What budget to travel Uganda? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Uganda?

Museums, shrines, historical sites, palaces and places of worship. Entrance fees range from 10 to 35,000 Ush. Nearly 100% of shrines and places of worship in Uganda are freely accessible, but there are an infinitesimal number of exceptions such as the Namugongo Shrine (pilgrims are exempted from entrance fees) and the Great Mosque in Kampala (a guided tour is charged).

Parks and reserves managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In this guide only the entrance fees forForeign Non Residents are mentioned. Expatriates and East Africans enjoy lower rates. Children under 15 years of age receive a discount. For those travelling with an agency, these fees are normally included in the service.

-Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kibale, Kidepo: US$40 for 24 hours (US$20 for a child aged 5-15).

-Semuliki, Rwenzori, Mount Elgon, Toro-Semliki, Katonga and Pian Upe: US$ 35 for 24 hours (US$ 5 per child).

-Other reserves: US$ 10 for 24 hours.

In addition to these expenses, for Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and Kidepo parks, you will need to add an entrance fee of US$ 5 to 15 for a vehicle registered in Uganda and US$ 30 to 50 for a vehicle registered abroad. You will have to add between 20 and 40 000 Ush per vehicle for the crossing of the Nile (ferry at Paraa, in the national park of Murchison Falls, while waiting for the inauguration of the bridge...), 30 US$ per person for a cruise on the Nile or the Kazinga Channel, 20 US$ per vehicle to hire the services of a park guide for a day safari (not compulsory), 15 to 40 US$ per person for a nature walk, 200 US$ per person (entrance fee included) for a chimpanzee tracking in Kibale (50 US$ in Kyambura and 30 US$ in the Toro-Semliki reserve; entrance fees not included)... In short, quite a budget! The gorilla permit is 700 US$ (entrance fee in Bwindi or Mgahinga park included)

Good plans. In addition to the clever trick of sleeping on the edge of the parks (allowing substantial savings and good chances, even the certainty, of observing the fauna ignoring the limits of the protected areas...), you will be able to track chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest (US$40 compared to US$90 in Kyambura and US$200 in Kibale) and to observe birds in the Bigodi swamps (50,000 Ush, or US$14) or on the Royal Mile (Budongo Forest) for less

80 US$ to climb one of the three volcanoes of the Mgahinga National Park, 140 US$ to go rafting on the Nile, 155 US$ minimum to climb Mount Elgon, 1,345 to 1,480 US$ to climb Margherita Peak (Rwenzori massif)... Moving around in Uganda can be expensive. However, it is possible to keep fit without breaking the bank! Without spending a single penny, you can swim safely in lakes Nabugabo, Bunyonyi and Mutanda, hike in almost all the country, ride a mountain bike on the tracks that dot the country and run here and there. If you feel like it, try jogging in the heights of Kapchorwa district, home of Stephen Kiprotich, winner of the marathon at the 2012 London Olympics, and Joshua Cheptegei, current world record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres...

What budget to eat Uganda?

The price range for food starts at around 2,000 Ush (US$ 0.5) and ends at around 130,000 Ush (US$ 35). Eating local food in markets, pork joints and in small restaurants you should pay between 2,000 and 20,000 Ush for a full meal... For fine dining in upscale establishments, expect to pay between 20-50,000 Ush for a main course. Takeaway and home delivery, mainly provided by Jumia Food (www.food.jumia.ug), are offered by a significant number of Kampala restaurants. In the provinces, to a much lesser extent, only Jinja and Entebbe have followed the capital's lead in this area.

What is the budget for accommodation Uganda?

In small hotels, sometimes noisy, count about 40 000 Ush (11 US$) for a clean and equipped room. Below 40 000 Ush, comfort and hygiene are more random (there are however excellent surprises...); beyond that, amenities are more numerous and more functional (there are however bad surprises...). Be aware that in Uganda - whatever your budget, your desires and your itinerary - there is a wide range of accommodation from cheap campsites (from 3 US$ per person) and backpackers (15 US$ on average for a bed in a dormitory) to expensive lodges (up to 1,430 US$ per person in high season) and hotels with a lot of character. With rare exceptions, only the (high) standard establishments accept credit cards. Last but not least, many hotels charge a higher rate during the high season (June to August and December to February) and on public holidays.

Travel budget Uganda and cost of living

Budget. Beware, Uganda is quite expensive if you want to take advantage of all the activities on offer, especially if you want to visit the mountain gorillas and go on safari in the national parks, which almost always requires the services of an agency or a car rental company. Expect to pay around €2,000 to €2,500 for 10 days all-inclusive (gorilla permit, rental car, night in a lodge, park entrance fees, etc.). But people who prefer to meet local people and walk around can, by using local transport and camping, get by at a very moderate cost.

Small budget: about 20 to 25 € per day and per person in camping or dormitory with local meals and various expenses.

Medium budget: 40 to 80 € per day per person in a double room with meals in tourist restaurants and other expenses.

Big budget: from €180 per day for nights in a lodge and high end establishment, as well as per day safari with an agency.

Tipping. A small tip is always welcome. However, be careful not to tip too much, as this can detract from the value of the work. For example, you can give 1,000 Ush to the person who helps you with your luggage or to a guard. In tourist restaurants, if the tip is not included and you are satisfied with the service, you can leave up to 10% of the bill. In lodges during a safari, if you want to thank your guide or staff, wait until the end of your stay. On organized tours, driver-guides are often poorly paid, so tips are a large part of their income. Offering a meal from time to time and leaving an envelope at the end of the trip (between 5 and 10 US$ per day) is also possible. In hotels, you can leave a sum to be divided among the staff in a kitty often provided for this purpose at the reception.