Cost of a Uganda safari: To experience the diverse offerings of Uganda, one must delve into a wide range of travel experiences tailored to suit every traveler’s needs, ranging from low-cost vacation alternatives to luxury safari holidays as well as quality accommodations.
Uganda is a hidden African gem boasts an assortment of tourist attractions, including breathtaking landscapes, mountain gorilla and chimpanzee experiences, the African Big Five, and other wildlife experiences, to mention but a few.
Its diversity also includes one of the greatest bird populations on the continent of over 1020 recorded species. The country is also culturally and historically diverse, with about 54 ethnic groups and an inspiring heritage. With all this, Uganda is a must-visit African safari destination for every tourist seeking a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience.
So how much does a Uganda safari cost? Uganda is one of the cheapest safari destinations in Africa but can accommodate all types of guests, including mid-range and luxury travelers. The country boasts a well-developed tourism infrastructure with a chain of quality transport, accommodations, and tourism activities.
The cost of a Uganda safari can vary widely depending on several factors such as the duration of the safari, the type of accommodation (luxury, mid-range, budget), the number of people in your group, the activities included, the season you are traveling in, and the tour operator you choose to work with.
On average, a mid-range Uganda safari that includes accommodation, meals, transportation, park fees, and activities like gorilla trekking or game drives can range from \$1500 to \$3000 per person for a 3–7-day safari. Luxury safaris with high-end accommodations and exclusive experiences can cost up to $5000 or more per person. On the other hand, budget safaris with basic accommodations and fewer activities can be found for around $1000 or less per person. Here are a range of factors that will help you determine the cost of a Uganda safari;
Factors That Determine the Cost of a Uganda Safari
Duration of the Safari
This is one of the most vital factors when looking at the cost of a Uganda safari since the longer you stay on a safari, the more you will have to spend on things like accommodation, meals, and transportation among others. Shorter visits spanning 1 to 3 days result in cheaper transportation, lodging, and other main expenses. Those who prefer to embark on longer vacations will typically have to spend more.https://www.safaribookings.com/uganda-safari-costs#:~:text=Budget%20safaris%20cost%20from%20%24150,at%20around%20%24600%20per%20person.
Type of Accommodation
This is another important factor to consider when planning a Uganda safari! Uganda offers a variety of hotels, ranging from basic bush camps to upscale resorts. Budget accommodation in Uganda features hostels, guesthouses, and modest campsites, and these can cost between $10 to $150 per person per night. Mid-range accommodation offers more comfortable facilities from $200 to $300 per person per night. Luxury accommodation, on the other hand, is for travelers who seek premium lodgings with comfortable accommodations and opulent service starting from $350 to over $1000 per person per night.
Uganda boasts an assortment of accommodation facilities, all designed to meet every tourist’s needs. Therefore, the type of lodging you pick will have a significant impact on the cost of your Uganda safari. Moreover, the cost of accommodation is also determined by the location of the establishment. Accommodations situated within national parks often cost more than those outside.
Group size of the Travelers
Group size can affect the cost of a Uganda safari, with larger groups often receiving discounts per person compared to smaller, private tours. As the number of travelers grows, so does the overall cost of the safari. However, large groups have the advantage of cost-sharing and discounts per person on transportation, safari activities, and accommodation.
Safari Activities Included
Uganda offers a wide range of tourism activities including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, safari game drives, bird watching, boat cruises, and cultural experiences to mention but a few. Each activity may have separate fees and the cost of your Uganda safari will be determined by the activities you choose to partake in.
For instance, gorilla trekking is the most sought-after and most expensive costing \$700 for foreign non-residents, \$600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East African nationals. The gorilla habituation experience costs $1500. This cost includes admission fees, game ranger fees, a gorilla trekking certificate, and contributions to gorilla conservation efforts. On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking costs \$250 for foreign non-residents, \$200 for foreign residents, and UGX 150,000 for East African Nationals.
Most travelers often combine gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking with other activities like wildlife drives in parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo which cost \$20. Murchison Falls charges \$45 for park entry fees, whereas Queen, Kidepo, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Lake Mburo charge \$40. Additional parks, such as Semuliki, and Mount Rwenzori National Park, charge \$35. Additional activities such as boat trips and nature walks cost around $30.
Season of Travel
Seasonality is another factor to consider when planning your Uganda safari. The cost of a Uganda safari varies depending on the time of year and the high season (peak tourist seasons) usually comes with higher prices due to the demand for accommodation and tourist activities. Peak seasons (June to August and December to February), however, provide ideal weather conditions and great animal sightings. Meanwhile, the low season (March to April and September to November) may offer discounts but may also coincide with less ideal weather conditions.
Cost of Transportation
The mode of transportation you choose to use on your Uganda safari can also impact the cost of your Uganda safari. Several modes of transportation that are used in Uganda include 4×4 vehicles, domestic flights, and public transport.
The cost of transportation often depends on the type of car chosen and most tour operators typically provide a 4×4 safari car, which includes a safari guide and fuel expenses. Some of these include the 4×4 safari land cruiser, Toyota Prado, and van among others. Car hire in Uganda ranges from \$50 to \$250 per day depending on the type of car and distance.
However, traveling by road may be cost-efficient, but may be exhausting, driving for long hours. You can opt to travel by air with a domestic flight from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to several airstrips designated in the country’s various safari destinations. Popular aircraft that operate domestic flights in Uganda include AeroLink, Bar Aviation, Eagle Air, etc.
Additional Expenses
Additional expenses are costs that are likely to incur while on your Uganda safari like extras like meals not included in the package, alcoholic beverages, tips to drivers, guides, and accommodation staff, as well as souvenirs.
Considering these factors and planning accordingly can help you budget effectively for a Uganda safari that meets your expectations and preferences. Comparing quotes from different tour operators and booking well in advance can also help secure better rates and availability for desired activities.
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