Budget travel in Uganda
Credit: RoadTrip Uganda
As with many safari destinations, if you want to save money on lodging on your holiday in Uganda, choose to stay at hostels and campsites outside of the national parks.
Transport-wise, the most affordable way to travel is via public transport on buses and minibus taxis, although it’s difficult to reach the more remote national parks on public transport.
If you’re travelling to Uganda on a tight budget then you may not want to spend US$600 on a gorilla tracking permit. Chimpanzee trekking is much cheaper – but note that permits vary hugely in price depending on which reserve you do it in. In Kalinzu Forest it’s US$40, while it’s US$150 at Kibale Forest. There are plenty of other wallet-friendly activities to do in the country’s parks and reserves, from guided birding walks for US$30 to fishing in Lake Mburo National Park for US$15.
Local restaurants are your best bet for good-value meals – a plate of meat stew with sides will cost around US$2. You can also cook for yourself if you’re staying at a campsite or self-catering lodging by buying food at markets and supermarkets.
If you travel during the low season months of April, May, October and November, you’ll be able to pick up discounted rates on lodging and you may be able to get discounted gorilla tracking permits.
