand the hike with a visit to the Sipi River, which gets its name from a local plant (the Sep) which grows around the banks of the river. It is often used for medicinal purposes and looks like a wild banana. I would recommend visiting the river as well. It’s a beautiful and quiet area where you will also find chameleons. If you are a sunset lover like me, make sure to enjoy the sunset at the well-known viewpoint overlooking the falls. Mount Elgon, Lake Kyoga and the plains of Karamoja are places you have to see when you travel to Uganda.

Another highlight of the trip to Sipi was visiting a local village and seeing one of the mud brick houses that have a small coffee plantation plot. This Arabica coffee only grows at an altitude ranging between 1600 and 1900 meters. The local farmer welcomes you to his small plantation and will guide you through the whole process: from picking the coffee berries, to shelling them, grinding them with a traditional mortar & pestle and roasting them on an open fire. You will finish with a fine cup of strong Arabic coffee, straight from the source. Consider things to do in Uganda like this because by booking such coffee tours you will also support the community development. Don’t forget to look for chameleons in the coffee plants! There are many but hard to spot.

For the adventurous traveler there is an abseiling activity next to the 100m high Sipi falls or a rock climbing experience at the foothills of Mt. Elgon. All amazing things to do in Uganda, but there are so many I had to make choices.

Sipi Falls belongs to the most fertile parts of Uganda; it’s an outstanding natural and green beauty with lots of flowers and plants. Sure one of the best places places in Uganda for nature lovers. If you have the opportunity to get to know ‘the real’ Uganda, then you should definitely visit the more unexplored Eastern part of Uganda.

Where to stay in Sipi?

Sipi Falls Lodge is a great - centrally located - community lodge with a spectacular front view on the main waterfall. It’s a small well-maintained resort with hard working local staff. They make you feel welcome from the moment you enter the gate. It’s amazing to see how the team manages to keep local authenticity something that makes traveling to Uganda so special.

This lodge probably has the best view on the main fall because the place used to be the lodge of one of the most memorable Governors of Uganda, Andrew Cohen. They recently reclaimed the building, which was built in 1951 and since 2018 it’s the biggest detached (family) room you are able to book at Sipi Falls Lodge. The architectural design, stone work and the colour of the paint are still in tact. 

Day 4-6: Kidepo National Park (2-3 days)

Being named the 3rd best national park in Africa, Kidepo National Park is definitely a must visit in Uganda. It’s the country’s most isolated park and one of the country’s best treasures where you will find true African wilderness. It’s a long and rugged journey up to the northeast along the border with Southern Sudan, but you will not regret it! Kidepo is one of the best places to visit in Uganda and offers spectacular Savannah landscapes that end in rocky horizons. Also it is the best place for wildlife viewing in the country. Compared to other national parks this park hosts a great variety of animal species and a safari up here should be part of your Uganda trip.

Here are some important travel tips before you vistit Kidepo:

• Contact UWA Headquarters to obtain up-to-date advice about the road conditions and identify the preferred route, especially if you consider an approach through Karamoja (like I did). Some roads can be very bad after heavy rains. In that case it’s better to take an alternative route. They also keep working at (new) roads, so you might want to use a newer road to save some time;
• Make sure you have enough fuel for your long journey up North (including your game drive activities in the national park) since there is no gas station in Kidepo. The last gas station where you’re able to top up fuel is in Kaabong and the first possibility to stock up fuel after leaving Kidepo is Kitgum;
• Leave as early as possible and take a packed breakfast and lunch for on the road. I left Sipi Falls before sunrise at 5.00am and it took me 8 hours to reach Kidepo.

After leaving Sipi you will cross the Pain Upe Wildlife Reserve, which is situated along the Mbale-Moroto road. This reserve is one of the most remarkable protected areas in the Karamoja region. Locals say it’s another great wildlife paradise that you should visit while in the Northeastern part of Uganda. I only drove past it, but sadly didn’t have the time to visit. Keep it in mind when you plan your trip to Uganda.

Where to stay in Kidepo?

There are only a few options to stay in Kidepo, from the budget Apoka Rest Camp to the most expensive and luxury Apoka Lodge. I stayed in Kidepo Savannah Lodge , a luxury (both self contained and non-self contained) tented camp on a small rocky hill, overlooking the Savannah. It’s an open space with no boundaries, so it’s common to have Zebra’s or Bush bocks grazing next to your tent. A week before I visited this place even lions came to visit the dining area of the camp, because it used to be part of their territory. How exciting is that? Isn’t that what we are looking for when we travel to Uganda!

Murchison Falls has a lot to offer and is Uganda’s oldest (1926) and largest wildlife reserve is home to four of the Big Five. Because of the poaching crisis there are no rhinos left anymore. Luckily you are able to see them in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. On our first game drive we saw many Ugandan Kobs, elephants, giraffes and buffaloes. The other days we saw even more animals such as the leopard, lions, hippos and many birds. If you’re lucky the park gives you the ability to see plenty of wildlife on a short safari. Especially for those who have limited time when visiting Uganda the Murchison Falls national park is a great Uganda travel tip.

Visiting the actual (Murchison) fall was one of the highlights of my Uganda trip. I highly recommend a boat tour (half day activity) to the bottom of the falls, where you will enjoy bird- and wildlife along the banks of the world’s longest river. After seeing the bottom of the falls in the distance, you will leave the boat for a heavy hike to the top of the falls. To be honest I wasn’t that impressed by seeing the bottom of the falls (it was quiet far and after seeing Iguaçu Falls in Argentina and Victoria Falls in Zambia I might be a bit spoiled), but once I saw the top I was amazed by the sight and sound of the raging Nile that forces its way through the narrow rocky gap before crashing 43 metres down. If you don’t feel like hiking to the top, it’s also possible to get there by car. When you go there in the early morning (around sunrise) you might be the only one around, but the chance of seeing a rainbow that early is quiet small.

Where to stay in Murchison?

Twiga Safari Lodge is situated along the banks of the Nile on the opposite side of the National Park. It’s a luxury-tented eco-friendly camp that offers outstanding service and quality for their customers. They even offer a free laundry service. A simple but valuable Uganda travel tip. The tents with en suite bathroom and private deck are spacious and very clean. All tents and the dining area overlook the Nile River. During diner (delicious 4-course meal) you’re able to enjoy the sunset and relax at the campfire. In the evening you will even face some hippos grazing around the area; the reason why the staff will guide you safely to your tent. Twiga Safari Lodge was another amazing experience on Uganda trip.

