Uganda still lies beyond the radar of most travellers. But this luscious, land-locked country is a gold-mine for adventure activities. There are lots of exhilarating experiences bound to get your heart racing in Uganda.
Home of Mountain Gorillas, Lake Victoria, and the Nile, Uganda is often called the “Pearl of Africa”. It is a land where you can experience a truly welcoming culture and natural beauty without equal. Discover the wealth of indigenous and varied cultures, and find out why Uganda is known as one of the friendliest countries in Africa.
Here, you will find the mighty Nile exploding through the rocky gorge of Murchison Falls and the 5,000 m high snow-capped Rwenzoris Mountains, interspersed with friendly locals and exquisite cuisine. Whether you’re exploring Uganda’s equatorial mountain forests, its island-dotted lakes, or its colourful, vibrant cities, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
One of the most ‘traditionally African of the countries on offer, Uganda has a special charm of its own.
Mud hut villages where the local people are cultivating small patches of maize and matoke (plantains) contrast with the relative sophistication of its capital Kampala where diplomats in large cars and overcrowded minibuses mingle with street stall holders selling newspapers or chewing gum, dodging between the traffic.
The countryside varies from dry Savannah to rich lush rainforests and mountains in which live the fabled gorillas. Lake Victoria forms one of its borders and from the Lake the White Nile wends its way to Sudan, Egypt and to the Mediterranean.
Although Uganda is classed as poor, it has a stable economy, a highly regarded President and exports some of the best coffee in the world. It is one of the countries which has done most to combat AIDS and AIDS awareness posters are everywhere.
Uganda Travel Booking Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Search cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Uganda Tours
Taking a tour of Uganda is essential to discover the highlights of the country, trying to do this independently is hard, especially if you are a solo traveller. I recommend small group tours with G Adventures – you can even find combo trips to other countries in the region like Kenya and Tanzania.
Weather and the Best Time to Visit Uganda
Uganda’s equatorial climate provides copious amounts of sunshine, moderated by the varying altitudes across the country. Temperatures range from 16°C in the southwestern highlands to 30°C in the northeast region.
The rainy season is from March-May and October-November, with the wettest month being April. The dry season spans from December-February (the hottest months) and June-August. The average rainfall is approximately 175mm per month and humidity is fairly low outside the wet season.
Best Hostels in Kampala
In Kampala there are two big backpackers. The taxi drivers know them and will greet you with ‘Chili?’ ‘Bushpig Backpackers’? Where you going?’ Most backpackers who’ve passed through Kampala will have stayed at one of these places, many having done a rafting trip to Jinja with one of the affiliated rafting companies.
So how do you decide which one to stay at? You read this! I’ve stayed at both and can offer up some advice if you’re still on the fence. The problem is that both places are decent and there’s no real standout. But each has it’s pluses and minuses that I’ll share with you here.
Red Chili Hideaway
This backpacker’s is out in the boonies. It’s set on beautiful grounds with lush trees and even a resident pig, but it really is out of the way. If you’re looking to enjoy hostel life before heading off on a rafting trip then it’s a great choice but if you’re in Kampala to enjoy the lively nightlife then Red Chili, tucked away down many scary, potholed roads (more than usual) might not be the best option.
The hostel bar is lively and a nice place to hang out with some comfy chairs. There are some larger tables which makes it easy to meet other travellers as you’re likely to be sitting with others. The food is pretty good and they even had real maple syrup on their pancakes!
They have free wifi and staff here are pretty friendly and the folks in the kitchen are really nice, too.
The showers are hot… almost too hot although that’s not something I’d ever complain about! The major downfall with this place (besides the location) is the beds. They’re pretty uncomfortable and the mosquito net tried to suffocate me several times.
Bushpig Backpackers
This hostel is a lot more central and if you’re arriving by bus it’ll be your best bet as it’s pretty close to the Jaguar bus terminal and to the Old Bus Station as well. If you’re arriving from Rwanda you’ll actually drive right past it so ask your driver if he’ll drop you off.
