Having lived in Uganda for more than two years now, I’m well aware that Ugandans love to party! Drinking beer and waragi (a local brew) is part and parcel of the culture in Uganda, whether you head to a wedding or any other function while you’re in the country.
If you’re like me, then you will agree that one of the best things about visiting any country is tasting the local beer. Picture the scene – you’re sitting on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, sipping an ice-cold Club as the sun sets. Perfection.
So, if you’re keen to try the finest libations that the Pearl of Africa has to offer during your upcoming vacation, here are five of the best Uganda beers that you absolutely have to try!
Club
My absolute favorite Uganda beer is Club. A lively, refreshing lager, Club is the perfect tonic after a round of golf in the Ugandan sun!
Brewed by Nile Breweries, Club is a 4.5% abv beer with a distinct hoppy aroma, and given its light taste, it’s a great session beer if you’re planning to have a few around the pool.
Of course, the price of Uganda beer varies depending on where you buy it, but in most places in Uganda, club costs between 4,000 UGX and 10,000 UGX ($1.10 – $2.60).
Nile Special
Nile Special also has a stout, but I’m not a fan! Photo credit: Prince Beguin
Although Club is my tipple of choice in Uganda, Nile Special is the most popular beer in the country. It’s also a lager, but at 5.6% abv, I find that drinking a couple of bottles leaves me with a bit of a headache!
Nile Special is perhaps the Uganda beer that is best known inside and outside of the country, as it has been brewed for more than fifty years.
I suppose if you want to enjoy a true taste of Uganda, Nile Special is the way to go. Just switch over to Club after your first bottle to avoid the headache in the morning!
Bell
Bell was first brewed in Uganda back in 1950, and it takes its name from its brewing location – the Port Bell pier on the shores of Lake Victoria.
The brand has been known for some pretty quirky advertisements in the past, with one pronouncing “Great Night, Good Morning!”
In terms of taste, Bell is a middle-of-the-road lager and is a Uganda beer that is popular in most bars and restaurants around the country. At 4.2%, it’s another good session beer if you’re planning to have a few around your campfire while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Banange
If craft beer is your thing, you need to check out Banange Beer. A recent addition to the Uganda beer scene (Banange started brewing in 2017), the following options are available around the country:
IPA 5.2% (medium/high bitterness)
Belgian Witbier 5.8% (low bitterness)
Lite 4.5% (low bitterness)
Amber 5.0% (low bitterness)
Stout 4.8% (low bitterness)
The brand gets its name from a Luganda word that roughly translates to “oh my gosh,” and it’s commonly used by Ugandans to express surprise or shock. There’s nothing shocking about the taste of Banange, though. Amber is my favorite, but the IPA is definitely worth trying.
Eagle
The final Uganda beer brand that you might encounter on your upcoming vacation is Eagle. It’s fair to describe Eagle as a more local beer, which is commonly found in bars and pubs in rural areas, as well as in Kampala.
This beer is made from barley malt and Epuipur sorghum, which is home-grown in Uganda. There are various Eagle beers that you can try – dark, regular, and extra, depending on how you’re feeling.
Standard Eagle lager has an abv of 5.5%, putting it in a similar category to Nile Special. If you like a strong lager, Eagle is a good Uganda beer for you.
Recap: The best Uganda beers to try
If you’re a beer aficionado, you certainly won’t go thirsty in Uganda. The above five beers all have different tastes and profiles and are well worth trying when you visit the Pearl of Africa.
Of course, if you don’t want to drink Uganda beer, you can always enjoy international beers – Guinness is widely available in Uganda, as are standard lagers such as Heineken.
If I could only pick one, my absolute recommendation would be Club, but Banange’s variety is seriously impressive, and their craft is a welcome addition to the beer scene in the country.
Birdnest Bunyonyi Resort is one of my favorite hotels in the whole of East Africa!
Quite a claim, I hear you say.
The reason I like Birdnest so much is due to the extremely friendly staff and the extraordinary views out across the lake. Also, Lake Bunyonyi is perhaps my favorite holiday destination, so maybe I can’t help liking the place so much!
Given that there are so many places to stay in and around Lake Bunyonyi, I’ve decided to write this complete guide to Bunyonyi Birdnest to help you decide if it’s the right accommodation option for you.
So, without further ado, here’s why I rank Birdnest Bunyonyi so highly on my list of must-stay-at Ugandan hotels.
What’s it like to stay at Birdnest Bunyonyi?
Birdnest Resort is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels at Lake Bunyonyi, and it has long been popular with domestic and international travelers alike.