By visiting this rhino re-introduction project you’re able to top off the big five with the white rhino. The sanctuary is set up near Murchison Falls NP (2,5h drive) and it’s the only place in Uganda where you’re able to see rhinos in a heavily protected but wild area. The rhinos are free to move around on 7000 hectares of land. Don’t forget to wear long trousers and closed/waterproof shoes, because you will walk through high grass and wet areas to search for the rhinos, accompanied by a ranger of course. The rhino trekking will take you around 1,5-2,5 hours and will cost you about $45 per person, an amazing thing to do in Uganda. If you want to have more time at Ziwa to do other activities like a Shoebill trek, canoe ride or night- and nature walks, you have the possibility to overnight in a lodge or tent. If I would do another Uganda trip I would stay here one night because here you’ll have the highest chance of seeing the prehistoric Shoebill, an opportunity I missed. Nevertheless I wanted to include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in this Uganda travel blog to make you aware how bad the rhino situation in the world is.

This lush tropical rainforest is the place to visit in Uganda if you want to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat! On a chimpanzee trekking you will hike through the forest to look for the chimps and once you find them, you’re allowed to stay with them for maximum one hour. Do you want to spend more time with our closest relatives? No problem. I highly recommend the habituation experience ($200), where you will spend a whole day with the chimps during their daily activities like de-nesting, foraging for food, grooming, playing and making nests for the night. It’s a lifetime experience and one of the best things to do in Uganda for wildlife lovers.

Those who have more time to spend in Kibale will be pleased to discover many other activities in the region. I loved the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary where you can spot many other species of primates and 200 different bird species (like the great blue turaco). This small sanctuary protects the Magombe swamp and its run by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED). All the money raised is used to fund community projects around Bigodi, like construction of classrooms in some schools. It is one of the best places to visit in Uganda for birdwatching lovers. I would suggest extending the swamp walk with a cultural tour. Do you want to learn traditional weaving techniques? The women have created the inspiring Bigodi Women Group who weave baskets and make bags. They are more than happy to teach you how to weave a great cultural experience on my Uganda trip.

The Kibale area also offers beautiful crater lakes. A three hour hike includes three crater lakes, local villages, tea-plantations and a great view from ‘the top of the world’ overlooking all 3 crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains. If you are a fan a hiking this is among the best things to do in Uganda. From Crater Safari Lodge, on the banks of one of the crater lakes, you’re able to start the hike from the lodge. In the local village you have the possibility to visit a homestead, taste banana gin in a local pub or visit a small community school. Try to squeeze this into your Uganda itinerary, you won’t regret it.

In several places – like the route from Murchison to Kibale – you will find many road works. The Chinese are working on the road infrastructure in addition to producing and exporting crude oil. A lot of bad roads are already replaced by new paved roads, which makes traveling through Uganda easier than it used to be. Although the drive to Kibale is pretty long (7 hours), it’s not necessary to add an overnight stop.

Where to stay in Kibale?

We stayed at the Ugandan owned Crater Safari Lodge , which offered a breath-taking view of the Nyinabulitwa Crater. It’s a Luxury award winning eco lodge with good service, nice meals and just a short (15 minutes) drive away from the Chimpanzee trekking. Imagine yourself relaxing in a hammock at the porch of your private cottage enjoying the scenery and birds at the lake. Picture it? It’s a perfect way to recover from your heavy trekking. The lodge also has a pool. I hope by reading this Uganda travel blog I am inspiring you to book your Uganda holiday.

Day 14 - 16: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in western Uganda, against the back of the Rwenzori Mountains, you will find Uganda’s most popular national park. It’s named after the royal Queen Elizabeth II of England. However we didn’t see a lot of wildlife, I understand why it’s the most frequently visited park. It’s home to numerous birds and mammal species and has spectacular diverse landscapes. The vast plains of Queen Elizabeth NP are famous for its tree-climbing lions and besides African savannah you will also find lush forests, volcanic cones and beautiful salt crater lakes with large herds of buffaloes. If you are lucky you might see Flamingo’s visiting Lake Munyanyange. So many great places to visit in Uganda!

Boat tour Kazinga Channel

With this great variety of wildlife, you need to take time for several game drives. You will also love exploring the peaceful Kazinga Channel by boat. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to large concentrations of water buffaloes, hippos, Nile crocodiles and exotic birds. If you’re lucky you will even find elephants bathing in the water! Make sure to get a seat on the left side of the boat for the best wildlife viewing, my secret Uganda travel tips for you. This activity will take you around 3 hours. 

Ishasha sector and tree-climbing lions

The Ishasha sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Because it’s a 2-hour drive from the northern part of Queen Elizabeth NP I recommend staying one night in Ishasha before heading to Bwindi. During the hottest part of the day you have the highest chance of seeing the lions in a tree. In the morning or around sunset they are more active in terms of scanning the area looking for food. I was lucky to see two young cubs chilling in a tree while two other cubs were climbing the opposite tree; the mother was hiding in the bushes. It is supposed that lions climb these huge fig trees as a way of protecting themselves against the numerous biting tsetse flies on ground level and to view their potential preys grazing on the open plains.

Equator sign

On your way from Kibale to Queen you will have nice views on the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Have a short stop at Kasese to take a photo at the Equator sign. It’s a funny experience to stand on both sides of the world. With so many cool things to do in Uganda this became just a fun experience.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth?

Katara Lodge is located 16 km from the Kayunhuru gate of Queen Elizabeth NP and it takes around 25 minutes to get to it, but wow what a great luxury lodge! This is the place where I had the best food and one of the best views in Uganda. The cottages are clean and spacious with an ensuite bathroom. What I really liked was the bed on wheels to roll out onto the balcony which gives you the ability to sleep outside, under the stars (of course under a good mosquito net). From the dining area, the pool, your private balcony and even your shower, you will have endless views of the savannah landscape. The Wi-Fi worked well and the staff was super friendly! The Lodge is all worth the 25 minutes drives. I know I have mentioned it several times already in this Uganda travel blog, but on my trip I went from one highlight to another.

Gorilla trekking

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty; the forest is included in any Uganda travel guide. It is home to roughly half of the world’s remaining population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The trekking was a great adventure I was finally able to cross off my long bucket list. It’s important that gorilla trekking permits ($600) are secured prior to arrival to avoid disappointment. Although expensive it is one of the best things to do in Uganda. The trekking is available from 4 different areas. I did the trekking from the Rushaga area and I have met the habituated Bweza family, which counts 11 members. The youngest was only 6 months and the oldest Silverback 43. A great Uganda travel tip is that the permits for the Rushaga area tend to run out last and if you’re lucky you will get a group of only 4-5 people in stead of the maximum of eight. This gives you more space to observe and photograph the gorillas during that one hour you’re allowed to stay with them.

Depending on the location of the Gorilla family you visit, the hike can be challenging, especially during Uganda’s two rainy seasons, which are from March to May and from November to December. It requires navigating uphill and downhill through thick tangles of vines, thorns and roots. You will find a ranger with his machete in front of the group and porters next to you carrying your bag or steadying your balance. It’s absolutely amazing to encounter these wild and gentle primates. A gorilla trekking is an unforgettable experience, which more than repays the effort needed to trek through the forest and the money spent. At the end you will even be rewarded with a Gorilla Tracking certificate!

