10 CHEAP PLACES TO TRAVEL IN UGANDA
Uganda has got decorative landscapes, beautiful wild beasts, friendly people, different and unique historical and cultural attractions all packed in one country. Because of the bountiful to do thing in the country, doing them at once maybe expensive in terms of time, distances and finances making safari/tour costly. Uganda’s top attractions and experiences can be achieved or reached at times at slightly higher costs but today we select 10 cheap places to travel in Uganda. In here are some of the cheap to travel to but rewarding places in Uganda.
Kampala city
Uganda’s capital city borders Lake Victoria and most trips by international tourists start from here than to other parts or attractions in the country. Just an hour’s drive from Entebbe International airport the city will give you a great impression. The city can be toured on foot (Walking tours) or Boda Boda (Motorcycle taxis). It offers a multitude of historical and cultural attractions for a visitor to explore and they include Bulange Mengo parliament also known as the “New Scottish parliament” because it was built in the same design as the Scottish parliament, Kasubi Royal tombs, Uganda national museum, Bahai temple that is the only one in Africa, Gaddafi national mosque that will give you a 360-degree view of the city in its tower, among others.
Jinja
Jinja is the second largest town, busiest commercial and industrial center in the eastern side of the country after the capital (Kampala). It Lies 87km from Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria. The town is also home to the source of the world’s longest river (River Nile). Its proximity to the shores of the lake (Victoria) and the source of the Nile makes and got it ranked the adventure capital. Get spilled and soaked in the white water rapids of the wild and stunning waters of the Nile and enjoy cruising, rafting, and stories about the Nile and the town as you walk or ride through the town. Nowhere in Uganda, that you will get such an experience.
Lake Mburo National Park
Driving to the park is no problem because you will drive on the smooth tarmac to the first gate of the park (Sanga gate). Lake Mburo National park is the closest park to Kampala. The park is about a 3-4 hours’ drive from Kampala. The savanna park contains an extensive wetland area and harbors a variety of species both mammals like the Elands, impalas, Burch ells Zebras, buffalos, hippos, and bird species (313 species). Engage in activities like forest walks in Rubanga forest, launch cruises on the lake, game drives that will take you to wildlife and give you a better view, walking safaris in the park where you will encounter wildlife on foot, sport fishing among others. So why not spoil yourself and experience a night or two in the park. Hanging out in the park can be the most relaxing time of your trip.
Murchison Falls National park
Visit one of Uganda’s top-notch national parks. Murchison falls national park is a safari jewel in Uganda due to its different game views as well as the stunning Murchison Falls from which the park’s name derived. The park shelters a number of wildlife animals like four of the big five are Leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and lions, which are among the 76 mammal species that are found in the park. The park used to have rhinos but in 1983 they were no more due to poaching and guerrilla wars that rocked Uganda in the late 1970s, as well as early 1980, ’s however they were later introduced and can be tracked in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary that is just meters off the route to Murchison falls national park.
A trip to Murchison falls national park will not be a disappointment.
Fort portal
Located in western Uganda 320km from Kampala, the town is a seat for both Kabalore District and Tooro Kingdom palace. Located on the edge of equatorial rainforests of Kibale, the “land of Empako (pet name)” is full of stunning crater lakes, grasslands, marshes, and forests. Most visitors come not only to enjoy Fort portal but also the varied sights that surround it. Like Kibale national park that is famous for primates mostly Chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth national park and the park also adjoins Semuliki National park.
Ssese Islands;
The islands are a compilation of eighty-four islands that are situated in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda. These islands form an L shape and they also vary in size comparing the square kilometers covered by each island in Ssese. Buggala Island is the largest covering an area of over 40 kilometers in length and however there other small islands such as Bulago island, Bukasa island, Banda, Bubeke, and also Bufumira. Most of the time, people travel to Buggala Island using ferries which work on specific days and hours, therefore to enjoy the cheapest travel services in Uganda the islands are recommended.
Things that can be done during your stay in the islands include: during the weekend nights there are party scenes along the Kalangala bay that are performed to meet the travelers needs and also get them not bored, enjoying the pounding water that hits the lake shores on the beach as well as overnight trips to the different regions of the islands. However, due to the island’s biodiversity, visitors can also get an opportunity to spot some wild rare animals like the Vervet monkeys, occasional large snakes, and the vast birds around and is so adventurous.
The lake is situated in southwestern Uganda and it is the second deepest lake in Africa known as the place of many little birds. The lake has the best scenery in the whole world which is, therefore, a good place for travelers who have been on their long safaris within East Africa as a rest and relax place. In other words, the place has islands which include: Bushara, Akampene, Kyahugye, Bwama, and Njuyeera make it a place of five islands however there are 29 islands in the lake and they are concentrated in the central part with no particular settlements but only condemned tourist activities.
Do activities such as swimming, fishing, boat riding, birding, local tour, and pygmy village tour provide jolly moments to the travelers and more so at cheaper and affordable rates. The experience of Bunyonyi Lake is breathtaking making it a good place to visit. Mainly the place facilitates tourist activities for secondary and primary school study tours.
Mbale;
Located in the Eastern region of Uganda the Pearl of Africa, Mbale has got a lot of key attractions like Mount Elgon national park, Sipi falls and cultural /heritage sites like the Semei Kakungulu tombs and the Mutoto circumcision site with so many others making it a cheap place to visit in Uganda.
Ngamba Chimp Island;
Ngamba Island is located on Lake Victoria and home to about 49 orphaned chimpanzees from all around East Africa. The sanctuary was established in 1997 to act as a home to these orphaned chimps and also to live out their lives due to the impossibilities of returning them to their natural habitats as well as sensitizing both the tourists and the villagers about the importance of conserving the forest habitats of these highly rare but endangered species.
The place is very cheap depending on the activities done within a particular day especially viewing of the chimps as they’re being fed in the morning, swimming, bird watching, wildlife encounters, fishing, and as well as relaxing and sunbathing by the shores of Lake Victoria. This makes the sanctuary one of the best cheap places to travel to in Uganda.
Entebbe;
Just 45 kilometers away from the capital city Kampala to reach this place, making it a first prior as a cheap place to travel to. The numerous beaches around the call for so many tourist activities like swimming, scenic viewing as well as hiking around the place. The famous beaches around Entebbe town include lido beach, white sand beach, aero beach including the botanical garden which has diverse plants and animals like the birds, monkeys among others. The town is also a main entry point to Uganda, it hosts the Entebbe International airport, Uganda Wildlife Education centre that also doubles as a zoo and Uganda Reptile Village.
There are various providers of biking services and Visitors can enjoy a ride in the towns as they await their exit flights.
Now you can choose where to go to Uganda depending on your budget and time.
