Best campsites in Uganda
10 tips and things to know when camping in Uganda
1. Campsites are widely available in Uganda – ranging from basic campgrounds inside the national parks managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), to private campsites operated by lodge owners, often with great facilities like a restaurant and swimming pool. Moreover, the opportunities to camp are year round thanks to Uganda’s warm weather.
2. Camping fees – Staying at a UWA public campsite with pit latrine, water, firewood and ranger security costs USD 5,50 / person, per night. Pitching your tent at a more fancy, privately owned campground costs about USD 10 / person. Camping at a basic campsite outside a national park can costs as little as USD 5/ tent.
3. Wild camping in Uganda – it is uncommon and not allowed.
4. Do I need to reserve my campsite? – Contrary to such countries as Namibia and Botswana, staying at a campsite inside a natural park does not require any advance arrangements. You just arrive at the park entrance gate and mention you want an overnight permit.
5. Bush camping – also known as special campsites, is not common in Uganda. It refers to having a permit from the UWA allowing you to pitch your tent on a private spot in the a national park with no facilities and no other campers. As far as we know, this is only possible in Murchison Falls National Park. A bush camping permit including ranger costs USD 40 / person, per night.
6. Which guidebook covers campgrounds in Uganda – The Bradt Travel Guide that comes with your roadtrip rental car has detailed and updated information about campsites in Uganda.
7. Which apps to use – Download the free apps Maps.me and iOverlander before you travel to Uganda to enjoy driving on GPS. Most campsites are plotted on iOverlander.
8. Camping & hippo’s – If you want to set up your camp next to a river, look for any animal paths from the river. These are most probably hippo trails. Hippos leave the river at night along these paths to graze. Make sure not to get in between the hippos and the water: when hippos get scared they run for water.
9. Where to set up camp – Don’t set up your tent under a thorn tree, they don’t go well with airbeds….
10. Camping & rubbish disposal – To avoid attracting animals, make sure that you do not leave food lying around and never leave food in your tent. Also, do not throw your leftover food in the bush, thinking that you are doing the local animal population a favour. If there are no bins in the area where you are camping, you should pack the rubbish and take it away with you in the car.
Below is a list of 5 campsites in Uganda we particularly like, although the list is of nice places to stay is endless.
5. Bush camping at the UWA special campsite on the Nile Delta near Paraa in Murchison Falls National Park
4. Camping on top of the world viewpoint at the Crater Lakes, Fort Portal area
3. The camping facilities at Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
2. Camping with elephants and hippos at UWA Mweya Public Campsite, Queen Elizabeth National Park
1. Roaring lions in the background at Nagusokopire Campsite, Kidepo Valley National Park