You shouldn’t leave Bwindi without meeting the Batwa tribe; the original inhabitants of the jungles of Bwindi known as the ‘keepers of the forest’. For years they lived in harmony with the forest and survived by hunting small game using bows and arrows. Unfortunately they lost their traditional ways of living, but they are more than willing to share their history. Depending on the tour you book, you will enjoy traditional songs and dances, hear ancient legends, learn about their way of life like food gathering and hunting techniques or how to make a fire. You will even get a chance to share a local meal.

Visiting Bwindi was another highlight on my Uganda itinerary. With so many places to visit and things to do it is hard to point out the best experience, but the mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda hold a special place as it is so unique. Click on the link to read a detailed blog about all the do's and don'ts, including prices and all about my experiences.

Where to stay in Bwindi?

Each of the four different areas have specialized accommodation close to the trekking area. For the Rushaga area I would recommend to stay in Gorilla Safari Lodge , because it’s only a few minutes away from the starting point. This Ugandan-owned full-board eco-lodge offers spacious rooms and excellent service. They provide warm water bottles in bed before you go to sleep, free laundry service and there’s also the opportunity to have a massage after the exhausting trekking (you will need it!). After all these amazing experiences on your Uganda trip it feels absolutely amazing to switch off and take it all in. Gorilla Safari lodge is a small, relaxed lodge with a nice view on the misty hills of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

From there it’s also possible to do a cultural tour by foot. I visited a women-group who taught me how to weave, a local school, the Batwa pygmies and a local pub where I tasted ‘Nsenene’ and learned how to cook ‘Matoke’. Matoke is known as a green cooking banana. These bananas are typically mashed and paired with vegetable sauces, ground peanuts, or meat such as beef and goat, and the full dish is then also called Matoke. Nsenene are fried grasshoppers, a delicacy among many Ugandans who look forward to November-December, when millions of the bugs hatch with the seasonal rains. Eating fried grasshoppers is something you should try when you visit Uganda.

Day 20 - 21: Lake Bunyonyi

After an exhausting gorilla trekking, you earned some time to relax and chill-out. For that, Lake Bunyonyi, which means place of many little birds is the perfect place to be and it’s only a 2 to 3 hour drive from Bwindi. Because of the green-terraced landscape and the great scenery of hills, valleys and winding roads it’s also called the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. An amazing places to visit in Uganda for landscape photography. Believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water in South-western Uganda near the Rwandan border, and one of the country’s top natural treasures. Despite the depth (44m-90m), good swimmers have a chance to take a swim in the lake. There are no crocodiles or hippos and it’s bilharzia-free. At 1962m above sea level, the lake enjoys moderate temperatures year round, but cool in the morning and evening.

What makes this an awesome place to visit in Uganda are the 29 islands scattered across the water with each island having their own unique story. Of all these islands, ‘Punishment Island’ stands out the most. It’s an island with a notorious history, where unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned to starve to death. There is only one living survivor (Mauda Kyitaragabirwe) and I was very pleased to meet her and talk to her about what she went through. She’s a tough lady who is still digging in one of the many gardens in the terraced hills!

Arcadia Lodge has the most breath-taking panorama view of Lake Bunyonyi. I visited the lodge for a drink on the terrace to enjoy the view, an Uganda travel tip I recommend you to do as well. Don’t miss out on this lake while exploring Uganda. There’s a good reason it’s on the 5,000 Ugandan shilling note. Besides relaxing or swimming, you can also choose to go for canoeing in a dugout canoe, island hopping, visiting a traditional healer or hiking through the hills and villages! 

Where to stay at lake Bunyonyi?

You can choose to stay uphill or directly at the water. Some accommodations are located on one of the (29) Islands, others on the shore. If you want to relax at a quiet and remote location, Rock Resort is a great option! It’s located at the lakeside, so you’re able to go for a swim, relax at one of the sun loungers at the deck or take one of their canoes to enjoy the water and the numerous birds. You will have a great view over the lake and they have one of the best beds I slept in on my Uganda trip; it’s huge and comfy and I loved the spacious bungalows. The food was good and because of the welcoming staff you’ll feel immediately at home.

Lake Mburo is the smallest national park in Uganda and the closest park to both Kampala and Entebbe. It’s easily accessible by road with about 3 or 3,5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe and a 5-6 hours’ drive from lake Bunyonyi and therefore a popular place to visit in Uganda. Make sure to add this park on your Uganda itinerary because to me it was a real gem! Mostly because of the endless views over the wide-open savannah interspersed with rocky ridges, forested gorges and a lake full of hippos. 

Nowadays the park also contains much woodland because there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. The park is home to 350 bird species as well as the eland, oribi, waterbuck, leopard, hyena, topi, reedbuck, buffalo and Rothschild giraffe. It’s also the only place in southern Uganda to see many burchell zebras and the only park in the country with impalas! Lions are rarely sighted. I was told they sometimes hear a lone lion roar, but never see him.

From a controlled hunting area, the park first upgraded to a game reserve and was then granted a national park status in 1983. Together with 13 other lakes, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. If you’re really lucky you are able to spot the prehistoric shoebill in this park as well. Lake Mburo National Park has great opportunities to explore the area on a horse or by bike. Nice fact is that 20% of the park’s entrance fee is used to fund local community projects such as building clinics and schools. 

Visiting lake Mburo is the perfect choice to break up a long journey from Lake Bunyonyi or Bwindi back to Kampala or Entebbe. Coming from lake Bunyonyi you’ll pass Mbarara, which is a great lunch stop. We had a stopover at Agip Motel where you can have affordable curries and good Wi-Fi, something hard to find on your Uganda trip.

Where to stay at lake Mburo?

I was impressed by Mantana’s Lake Mburo camp! It’s a very charming and peaceful place with very clean and spacious tents. The lodge has an amazing view overlooking Lake Mburo and the surrounding area. It’s a perfect spot to photograph a beautiful African sunset over the lake. And because it’s located within the national park you’ll feel very close to nature. The tents have an en-suite bathroom with a bush shower, meaning there’s no running water but one of the staff members will fill a bucket with 20 litres of hot water. A showerhead is attached to the bottom of the bucket, so it’s basically like a normal shower. It provides enough warm water to wash your hair and body and it was actually one of the best showers I’ve had during my trip. Traveling in Uganda is not only a wonderful experience it also is one big adventure.

