Budget Travel Ideas in Uganda

Uganda is one travel destination that is being dreamed of by many. Some do make it a reality but more are just left dreaming about it because of limitations of finances. Nonetheless the country has gained as an all year-round tourist spot that welcomes travelers with any size of budget.

You may have challenges in deciding what you need to carry with you, where to go, best time to go and accommodations options to choose from. Guideforafrica.com offers you a few comprehensive budget travel ideas to help you in planning a successful luxury Uganda vacation tour.

Getting There

Take a cheap flight to Uganda and touch Entebbe International Airport, which lies 40km from the capital Kampala, and is serviced by a number of international airlines. It’s recommendable that you make your flight booking well in advance to be availed with the discount fares that airlines to Uganda offer. The airlines include SN Brussels, British Airways, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Rwandair Express, Egypt Air and Ethiopian Airlines. Another economical way to reach Uganda would be by overland from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. You can fly to Nairobi and continue to Uganda using the efficient coaches.

Where to Stay

You must be puzzled in deciding where to stay in Uganda. For your information, Uganda offers a range of accommodation options for the budget conscious traveler. There are several budget class hotels, apartments, guest houses as well as self-catering facilities here. The rates are very much economical. For instance Eagle Air high-rise Sheraton Hotel right in the city centre, Mweya Safari Lodge found in Queen Elizabeth NP is a classy camp lodge in serene place for tourists equipped with modern facilities. Several other hotels offer accommodation on a pocket-friendly budget.

Eating Out

Uganda has a variety of restaurants to cater for all visitors at affordable rates and for all tastes. The adventurous who may wish to taste traditional Ugandan food will find a number of such restaurants throughout the Kampala city. Many of the city’s best known cheap restaurants are situated along Kampala Road and Ntinda avenue. Expose yourself to the famous local luwombo and chicken, greatly liked by several tourists as it is always prepared uniquely. Also do not miss the more liked barbecues especially common to beach vacationers. The fresh fish is also prominent on beaches such as Aero, Lido, Ssese gateway beaches.

Getting Around

Consistently ranked among Africa’s fastest growing economies since President Museveni came to power, Uganda has simultaneously experienced a steady expansion of road, communications and other vital infrastructures, and a corresponding increase in international tourist arrivals. Reputable safari operators and car rental companies based in Kampala and Entebbe offer a wealth of local experience cheaply. Cheap Charter flights can also be arranged between domestic tourist attractions.

Use of shared minibuses (matatus) is the most preferred mode of transport in towns. Shared taxis fares are relatively low. This however is more common among locals travelling within their country. There are also countless cheap motorbike taxis (known locally as boda-bodas) that ferry travelers on a daily basis. (Day & night). The less expensive local buses services connect to major towns on a daily basis and are regarded as the safer mode when going to distant places. However you will need an expert travel guide well familiar with hired taxis in Uganda to help you maneuver the haggling within your budget travel means. Whenever the local drivers recognize that you are a stranger, they try to exploit their clients usually by hiking the fares.

Sightseeing

If you are a budget traveler not willing to stretch your wallet, the best way to explore the natural beauty and other attractions in Uganda will be to set out on a backpacking tour. There are several tour operators that have economical backpacking tours. The Rwenzori Mountains offers great sights and scenes to the tourists, from bird watching to Mountain trekking safaris.

Health Safety Tips

Vaccination against malaria is sometimes recommended for travelers here. To cut on your medical expenses once here, it is also advisable to carry basic medical supplies including medications and sterile syringes.

Once you have these travel facts, you will be well-informed and prepared for your stay in Uganda, confident in every situation and ready for the trip of a lifetime without stretching your wallet.