Uganda on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Uganda can be travelled on a budget for daily costs, about USh 260,000 a day with shared transport, but gorilla and chimpanzee permits are fixed and expensive. Plan permits as a separate budget.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | USh80,000 | USh300,000 | USh1,500,000 |
| Food & drink | USh40,000 | USh80,000 | USh150,000 |
| Sights & tickets | USh80,000 | USh180,000 | USh300,000 |
| Local transport | USh60,000 | USh300,000 | USh500,000 |
| Per person, per day | USh260,000 | USh860,000 | USh2,450,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Uganda day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Sunset over Lake Victoria from the Entebbe shore
- Walking Kampala's Owino market and Old Kampala
- The source of the Nile area in Jinja (viewing points; boat trips are paid)
- Village walks and crater-lake views around Fort Portal
- Lake Bunyonyi viewpoints from the shore
- Bird watching around lodges and campsites
Cheap eats
- Rolex chapati and egg roll: about USh 2,000–5,000
- Matoke with beans or groundnut sauce: about USh 8,000–15,000
- Grilled meat skewers (muchomo): about USh 2,000–5,000
- Fresh tilapia from Lake Victoria: about USh 20,000–35,000
- Fresh pineapple or mango from the market: about USh 1,000–3,000
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers use backpacker hostels in Kampala and Entebbe, and bandas or campsites near parks, with beds roughly USh 40,000–100,000.
Getting around cheaply
Long-distance buses and matatus (minibuses) are cheap but crowded and accident-prone. Sharing a hired 4x4 is safer and more practical for parks. From Entebbe airport, a taxi to Kampala costs roughly USh 100,000–150,000.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Bigodi Wetland walk, about US$20–25
- Lunch: matoke and beans, about USh 10,000
- Afternoon: crater lakes near Fort Portal (free views)
- Evening: rolex and a Nile Special, about USh 12,000
- Total: about USh 260,000 including a banda and shared transport
More ways to save
- Join group tours that share vehicles and guides.
- Book permits early; prices are fixed, but availability is not.
- Eat local food rather than lodge menus where possible.
- Use campsites inside or near parks to save on lodges.
- Hire a porter at Bwindi (about US$15–20) instead of struggling; it supports local families.
- Carry US dollars for permits and shillings for daily costs.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About USh 260,000 per person: USh 80,000 for a bed, USh 40,000 for food, USh 80,000 for sights and USh 60,000 for transport, before permits.
Can I travel independently?
Yes, by bus and matatu, but parks are much easier with a hired vehicle or a tour.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities apply online for an e-visa (about US$50 single entry) or the East Africa Tourist Visa (about US$100).