Day 23: Back to Entebbe

On the day you’ll leave Lake Mburo, I suggest watching the sunrise and go for one last early morning game drive before heading back to Entebbe after a late breakfast/early lunch. On your way back to Entebbe you will notice a lot of African cows with incredible long horns; they’re called the Ankole Long-horned cattle. They are an important part of the culture and subsistence of the people of southwestern Uganda. Halfway you also have the possibility to have another stop at the Equator and buy some last souvenirs.

Where to stay in Entebbe?

The Boma is one of the most exclusive hotels in Entebbe; only a few minutes drive from the Airport. The hotel offers airport transfers at any time. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the surrounding gardens are serene. The place even has a swimming pool. To me, the perfect place to start or end your Uganda trip. I also loved their green curry! Another cool place to stay is Muti Entebbe, a hipster coffee place with rooms. How fun is that? And of course great healthy food choices, fresh juices, vegetarian options and delicious breakfast.

What to do in Entebbe? Check out my Aero Beach guide .

Enriched with a lifetime-experience, unforgettable memories and new friends, we said goodbye to our friendly funny and knowledgeable guide Sunday and to the Pearl of Africa. Thank you Uganda, until we meet again…

May you have one or two days spare then consider adding Kampala to your list of places to visit in Uganda. In this Ultimate Uganda Itinerary there was no space left for Kampala, but Traveltomtom experienced the city like no one else and actually quite loved it. In his blog about the best things to do in Kampala you can read why and also find his vlog with his first impressions of Kampala.

This Uganda travel blog is originally written by the very talented Kim Paffen, a member of the Traveltomtom team and a professional and award winning Travel photographer with a deep seated passion for traveling in Africa.

She traveled to Uganda and shared all her tips and incredible photos in this Uganda itinerary. For an answer to all your questions about traveling to Uganda , click on this link for 20 essential things to know before you go, another Uganda travel blog written by Kim. As well as her very detailed blog about gorilla trekking in Uganda .

I sincerely hope that all the above Uganda travel tips were helpful and it made planning your Uganda trip easier. Feel free to help me in return by sharing the link of this article somewhere on the internet. Every tweet on Twitter, pin on Pinterest or share on Facebook is very much appreciated.

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• Travel Planning Guide

How much does a trip to Kampala Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Kampala?

How much does a weekend trip to kampala cost.

• How much does a five-day trip to Kampala cost?
• How much does a one-week trip to Kampala cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Kampala

When it comes to exploring Kampala, travelers typically find themselves budgeting between $63 and $75 per day for solo adventures and $126 to $150 if you're traveling as a couple. Now, that's a broad range, but the typical trip, on average, is $67 (USh261,261) per person per day. This average cost covers sightseeing, accommodation, meals, and transportation, all from our large repository of travel expenses from previous visitors. Keep in mind, though, your personal spending might vary a bit based on your own level of luxury, travel style, and chosen activities. However, if you're visiting the highlights with some savvy planning, chances are your spending will vibe right around this average cost. For more details, check out the breakdown of expenses by category, plus the breakdown on accommodation and activity prices below.

If you're considering an independent trip to Kampala, it's helpful to have an idea of the amount of money you'll need. For budget travelers, planning to spend around $63 (USh244,610) per day should cover your essential expenses, including affordable accommodations like hostels and budget hotels, cost-effective meal options, local transportation, and affordable activities. For those with a mid-range budget, allocating around $67 (USh261,261) per day would allow for more comfortable hotels, dining at typical restaurants, and exploring a range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should anticipate a daily budget of $75 (USh292,714), which would encompass higher-end accommodations, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in private tour options. It's worth noting that these price ranges are based on extensive travel cost data for Kampala from fellow travelers, as well as insights from travel companies regarding hotel and tour prices. For further details on travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for Kampala .

Travelers spend, on average, $201 per person on a three-day trip to Kampala. This includes sightseeing, hotels, food, and local transportation. You can stick close to this average price by staying at mid-range hotels and eating at mid-level restaurants, while also paying for some entry tickets to popular attractions. If you wish to travel cheaper, it's possible to find lower-cost accommodations, eat at less expenive restaurants, and find more free activities. It's also common for many visitors to have a much higher travel budget, as many high-end hotels and restaurants can be found around town.

How much does a five day trip to Kampala cost?

With five days in Kampala, you can expect to spend about $336 total, not including transportation to and from the city. It's possible to stay close to this daily average by booking mid-range hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some entry tickets to popular attractions. It's possible to find lower-cost accommodations, eat at less expenive restaurants, and find more free activities if you want to spent less money.

How much does a one week trip to Kampala cost?

Most visitors spend between $440 and $527 for a one week trip to Kampala, with the average being $470 . This includes sightseeing, local transportation, food, and hotels. One week is enough time to have a more in-depth experience in Kampala. Also, one week allows you to be more flexible with your time and money, so you can potentially save money on some aspects of your trip while spending more on others.

Hostel Prices in Kampala

With more than 5 hostels in Kampala, the average price is $17 per night for a dorm bed. The cheapest hostel costs $8 and the most expensive is $25. Usually popular with younger travelers, hostels are a great way to save money while also being social. But not all hostels are the same, and we've analyzed the prices of both dorms and private rooms to find the average prices and best places to stay. You can see more details about the hostel prices in Kampala here .

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kampala.

• $21 for a dorm bed at Bushpig Backpackers Ltd in Kampala more details
• $8 for a dorm bed at Acacia Villa in Kampala more details

Hotel Prices in Kampala

The average price for a hotel room in Kampala is $64 per night. This average is based on our detailed analysis of available hotels in the area. If you want to save money, or if you're planning a more luxurious trip, it's important to look at hotel prices based on the overall star-rating as well as guest reviews. Also, prices can vary by location and amenities. You can see more details from our analysis of hotel prices in Kampala here , and below is a breakdown of hotel prices by star-rating.

Le Petit Village Boutique Hotel

Satellite hotel kisasi, should you do a tour in kampala.

You'll find a wide range of guided tours in Kampala and many visitors enjoy the convenience of having an expert guide leading them through the chosen activity. Tours range in price from $20 for the Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides to $384 for the 1-Day Rafting and Source of the Nile Adventure .

• Kampala boda boda tours [motorbike tours]. Viator $ 40
• Kampala boda boda tours [motorbike tours].: $40
• Safe Motorbike Tour in Kampala (Boda Boda Tour): $50
• Kampala's walking Magnificent Experience city Tour: $39
• 1 day Jinja Day trip and Source of R. Nile tour: $261
• 1 Day Jinja source of the Nile tour: $290
• Walking Tour in Kampala : $15
• Kampala City Tour - Half Day : $145
• Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26

More for Kampala

If you're planning a trip to Kampala, Uganda, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis. 2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis. For example, the Food 2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment 1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.

