Uganda

I’ve never found a country with more grassroots organizations committed to bettering the lives of the people and wildlife within the country’s borders than in this one. The spirit of the Ugandan people simply cannot be beaten.

While most travelers plan their safaris in nearby Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has just as much to offer wildlife lovers. Usually, at a far cheaper price. You can trek with the world’s last Mountain Gorilla in thick jungles, spot chimpanzees swinging in the high canopy, and drive through herds of elephants and large prides of tree-climbing lions before setting up camp in some of the most scenic and beautiful landscapes on offer in East Africa. While its neighbors have Savannah and Desert, Uganda has forest and an endless sea of green. It’s a literal breath of fresh air if you’re traveling extensively in the region.

Uganda Travel Guide

Recommended Destinations: Jinja, Mabamba Swamp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo National Park, Moroto, and Sipi Falls.

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: Gorilla Trekking, but for those on a tighter budget I also recommend an overnight stay with the Karamoya Tribe near Moroto.

Things to Consider Before You Go: Cash is king in Uganda. Transport is slow, and usually, unless you rent a car like we did, extra uncomfortable.

Recommended Minimum Trip Length: 3 weeks.

Expected Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $50/day

Flashpacker: $100/day

Backpacker Luxury: $200/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both. In this case with our car rental of $80 per day, we landed firmly in the “flashpacker” category spending about $175 per day for the two of us.