How to Travel to Uganda on Low Budget
For many tourists from the world over, whenever they think of going on an African Safari, one of the major factors considered is the high cost associated with such a safari with much cost going on the flights and ground logistics.
Africa has great potential for tourism but Uganda in particular is the greatest tourist destination in Africa since it combines all that other African countries have to offer on top of those attractions that can only be found in Uganda or neighboring countries.
Uganda is very rich in cultural tourism which includes the Kasubi tombs, visit to the traditional kingdoms, the diverse cultural set ups with over 17 tribes which all have different behavioral set ups, religious sites including Bahai temple, the only temple in Africa for Bahai faith, Namugongo Matrys shrine which is a religious site where the Uganda matters were burnt by the Kabaka due to their reception of Christianity, and other cultural set ups.
Uganda is a greatest destination for mountaineering with Mt.Rwenzori, a UNESCO world heritage site that has Africa’s 3rd highest peak. This is the only point in Uganda that has glacier at the top. There is also Mt.Elgon which has the world’s largest volcanic base. In addition, there is Mt.Muhabura and Mt.Sabinyo which are located in Virunga Mountain Ranges that extends to Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo.
Uganda has also many wildlife national parks where one will see the African Big Five that can be seen elsewhere in Africa. There is Murchison Falls in Murchison Falls national park which is the most powerful falls in Africa.
Uganda has a destination has the most primate parks which includes Kibale Forest National park which has the highest concentration of chimpanzees and other 12 primate species. There is also Bwindi impenetrable national park which is a home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas with the other half living in Virunga Mountain ranges which is divided between Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga national Park in Democratic republic of Congo.
If you need to have a budget safari in Uganda, there are several tips on how to reduce the cost.
First and foremost, you contact a locally based tour company. The advantage with local tour company is that they get services at local discount rate and procure services directly without urgency commission compared to booking through foreign based tour agencies who will add their own margin on top of the margin added by the ground handlers.
Also, you need to book the trip in advance so that you get services at the low cost before the prices are hiked due to high demand due to competition. The high seasons June, July, August, September, December, January and February always require early booking.
Take use of promos. Have you ever heard that there are promos for some safaris in Uganda? Even the Uganda Wildlife Authority always puts gorilla permits on promos for the past three years. You can book a gorilla safari in Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga National Park and save off USD150 dollars per gorilla permit if you take use of these deals available for April, May and November!
You also need to look at group travels. Most of the tour operators offer tailor made private safaris. It is always better to travel as a group of more than one person which helps in sharing some of the constant costs like transport, guides’ allowances, and accommodation sharing. This helps brings the cost per person down.
The local tour operator will also help in advising on how based to reduce the cost by selecting the affordable accommodations yet with better services. Also, will also advise on the best vehicles to use at a cheaper cost yet very comfortable. Minibuses are always cheaper yet comfortable compared to land Cruisers which are expensive yet less comfortable than the minibuses.
You can always consider the low season period for travel. During low season, there is discount on permits and accommodations and yet you will be able to see all that you would see during the high season.
If you intend to visit other East African Countries Rwanda or Kenya, you need to apply for East African Tourist Visa which costs the same amount as the Ugandan single visa and yet you will be able to enter all the three countries with same Visa.
It is always better to change the money into local currency while in the country to pay for some local services like in restaurants, tipping, and transport. The money should be exchanged from the Forex bureaus at a negotiated rate than exchanging from the main baking halls which always have a poor exchange rate.
You always ask your tour operator for tips on where to secure cheaper items. In Ugandan markets, prices are negotiable and it is always important to negotiate for the lower rates possible.
With the above tips, I hope you can be able to plan the trip accordingly and enjoy the best of Africa by travelling to Uganda.