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Kampala on a Budget: Tips for Uganda’s Capital City

• April 6, 2023

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Kampala , the capital city of Uganda , is an incredible city to visit. It provides an authentic experience that many travelers to Africa may not otherwise encounter. A great thing about Kampala is the ability to travel here while on a budget.

In this guide, we’ll cover Kampala’s claim to fame, things to do and see, cuisine, where to stay, and tips for visiting.

Table of Contents

Why is Kampala famous?

Kampala is famous for its lively street scene, cultural heritage, and political significance. It is the largest city in Uganda and has been the country’s capital since 1962. Kampala is also home to several historical sites, including the Tombs of Buganda Kings , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Visitors can also explore the Uganda Museum , which showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Kampala is also known for its crazy nightlife , with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues that cater to all tastes.  

Where is Kampala?

Kampala , Uganda’s capital city, is located in the central part of the country. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria , a large freshwater lake that is also in Tanzania and Kenya .

What Language Do They Speak in Kampala?

English is the official language in Uganda and is widely spoken in Kampala . However, many people in Kampala also speak Luganda , a Bantu language.

Is Kampala Safe For Travelers?

Kampala is generally considered a safe destination for travelers. However, there are certain areas that you should not walk around in, and these areas are pretty apparent when you see them. I would avoid walking around at night , just take a taxi or boda boda wherever you need to go.

Things to Do in Kampala

While there is plenty to see and do in Kampala , here are our recommended top 5!

Take a Day Trip to Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world and is a great addition to your Kampala itinerary. It’s only a short distance from Kampala , making it a great option for a day trip. You can enjoy different activities there, such as fishing, boating, and bird watching. Many local tour companies offer guided tours of the lake, which often include stops at nearby islands such as Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary . A day trip to Lake Victoria is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Uganda and learn more about the local culture.

Visit the Baháʼí Temple

The Baháʼí Temple in Kampala is an awesome destination for anyone visiting Uganda . This stunning temple is one of only eight Baháʼí temples in the world and is renowned for its unique architecture and tranquil surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, learn about the Baháʼí  faith, and take in the breathtaking views of Kampala . The temple is located on the top of a large hill, so you can enjoy cool breezes as you admire the architecture and surrounding gardens. This temple is open daily and, the best part, it’s free!

Experience Kampala's Famous Nightlife Scene

While there are bars and clubs everywhere in Kampala , the best neighborhood for nightlife is Kabalagala . Kampala’s nightlife is famous in Africa , and it’s easy to see why! Make sure to check out famous spots, such as the Wild Coffee Bar , as they often have events going on. It’s always best to go out as a group for safety purposes, especially in a foreign country.

Visit the Gaddafi Mosque

The Gaddafi Mosque , officially known as the Uganda National Mosque , is an impressive landmark in Kampala that is worth a visit. This mosque was commissioned by former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and is one of the largest mosques in Africa. Visitors can explore the mosque’s impressive architecture, including its minarets and domes. The mosque also offers breathtaking views of Kampala and the surrounding hills. Entry to the mosque is free, but donations are accepted, especially if you accept a guide

Check out the local markets

Owino and Nakasero markets are two of the most famous markets in Kampala , offering an authentic shopping experience to visitors. Owino Market is the largest market in Kampala and a hub for local and imported goods. The market is crowded and noisy, with vendors selling everything from fresh produce and clothing to electronics and household goods. Nakasero Market , on the other hand, is a more upscale market, offering a variety of fresh produce, meat, and seafood. These markets are open daily, and it’s best to visit in the morning before the crowds come.

Cuisine of Kampala

The cuisine of Kampala is a diverse mixture of traditional and international flavors. Here are the top 3 foods you should try!

Anybody traveling to East Africa needs to try  chapatis.  This is a type of flatbread that is commonly eaten at almost every meal. It can be combined with beans, meat, or other food . 

You can’t visit Uganda without trying a rolex . This is a popular street food in Uganda that is affordable and delicious. A rolex is a chapati that is filled with a mixture of eggs, onions, and tomatoes . It is a popular breakfast food and can be found at street vendors throughout Kampala. You can get them for as cheap as 1,000 Ugandan shillings ($0.28 USD) on the street.

Matoke is a popular and affordable dish in Uganda that is filling and delicious. It is made from steamed and mashed green bananas and is often served with a variety of stews or sauces. Matoke is a favorite among locals and can be found at street vendors and restaurants throughout Kampala.

Where to Stay in Kampala

There are a few different options to choose from when deciding where to stay in Kampala . What you choose will depend on your budget, desired level of luxury, and what kind of experiences you wish to have.

There are some very cheap accommodation options available in Kampala . My first night there, I stayed in a small motel for $6 USD/night in the Bakuli neighborhood. However, I wouldn’t recommend staying in a place like that for safety reasons. A better place would be the Five Horsemen Hotel . This is located in the heart of Nsambya , near the American Embassy . You can get a shared room for about $10 USD/night.

Medium Budget

Prices for private rooms in Kampala can vary by neighborhood. Near the city center, some hostels offer private rooms for $25/night , while small hotels could charge about $30-50/night. Further away from the city center, you can find decent hotels for $20-30/night.  A highly-rated budget hotel near the city center is the Scroll Inn Hotel , going for about $35 USD/night .

High Budget

If you want to stay in the Kololo neighborhood, you can easily find hotels for $120-200/night . For a more luxurious experience, consider staying at one of the high-end hotels, such as the Kampala Serena Hotel. This hotel offers a large swimming pool, fitness center, and rooms with a balcony and air conditioning .

Check out the map below for available accommodations.

Tips for Visiting Kampala

Before your trip to Kampala , here are 5 tips to ensure your visit goes smoothly.

1. Stay aware of your surroundings

Always keep an eye out for anything suspicious. While some places in Kampala are safer than others, in general, don’t walk around with your phone out. In crowded areas, it is easy for someone to grab your phone and run away. If you are walking by the street, someone on a motorcycle can just grab it as they go by. 

2. Take boda-bodas to get around

Similar to motos in Kigali , boda-bodas are motorcycle taxis that are found everywhere in the city. These are an inexpensive way of getting around Kampala. Just hold on tight, the drivers will weave in and out of traffic to get to their location. It’s not for the faint of heart!

3. Plan for traffic

There is a lot of traffic in Kampala, and you should plan in advance if you have any deadlines to be somewhere. This is another reason to take boda-bodas , as they will drive through traffic much more quickly than a car or a bus.

4. Carry small bills

The majority of places, outside of large stores and restaurants, do not accept cards for payment . In addition, they usually do not have change if you hand them 20,000 or 50,000 shilling notes. It’s much better to carry 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 notes.

5. Learn at least a few words of Luganda

While most people in Kampala speak English, Luganda is the native language of most of the population. Saying just a few words in Luganda can surprise people and improve your interactions with them.

Gyebole Ko? (jeb-o-lay ko?) – How are you?

