9 Places to Visit in Uganda
MURCHISON FALLS
My personal fav in Uganda. The park has so much beautiful scenery to offer! If you get a chance I definitely recommend doing the waterfall hike, you won't regret it.
The best way to tour Murchison Falls is to go directly to the outskirts of the park and book a tour there. I took a matatu from Fort Portal to Masindi. There I stayed at Alinda Guest House ($6) and booked a tour with Yebo tours, which is across the street from the hotel. I paid $210 for an all inclusive tour of the park. This included entrance fees, a game drive, hike to the top of the falls, a boat drive, accommodation and all three meals. I highly recommend this company! It is definitely one of the cheapest packages you’ll find compared to what is advertised online and at the other tour offices. The tour company also offers the “ultimate bush experience” for a higher cost. This allows you to camp inside the park and do two game drives. Murchison Falls is the largest national park in Uganda and if I had to choose one safari destination, this would hands down be it!
KITAGATA HOT SPRINGS
This is a hot natural springs that is believed to have "healing powers". Locals come to the spring to bathe and get healing from the hot mineral water. The springs is located in Bushenyi district and the entrance fee is less than $1! If you're in the area it's something to check out. It's definitely off the beaten path. Prepare yourself to be the only tourist surrounded by naked locals :).
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Most tour companies have all inclusive packages for about $350 a day. What most people don’t know is you can save more than half the money by planning the tour yourself. All you need to do is go to a local tour company in Kasese or Fort Portal and hire a personal driver. You can bargain with them and usually get them down to $80 a day. This includes a driver, guide, the car, and fuel for the day. Once you get to the park you will be responsible for a $40 entrance fee, $5 for a game drive, $20 for a guide (if you don’t already have one), $4 per additional person in the car besides yourself. Make sure to start the drive bright and early, the animals are most active in the morning hours and evenings! Also, be careful when choosing a tour company. The cheapest isn't always the best. Do your research and make sure your driver is experienced in touring.
SIPI FALLS
This is a series of 3 waterfalls in Eastern Uganda and it is beautiful. You can get transportation from Mbale to Sipi for cheap. Sipi is located in the mountains and offers endless opportunities for trekking, rock climbing, and site seeing. Once you arrive in this small town, it is very easy to find affordable accommodation, as there are only a few campsites. You can schedule tours at the local offices in the town or bargain with a local non tour guide. Make sure that you take a sunset hike one evening and enjoy the view over the mountains!
CRATOR LAKES
Located only a short distance outside of Fort Portal, the Crator Lakes offer many options for hikes/site viewings. The town has many tour agencies, but many campsites near the lakes have more affordable tours. There are many nature excursions near Fort Portal. If you're down for an adventure, ask the locals to show you the nearby waterfalls and hot springs. I stayed at Travelers Hotel and Western Hotel and was very satisfied with the both. I actually spent my birthday in Fort Portal and the managers of Travelers Hotel arranged a celebration for me! They even offer spa services and Susan, the therapist, treated me like a daughter throughout my entire stay.
CHIMPANZEE HABITUATION IN KEBALE NATIONAL FOREST
Permits can be purchased directly at the office 10km outside of Fort Portal. I recommend booking on your own to maximize your penny! It is very easy to book the habituation tour, you can get a guide and all day trek for $220. If you go book the permit and get to the starting point on your own. At the Uganda Wildlife Authority office, they have affordable contacts for accommodation. I also learned that Murchison Falls offers chimp trekking for $200, which is $20 cheaper than trekking in Kebale Forest. I did the habituation, but I think that you can get a great experience with the trekking for a cheaper price.
GORILLA TREKKING
I went for this tour in November when it was rainy season and the permit was $450. Unfortunately I think this was the last year there is a discount for “off season”. Otherwise the permits are $800. I booked through a tour but it can be booked on your own. After talking to other travelers, it is very possible to book solo and meet the guides at the park entrance the morning of. Gorilla trekking includes one hour maximum spent with the gorillas. Although it seems like a fortune for this activity, if possible don’t let the price scare you away. There are only 880 silverback gorillas left in the world and to see them up close and personal was an experience of a lifetime.
LAKE BUNYONI
Hands down one of the most beautiful places I’ve been! I spent a week here because I was in awe of all the beauty. It is a perfect place to chill and slow down the pace a little. I stayed at Loving Hearts Uganda and was very satisfied. The workers were very caring and I ended up spending most of my free time hanging out with them. They charge $22 for a dorm room/breakfast and the profits benefit a local school. They have Wifi, hot showers, great food and amazing views. If you need a cheaper alternative, I met a friend that runs an NGO school and has a guest house with the best location. It is free of charge, the host just asks for a donation to the school in return for his hospitality. If interested message me and I’ll give contact info!
JINJA