I’ve stayed at Bunyonyi Birdnest on three separate occasions with my family, and I’m of the opinion that it’s the best place to stay in the vicinity of the lake.
I have lots of points of reference, too, having stayed at the likes of Overland, Arcadia Cottages, Hawk’s Eye Lodge, and Byoona Amagara, to name just a few of the other spots I’ve stayed at Bunyonyi.
After a wonderful pre-Christmas weekend at Lake Bunyonyi with my family, I’ve decided to write this complete review of Birdnest so you know what you can expect if you decide to stay at this most charming hotel on the banks of one of Uganda’s most stunning lakes.
A complete review of Birdnest Bunyonyi Resort
To help you dip in and out of this Birdnest Bunyonyi review as and when you need it, I’ve split it into several helpful sections. I also provide a score out of five based on my own experiences of staying here.
Location
The view from Birdnest out onto Lake Bunyonyi – things don’t get much better than this!
In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than the position that Birdnest takes up on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. It’s actually one of the first hotels that you reach as you travel from the town of Kabale to the lake itself, and it’s unmistakable as you approach from the road.
The hotel is tiered, with a swimming deck, pool, and bar area at lake level for afternoon relaxing by the lakeside. Then, the restaurant and bar area is on the next level up, providing exceptional views across the lake.
Finally, the hotel itself has several floors, boasting rooms with balconies and incredible lake views. As such, the location and design of Birdnest are truly spectacular, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best things about the hotel.
My verdict: 9/10
Rooms
There are several room types available at Birdnest for you to consider:
Basic cottage (located “overseas” on a privately owned island).
De luxe cottage (located “overseas” on a privately owned island).
Grand executive
Standard basic
De luxe executive
De luxe
On my most recent trip to Birdnest, I booked into a de luxe cottage for a little bit of extra privacy. However, on arrival, the staff informed me that they had upgraded us to a beautiful de luxe room in the main hotel itself.
This saved us from having to cross the lake on one of the canoes, and the room we were given was perfect. As has been the case on every occasion that I’ve stayed at Birdnest, the room was clean, pristine, and beautifully finished.
You are provided with handmade soaps and lotions in the bathroom, as well as a daily stock of bottled mineral water. The terrace opens out onto the most stunning lake views imaginable, rounding things off to perfection.
One thing to note is that there are no mosquito nets here – the staff spray each room at sunset to avoid mosquitos becoming a problem, and I didn’t notice any new bites during my stay!
My verdict: 9/10
Food & drink
Enjoying a bottle of Banage IPA at Birdnest Bunyonyi
The food and drink at Bunyonyi Birdnest are to die for. Even when I have stayed at other hotels in and around Lake Bunyonyi, I’ve always traveled to Birdnest for at least one meal, and I’ve never been disappointed.
The menu is filled with delicious meal options, including various fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes. But the star attraction is undoubtedly the crayfish served up at Bunyonyi Birdnest.
You can have it in many forms, but I’d highly recommend the crayfish calypso starter, as well as the crayfish pasta for your main course. The crayfish is picked directly from Lake Bunyonyi, and it’s as fresh as you could possibly imagine!
As for drinks, there’s an impressive wine list featuring African, South American, and European wines, as well as lots of beers from different parts of the world. There’s also a comprehensive cocktail menu, and my wife enjoyed a couple of mojitos before our evening meal.
If you’re looking for a beer recommendation, opt for Banage – Uganda’s craft ale. The IPA and Amber ales are particularly good.
My verdict: 10/10
Staff
Every time I’ve visited Birdnest Bunyonyi, the staff have been courteous, polite, and helpful. The best way to book a room at the resort is to email them directly, and Patience led me through the entire booking process from start to finish without issue.
As it was my wife’s birthday during our most recent stay at Birdnest, the team arranged a delicious chocolate cake and brought it to the table after our meal while singing a birthday song! It was a lovely touch and something we appreciated.
One thing I will say, though, is that when I stayed at Birdnest in December 2021, my card was charged twice by the PesaPal booking system. In fairness, this had nothing to do with Birdnest, and I contacted Amex to sort out the problem.
Just bear in mind the fact that this may happen if you opt to use the PesaPal link, particularly if you’re paying with a foreign card.
My verdict: 10/10
Facilities
The infinity swimming pool at Lake Bunyonyi is one of the main attractions of the hotel, and it’s the perfect place to swim if you don’t want to plunge into the lake itself! Next to the swimming pool is a fully-stocked bar with a pool table, offering the perfect place to chill out in the afternoon.