Webaale (web-aah-lay) – Thank you.

Need help planning your trip? Click HERE to find a variety of tools and information that can help make your travel planning more enjoyable.

Resources for your trip.

Book A Cheap Flight The first place to look for cheap flights is Skyscanner . This website gathers information from different companies and websites around the world to find the best deals for you. One of their best features is the ability to see the cheapest day to fly each month. Google Flights is another excellent resource.

Book A Place To Stay Booking.com is my go-to website for booking accommodations. They consistently have some of the best prices for hotels and frequently have deals. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . If you specifically want to rent a home, check out AirBnB or Vrbo .

Looking For A Tour? The best resource for looking up tours is GetYourGuide . This company will make planning your itinerary a breeze. For budget travelers , I recommend looking up available tours here and trying to organize them yourself to save some money.

Use Your Phone Abroad Whenever I travel abroad, I use Airalo . This is a company that offers eSIM services via a phone app. It is very convenient and you won’t have to worry about swapping SIM cards out of your phone. You can pay a few dollars for plans that range from 1 week to 1 year. Use the Promo Code ANDREW9734 for $3 off your first purchase!

How To Travel On A Budget? Traveling on a budget is my specialty. Check out my post on Traveling Internationally With Only A Personal Item . For other ideas on saving money while traveling, check out my ebook The World Is Yours: How to Afford International Travel on a Budget .

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Andy Alcala

Hey there! I'm a travel enthusiast always seeking new adventures. I've visited over 70 countries, mostly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. I prefer to travel off the beaten path, where I've discovered hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences that are often overlooked by most travelers. I look forward to sharing my stories with you!

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Home » Blog » How to travel on budget in Uganda

How to travel on budget in Uganda

How to travel on budget in Uganda : Budget travel in Uganda is possible in many ways to cater for visits across the various destinations around the country. Some of the ways to travel on budget in Uganda include the following;

• Choosing affordable transport

One of the many ways to travel on budget in Uganda is through choosing the right transportation. Uganda is a country which can be accessed by boat, by flight, by driving and rail transport can also be used in the country although it is not a very common means of transport.

When it comes to a safari, travel to the various destinations in Uganda can be done by road or by flight. Choosing to use road transport is a cheaper option as compared to flying as much as the drives can be long especially to places like Bwindi national park or Kidepo national park which is found in the remote north eastern part of the country.

However, even driving to different places in Uganda can be done using public transportation or using private means of transport. Public transport tends to be cheaper than using private transport means although the private means of transport are more flexible for the travelers.

When visiting Uganda and using private transport, it is also important to consider whether the vehicle used will be hired as part of a safari cost or hired for a self drive around the country. The cheaper option is self driving depending on the vehicle service provider although any vehicle repairs will be incurred by the traveler.

During city tours, a cheap way to travel around Kampala city is by a bike tour or taking part in a walking tour with a local guide. This experience in itself is unique and is also very affordable as compared to driving.

• Booking cheap accommodation

Travelling on a budget in Uganda can also be done by booking cheap accommodation. Cheap accommodation varies depending on the budget of a traveler and can mean staying in budget hotels or lodges, camping, home stays, hostels or air bnbs.

Camping is a go to choice for many travelers when visiting Uganda on a budget and as much as it is affordable, one needs the right gear for camping and not all destinations have places for camping. Some lodges around the national parks in Uganda however have camping space where tourists can set up their tents and spend the night safely enjoying the nature and sounds in their surroundings.

There are also dormitories which are shared accommodations in the national parks around Uganda that are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority where travelers can spend their nights after the budget safari. It is advised to book in advance due to the limited space in the dormitories.

Another form of budget lodging in Uganda is by staying in the budget lodges or hotels which can cost about 30 to 100 USD per night. During safaris, staying in lodges outside the national parks is also cheaper as compared to staying within the national park.

• Booking a tour with a tour operator

Planning a safari to Uganda can be difficult especially if an individual is travelling to the country for the first time which is why it is recommended that travelers book their safaris with the different licensed tour operators .

Booking safari with a tour operator is cheap because they get discounted rates on accommodation, are knowledgeable about the country and its destinations and what to do around the country and they also take care of every aspect of the trip saving you time and money and months of planning with scanty research.

• Choosing cost friendly activities

Uganda has so many activities to take part in during safaris throughout the year such as Uganda gorilla trekking , chimpanzee trekking, hiking, wildlife safaris, boat safaris, bird watching and so much more.

For a budget traveler in Uganda, it is important to choose activities which are more affordable like community visits, game drives, boat safaris and also participating in fewer activities to reduce the overall cost of the tour.

• Traveling in the low season

Another way to visit Uganda on a budget is touring the country during the low season when fewer tourists are in the country.

This ensures a more intimate travel experience and also reduced costs on accommodations as compared to travelling during the high season. This low season takes place when rains are received in Uganda around the months of March, April and May and also around September, November.

• Booking a group tour

It is no secret that the more the number, the lesser the costs of the safari in Uganda therefore when travelling on a budget, it is advised to book a safari as part of a group.

Such group trips are usually scheduled therefore it is important to check for available dates for group tours and booking the available safaris to Uganda.

• Eating at local restaurants

The Ugandan cuisine is among the many things to try out during a safari in the country and even during budget travel you can save up a lot by eating at the local restaurants.

You can also experience making the local food you eat by yourself with the guidance of a local when trying out the Ugandan cuisine. This option of eating out is affordable and there are any restaurants to choose from.

You can also prepare your own meals as a way to reduce costs of meals during your Budget safari in Uganda especially during self drive safaris around the country.

• Going to less visited tourist sites

One of the many ways of budget travel in Uganda is by going to the less visited destinations in Uganda. This allows you to explore unique destinations at a cheaper cost as compared to going to destinations which tourists frequent that may be more costly.

There are many destinations across the country with amazing views and interesting activities to take part in such as the Aruu falls, Pian Upe reserve and many other which can be visited during budget travel in Uganda.

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Uganda Budget Tours and Affordable Trip Packages 2024/2025

Experience the wonders of Uganda on a budget with our affordable Uganda budget tours. Enjoy comfortable accommodations that provide excellent value for money, from cozy guest houses to affordable hotels, as you visit Uganda’s popular sites and attractions. Explore the captivating landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park and encounter playful monkeys, vibrant birds, and gentle elephants in their natural habitat. Embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Immerse yourself in Jinja's native culture, where you may participate in traditional dances, and craft activities, and sample authentic Ugandan cuisine. Discover Uganda's rich history by visiting historical landmarks such as Fort Lugard in Kampala and the Uganda Museum, which provide insights into the country's interesting past. You can also join a group of like-minded travelers and take advantage of group discounts. With our affordable trips to Uganda , you can make the most of your travel budget while creating lasting memories. Build a personalized itinerary for an affordable travel experience with customized trip to Uganda . Or check out our budget tours for Uganda below.

