Uganda on a Shoestring

Hi thread,

I'm trying to plan a relatively cheap in Uganda. I'm here now and am eating locally and staying as cheaply as possible in Kampala but it seems like the things to do are generally SUPER expensive. I am going to splurge on a gorilla trek but that is really one of the only splurges I can handle... My plan thus far is

Few Days in/around Kampala
Ngamba Island to see the chimps (is this the cheapest option for seeing chimps?)
Over to Lake Biruyoni
Queen Elizabeth National Park - maybe doing a canoe safari and seeing the sleeping lions
down to Kbale and Kisoro, hiking around in addition to staying there for Bwindi

I'm wondering if anyone has other suggestions or small hikes or day-trips that are nice, give exposure to Uganda without breaking the bank.

THanks!

I love Uganda so I hope you are able to stay there as long as possible. While you are in Kampala, you could visit the Bahai Temple - it's perched on a hill and will give you a view of Kampala. It's very peaceful. If you like whitewater rafting, you could do a day trip and raft the Nile at Jinja. The rapids are spread apart so there's some calm paddling in between. Also - check out the Red Chili Murchison Falls trip too. Lastly....if you are interested in animals, I highly recommend the Entebbe Wildlife and Education center. You will have the opportunity to see a variety of primates, rhino and even a shoebill! Enjoy and have a Nile Special for us!

Take a bus to Fort Portal. Uganda's Safari capital. short trek up the rwenzoris or Bunyarugura Craters

It is expensive to see chimps at Ngamba Island. You can track them for less at Kibale NP, QEP or Busingiro, up near Murchison.

There is plenty to do in Uganda without spending a fortune.
At Sipi Falls you can do several different day hikes and the waterfalls are lovely.
You can stay in the forest at Mabira, just an hour by bus from Kampala.
If you see the chimps at Kibable, visit Bigodi and go on the community run swamp walk, you have a good chance of seeing 5 or 6 different types of primate and it's very cheap.
Go to Lake Bunyoni and enjoy canoeing on the lake, if you hire a canoe direct from the owner, rather than through a hotel it won't cost much at all.
For some local colour, go to Mubende and visit the very strange Nakayima Tree at the top of Mubende Hill.
See the source of the Nile at Jinja, but don't pay the 10000 Ush to visit the 'official' source, have a soda at the nearby Garden Hotel and enjoy the same view for free, or just follow the riverside path.