What’s more, for those looking to swim in Lake Bunyonyi, there’s a swimming deck and a boating jetty, where you can also board one of the dugout canoes for a voyage out onto the lake.
You can also organize a range of other activities at Birdnest, and the staff can help you with a guided walk, a birding safari, and various other excursions to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
On a previous visit to Birdnest with my family, we took a motorized boat tour for a couple of hours, and it was a wonderful way to see the various islands that make up Lake Bunyonyi – I’d highly recommend it.
Finally, there’s also a souvenir and art shop at Bunyonyi, but the prices are a little on the high side, given the cost of souvenirs elsewhere in Uganda.
My verdict: 9/10
Value for money
Last but certainly not least in this Birdnest Bunyonyi review – how much does it cost to stay here? At the time of writing, the price of B&B accommodation at Birdnest Bunyonyi is as follows:
Accommodation Type
Priceper night (USD)
Basic cottage
$95
De luxe cottage
$105
Grand executive room
$260
Standard basic
$95
De luxe executive
$210
De luxe
$190
As you can see, there are accommodation options to suit all budgets at Birdnest Bunyonyi, with the cheapest starting at $95 per night, bed and breakfast. While there are cheaper options available at Lake Bunyonyi, I personally think that a night at Birdnest represents excellent value for money.
Inside a de luxe room at Birdnest, Bunyonyi. Photo Credit: Birdnest Resort.
You can check out each of the accommodation options at Birdnest in more detail here.
My verdict: 9/10
The verdict: Is Birdnest Bunyonyi worth staying at?
Having been to Lake Bunyonyi more times than I can remember and having stayed at so many different places, I can say that Birdnest Bunyonyi is undoubtedly my favorite place to stay.
The rooms are beautifully decorated, the food is delicious, and the staff are extremely friendly, making for a perfect stay in this stunning part of Uganda.
So, if you want to stay at the best hotel at Lake Bunyonyi, get in touch with the team at Birdnest today to arrange your stay – you won’t be disappointed!
Thankfully, there are a number of budget hotels in Entebbe, meaning that you don’t have to opt for one of the expensive international hotels that dominate review sites and booking platforms.
It’s common to see hotels in Entebbe go for more than $100, and international chains are several hundred dollars per night. I’ve genuinely lost count of how many hotels and guesthouses I’ve stayed in Entebbe, as I like to try different places each time I fly in and out of Uganda.
Given that there are so many places to stay in Entebbe, I want to introduce you to five budget hotels in Entebbe that are comfortable, friendly, and excellent value for money, enabling you to save your money for exciting excursions in different parts of the country!
I’ve personally stayed at all five of the hotels/guesthouses that I introduce in this article, so I am writing from personal experience! All cost less than $100 per night, with most costing in the region of $50 for bed and breakfast, making them considerably cheaper than the international hotels that attract so many tourists.
So, without further ado, here are five budget guesthouses and hotels in Entebbe to try out during your upcoming vacation.
ViaVia
Photo Credit: ViaVia
I’ve stayed at ViaVia in Entebbe so many times that I’ve lost count! There are comfortable, self-contained rooms in peaceful gardens, as well as glamping-style tents that offer a unique experience.
The food at ViaVia is also excellent, with fresh and delicious meals served at all times of the day. ViaVia has a backpacker vibe going on without being pretentious. The staff are super friendly and happy to help you arrange activities in Entebbe and even further afield.
Oh, and did I mention that they sell delicious draught beer here, too?!
Given its charm and popularity, ViaVia is often sold out, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid disappointment at this quirky haven just behind Entebbe town.
Prices from $50 per night for a self-contained double room.
There are lots of “airport” guesthouses in Entebbe, meaning it can be quite difficult to know which one to pick! My absolute favorite is Airport Link Guesthouse, located around 15 minutes drive from Entebbe International Airport.
Airport Link Guesthouse is quaint, charming, and extremely comfortable, with lovely staff and a gorgeous restaurant that has a great view across to the airport runway.
The last few times that I’ve stayed at Airport Link in Entebbe, I’ve arrived at various times in the middle of the night, and they have arranged an airport transfer and checked me in during the middle of the night without issue.
So, for a super comfortable and affordable guesthouse in close proximity to the airport, look no further than Airport Link.
Prices from $50 per night for a budget double/twin room.
Located directly across the road from Entebbe’s beautiful botanical gardens, Precious Guesthouse is another lovely owner-run property that is super comfortable and a great place to begin your vacation.
Although the rooms at Precious are quite small, they’re extremely comfortable, and you can enjoy an excellent night’s sleep here.