• Best Time To Visit Uganda

38 budget tours in Uganda

• Starts Kampala, Uganda
• Ends Kampala, Uganda

3-Day Trip To Murchison Falls

• Free cancellation
• Best price guaranteed
• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Wildlife safaris and game drives
• Accommodation Lodge, Eco Lodge, Hotel & Tent
• Transport Boat, 4WD Jeep & Minibus
• Age Range 5-95 yrs
• Operated in English
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Ends Entebbe, Uganda

3 Days Trip to Murchison Falls

• Accommodation Lodge & Eco Lodge
• Transport Boat, Ferry, Private Vehicle & 4WD Jeep
• Age Range 5-79 yrs
• Operated in English, French, German

• Starts Entebbe, Uganda

Five Day Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

• Trip customizable
• Activities Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking & Wildlife safaris and game drives Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking , Wildlife safaris and game drives & National parks 'data-more-tripid='30644'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Eco Lodge & Guest House
• Transport Boat & 4WD Jeep
• Age Range 15-80 yrs

Uganda Overland: Gorillas & Chimps

• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Wildlife & Cultural, religious and historic sites Wildlife , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Explorer & Safari 'data-more-tripid='4881'>+2 more
• Accommodation Camping & Lodge
• Transport Boat
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,399
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 510
• Total Price from: US$ 2,889
• Jun 12 Only 5 seats left
• Jun 26 Only 4 seats left

Twelve-Day Uganda Safari

• Activities Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking & Local boat rides Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking , Local boat rides , Trekking and Hiking , Nature and bush walks & National parks 'data-more-tripid='32334'>+3 more
• Age Range 15-70 yrs

Uganda Highlights: Eleven Day Safari

• Activities Wildlife safaris and game drives & Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking Wildlife safaris and game drives , Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking , Nature and bush walks & National parks 'data-more-tripid='34185'>+2 more
• Accommodation Eco Lodge, Guest House & Hotel
• Transport 4WD Jeep & Boat
• Operated in English, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish

Mountains of the Moon

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Climbing
• Accommodation Hotel, Camping & Hut
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Jun 01 Only 8 seats left
• Jun 02 Only 8 seats left

Epic Uganda Safari: Eight Days

• Activities Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking & National parks Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking , National parks & Wildlife 'data-more-tripid='32332'>+1 more
• Accommodation Eco Lodge & Guest House
• Transport Boat, 4WD Jeep & Private Vehicle

Epic Uganda

• Accommodation Hotel, Lodge & Eco Lodge

Murchison Falls Safari

• Activities Wildlife safaris and game drives & Local boat rides Wildlife safaris and game drives , Local boat rides & National parks 'data-more-tripid='15521'>+1 more
• Age Range 1-79 yrs

Gorillas & Chimps Safari 7D/6N

• Activities Wildlife safaris and game drives & Safari Wildlife safaris and game drives , Safari , Adventure , Wildlife , Trekking and Hiking & Explorer 'data-more-tripid='26696'>+4 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Guest House
• Transport Private Vehicle
• Apr 23 10+ seats left
• Apr 24 10+ seats left

Gorilla trekking and wildlife safari expedition

Explore Uganda: Ten-Day Safari

• Activities Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking & Wildlife safaris and game drives Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking , Wildlife safaris and game drives , National parks & Wildlife 'data-more-tripid='32333'>+2 more

Gorillas & Volcanoes Safari 6D/5N

• Activities Wildlife safaris and game drives & Safari Wildlife safaris and game drives , Safari , Adventure & Wildlife 'data-more-tripid='27204'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Private Vehicle & 4WD Jeep

Uganda Budget Tour Reviews

• Daniel Lassen

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Uganda budget: the costs and prices of backbacking trip trough Uganda!

How much does a trip through Uganda cost? Is Uganda a possible destination for backpackers? The answer to these question depends on the type of traveller you are, the activities you do and how long your trip is. But I can tell something about what we have spent in Uganda. So in this blog: how expensive was our trip through Uganda, what is a realistic daily budget and how much does food cost in Uganda?

How much money to budget for a trip through Uganda?

First a disclaimer: Everyone travels in his or her own way and has different priorities. That is completely fine, but keep this in mind when you read our costs. It can always be more expensive or cheaper.

We made a 16-day trip through Uganda where we travelled the majority of the distances in a rental car. So we backpacked in Uganda, but with the convenience of a car! We combined Uganda with Rwanda , a perfect combination for a journey of +/- three weeks. Click here to read what a realistic Rwanda budget is. Because we were travelling on a budget, we tried to camp as much as possible, something that is very doable in Uganda. We cooked many meals ourselves and we sometimes consciously chose not to do any activities or to do this in another country (eg a volcano hike and chimpanzee trecking).

What were our total spendings for Uganda?

Our budget for Uganda: Ush519,158/ €128/ $141.08 Days on or under budget Uganda:  10 Days above budget Uganda:  6

What are the prices fo transport in Uganda? – 44.8% of total budget Uganda

Total spent: Ush3,453,131/ €851.38/ $938.35 Car rental: Ush2,676,908/ €660/ $727.42 Gasoline:   Ush535,809/ €129.64/ $142.88 Taxi costs: Ush84,728/ €20.89/ $23.03 Public Transportation: Ush165,684/ €40.85/ $45.02

Definitely, our biggest cost item in Uganda was transportation. This is mainly due to the four-wheel-drive that we rented (from  Roadtrip Africa ), which cost € 55 a day, and the many kilometres we drove. However, since we rented a car including camping gear, our overnight costs and costs for meals were a lot lower, because we were able to cook ourselves and campsites are often cheaper than hotels, especially in the national parks.

In addition, the rented jeep gave us a lot of freedom and we were able to travel faster. If you want to spend less money, consider travelling by public transport in Uganda. In Kampala we used Uber, cheap and safe. Another way of public transport in Uganda is, of course, the Boda Boda, a motorcycle taxi. If you use such a motorcycle taxi, pay attention to its safety! We were advised against taking a Boda Boda in the evening because many accidents happen and/or robberies occur.

Free travel guide: All you need to know about the adventure capital Jinja in Uganda!

How expensive is accommodation in Uganda? – 19.8% of total budget Uganda

Total spent: Ush1,524,621 / € 375.9 / $ 413.30 Number of nights: 15 Average overnight stay for 2 people (including camping gear): Ush101,641 / € 25.06 / $ 27.61 Average camping /hostel price per night (2 people): Ush69.194 / € 17.06 / $ 18.80

Accommodations in Uganda are generally cheaper than in the surrounding countries such as Kenya or Rwanda . Of the 15 nights, we have camped 12. During the other three nights, we slept in hostels or in a guesthouse. It’s important to know is that we did not stay in a luxury hotel. A campsite usually costs $10 per person, a hostel around $30 for two people, but a nice lodge or hotel starts from $80. So if you prefer to sleep a bit more luxurious, keep more room in your budget.

