Hostels in Uganda Hostels in Uganda

You are looking for hostels in Uganda? Good news, you have come to the right place.

On this page we list every single city with hostels and other budget accommodations. Hostelz.com helps you to find your Uganda hostel and compare its prices on the major booking sites such as Hostelworld, Hostelsclub and Booking.com. So you can sleep on a budget and save money while backpacking Uganda.

All Cities in Uganda

We list every single hostel in Uganda and the world. In total, we have 13 cities in Uganda for you. Please note that not all cities actually have a hostel to stay in. Below you can filter for cities with hostels and with no hostels-type accommodation, but guesthouses and budget hotels. This will help your planning.

All Uganda hostels on a map

Alright, you are more the visual type? Planning your trip with a map is always handy.

Therefore, this map shows you all cities with hostels in Uganda. It will help you to plan your trip. Just zoom in the map and click your destination for more details. Just so you know: If we do not have a hostel in a city, it is likely that there is no hostel in that city.

Our handwritten guide on Backpacking Uganda

Uganda is a country in eastern Africa. It borders Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. It is within both the African Great Lakes region and the Nile River basin and has both the tallest mountain range, the source of the longest river, and the largest lake in Africa. Uganda is known for its incredible wildlife viewing, such as seeing the silverback gorillas in their native habitat or watching the Big Five (rhinos, African lions, African elephant, Cape buffalo, and African leopard.) The capital of Uganda is Kampala, on the edges of Lake Victoria in the south of the country.

The international airport in Uganda is Entebbe International Airport, near Entebbe - about 46km from Kampala. There is a short list of countries whose citizens don’t need a visa; check before travelling to see if your country is on that list. Once at the airport, your hotel or tour guide will likely have arranged pick up. If not, catch a local bus or taxi. Be sure to agree on a price before you get in.

The first Ugandans were likely hunter-gatherers until around 2,000 years ago. The Bantu-speaking people migrated to the south of the country. Arab traders arrived in the early 1800s followed by the British in the 1860s, and then finally the missionaries. Uganda became a British protectorate from 1894 until 1962, when it finally achieved independence. General Idi Amin took control in the 1970s and since then, much of the political power has been achieved through coups. The government is considered one of the most corrupt in the world. Tourism in Uganda is on the rise, but you should check travel advisories before going. Both the US and UK governments warn against going to the north of the country.

The currency in Uganda is the Ugandan shilling. The main economy is production and agriculture; Uganda exports billions of dollars worth of coffee, tea, sugar, maize, and cocoa beans (among others) as well as oil re-exports, hides and skin, and base metals. Despite the strong GDP, Uganda remains one of the poorest nations in the world.

Budget accommodation in Uganda is found in much of the country, but you won’t find many of the traditional backpacker hostels of Europe and New Zealand. Instead of a hostel, consider a safari camp, eco lodge, or guesthouse. You may find shared rooms at these, but a private room is generally not much more expensive.

Uganda is rich in wildlife, so once you have your accommodation sorted, consider a safari to watch African lions or elephants, or jungle trek to see the mountain gorillas. If you plan for the overnight trip, you can literally hang out with them. Kibale National Park in Kasese or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are both highly regarded as some of the best places in the world to see these enormous creatures. Keep in mind that you do need a permit to visit; all national parks have entrance fees as well.

Uganda is a mix of Indian, Arab, and indigenous cultures. In Kampala, view the Kasubi tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - where the Bugandan royal family buried their kings. It was destroyed by fire in 2010 but as of writing, should be fully restored. There are more tombs nearby if you wish to visit; you can arrange for a guide at the Kasubi tomb. In the centre of Kampala, be sure to visit the Gaddafi Mosque, or the Uganda National Mosque. Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi commissioned it as a gift to Uganda’s Muslim population in 2006.

With over 60 national parks, beautiful scenery, and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world, Uganda is a destination for everyone.

expert for Uganda hostels

Handwritten by local expert for Uganda hostels Jakob Lombardi

Travel Tips for Uganda - from the Community

Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Uganda. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Uganda. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!

FAQ on Hostels in Uganda

There is a lot of travel planning to do. So let us help you once again by putting together the frequently asked questions:

Finding Hostels and Prices

What hostel booking sites are best to use?

There is several hostel booking sites, such as Hostelworld.com, Hostelsclub.com and Booking.com. While every platform has its pros and cons, there is a universal truth you as a traveler should be aware of: Not a single booking site can always offer the best prices.

This is where Hostelz.com comes in. You can compare all major booking portals with one click.

For you as a traveler, Hostelz.com is the best booking site to actually save money.

How much are hostels in Uganda?

Prices always vary, depending on various factors. Weekends tend to be more expensive, same goes for special holidays. Please also take into account local vaction time.

You can search for exacty hostel prices in Uganda here on Hostelz.com. Pick your destination and pick a date. The system will track down the prices to give an idea of what budget and prices you can expect.

When to book hostels?

If you want to stay at the best hostels, it is a good idea to have your hostel booked around 1 month before you travel. For the regular hostels, booking one week before should be okay. Yet again, this always depends.

We dedicated a full article to the topic of when to book hostels.

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Safety and Packing

Are hostels in Uganda safe?

Generally speaking, hostels are as safe as you make them. We highly recommend always to bring your own padlock, using the lockers and taking care of your belongings. Make sure you pick a safe hostel, offering lockers and a safe location. Please always pay attention to the reviews; they can give you a great insight on what to expect and safety tips.

What to pack when staying in hostels?

There is a few basics you should always pack when staying in hostels.

  1. Padlock
  2. Earplugs
  3. Sleeping Mask
  4. Quick Dry Travel Towel
  5. Head Lamp

There is more actually. We wrote a complete guide with more details. Read our full hostel packing list.

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