Uganda Safari Cost Guide | Travel Budget 2026/2027

Uganda is a beautiful country with amazing national parks, lovely lakes, and tall mountains. But how much does a trip to Uganda cost?

The good news is that daily expenses like food and transportation are not too high. The bad news is that activities like game drives and gorilla trekking can be very expensive.

In the end, the total cost depends on how you plan to spend your trip. Do you want to hike in the highlands and explore towns and villages along the river?

Or are you visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see incredible wildlife? There are many ways to travel in Uganda.

If you are on a tight budget, we suggest bringing up to $100 per day. This should cover street food, small outings like museum visits, and simple accommodation such as dorm rooms or other low-cost options.

If you plan to spend between $100 and $200 per day, you can enjoy meals at good local restaurants, stay in mid-range hotels, and take part in some major activities like visiting national parks or chimpanzee trekking.

If you want to do additional activities like gorilla trekking or rent a private vehicle, you should budget up to $250 per day.

Food & Drink

Even though some activities, like gorilla trekking, are costly, food prices are among the lowest. Ugandans spend about $5.65 per day on food, but you can spend even less by eating at local restaurants and trying African street food.

A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs between $10 and $20. A 0.5L bottle of water costs about $0.34, and a local beer costs around $1.50 to $2.00.

Transport

On average, people spend about $2 per day on public transportation. If you want the freedom to travel on your own, renting an SUV for a day costs about $150.

For short trips within a town or city, a boda boda (motorbike taxi) or minibus taxi will only cost a few dollars for a 10- to 15-minute ride.

A longer bus ride between cities costs between $10 and $15.

Admission Fees

The biggest expenses are usually admission fees. Chimpanzee trekking costs around $250, while gorilla trekking costs about $800.

National park entrance fees range from $20 to $40, and white-water rafting down the Nile from Kampala costs about $125 for a round trip.

Game drives usually cost between $200 and $300 per day, including the vehicle, guide, and entrance fees.

If you are traveling in a group, you can share these costs.

Tipping & Costs in Uganda

Tipping is not a common practice in Uganda Safaris, but it is always appreciated because wages are much lower than in Western countries. You can tip any amount that feels comfortable to you.

Even a small tip can make a big difference.