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Uganda

Uganda, a landlocked East African country known as the "Pearl of Africa," is nestled between Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Uganda offers a unique valorous blending of natural splendor eminent for the vast Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake, and the impressive snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. It's equally renowned for its rich wildlife diversity, manifested in its various national parks, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its tree-climbing lions. The country blusters a cultural mosaic with over 40 ethnic groups, each with unique traditional customs, dance and music, making it a vibrant historical and contemporary cultural hub.

Uganda is currently ranked #63 best country for solo female travellers. Check full ranking.

4.1 /5

Based on 5 experiences

3.6 /5

Based on our research

3.4 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Moderate

Uganda, despite its tumultuous history, nowadays offers a generally peaceful and secure environment for travelers. However, for solo female travelers, it is always advised to exercise a certain degree of caution. Local customs and norms with respect to women should be respected and adhered to. Harassment may be encountered, though rarely escalating to serious threats. Nighttime alone is not recommended, especially in remote areas. Public transport is often overcrowded and could be a setting for petty theft. Hiring reputable guides for sightseeing and wildlife and gorilla treks is also recommended - they're well informed about local safety and can provide secure conveyance.

Transport:Moderate

The country has both paved and unpaved roads, with major cities and towns relatively well connected. Public transportation is available and often used by locals, though it may lack the comfort and reliability to which some travelers might be accustomed. Knowledge of local languages is highly beneficial. Renting a private vehicle can improve mobility, but driving conditions can be challenging due to erratic traffic and poor road maintenance in some areas.

Things to do:Interesting

Uganda presents a great blend of culture, nature, and adventure. The country houses a variety of national parks, and it's one of the few places where you can go on a gorilla trekking expedition in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Other activities include whitewater rafting at the Nile River, hiking Mount Elgon, and wildlife spotting at Queen Elizabeth National Park. For culture enthusiasts, interactions with local tribes like the Batwa Pygmies offer a unique peek into the lives of indigenous people. Despite being relatively less frequented than its neighbors, Uganda provides diverse experiences that cater to various types of travelers.

Food:Above average

Uganda offers an exciting range of dishes that will cater to various palates. Local staple foods like Matooke (Plantain type banana), Posho (maize meal) and Ugali (millet bread) offer a unique culinary experience. Street foods like Rolex (a flat bread filled with egg and vegetables) will spoil food lovers. Uganda is also rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, but meat lovers will appreciate Luwombo (steamed meat). Small food stands provide a chance to taste authentic and fresh cooking. However, for travelers not accustomed to spicy food, some dishes might be a little strong.

Budget:Affordable

Uganda is fairly budget-friendly. Accommodation, food, and local transportation are quite affordable. Tours and activities can be a bit more expensive, particularly for popular attractions like gorilla tracking, but there are plenty of more affordable options as well. Overall, it's a good destination for budget-conscious travelers. Just be aware that extras like visas and vaccines can add to your costs.

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 5 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

3.4/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Hayley

United States

Solo travel experience

I went on a solo missions trip in Uganda. I researched and messaged a missions organization named Sonrise Ministries. They helped me arrange travel and I stayed on property and helped out in the orphanages and schools. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend solo travel to Africa as long as you can meet up with people and be in somewhat of a group. It was super safe as long as you don’t go out at night and stay in a group in larger cities. The food was the absolute best, I highly recommend asking locals what the best food stand is in the area. It was extremely affordable and budget friendly even to go on a safari !!! You can easily get around on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). I highly recommend going to Uganda the landscape and people are beautiful!

Posted: January 28, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 3/5

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Solo travel experience

I have been in Uganda for 3 months. Many times I have traveled alone, using public transportation, both during the day and at night, and I believe that it is safe. The locals advised me to be careful after dark, but many times I went out in the evening in Mbarara and Kampala and everything was fine. I have never encountered any potentially dangerous situation.

Posted: October 1, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I had the most wonderful time and checked off a few things on my bucket list. Trekking for rhinos. I also tried ziplining. I was at the Murchison falls. Cruise on the Nile. I was at the source of the Nile. I went rafting. The food in Uganda is amazing. Fresh and delicious.

Posted: April 2, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Group travel experience

Uganda is amazing! We stayed at Haven Lodge when we went on a gorilla trek. We also went on rhino and chino trekking... I highly recommend both. As for the gorilla trekking, unless you are an avid hiker, I recommend hiring a porter to help you... they're incredible!

Posted: October 14, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Group travel experience

Observing chimpanzees in Uganda with local guides is amazing! The Ngorongoro Crater is stunning. Besides, we also visited the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, where you can see a lot of elephants and giraffes. However, tsetse flies are terrible 😅

Posted: July 28, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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