Uganda Safaris
Uganda Safaris
Uganda, the pearl of Africa has one of the most stunning sceneries and incredibly amazing wildlife encounters. Be it viewing the gorillas in the tamely fog shrouded forests or viewing the big five across the flat Savannah lands, Uganda tours are a definite package of impressive encounters. The best part is it doesn’t have to take a weekend worth of income to be wowed by this unbelievable place. You don’t have to spend so much to go on great Ugandan tours, all it requires is proper planning and adherence to the following tips;
Uganda Safari Activities and Destinations for Low Budget Groups
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the best places a traveler should consider when looking to go gorilla trekking.
Most people regard mountain gorilla tracking as the highlight of the Uganda tours. Even though you would be inclined to think it is an exclusive affair, Uganda, in this regard, is the cheaper option as compared to the countries of Rwanda.
Affordable Permits, the cost of the permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda is $800 for the foreign Non Residents,$700 for the foreign Residents and 300000UGX for the East African Community members while in Rwanda the costs $ 1500.
Budget Accommodation: Here, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers community run lodges and campsites for budget travelers and those that do not want to break banks. Above all, the possibility to observe the mountain gorillas in the wild would not cost a fortune and it is worth it.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is among the most ideal places for wildlife lovers. They offer great value for money for the budget conscious safari adventurers due to its numerous ecosystems such as the savannah, wetland and the forest.
Game Drives and Boat Safaris: You do not have to spend a lot of money, however, to enjoy the sights, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel costs as little as $30 per person for the foreign nonresidents, $25 for the foreign residents and 30000UGX for the East African Community members. The said water channel supports great densities of hippos, crocodiles and avian species. Camp fire at the Ishasha sector allows visitors to participate in game drives with an opportunity of viewing the tree climbing lions.
Budgetfriendly Lodges, the campsite affords a variety of facilities to accommodate all kinds of travelers, from the basic tents to mid-grade bandas.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park offers visitors a view of Uganda’s most mighty water fall where Nile River flows through a narrow gorge and the sound of the water splashing is overwhelming.
Affordable Activities, the $30 charge for a boat ride to the base of the falls is, however, a must do. You can also consider taking a low-cost game drive in order to watch elephants, lions and giraffes.
Community Campsites, Small accommodation facilities near the park’s gate are usually owner-organized, cost less and allow you to meet real people.
Lake Mburo National Park
Located in southwest Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park may be the smallest savannah park in Uganda but it holds a lot of value for tourists seeking African savannah experience at a considerably cheaper cost.
Walking Safaris: This is one of the few parks in Uganda that one can visit on a walking safari with a guide from the park. It is a cheap and easy way to view wildlife in close quarters.
Bicycle Safaris: Biking costs a little over 14 dollars and you can bike around the park to cover most scenic part of the park and possibly see zebras, antelopes, and buffalos.
Affordable Entry Fees: One of the unique selling points of the Park is that the entrance fees charged are amongst the lowest in Uganda especially for the budget travelers. It cost $40 for foreign nonresidents, $30 for foreign residents and 20000UGX for East African Community.
Integrating with Local Culture on a budget
Uganda carries a richness of cultural experience that compliments your safari adventure. You cut costs when you deal directly with the locals at the same time having a wealth of information about Uganda’s heritage. Most of the community based tourism strategies provide cheap cultural tourism. For instance, educate on the traditional ways of forest dwelling of Batwa pygmies near Bwindi at as low as $20.
Cultural Performances. To have fun dancing spend a little amount of money to book for traditional dancers for instance Ndere Troupe in Kampala Uganda. Exploring the Ugandan culture is informative and a good way to get value in the trip without additional cost.
Guidelines to Extensive Affordable Uganda Tours
Travel during the wet Season
It is therefore a cheap experience to visit Uganda during the rainy seasons; March to May and October to November. As some of the roads are muddy the environment is actually much greener and not so crowded as some other places.
Use Public Transportation
Local transport, especially buses and matatus which are mini buses but goes round an area shared by several people is relatively cheap for inter-city and inter-attractions transport. For instance, a bus trip from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can cost as low as 10 dollars.
Book Community run Lodges and Campsites
Some of these national parks have cheap locally owned lodges and other establishments. These do not only cost you less but also support conservation and enhance the development of the hosts communities directly.
Why Uganda Safaris on a Budget are Worth It
Travelling to Uganda on a low budget does not in any way, mean having to undertake a low quality and or opting for a low quality experience. From trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park to the game viewing along Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can get fantastic world class holidays at reasonable costs. As you’ll find when you opt for community-based lodges, visit during the low season and look for cheap activities, Uganda’s nature and culture are for everyone.
Uganda tourism is therefore a one of a kind type of tourism that you can only experience in Uganda. That being said, no matter if you are hiking through the forest, watching lions in savannas or following the footsteps to the Source of the Nile, the experiences are worth their weight in gold even when obtained on a very tight budget.
