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Let’s explore Uganda, home of Knuckles!

Part of a larger journey: this focused Uganda guide is adapted from the Uganda section of my complete East Africa itinerary. Stay here for the Uganda detail, or open the complete trip to see how I connected Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda over one month.

Before diving into my itinerary, a few considerations:

• English is the Lingua Franca in the region, but in Rwanda many people speak french instead
• Backpacking is not a big thing in East Africa
• It might be dangerous at times, I don’t recommend going alone
• It’s by no mean a cheap destination
• Info is hard to get online, I’ll try to bring as much useful intel I can
• Prices date from 2023, might have hiked up in the meantime

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Note: This article detailing logistic can be a nice read as well

Tips on how to travel Africa

I got this one too, for Cheap safaris!

Tips for Cheap Safaris

Itinerary done quick

🇺🇬 UGANDA

That’s it! Do click on the links (destination name) to learn more!

Uganda

Day 1 Road to Kampala

Arrive in Kampala when you can, visit the Gaddafi Mosque near the bus station or go to your hotel and visit whatever you want. It depends on your energy.

Kampala is crazy busy. Taking motorbike rides is especially crazy, no wonder there are a lot of road accidents and death. They call them boda-bodas here. But sometimes, I still say Tuk-Tuk.

Day 2 Kampala

Two options: Go to Jinja for rafting. Or, like me, visit the city a bit more in depth. I went to the Kasubi tombs, I checked viewpoints, ate some rolled eggs, saw the Hindu temple, rode Boda bodas at my life’s peril…

The city is chaotic but friendly, but walking is suicidal.

If you have three extra days rather than only one, this Murchison Falls safari from Kampala is a practical add-on (affiliate link). I did not take that specific tour, and it does not fit inside this nine-day route without extending it.

Day 3 Road to Fort Portal

Early departure west (7–8 h).
Fort Portal is green, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
There isn’t much to see, so I ate and went further in the mountains, through a road in construction to get to my hostel.

Day 4 Rwenzori Mountains

Trek or hike shorter routes near the base.
If you’re not climbing fully, there are beautiful day trails around Ruboni Village. Otherwise, try to get to a good altitude to see the unique plants.

For the full mountain rather than my short visit, this seven-day Rwenzori trek to Margherita Peak is a long GetYourGuide option (affiliate link). I did not use that operator.

Day 5 Rwenzori Mountains

Second day of hiking. You can sleep in one of the lodge then go higher to see the plants and stuff! Honestly, it’s one of the prettiest part of East Africa.

Rwenzoris means moon mountains. What a lovely name!

Day 6 Road to Kabale

Rough day on bad roads.
It was like 12 hours, I got stuck at the back of a 12 seaters with 20 people. A big black guy, sitting on my lap, a girl vomiting just in front of me, the only openable window open right next to me, with stops lasting hours and autists trying to touch me or grab me.

It was genuinely awful. But at the time I went there, there were no other ways direct from the Rwenzoris.

A better/nicer option might be to go back to Kampala…

Days 7–8 Lake Bunyonyi

Arrive by noon and take a small boat across Lake Bunyonyi.
Quiet, scenic, dotted with small islands.
A perfect spot to rest and read!

On the second day, kayak, read, and recharge before entering Rwanda. I really needed this rest, and so did many travelers.

Day 9 Return

You can go further or home. Your choice :) Hope you enjoyed!