Backpacking Uganda in Photo’s

Budget Backpacking in Uganda: Safaris, Rolex, and Lakeside Magic

As I mentioned in my earlier post on backpacking in Africa, traveling across this continent can get pricey. But with a little imagination and a healthy sense of adventure, you can explore Africa on a relatively low budget. Sure, it’ll never be as cheap as India, Nepal, or Southeast Asia, but still affordable enough.

One African destination that lends itself beautifully to an interesting, budget-friendly trip? Uganda. I’ve visited the country twice, both times backpacking and using public transport.

Here’s what our Uganda budget adventure looked like:

COUCHSURFING IN KAMPALA

I’ve used Couchsurfing quite a lot throughout my “travel career”—both as a guest and host. I tend to use it mostly in big cities, which can feel overwhelming at first. There’s something grounding about seeing a city through the eyes of a local or an expat rather than following a guidebook.

As is often the case with CS, you never quite know what you’re getting into. We got lucky in Kampala and ended up staying with a cool expat in Kololo, one of the city’s fanciest neighborhoods. He took us to his favourite spots where we sipped cold beers, devoured fresh tilapia, and laughed well into the night.

On my second trip, I stayed at a cozy hostel (ICU Guesthouse, dorms $15) on the edge of town, a popular hangout for semi-long-term volunteers. Another solid option is Red Chilli Hideaway. It’s a bit outside the city, but they’ve got a pool, and there’s a free daily shuttle into the center. They also offer budget-friendly trips to Murchison Falls.

EATING ROLEX AND OTHER STREET FOOD

When you’re on a budget, street food is your best friend. Uganda has plenty of it: grilled meat skewers, roasted bananas, corn on the cob—and the ultimate snack: rolex (short for “roll eggs”). It’s a tomato-onion-pepper omelette rolled into a warm chapati. So simple, yet so delicious. Honestly, you’d have to try hard to mess it up. We ate rolex for lunch almost daily, and it never let us down.

SAFARI’S AND HIKES IN QUEEN ELISABETH NATIONAL PARK

After crossing the border from the DRC (a story for another day), we were in desperate need of comfort and Wi-Fi. So we threw our budget out the window (just for a day!) and checked into a more upscale lodge. In most African national parks, lodge prices start at €250 a night. So when we found Kingfisher Lodge Kichwamba for €160 a night (including breakfast and dinner for two), we jumped on it.

Note: this was back in 2011, using a favourable USD–EUR exchange rate. 

And it was exactly what we needed: a pool with a stunning view, à la carte meals, solid Wi-Fi, and a quiet space to recharge.

The next day, we snapped back to backpacker reality. We hitchhiked to Simba Safari Camp, where we stayed in a dorm. Total contrast, but it worked. It’s a great budget base with private rooms also available.

From there, we organized a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, cold beer in hand, watching wildlife from the deck. No need for a pricey tour—just arrange your own transport and buy a ticket at the dock. I can’t remember the exact cost, but it was definitely under $30 per person.

Instead of booking a multi-day safari, we hired a car and driver for a DIY game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. It might not be the most wildlife-rich safari I’ve done, but it was certainly the most affordable. Perfect for animal lovers on a shoestring.

There’s plenty to do in QE National Park—chimp tracking, looking for tree-climbing lions—but we chose a more budget-friendly activity: hiking in Maramagambo Forest. Since we already had a driver, all we had to cover was the forest entrance fee and a tip for the guide. He walked us through lush trails, pointing out primates, birds, and medicinal plants.

The main reason we went? To see the massive python that lives in a bat cave. Legend has it, it just lies there with its mouth open, waiting for one of the thousands of bats to fly in. It’s gotten so fat it can barely move. We were ready for the spectacle—but missed the freak show. The python had already retreated into the cave after its daily sunbathing session. Typical diva behaviour.

TOTAL RELAXATION BY LAKE BUNYONYI

Next stop: Lake Bunyonyi—possibly my favourite place in Africa so far. If you’ve followed my blog, you might have read my post on Lake Bunyonyi

Both times I stayed at Byoona Amagara, a place that feels straight out of a dream. For $15 per person per night, we had a tiny geodome with a private bathroom and a jaw-dropping lake view. If you’re really pinching pennies, they also offer dorms for $7, but honestly, the real magic is in the geodomes.

There are plenty of other places to stay around the lake, but I’ve never felt the urge to try them. I’m completely hooked on Byoona Amagara.

We spent around 10 days in Uganda, traveling slowly and savoring each stop. You could do it in fewer days, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Got more time? Add a visit to Jinja or a side trip to Murchison Falls—you’ll get more animals, more nature, and one epic waterfall.

Uganda may not be the cheapest country on the planet, but with the right mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding and surprisingly affordable.

Have you been to Uganda? Would you consider going? 

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