Best Places for Camping and Glamping in Uganda: Uganda, commonly known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ is a beautiful country blessed with beautiful and stunning sceneries perfect for camping and glamping lovers. Whether you want to go camping in the wilderness and sleep out in the open or go for the more luxurious glamping, Uganda has it. The following is a review of the best campsites and glamping sites in Uganda and what makes each one special.
- Murchison Falls National Park
Overview:
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park known for the famous falls and the animals found within the park. There are many options for accommodation including camping and glamping, which let visitors be one with nature and animals.
Camping and Glamping Options:
– Red Chilli Rest Camp: Being an economical way of spending a night, this camp provides facilities for camping and has tents that can be rented. This is situated near the Nile River and thus one can enjoy the breathtaking view and also get a glimpse of the animals.
– Nile Safari Lodge: For the more upscale option, Nile Safari Lodge has glamping options which include tents with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and a beautiful view of the Nile. This lodge has all the comforts of a home away from the conveniences of a modern world.
Activities and Attractions:
– Game Drives: Watch the animals of the park such as elephants, lions, and giraffes.
– Boat Safaris: Go on a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and lots of birds.
– Hiking to the Falls: Go trekking to the top of Murchison Falls to view the falls and the strength of the water flow.
Best Time to Visit:
– Dry Season (December to February and June to September): Great for wildlife, and especially for camping.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Overview:
Gorilla trekking is the major activity performed in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site has limited options for tent camping and glamorous camping deep in the jungle shrouded in the fog.
Camping and Glamping Options:
– Bwindi Community Campground: This is a community-managed site which is just a short distance from the gate and has no amenities to speak of. For the economical-minded tourist, this is the perfect place to get a feel of the forest environment.
– Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp: This camp is for the ultimate luxury glamping experience, the camp has luxury tents with en-suite facilities, private balconies, and other amenities similar to a high-end lodge. This one is one of the most elite camps in the park, and the tourists are able to stay only in specially built houses.
Activities and Attractions:
– Gorilla Trekking: The major attraction of any visit to Bwindi, this lets you interact with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
– Nature Walks: Discover the forest’s wildlife on nature trail tours.
Best Time to Visit:
– Dry Season (June to September and December to February): Most suitable for gorilla trekking as well as camping.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
Overview:
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be characterized by among other features; savannahs, forests, wetlands, and lakes. We can camp in the park in different ways, be it normal camping or glamorous camping, the choices are endless.
Camping and Glamping Options:
– Mweya Campsite: This campsite can be found on the Mweya Peninsula and the view of the Kazinga Channel is marvelous. It is preferable for people traveling on a low budget and in search of beautiful camping sites.
– Ishasha Wilderness Camp: This camp is a luxury camp that has tented accommodations with large bedrooms, flush toilets, shower facilities, and verandas. It is in the Ishasha sector that is famous for the tree-climbing lions.
Activities and Attractions:
– Game Drives: Get closer to the animals like the elephants, the lions, the leopards among others in the park.
– Boat Cruises on Kazinga Channel: Go for a boat ride to see the hippos, the crocodiles, and many types of birds.
– Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge: A chance to watch chimpanzees in their environment.
Best Time to Visit:
– Dry Season (December to February and June to September): Perfect for game viewing and other activities that are done out in the open.
- Lake Mburo National Park
Overview:
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of the Savannah Parks famous for its remarkable views and birding Population. It is a great location for those wanting a less busy, and more private form of camping.
Camping and Glamping Options:
– Rwonyo Rest Camp: The basic camping area in the park where one can camp in the middle of the park with very little facilities.
– Mihingo Lodge: A glamping site that has luxurious tents that are set up in the park and other parts of the surrounding area. These are very comfortable tents, fully equipped and furnished to the level of a high-end lodge.
Activities and Attractions:
– Game Drives and Walks: Observe some of the wildlife that is resident in the park such as zebras, impalas, and buffaloes.
– Boat Trips on Lake Mburo: With a boat trip one can get a chance to see Hippos, Crocodiles and several species of Water birds.
– Horseback Safaris: A very interesting way of getting to see some of the park’s wildlife and scenery.
Best Time to Visit:
– Dry Season (June to August and December to February): It is, however, the best for wildlife viewing as well as camping.
- Lake Bunyonyi
Overview:
Lake Bunyonyi, this is one of the Uganda’s best-kept secrets; it is simply beautiful and offers a great camping or a glamping experience. The lake has surroundings of terraced hills which make it perfect for recreational activities as well as explorations.
Camping and Glamping Options:
– Byoona Amagara: An environment-conscious camp ground with tent camping arrangements and geodomes for luxury and comfortable tenting. It is settled on one of the islands and giving a view of the lake, and a serene environment.
– Arcadia Cottages: Superior facilities are available at Arcadia Cottages that has large rooms with windows that overlook the lake. It is not the usual camping experience since the cottages are provided but the experience is still close to nature.
Activities and Attractions:
– Boat Rides: Visit the different islands around the lake; all of which have different stories to tell and things to see.
– Hiking and Nature Walks: Visit other places near the lake and beautiful local villages.
– Bird Watching: It is also well known for birding thus making it favorable for birding enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit:
– Dry Season (June to September and December to February): Good for water-related activities and to get around the town.
Conclusion
Camping and glamping are equally popular in Uganda with each presenting a different perspective of the country’s scenery and fauna. Regardless of whether you are in the mood for a tough boot camping experience or a plush getaway in the bush, Uganda has a lot to give any traveler. This includes the famous Bwindi impenetrable forest to Lake Bunyonyi which is well known for its camping and glamping paradises. When it comes to planning your trip, Uganda is blessed with the right location and it is therefore advisable that you plan well so as to have an experience of your lifetime as you venture into the country’s wildlife.
