10 activities to do on a budget in Uganda : There are different activities to do on budget in Uganda and they include the following;
- Kampala city tours
Kampala city tours are part of the safari experience which can be done during tours in Uganda and involves visiting different places in the city.
Some of the places to visit during Kampala city tours include Gadhafi mosque, Kabaka’s palace, Uganda museum, Bahai temple, Kasubi tombs, cathedrals such as the Namirembe cathedral, Rubaga cathedral, Independence monument, local art galleries, Bahai temple, Ndere cultural center, Uganda martyrs shrine, Nakasero market, Owino market, Old taxi park among others.
During the Kampala city tours, tourists can engage in activities like walking tours across different sites in the city, cycling, site seeing, enjoying night life, trying out local food among others in the company of a local guide.
Tourists get to explore Kampala city and experience the urban way of life of the people in Uganda.
- Bird watching
Bird watching is another activity which can be done on budget during safaris in Uganda which is home to various bird species.
There are different spots where bird watching can be done during safaris in Uganda and they include Mabamba swamps, Entebbe botanical gardens, Budongo forest as well as wildlife parks such as Murchison falls national park, Bwindi national park, Kibale forest national park, Semuliki national park among others.
Tourists are accompanied by bird guides as they engage in the birding tours which can be done for a half day or full day. Some of the bird species in Uganda include Shoebill Stork, Grey crowned cranes, Ross’s Turaco, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-headed Heron, Yellow Billed Barbet among others.
The best time to engage in the bird watching experiences is during the rainy seasons around November to April when migratory bird species can be seen across destinations in Uganda.
- Hiking
Hiking is another activity which can be done during safaris in Uganda and there are different destinations where the activity is done.
Some of the hiking destinations in Uganda include Mount Rwenzori which is the highest mountain in Uganda at an altitude of 5109 meters, Mount Moroto, Mount Elgon, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Sipi falls as well as in the national parks like Bwindi national park, Queen Elizabeth national park among others.
Tourists follow different trails during the hiking tours around Uganda and the duration of the hikes varies and can include half day excursions as well as full day excursions.
- Cycling
Cycling is another activity to do during safaris in Uganda and it can be done across various destinations in the country.
Tourists can explore different destinations during the cycling safaris in Uganda and the bicycles used during these tours can be rented at an affordable price and tourists can also use their own bicycles during the activity.
Some of the destinations in Uganda where cycling is done include around Lake Mburo national park, around local villages, around the scenic hills, around River Nile, around Mount Elgon among others. Tourists can also interact with the locals as they explore different destinations by bicycle.
- Community tours
Community tours can also be done during budget tours in Uganda and involves interactions with different locals and getting to know more about their culture and way of life.
Tourists can enjoy traditional dances; learn how to prepare local food, listen to local stories, seeing local arts and crafts, visiting the homesteads among others. Community tours are affordable and can be done during budget safaris in Uganda.
Some of the tribes tourists interact with during community tours include the Karamojong, the Ik tribe, Batwa community among others.
- Game drives
Game droves are also part of the safari activities to enjoy when visiting Uganda and they can be done in the day time and also at night.
There are different destinations where game drives can be done and they include national parks like Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park among others.
Wildlife species which can be seen during game drives in Uganda include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, hartebeests, zebras, giraffes, elands, dik dik, hyenas, among others. This activity is part of the popular activities done during safaris in the country.
- Nature walks
Nature walks can also be done during wildlife safaris in Uganda and they can be done in the morning and in the afternoon.
During nature walks in Uganda, tourists can enjoy seeing various wildlife species on foot and explore the savannah plains with ranger guides as they get close to nature. They involve exploring the tracks which are not followed during wildlife viewing experiences.
- Boat safaris
Boat safaris in Uganda can be done in the morning and in the afternoon and can be done across different destinations in the country.
Tourists can enjoy boat safaris on Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga channel, Lake Mutanda, Murchison falls boat safaris to the bottom of Murchison falls, Lake Mburo among others. Wildlife species like hippos, elephants, buffalos and Nile crocodiles can be seen during boat rides in the national parks in Uganda.
- Touring Jinja
Visiting Jinja is another experience that tourists can enjoy for a chance to engage in various adventure activities.
Some of the activities which can be done when visiting Jinja include boat rides on the source of the Nile, white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, horse riding, quad biking, cycling, cultural tours among others. Zip lining can be done in Mabira forest on the way to Jinja.
- Coffee tours
Another activity which can be done when visiting Uganda on a budget is coffee tours which can be done in destinations such as Sipi falls in eastern part of the country.
During the coffee tours, tourists get to learn how the coffee is planted, harvested, packaged and prepared the local way with the guidance of a local guide. The activity can be combined with hiking to the 3 Sipi waterfalls during tours in Uganda.
