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Uganda Camping Safaris

4.4/5  –  396 Uganda Reviews

Do you fancy an African adventure that combines tracking chimps and gorillas with a more conventional Big Five safari in search of lions, elephants and so on? Then Uganda is the place for you. This lush equatorial country is where the western jungle meets the eastern savannah. As such, it’s the perfect safari destination for those seeking a best-of-both-worlds introduction to Africa's diverse plains and forest wildlife. And while Uganda now offers a great selection of upmarket lodges, it is also a wonderful destination for camping safaris, which allow you to experience the African bush at its most unfiltered and thrilling.

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6 Questions About Uganda Camping Safaris

1. What are the pros and cons of a camping safari in Uganda?
2. What facilities can I expect to find in the campsites in Uganda?
3. Are the campsites fenced in Uganda?
4. Is a self-drive camping trip in Uganda recommended?
5. How much does a camping trip cost in Uganda?
6. What do I need to pack for a Uganda camping safari?
 
 

6 Questions About Uganda Camping Safaris

Answered by Philip Briggs

What are the pros and cons of a camping safari in Uganda?

“Camping tours have two main advantages over staying in lodges. The first is that they tend to be cheaper. The second is that they are far more immersive, bringing you closer to nature and allowing you to experience those wondrous African nights undiluted. Having said that, a Uganda camping safari is not for everybody. Sleeping under canvas will test the comfort zones of many first-time visitors to Africa, particularly those who are nervous about potential close encounters with wildlife (be it large mammals or smaller creepy-crawlies). Bear in mind, too, that sleeping in a tent is less comfortable than staying in a lodge, and many people experience broken sleep and restless nights as a result.”

1

What facilities can I expect to find in the campsites in Uganda?

“Campsites in Uganda tend to be basic compared to what you might expect in North America, Europe or South Africa. Most have a functional ablution block with flush toilets and hot showers, but in some cases, there will only be cold water or long drop toilets. At campsites in national parks, most organized safaris bring a chef to prepare the food. Some private campsites outside of national parks, especially those attached to hostels or lodges, will have a restaurant and bar. Do not rely on campsites having charging facilities or wifi.”

2

Are the campsites fenced in Uganda?

“That depends on the location. In most cases, private campsites situated outside national parks will be fenced, as much as anything to define the boundary and to keep out human intruders. Campsites in national parks are less exposed to human trespassers and are thus less likely to be fenced, which means that wildlife is free to come and go as it pleases. This is generally a positive thing, as it means that you are quite likely to see some interesting animals in camp. But you also need to be alert to possible visits by hippos, buffalo and elephants, especially after dark. Keep a torch handy in case you need to visit the toilet at night. And be very cautious, allowing your eyes time to adjust when you first emerge from the tent.”

3

Is a self-drive camping trip in Uganda recommended?

“A Uganda self-drive camping safari is highly recommended to independent-minded travelers who are comfortable with the idea of navigating their way around an unfamiliar country. A self-drive camping safari allows you the freedom to travel at your own pace, and the flexibility to improvise your itinerary as you go. Disadvantages of a self-drive camping trip are that you need to set up and break down the camp yourself, you may often have to do your own cooking, and you will need to deal with any breakdowns or other unexpected issues. This can become quite tiring and time-consuming, especially if you regularly drive long daily distances and have limited travel experience in developing countries. Travelers coming from the USA and other countries that drive on the right should be aware that Ugandans drive on the left.”

4

How much does a camping trip cost in Uganda?

“The cost of camping safari packages in Uganda depends on many factors, such as the size of the group, the national parks and sites on the itinerary, and the activities planned. Generally, you can expect the base price to be around US$250 to US$300 per person per day, including park entrance and camping fees, camping equipment, transport and meals. If the itinerary also includes expensive activities such as gorilla trekking (or to a lesser extent chimp trekking and white-water rafting on the Nile) that will bump up the overall price.”

5

What do I need to pack for a Uganda camping safari?

“If you are doing an organized safari, it would be normal for the operator to provide all tents, sleeping bags and other camping-related equipment. But it’s best to check this before you book anything. On a self-drive camping safari, you should be able to organize all camping gear through the rental company. But again it’s advisable to check before you make a booking. If you're uncomfortable with using a sleeping bag that has presumably been slept in by other people, you could bring your own, or a sleeping bag liner. Other useful items to pack for a camping holiday in Uganda include a powerful torch and/or headlamp, a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman-style multitool device, and binoculars. On the health front, don't forget to bring sunblock, insect repellent, antimalarial drugs, hand sanitizer and a basic medical kit. You're more likely to be exposed to cold nighttime weather or tropical storms when camping, so bring a range of waterproof and warm clothing. If you're traveling with a lot of electronic gear, be aware that many campsites in Uganda may have limited or no charging facilities. Bring a power bank or, better still, a solar portable power battery. If you need to go online on a regular basis, it’s best to buy a local SIM card and data bundle when you arrive in Uganda.”

6

Uganda Reviews

4.4/5 396 Reviews
Expert
Mark Eveleigh  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

Fantastic Wildlife and Some of the Friendliest People in Africa Make Uganda Unbeatable
5/5

I spent a month travelling around Uganda with a self-drive, expedition-prepared Landcruiser and visited almost every national park in the country. Uganda was a revelation! I had not expected such a richness of wildlife nor such great...

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Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Mountain Gorillas, Chimps and Birds in Lush, Well-Watered and Incredibly Green Hills and Valleys
4/5

Most of the superlative descriptions you read about Uganda are totally true: it really is a place of shimmering lakes, lofty mountains and mysterious forests. Uganda is best known as the place to see mountain gorillas, and no safari to the...

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Markus Janser  –  
Switzerland CH
Reviewed: Nov 20, 2024
What a nice surprise
5/5

We (Father with two teenagers) headed of to a nine day private Safari in Uganda to see the Gorillas. And we did not get disappointed, we spent an hour with them, an amazing experience. However, we where surprised and charmed by the...

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Jorge Camacho  –  
Spain ES
Reviewed: Nov 5, 2024
Awesome experience
5/5

Our recent trip to Uganda could not have met our expectations more. The country has well deserved the title of ‘pearl of Africa’, the country is impressive, the landscapes are spectacular and having an endangered wonder like the gorilla...

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Leah  –  
Canada CA
Reviewed: Oct 23, 2024
A beautiful country with exceptional service industry and private wildlife encounters
5/5

We travelled through Uganda and Tanzania over three weeks. The time we spent in Uganda was incredible. The country is a lot quieter to travel through, which makes the game drives feel intimate when you have the wildlife all to yourself...

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Val  –  
Australia AU
Reviewed: Oct 12, 2024
A new adventure every day
5/5

We toured Uganda for 17 days mid range accommodation. We took many game drives, launch trip on Kazinga Channel, gorillas and Chimpanzee trekking, plus visted Lake Bunyonyi and local villages. We had the most amazing holiday with many...

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All 396 Uganda Reviews