The restaurant at Precious sits above the fence, enabling you to look across into the Botanical Gardens as you’re enjoying your breakfast – be sure to pay attention to the monkeys in the gardens that cause all sorts of problems!
You can walk from Precious Guesthouse directly to Victoria Mall, too, and it’s just a five-minute walk to Entebbe’s Craft Market, making it a great budget hotel in Entebbe to consider.
Blue Monkey Guesthouse is run by a very friendly German owner who is only too happy to help you arrange activities in and around Entebbe during your stay.
I thoroughly enjoyed the night I spent at Blue Monkey. I found the room to be incredibly spacious and comfortable, and it had everything that I needed.
Although there isn’t a restaurant on-site, you can order food in with the help of the hosts. Alternatively, you can hop in a cab and venture out to one of Entebbe’s delightful restaurants!
The team at Blue Monkey can also arrange an airport transfer from the airport at any time of the day, helping you to arrive in the Pearl of Africa in comfort!
Last but certainly not least on my list of budget hotels in Entebbe is Karibu BB Suites, which isn’t actually a hotel! Rather, it’s a great opportunity to book into an apartment during your short stay in Entebbe, enabling you to prepare your own meals and have a little bit more privacy than afforded by guesthouses.
I stayed in a gorgeous apartment with my wife during a recent visit to Entebbe, with WiFi available for the duration of our stay, as well as a number of TV channels to kick back and relax after a long day of driving.
Karibu is also in a great location and is just off the main road as you pass the iconic Lake Victoria Hotel, making it easy to find.
So, if you’re someone who prefers staying in apartments as opposed to hotels and guesthouses, Karibu BB Suites is an excellent option to consider during your stay in Entebbe.
Recap: 5 budget hotels in Entebbe to try this year
Although Entebbe is home to some seriously expensive hotels, you can also find excellent value here without compromising on quality. I would highly recommend all five of the above budget guesthouses in Entebbe, and I will almost certainly stay at them again!
If you have any questions about any of these budget hotels in Entebbe or if you would like to make any recommendations to your fellow readers, be sure to leave a comment below, and I will get back to you!
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya, you’ve come to the right place!
You’ve seen the photos – Diani Beach is one of East Africa’s most stunning destinations and is perfect for a relaxing beach vacation with your family. I spent a week in Diani Beach in September 2022 with my family and loved every minute of it. We were also keen to find out information about the best restaurants in Diani Beach so that we could eat out for the duration of our stay.
Although we had arranged a full-board deal at the hotel we stayed at, we ate out every day, as it’s one of our favorite things to do while on vacation! As a result, we ended up sampling a decent amount of restaurants in Diani Beach, the vast majority of which we thoroughly enjoyed.
So, in this article, I introduce you to five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya, which I would absolutely encourage you to try during an upcoming vacation in this gorgeous part of the world.
Five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya
I loved my experience of dining out in Diani Beach, and the restaurants that I visited were all excellent. So, here are five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach for you to try during your vacation:
Nomad Beach Bar and Grill
My wife at Nomad – we had a lovely evening here!
Connected to the award-winning Sands at Nomad Boutique Hotel is the Nomad Beach Bar and Grill – Diani Beach’s best restaurant (at least, in my opinion!). The open-air restaurant is directly adjacent to the beach, providing wonderful views out to the Indian Ocean.
We ate at Nomad twice, and both experiences were memorable for all the right reasons. The food was delicious, and the wine and beer menu was extensive – I’d highly recommend 254’s Niaji Kenyan lager – a delicious alternative to Tusker and some of the other generic beers served up in most resorts in Diani.
254 Brewing Co’s Niaje? – A delicious Kenyan beer to try
On our second visit to Nomad, we reserved a table at 6 pm, just in time to watch the sunset. We enjoyed delicious sushi and craft beer while listening to the live in-house band play some relaxing tunes – it was a truly special evening.
Ultimately, eating at Nomad Beach Bar and Grill was one of our favorite things about our vacation in Diani Beach, and when we return on vacation, we will undoubtedly eat here again!
Find out more about Nomad Beach Bar and Restaurant here.
Leonardo’s Restaurant
When we asked the folks at our hotel reception for a recommendation, they immediately told us to go to Leonardo’s, and we certainly weren’t disappointed!
Few things are as delicious during a family vacation as authentic Italian food, and the fayre served up at Leonardo’s is precisely that. The pizzas are to die for, as is the seafood, and the service is particularly friendly.
The biggest challenge you will face when eating at Leonardo’s is what meal to pick, given the hugely impressive menu and the fact that it covers all bases! There’s even a kids’ menu if you’re on holiday with a little one.
