With so many ways that you can adventure Uganda’s countryside and its spectacular national parks, camping is undoubtedly that one exceptional African safari experience that takes you through this country’s off beaten wilderness and gets you close to nature. In other words, you have a great chance to explore more about its diverse bird species, wildlife, butterflies and distinct vegetation. Usually, backpackers search for adventure and fun places but most importantly a camping tour in Uganda gets you the best of Africa’s wilderness experience. If you have any plans to embark on this adventure then put in mind that a number of things must be put together to your trip successful.
Depending on what your travel interests are, in case you plan to do a camping tour in Uganda’s national parks or reserve then ensure that you have a right camping gear which includes for instance tents, hiking boots, supplies and clothing. When considering which clothing to pack for your camping trip, it is advisable that you get along with warm jackets for the night, trousers, long sleeved shirts or t-shirts for you to embark on tour walks as well as sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and all that is needed of you during this adventure.
As well, don’t forget to have chair, camping table, utensils, camping stove, sleeping bags, flashlights and many others. You can even hire some of the camping gear in case you do not have time to purchase all of them at once. You can get in touch with campsites or travel agents as well as car rental agencies that can be of great help. Please note that most car rental agencies offer camping gear at a small fee!
Also, it is important to know the ideal time to embark on this memorable experience. Most significantly, camping tours in Uganda are perfectly done during summer months whether you plan to do it in the national parks or forest reserves. Camping beyond these points may come with its challenges and most significantly, be mindful of the set guidelines at the campsite or park which the guide will brief you on.
What you need to know is that most Uganda camps have self-catering kitchen but of course this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get along with extra supplies for instance food, fuel, drinking water, camera batteries and others. Otherwise, the restocking centers aren’t that near especially while you are in the countryside.
The other most important area you need to put into consideration is that always be keen especially when you are doing your shopping for camping gear. Not all shops have quality tents of which you need waterproof tents, backpacks and hiking/walking boots. The backpack should also have additional provision for other items like drinking water bottles, ointment, sunscreen, sunhat and many others.
When considering where to spend a night, there are many ideal campsites in and around Uganda. They include among others Kampala campsites and hostels, International youth hostels Uganda, Entebbe campsites and hostels, Lutembe Beach Resort, Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve, Rwengo Lakeside Campsite, Rweteera Safari park and Tourist Camping center, Nile high camp, Crater Valley Kibale, red chili hide away, Ishasha Wilderness camp, Bunyonyi overland camp, Bushara Island camp, Kisoro Mubano campsite, Mgahinga community campground, Red chili gorilla camp, Lake Nabugabo campsite, Sambiya River lodge bandas, Busingiro eco tourist site, Ruboni community campsite, shoebill campsite, the Crow’s nest and many others.
Camping Tips and Advice
Always be friendly and courteous to the local people with whom you will find in the camping centers because these will help you with some tasks like making a camp fire, washing, fetching water and taking you around interesting places near the camps.
When is the best time to do Camping in Uganda?
As justified by the early statement of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who called Uganda the “Pearl of April,” Uganda indeed is a great spot of African. This is witnessed in the perfect earthly weather exhibited throughout the year. Uganda has a good weather throughout the year, and one can camp anywhere at any time while exploring Uganda.
However, there country experience two weather seasons a years which seasons double a year. The peak season which is experienced in the dry weather has stated to be the perfect time to undertake camping in Uganda. The dry season has always stated to be that perfect season for your camping in Uganda. During the dry seasons grounds are dry, and it’s less cold favoring the outdoor camping. The dry months are experienced during December, January, February, and another season in the months of June, July, and August.
However, the weather condition is not guaranteed to be consistent as stated. At any time can experience heavy down pour, especially in western Uganda. Whatever it maybe, the peak season which is experienced in the dry months stated above is the perfect time for camping in Uganda.
How Best to Do Camping in Uganda?
Currently there are two ways of camping in Uganda, these are ground camping and rooftop camping on top of the safari vehicle. With the ground camping, there are three alternatives to consider which are;
- Camping with your own tents; this requires you to access any camping ground with your won camping equipment, and tents. You only pay limited money to access the camping ground and have your roaring night done and well spent.
- Can hire tents from the campsite and make your own camping arrangements at your own pace, this is possible with several camping sites in several parks around Uganda.