One of the nicest (and most exciting) nights we had in Uganda was in the Murchison Falls National Park. We camped here inside of the park with a ranger who protected us against the wild animals (lions, hyenas, hippos). In the evening he made a campfire while we pitched our tent in the dark and cooked a nice meal. Laying in our tent at night, we heard the hyenas howling and hippos roar. The idea that they are so close was exciting anyway!

In this blog you will find our favorite hotels in Uganda ! Including campsites & lodges in national parks.

Is food or going for dinner expensive in Uganda?- 11.8% of total budget Uganda

Total spent: Ush910,757 / € 224.55 / $ 247.49 Of which expenses on restaurants: Ush467.363 / € 115.23 / $ 127 Of which groceries: Ush443,393 / € 109.32 / $ 120.49 Expenditure per day (for 2 persons): Ush56,904 / € 14.03 / $ 15.46

Food in Uganda is not expensive! We often cooked ourselves, using local ingredients from the market. In the big cities, you will find supermarkets such as the Shoprite (South African), but in smaller cities, there are only small neighbourhood supermarkets. Their variety is limited, but you can get long-life bread, peanut butter and water everywhere.

What is the price of activities in Uganda? – 22.7% of the total budget Uganda

Total spent: Ush174,530 / € 430.31 / $ 474.27 National Parks: Ush675,676 / € 166.59 / $ 183.61 Rafting: Ush507.314 / € 125.08 / $ 140 Sunset tour over the Nile: Ush199.308 / € 49.14 / $ 55 Spotting rhinos: Ush367.999 / € 90.73 / $ 100 Visit tea plantations: Ush10,000 / € 2.46 / $ 2.71

Price of a safari in Uganda

We visited the Murchison Falls National Park and the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other National Parks we skipped because of the high costs. All safaris were self-drive safaris, whereby we were driving around in our own rented vehicle without a guide. A guide at most parks costs $20. To enter the park with your own car, you also pay a small car fee.

Reading tip: free travel guide on the Murchison Falls National Park!

What to budget for a safari in Uganda?

In most National Parks in Uganda, you can buy a 24-hour permit ($ 40 per person). This means that you can enter and leave the park (as many times as you want) within 24 hours. We tried to deal with this in a smart way, by entering (and therefor starting such a permit) in the afternoon, staying in the park until sunset (and even staying overnight in Murchison Falls) and then visit the park the next day before sunrise again. This way you are in the park during the moment that most animals are active. And in this way, you can do a safari in Uganda without breaking your budget!

As mentioned earlier, the gorilla trekking that Ries did is not included in the above costs. He paid $600 for this trekking (from 01-07-2020 this amount will be increased to $700).

Click here to read all you need to know about a gorilla trekking in Uganda (Bwindi National Park)!

Next read for your Uganda itinerary: Lake Bunyonyi !

Other expenses in Uganda – 0.9% of total budget Uganda

Total spent: Ush73,128 / € 18.03 / $ 19.87 Cellphone subscription : Ush45,142 / € 11.13 / $ 12.27 Beauty products: Ush1,744 / € 0.43 / $ 0.48 Tip: Ush6.854 / € 1.69 / $ 1.86 Bribery: Ush20,000 / € 4.78 / $ 5.27

To be reachable, we bought a local SIM card from Africell (but for better coverage in terms of reach, we recommend MTN as a provider). We had 6GB for 30 days + 35 minutes of calling. For this, we paid 40,000 USH (just under 10 euros). In addition, we had to pay an additional tax to be able to use social media, the costs of which are 6,000 USH.

Prices of food and general expenses in Uganda

• 1 Kilo of apples: Ush10,000 / €2.46 / $2,71
• 500 Ml olive oil : Ush39,743 / €9.80 / $10.80
• Mango : Ush2000 / €0.49 / $0.541
• Bag of chips: Ush4000 / €0.99 / $1,09
• 1 Kilo of bananas : Ush2000 / €0.49 / $0.54
• 500L Yoghurt: Ush3500 / €0.86 / $0.951
• Bread: Ush3000 / €0.74 / $0.871
• Avocado: Ush1000 / €0.25 / $0.28
• Pack of milk (1L): Ush3000 / €0.74 / $0.81
• Nutella (375 ML): Ush23.183 / €5.72 / $6.30
• Bottle of water (1.5 L): Ush4000 / €0.99 / $1.09
• Wine in supermarket (750 ml): Ush38.000 / €9.37 / $10.32
• Bottle of Coca Cola (2L): Ush4500 / €1.11 / $1.22
• Beer in the supermarket : Ush4000 / €0.99 / $1.09
• Shampoo: Ush20,000 / €4.93 / $5.43
• Cappuccino: Ush10.156 / €2.5 / $2.76
• Glass of wine in restaurant: Ush15.000 / €3.70 / $4.08
• Local beer in a restaurant: Ush4000 / €0.99 / $1.09
• Simple lunch/evening meal (1 person): Ush15,000 / €3.70 / $4,071
• Liter of gas: Ush4230 / €1.04 / $1.15

Conclusion: is Uganda an expensive holiday destination?

For us, Uganda feels like the cheaper sister of Kenya where the locals are friendlier and mass tourism has not yet taken a huge flight. Activities are cheaper than in Kenya (where access to the most famous National Parks is $80 per person), staying overnight is also slightly less expensive (although you will also find super luxury and expensive lodges in Uganda) and food is tasty and cheap!

But that does not mean that Uganda is cheaper than, for example, Madagascar or countries in Southeast Asia. Public transportation is cheap but much less comfortable than in Vietnam, for example. Activities such as rafting and a gorilla trek make Uganda also an expensive destination. We have stayed well within our budget. The convenience of a car was very nice and also outweighed the extra costs that we had to make. If you want to spend less, consider leaving out a car, that saves you 55 euros a day.

What is a realistic daily budget for Uganda?

Are you travelling through Uganda on a backpackers budget or a shoestring? Then budget around 55 euros per person per day. For this amount, you mostly travel by public transport, visit some national parks, sleep in dorms and eat simple meals.

Prefer something more luxurious ? Then budget a daily budget of 90 euros per person per day. For this you have a rental car, you sometimes sleep in a beautiful lodge but you are also sometimes camping. Sometimes you cook yourself, but there is also luxury in eating out.

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Hello Charlotte! I love your blog! Do you remember with which company you rented the car in Uganda? Thanks :)

Hi Sophie, Yes we rented it via Roadtrip Africa (also available in Madagascar, Kenya and Rwanda). Enjoy! Charlotte

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