We ate at Leonardo’s at lunchtime, and it was pretty quiet, but it apparently gets super busy in the evenings, particularly during the peak summer months when tourists abound. So, it makes sense to book a table before heading out for a meal.
At the edge of one of Diani’s shopping malls is Apero Bar and Restaurant, a relatively small venue that offers a great selection of food, beers, and cocktails. Although it won’t win any awards for its view (it’s perched on the edge of a car park), the food served up at Apero is to die for.
I ordered the prawns and washed them down with a mojito – it was easily one of the tastiest meals I had during my time in Diani Beach. When my wife went shopping at the adjacent shops, I popped back to Apero for a flat white, and the coffee was just as delicious as the food.
I would say that Apero is the perfect place to head for brunch while in Diani Beach, but it’s also a great place to go in the evening to enjoy some of their signature cocktails.
Whenever you decide to visit, I’m sure you will be impressed by the delicious food and varied menu served up at Apero, and it’s undoubtedly one of the nicest places to enjoy a meal when on vacation in Diani Beach.
Sizzlers Steakhouse is very much a pub first and a restaurant second. It’s a tad rough around the edges, and the service wasn’t the friendliest we encountered during our vacation in Diani Beach.
But the food was absolutely stunning! Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our steaks, which were served on a sizzling platter and cooked to perfection. We washed our steaks down with a couple of beers, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
We ate at around 6 pm, and as we were leaving around 8 pm, Sizzlers started getting busy. There was a live band on that evening, and it looked like it would have been a great place to enjoy a lively night out!
However, as parents to a tired one-year-old, we decided to head back to the hotel for an early night after thoroughly enjoying our steaks!
My wife and I love Indian food, and when we sat down for our meal at The Spice Route in the Swahili Beach Hotel, we immediately knew that we had made a good decision!
The food at The Spice Route is delicious, plentiful, and extremely tasty, and we appreciated the friendly and attentive service from the staff.
One thing to note is that The Spice Route was practically empty when we visited, and we were the only table for the duration of our meal! It didn’t matter to us, but I know that some people like a bit of atmosphere when heading out for a meal.
But if you’re like me and you’re a fan of Indian food, The Spice Route is the place to be when you head to Diani Beach on your upcoming vacation.
Find out more about The Spice Route at Swahili Beach here.
Recap: The best restaurants in Diani Beach
So, if you’re looking to experience the best restaurants in Diani Beach during your upcoming vacation, the above five places are undoubtedly worth trying out. They all offer great food and decent service, and my wife and I will definitely eat at all of them again when we plan our next vacation to this stunning part of East Africa.
Be sure to check out my other reviews and recommendations in the staying & eating section of EA Travel Hub, to visit the best spots in the region!
If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Bwindi, you’ve come to the right place!
Bwindi is one of Uganda’s main tourist attractions, given the fact that it’s one of only a few places in East Africa where gorilla tracking is possible.
But due to the fact that Bwindi is a bucket-list tourist destination, the price of accommodation in this sleepy corner of Uganda is extortionate – it’s not uncommon for rooms to go for $1,000 per night!
Although I live less than an hour’s drive from Bwindi, I’ve stayed in lots of hotels and guesthouses in and around the national park. I’ve also dined at some of the exclusive lodges where $1,000 per night rates are the norm, even though I’ve never stayed at any of them!
So, to help you navigate the difficulty of finding good value when staying in this gorgeous part of Uganda, I introduce you to five budget accommodation options in Bwindi.
I’ve stayed at four of them, but I’ve spent time at all of them, so I hope you find this insight helpful as you look to book affordable accommodation in Bwindi this year.
Incredible value and extremely comfortable – the best value option in Bwindi by far.
Chance to meet other tourists, volunteers, and medical staff associated with Bwindi Hospital.
Great food and delicious coffee served up in the Banda Cafe.
No issue with hot water or electricity – the guest house is linked to the hospital’s system and is on 24/7.
Cons
The fact that it’s located up the steps from the hospital might put some people off, but you don’t have to visit the hospital if you don’t want to.
Overview
In my humble opinion, Bwindi Community Guest House is the best value location in Buhoma, Bwindi, by a long shot. The guest house has tastefully decorated en-suite rooms with hot water and electricity, two aspects that are not guaranteed at this price point when it comes to accommodation in Uganda!
I stayed here for a couple of months during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I got to know the staff extremely well – many of whom I now call good friends.