- Using the already set camping shelters established by a number of campsites and lodges around almost all national parks in Uganda.
And for the rooftop tent camping you need to have your customized rooftop tent camping 4×4 safari vehicle. These in most cases are jungle jeeps that several car rental, and tour operators have customized to arrange for this lifetime moment of rooftop camping. The rooftop camping in Uganda has become one of the trending trail of experiencing Uganda where many traveler are preferring to hire a car with rooftop tent and drive themselves around.
What to carry on a Camping Drive in Uganda
When planning to do camping in Uganda, then you will have to carry almost everything needed for camping. However, this respects your traveling plans, what you wished to have with your camping program. But when hired a car with camping gears, this means the following should be included in your camping package. Camping tent (either ground or rooftop tent), mattress, sleeping bags, bed sheets, pillows, a pair of chairs, a table, lamp/torch, cooking gas cylinder, cooking cutlery, BBQ, jericane, cooler box, and an electric fridge. This means taking a self-drive drive in Uganda with camping gears, it’s a self-catered trip where you can even decide to make your own meals.
Best Camping Sites by Parks in Uganda
Uganda has a total of 10 national parks which rewards with varying adventure. These parks are savannah, tropics and mountainous according to the nature of the region. We discus some of the amazing camping sites which located in these different parks. When driving can check through which can be the favorable camping grounds.
Murchison Falls National Park
This Uganda’s biggest national park by size and the most visited in Uganda. The park is famous for various reasons and chiefly the mighty Murchison falls roars have attracted many tourists to visit the park and watch these arguably the world’s most powerful waterfalls. Among the most common adventures done at Murchison Falls National Park include; Game drives, Boat launch, hiking to the top of the falls, nature walks, community walks, night game drives, chimpanzee tracking, and also rhino tracking at Ziwa is possible when visited Murchison Falls National Park.
Camping sites at Murchison Falls National Park
- Red Chilli Campsite
- Wild Camping at the Delta
- Bwanda Tembo Safari Camp
- Shoebill Campsite
Camping sites at Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is Uganda most popular national park globally, it was named to commemorate Queen Elizabeth Visit to Uganda in 1954. The park is the adventure giant of Uganda with the longest list of adventures. This park is located in western Uganda under the arrays of the Albertine rift valley, and overlooks both the Rwenzori and the Virunga forests.
- Mweya Campsite
- Simba Safari Lodge
- Kasenyi Campsite
- Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp
- Wild Track Overland Lodge
Campsites at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One of the most common parks in Uganda, the park is common for hosting the highest mountain gorilla population in the world. The park is located in southwestern Uganda under the arrays of the Albertine Rift. Bwindi is the capital of gorilla trekking with the highest habituated gorilla families. There are variety of affordable lodging and campsites where you can enjoy your thrilling prior and after gorilla moments.
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp (Buhoma)
- Lake Mburo National Park (Buhoma)
- Ruhija Gorilla Lodge (Ruhija)
- Broadbill Forest Camp (Ruhija)
- Karunji Camp (Ruhija)
- Nsongi Camp (Ruhija)
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (Rushaga
- Wagtail Safari Camp
- Mucha Lodge
Campsites at Lake Mburo National Park
This small park is beautified not only with the natural golden savannah outlook which is decorated with acacias, but the rich biodiversity makes this small park a cozy place for tourist in Uganda. When taking your safari on a camping basis, Lake Mburo National Park is very okay with variety of camping grounds. The lodge is located in western Uganda en-route to either Queen Elizabeth National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is a outlined list of campsite when opting for a camping option at Lake Mburo.
- Leopard Rest Camp
- Rwakobo Rock Lodge
- Rwonyo Safari Camp
- Timbura Matana Safari Camp
Kidepo Valley National Park
The remotest park to reach by road, on a road trip to Murchison Falls National Park one need to spend a full day driving right from Kampala reaching Kidepo. This drive is an amazing scenic drive which can last for a minimum of 10 hours of driving with en-routes. Kidepo Valley National Park is a unique park in Uganda with a large open space which can be encountered in any other parks. Kidepo is a greatly idea for travelers on a self-drive who don’t want to be guided by fixed programs but wants to enjoy the flexibilities.
- Apoka Rest Camp
- Karatunga Karamoja campsite
- Kakine Campsite
- Nga Moru Wilderness camp