When it comes to Uganda safaris, it is very important to save enough money for a memorable travel experience. There is nothing as adventurous as undertaking a Uganda wildlife safari where you will be surrounded by nothing but nature. Imagine how much money you can save if you use your own car and use a friend to drive you around the destinations. There are several ways to save money for your unforgettable Uganda safaris in less expensive ways yet still encounter the wildlife species in their natural home. You can therefore save more money for your safari through;
Traveling as a group
The more the number of people you are travelling with, the less the cost of the safari you will pay because some costs such as transport, driver, fuel and accommodation can be shared. For instance, if you are hiring a vehicle at $300 and yet you are about 8 people, you might end up paying only $38 per person instead of taking the whole burden alone if you were travelling alone. However, costs for food, entrance fees do not change, hence traveling a group is one way of saving more money for your safari.
Booking for the safari in advance
Activities like Mountain gorilla trekking have to be booked for in advance to avoid disappointment. If planning to travel in the high season (June to September and December to February), there are more tourists hence less space for accommodation facilities hence it is important to book in advance to avoid being left out.
Booking for budget or midrange accommodation facilities
You would be saving more money by booking for budget or midrange Hotels and safari lodges. Budget facilities have rates ranging from $10 to $100 whereas the latter have rates ranging from $100 to $150 and these rates most times include bed and breakfast. Not only that, they employ local chefs, waiters/waitresses and managers thus offering guests with authentic experiences.
Staying outside the National Parks
Besides opting for budget or moderate facilities, you are advised to stay outside the National Parks rather than inside to save more money. This is mainly because most Hotels and Lodges outside the parks are cheaper than those inside the Parks.
Travel during the low season
Undertaking safaris during low seasons mean enjoying discounted rates for most activities as well as room rates in some Lodges. For instance, gorilla permits during low seasons (April, May and November) cost $450 instead of $600 for foreign non residents, $400 rather than $500 for foreign residents and Shs 150,000 instead of Shs 250,000 for East African Community residents while Chimpanzee tracking permits cost $100 instead of $150 for foreign non residents, $75 instead of $100 for foreign residents and Shs 75,000 instead of Shs 100,000 for East African Community citizens hence allowing tourists to save more money for other expenses.
Opt for Camping
Majority of the National Parks in Uganda offer opportunities for camping at reduced rates than normal Hotel of Lodge rates. It is even cheaper when you carry your own tent because you will only pay the fee for the Campsite which normally ranges from $5 to $10. Besides being cheaper, camping is more adventurous because you get the chance to come closer with nature hence enjoy a more authentic experience.
Becoming a Ugandan Citizen or Resident
You will discover that being a resident of the East African community or even just a foreign resident means paying a relatively cheaper cost for most tourist activities in the National Parks. Being a resident can be through volunteering or having some short contract jobs (which will require you to have a working permit as a proof of residence).
Use a local and accredited Tour operator
There are many (both local and foreign) tour operators who advertise safaris in Uganda but booking through a local operator makes the safari cheaper than when it is with the ones outside the country (for instance Kenya, Tanzania, Asia, Australia, United Kingdom and the United States of America) hence allowing you to save more money for other expenses of the safari.
Choose wisely for the activities
There are tourist activities that are cheaper yet allow tourists to explore several attractions in Uganda’s National Parks. For instance, game drives cost only $20 per person or guided nature walks cost only $30 per person yet you get the chance to encounter the Big five animals, Antelopes, Rothschild giraffes, Zebras and Warthogs among others.
In conclusion, having less money doesn’t mean you should not participate in a Uganda safari. You can actually save more money for a tour through travelling as a group, booking for safaris during the low season, becoming a Ugandan citizen or resident and booking for budget or midrange accommodation facilities among others.