Still, I can’t recommend this guest house enough, particularly when you consider the price point of the other accommodation in and around Bwindi. As the name suggests, there’s a community feel to the Guest House, with travelers from different parts of the world, as well as Ugandan volunteers and staff present in the communal dining area at most times during the day.
The guest house is actually owned by the adjacent hospital, and many of the guests are medical volunteers and staff, some from Uganda and others from the US and Europe.
The team at the guest house can arrange various activities in and around the park, including a nature walk or gorilla trekking, depending on your budget.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Bwindi in 2023, it simply doesn’t get better than Bwindi Community Guest House.
Great location immediately next to the park entrance. This makes it ideal for people heading on early morning gorilla treks.
Compared to the lodges in the immediate vicinity of Buhoma Community Rest Camp, the price of $115 per night is extremely reasonable.
I found the staff to be friendly, courteous, and helpful, as is the case with most Ugandan lodges.
Cons
The accommodation at Buhoma Community Rest Camp is a no-frills option, ideal for people on a budget, and the lodgings are slightly tired.
Overview
This community-run camp is ideally located right next to the entrance of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, making it the best option on this list as far as location is concerned.
Many of its immediate competitors are five or even ten times more expensive per night, so this really is a fantastically affordable option for people who don’t want to spend hundreds (if not thousands) of bucks for a night next to the gorillas.
While the camp could perhaps do with a little refresh, there’s still a lot to like about it. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, the food is great, and there’s an incredible view from the dining hall.
Overall, this is one of the longest-standing accommodations in Bwindi and is a great option for travelers on a relatively tight budget.
Perched atop a hill, the view from the Crested Crane Hotel is unrivaled.
The rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, making for a peaceful and tranquil stay in the Ugandan countryside.
The food at the Crested Crane Hotel is delicious and one of the standout features of this accommodation!
As the name suggests, this is the perfect place to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous crested crane – Uganda’s national bird that calls the hotel grounds home.
Cons
The Crested Crane Hotel is not actually in Bwindi; it’s on the road to the national park and is approximately 15-20mins from the park entrance.
Overview
Given the exorbitant cost of much of the accommodation in Buhoma, the fact that the Crested Crane Hotel is approximately 20mins away from the main entrance to the park works in our favor as visitors!
It’s priced at a very reasonable $100 per night, which is great value given the comfort of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff.
The food served in the restaurant is simply delicious, and the views across the surrounding countryside are exquisite, even if you can’t see the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from this hilltop location.
I’ve only stayed here once for a couple of nights, but I really enjoyed my time here, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other travelers looking for a good value place to stay in close proximity to Bwindi.
Excellent value accommodation set amidst peaceful gardens.
Friendly staff who are willing to go the extra mile to accommodate visitors and inform you about the local area.
You can arrange local village walks, which provide you with an insight into life in this rural part of southwestern Uganda.
The fact that you’re not in Bwindi makes everything here cheaper, including accommodation, food, and drinks!
Cons
Like the Crested Crane Hotel, the Bwindi Cultural Centre is not actually in Bwindi. In fact, it’s in Kishenyi, which is a 45 minute drive from the park entrance.
Overview
I’ve stayed at Bwindi Cultural Centre on numerous occasions, and my longest stay was for two months. As such, I can say with confidence that it’s one of my favorite places to stay in the area, even though it’s not particularly close to Bwindi and is a good 45-minute drive from the park entrance.
But on the flip side, it’s only 30 minutes away from Queen Elizabeth National Park, so it’s a great place to stay if you want a budget-friendly option that’s practically equidistant between the two parks and doesn’t cost a fortune.
The rooms at the Bwindi Cultural Centre are relatively simple, but they have everything you need – including hot water!
You can enjoy your evening meal in the on-site restaurant that has been purpose-built before enjoying a couple of beers under the stars. The lack of light pollution offers an incredible look up into the night sky and is one of the best things about staying here.
The accommodation at Ride 4 a Woman is new and super comfortable.
Ride 4 a Woman is located at the end of the trading center in Buhoma, a 5-minute drive to the park entrance, making it ideal for gorilla tracking.
Ride 4 a Woman is a social enterprise, and there’s a great craft store (albeit a tad expensive) in which you can buy locally created products for friends and family back home.
The restaurant rustles up delicious Ugandan cuisine.
Cons
You need to contact Ride 4 a Woman directly to book, and they don’t publish their rates directly, meaning they’re likely to fluctuate considerably. The $120 listed here is based on a conversation with a friend who recently stayed there.
