The best youth hostels Uganda

The Jinja Backpackers, a true institution for backpackers, is dead, long live the Bourbon Backpackers! Taken over by the owner of the eponymous tavern, the premises - drowned in the greenery on the banks of the Nile - were awaiting work at the time of our visit. The relooking operation concerning, in particular, the floor covering and the size of the rooms should be completed when this guide is published. You should therefore be able to judge the work on the basis of the rooms. Held by a friendly team, this address offers cruises on the Nile (count 15 US$ for 60 to 90 minutes).

A simple hostel right across the street from the Uganda Wildlife Authority office. The rooms and dormitories are rather basic but the atmosphere is very pleasant and the prices defy all competition. Rental of camping equipment (tents, floor mats, sleeping bags...) and hiking equipment (raincoats, boots...). The kitchen is, in addition, quite good. Rose, the owner, is always happy to give valuable advice on how best to enjoy the surroundings and their natural and cultural attractions.

On the plus side: relatively affordable rates for backpackers wishing to sleep close to the park, an excellent location (on the edge of the trail leading to Nkuringo and its UWA offices, located 4 km away) as well as breathtaking views of the jungle from the cottages and the restaurant. On the other side of the coin: expensive meals, recurrent dysfunctions in the rooms and, concerning the multiple activities on offer, organisational problems and sometimes excessive prices...

Planted in the middle of eucalyptus trees, on a hilly peninsula where agriculture predominates, the Edirisa camp ("window" in chiga) will delight backpackers. The dormitory, cottage and family house are simple but very clean and equipped with mosquito nets. Open-air showers and wooden cabins, which serve as toilets, are never far away. Meals (including breakfast at 8,000 Ush) are excellent bills. Also note the free access to wifi, the establishment's canoes and the unlikely swimming pool. Modest prices and a nice welcome!

This backpackers is conveniently located on Acacia Avenue, close to excellent restaurants and a stone's throw from many of Kampala's nightlife hotspots. The Bushpig has dormitories, on the first floor, with a common shower room (showers, WC) functional outside the rooms. The two floors above house the upper class rooms. On the ground floor, in addition to the bar-restaurant, there is a luggage locker, a TV room and two small areas (equipped with benches and cushions) where it is nice to surf the web.