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Traveling to Uganda is less known among travelers. Many people think this is a dangerous place and that is exactly why you should put it on your travel map! Almost no tourists, good prices, friendly people and amazing nature speak for themselves.

To start with your Uganda travel organization read the following travel guide and find out, why Uganda is so special to me and other travelers.

Uganda travel guide and travel tips

Uganda tourist visa

Visa is needed in Uganda, but luckily you can get it at the border. All you have to prepare is 50 USD and you can start with your Uganda travel.

Uganda transportation

There are buses widely available, but you will need a lot of time to go far, as they are slow and breakable. Don’t be nervous because of it as this is Africa! A good option for Uganda travel is also renting your own vehicle and it is not as costly as you might think. Check out the company Road Trip Uganda, where you can rent a 4×4 Toyota RAV4, with complete camping equipment with no additional charges. My husband and I rented their car and this was probably the best decision we made – freedom which you get is indescribable, especially if you like photography, as the best motives are always in places, where buses don’t stop.
We have also wrote our self-drive Uganda travel itinerary in a special blog post here.

Accommodation in Uganda

If you are traveling on a tight budget, you can get a modest double room for 2-4 EUR/night or even less. A clean and comfortable double room with a private bathroom and breakfast will cost you about 20 EUR/night. Touristic areas have many camping places and you can pitch your tent for about 3-6 EUR/pp or you can rent a more comfortable tent for about 30-35 EUR/night. National parks have many amazing and very luxury lodges, but don’t dare to think about them if you are traveling low budget as the cheapest ones start from about 90 EUR/night.

Ugandan food

Food in Uganda is not just matoke and chapati, but due to landscape with lots of water, Uganda is rich with different vegetables, fruit and even fish. There are even some crocodile farms, where you can try the crocodile steak. Simon and I did some cooking by ourselves and bought all the needed things at the local markets. Whenever you want to eat in a local restaurant or at a small family campsite, prepare yourself to wait long… and I really mean long! The best thing to do is, to order your meal at least 3-4 hours in advance and it will be ready at the agreed hour, otherwise, you’ll wait and wait… Everything we ate, was delicious and not very expensive. (dinner / lunch 3-6 EUR, chapati 0,15-0,30 EUR, The Nile beer 1,00-1,50 EUR, Big bottle of water 0,60-0,85 EUR, Coca-cola 0,50-0,60 EUR)

Bargain for price

You can try your bargain skills at the local markets or when looking for some local guides for manyata tour. Otherwise people are pretty honest and when we bought something at the market, we normally were told to pay the same as the locals do.

Woman traveler in Uganda

I was traveling to Uganda with my husband, but everyone thought we are brother and sister, as we have not got any kids. I guess I am already so old, that according to their standards, I should already have at least two or three kids. Whenever I was walking around by myself, some men started to talk to me immediately, but they were never pushy.

Things to do in Uganda

Uganda has so many things to offer, you will always say your travel is too short to do and see everything. Uganda is rich with diverse landscape, wild animal life, Karamojong tribe and their manyatas, Crater lakes, The River Nile and probably the highlight of your trip – Silverback Gorillas. Read, what are my TOP things to do in Uganda.

Safety in Uganda

If you are not wandering around Kampala late at night, I can say without doubt, that Uganda is a safe country. Media are talking about Uganda differently, but don’t be scared to travel here. Simon and I were traveling completely by our selves, stopping at god forsaken places, where some people saw white people for the very first time, and we never felt endangered. We were welcomed with smiles and curiosity every time and everywhere! Maybe the most frightening thing is to be beaten by a mosquito, having a malaria – so don’t forget to protect yourself against it.

Communication language in Uganda

Uganda was a formal UK colony and that is why English is widely spoken. Maybe you will have some problems with understanding, due to their dialect, but longer you will be here, fewer problems you will have. If someone does not speak English, there will always be someone around, who does speak it, so don’t worry and just enjoy your Uganda travel.

When to go in Uganda

Uganda has two rainy seasons and if you want to have a nice sunny weather and good conditions on the road, you will need to come here during the dry season, which is from December to March and during July and August. The driest month is January and that is also the safest time to travel to Kidepo national park, as the road conditions are the best then. You can travel to Uganda also in the rainy season, but some regions might be close, due to mud on the road. There will also be more mosquitoes and other insect in the rainy season, which you might like to avoid.

Don’t wait too long and travel to Uganda before massive tourism discovers this beautiful country !