Overview
Ride 4 a Woman has attracted tourists, volunteers, and donors for several years now and is a popular hub of activity in Buhoma. Its strategic location means that it’s difficult to miss, which is why so many people end up at least visiting Ride 4 a Woman, even if they don’t stay there.
I visited a couple of months ago for dinner with friends and found that the recent work they’ve done has really paid dividends – this is a cool and trendy place to be and offers good value in and around Bwindi.
You can also get chatting with the Ride 4 a Woman team to find out more about their projects and how they support local people in different ways.
Recap: Budget accommodation in Bwindi
The reality is that budget accommodation in Bwindi is hard to come by. But as introduced in this article, it does exist if you do a little bit of research and look past the super expensive lodges that surround the national park entrance.
If you have any more questions about affordable accommodation in Bwindi or need help booking somewhere to stay for your upcoming gorilla trip, let me know in the comments below, and I’d be happy to help!
Planning a trip to Bwindi in the near future? Read our complete guide to gorilla trekking to preparefor the ultimate wildlife experience!
I’ve been camping in Uganda on three separate occasions. The first was on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi and was a great experience for more reasons than one (bar the mosquitos!).
On the other two occasions that I decided to sleep in the great outdoors in Uganda, I did so within the confines of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, respectively.
Sitting around a campfire with a few cold beers while looking up to the stars was pretty special on both occasions, and I loved the fact that warthogs and monkeys were in and around the campsites.
Listening to the hippos throughout the night was also pretty memorable, even though I’m grateful that they didn’t get too close!
Outside of Uganda, I packed a tent and sleeping supplies and traveled with a high school buddy across Malawi and Zambia, before making our way down to South Africa on a camping/budget trip.
So, I have a few experiences of camping trips in East Africa and beyond – some of which I enjoyed, while others weren’t so memorable.
Therefore, I want to provide you with some tips based on my experiences of camping in East Africa, to help you decide if camping in Uganda is a good idea for you.
I start with some pros and cons of camping in Uganda before breezing through my top tips based on my camping experiences to date!
Pros and cons of camping in Uganda
Pros
As it is in most parts of the world, camping in Uganda provides cheap accommodation in locations where it is otherwise expensive (particularly in and around national parks).
While there might not be a huge number of designated campsites in Uganda, lots of hotels permit you to pitch your own tent on their grounds – for a fee.
Camping in Uganda is an excellent way to spend time in the great outdoors and provides you with a unique experience of a fantastic country.
Setting up camp in the confines of a national park is a memorable experience and arguably the best way to hear the noises of the savannah throughout the night.
Cons
Mosquitos. Being outside for prolonged periods in Uganda at the wrong time of year can leave your skin crawling with mosquito bites. Not good.
The weather in Uganda is unpredictable and getting caught in a super heavy rainstorm or hailstorm isn’t ideal when you’re out camping in the wild.
Ants. Before moving to Africa, I didn’t pay ants a great deal of attention. But in Uganda, there are ants everywhere in the bush – from tiny red ants to huge black ants. You don’t need me to tell you about the issues with getting ants in your pants!
As I’ve gotten older, I prefer traveling with the bare essentials. Of course, if you’re camping in Uganda, you need a fair amount of equipment to make it happen, which can be problematic if you don’t hire a vehicle.
My tips for camping in Uganda
Preparing a fire during a camping trip with friends in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
As you can see, there are certainly pros and cons of camping in Uganda, and some people will love it, while others probably couldn’t think of anything worse. But if you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance that you’re on the fence about camping in Uganda, which is a good place to be!
To help you decide, I want to provide you with some of my tips for camping in Uganda. I’m not going to cover stuff like the best equipment to take with you or offer sleeping bag recommendations – I’m sure you can work those things out for yourself!
Rather, I want to focus on tips that are specific to camping in Uganda, so you can prepare for the Pearl of Africa should you decide to sleep out under the stars during your upcoming vacation.
Identify a campsite and book in advance
I’ve already mentioned that there aren’t a huge number of campsites in Uganda. However, lots of hotels and resorts permit guests to pitch their own tents within their gardens for a fee.
Even if this service isn’t advertised on a hotel’s website, you can reach out directly and ask the question, as you might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Doing this offers you a great opportunity to enjoy your meals at an established guesthouse or hotel while using their facilities.
When you’ve started putting your itinerary together, perform a simple Google search to find campsites in and around the destination that you’re planning to visit and go from there.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, broaden your search and reach out to other hotels in the area. Even though it may not be busy, it’s always a good idea to reserve a pitch in advance, as there might not be an alternative nearby.
Bring your own gear
You can buy outdoor gear in Uganda, but it’s expensive, particularly imported brands that you’re familiar with.
So, if you’re planning to go camping in Uganda, it’s a good idea to bring your tent, sleeping bag, and other camping essentials with you.
While this might necessitate a big pack on the airplane, the last thing you want to be doing when you land is traveling around Kampala looking for camping equipment.
Stock up on insect repellent
Camping in Uganda is a great experience, but the single biggest issue is the huge number of insects that you will encounter during your trip.
I’ve already mentioned the ants and the mosquitos, and the latter is the biggest issue. Malaria is common across Uganda, so it’s super important to consult your doctor before leaving home to ensure you’re aware of all of the preventive measures that you can take.
A really simple step that requires no medical advice is buying insect repellent. You can buy insect spray for your body as well as your clothes, protecting yourself as best as you can from the various creepy crawlies that might pay you a visit during your camping trip!
If you head out for a camping trip in one of Uganda’s national parks without insect repellent, I can guarantee you that it won’t be a pleasant experience.
Pack a mosquito net
No matter where you camp in East Africa, a mosquito net is essential. Photo credit: Jane Stroebel.
Following on from tip three, it’s a really good idea to bring a mosquito net with you if you’re camping in Uganda. Mosquitos have an uncanny knack for making it into spaces they have no right to enter, even when you think you’ve done a good job of keeping them at bay.
A mosquito net provides additional protection against these pests and can make a big difference to your comfort levels during the night.
If you can’t get hold of one at home before you depart on your camping trip to Uganda, you can buy a mosquito net in Entebbe or Kampala for around $10 – $15, and it will undoubtedly serve you well when you sleep in the great outdoors.
Check the season in advance
There are two wet seasons in Uganda, and they usually run from March to May and September to December. However, if you’re traveling to the north of Uganda, the climate differs, and the rainy season usually runs from March – October, albeit with less rainfall.
It’s important to be aware of the wet seasons in Uganda because huge downfalls are common during the rainy months, with thunder, lightning, and hail all regular occurrences.
Such conditions aren’t ideal when you’re camping at the best of times, but when you add into the mix that Uganda is prone to flash floods, it poses an even greater potential risk.
While you can potentially camp during one of the wet seasons in Uganda, it’s probably sensible to plan your trip for the drier spells during the year. If nothing else, it will make things that little bit easier for you!
Pack warm clothes – it gets cold at night!
If you’ve never been to Uganda before, you might be surprised to hear that it can get quite chilly at night, no matter where you are in the country.
While you don’t need a winter jacket (unless you’re planning a trek in the Rwenzori Mountains), it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got some warm clothes to wear when the sun goes down.
Long-sleeved clothes and long pants are also a good option, as they offer additional protection against mosquitos and other insects while you’re camping.
I’ve put together this super helpful guide explaining what to wear on an African safari, that you might find interesting when planning what to pack!
Hire a vehicle
There are several ways to travel in Uganda, and your choice is likely to be influenced by your budget. However, if you’re planning to go camping in Uganda, I highly recommend hiring a vehicle.
Most internal flights have low weight limits for your luggage, while buses and public transport options aren’t ideal for bulky backpacks (I know this from experience!).
It’s also quite difficult to travel off-the-beaten-track in Uganda to potential campsites if you don’t have your own set of wheels, so hiring a vehicle for your camping trip is sensible for lots of reasons.
The guys over at Road Trip Africa have a number of options available to suit different budgets, so you can check out their available vehicles if you want to hire a car for your upcoming camping trip in East Africa.
Consider budget accommodation as an alternative
My eighth and final tip is a little counterintuitive in many ways, but it’s important to mention. If you don’t want the hassle associated with camping, a good alternative is to seek out budget accommodation options in Uganda.
In most cities, towns, and even close to national parks, you can typically find a self-contained double room in a local guesthouse for $20 or less.
While it might not be the most comfortable night of your life, it might be a better option for some people than carrying all that equipment around the country!
So, budget travel in Uganda is possible, as there are lots of guesthouse options available at a similar price point to paying for a camping pitch.
The verdict: Is camping in Uganda a good idea?
In my humble opinion, camping in Uganda can be a good idea. It’s a great way to experience the great outdoors, and it can be a truly memorable way to spend a few nights in a national park.
Having been camping in Uganda on three occasions, I probably wouldn’t do it again, given that I now know that there are so many budget accommodation options available without having to carry all of the necessary camping gear with me.
But if you’ve got your heart set on camping in Uganda and are wondering whether it’s possible, there’s no doubt that you can have an enjoyable experience, provided that you follow my tips!