This place didn’t feel as cozy as Red Chili, but there is still a lot of green space to enjoy. The common bar area isn’t as nice and the many small tables make meeting people a bit tricky. The internet here is free as well with three computers for you to use or wifi if you have your own.
The connection was patchy and when it did work, it was really slow. On first impressions, staff here weren’t as friendly as at Red Chili. The food was good but they didn’t have many of the things on their menu.
The best thing about this place has to be the beds. I stayed in the dorm and it was one of the nicest dorm beds I’ve ever encountered. Made of wood, a pretty good mattress, great pillow and really nice sheets and a blanket.
The mosquito net was also a bit saggy but after a few repairs it was fine. The showers closest too me didn’t have hot water on any of the three days I tried them. I was only actually able to locate one where it worked which was a small trek to the other side of the hostel.
Top Things to Do in Uganda
These are some of the essential things to do in Uganda…
Get Up Close to Wild Mountain Gorillas
There can be few wildlife experiences more breathtaking than tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the dense, tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest in south-west Uganda.
The wild mountain gorillas of Uganda roam freely amongst the thick foliage of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and getting to see them peacefully in their home really is a once in a lifetime experience. Around 400 gorillas live in the forest, which makes up for just under half of the world’s population.
Thanks to recent conservation efforts, the WWF has announced the numbers of gorillas in the wild has increased to around 1000. Walking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is part of the adventure itself, with the park housing some 120 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds and around 200 species of butterflies.
Keep your eyes and ears peeled and you never know what fantastic wildlife encounter you’ll come across. The walk to see the gorillas can take another from one to eight hours. Local trackers will pinpoint the last known location of the gorillas and use their unique skills to reach their current location, however due to the movement of the animals this can take quite some time.
It’s hard to describe the sense of awe that rushes through you as you first set your eyes on these magnificent beasts. You might also like to view my advice for how to see chimpanzees in Uganda.
Raft and Bungee Over The Nile
Adrift in Jinja offers some of the best white-water rafting in the world, with crashing Grade III to V rapids. Prepare to have your boat flipped like a tiddlywink, plunging you under the frothing, roaring Nile waters before you reappear in a calmer patch further downriver.
If one day isn’t enough, you can do the weekend option (US$250), where you’ll camp on a minute river island before battling with another series of thundering torrents the next day. One rapid that only the boldest should tackle is the aptly named ‘Bad Place’, a gaping, churning whirlpool, where you have virtually zero chance of emerging with your boat the right way up.
Finish off your adrenalin-fuelled weekend by throwing yourself from the top of a rickety tower over the Nile, with hungry crocs below and an elastic bungee cord around your ankles (US$95). The only way to calm your frayed nerves post-leap is with a restorative Nile Special beer at the cliff-top bar. Just what the doctor ordered…
Trek Mount Elgin, Abseil Down Sipi Falls
Head off the beaten path to Mount Elgon, either to climb to its 4,321-metre summit, or to hike along the scores of scenic trails in the verdant, rolling foothills and visit the Sipi Falls, an exquisite and romantic set of three waterfalls.
For the more intrepid, there are some challenging crags and jutting cliffs that are ideal for rock-climbing, and it’s even possible to abseil down the 100-metre-high precipice beside the bellowing main cascade of the falls.
If you’re saving your pennies, The Crow’s Nest is the ideal hillside hideaway and has spectacular views of the falls. It’s just US$2 to camp or you can make yourself at home in a dorm (about £2.50) or private cabin (about £5). The staff are happy to organise any activities for you, as well as providing picnics for any ventures into the surrounding hills.
Uganda Travel Tips
The practical stuff:
Currency: The Shilling is the currency of Uganda.
Religion: Uganda is a predominately a Christian country.
Safety: Uganda does feel very safe, especially if you go the organised trip route.
People & Culture: Ugandans have a reputation for warmth and friendliness to strangers, and strongly welcome visitors, particularly those from Britain.
Places to Visit Near Uganda
It would be a shame to travel all the way to east Africa and not see more of the region. If you are interested in visiting Uganda, you might also like to my regional destination guides to other popular countries: