Mid-Range Travel Guide: Uganda

Accommodation

$40-120 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, comfortable guesthouses, safari lodges with standard amenities, boutique accommodations

Food & Dining

$15-40 per day

Mix of local restaurants, hotel dining, tourist-oriented eateries, occasional fine dining experiences

Transportation

$20-60 per day

Combination of private taxis, hired cars with drivers, domestic flights for longer distances, organized transfers

Activities

$30-100 per day

Guided wildlife safaris, cultural tours, national park entries, boat trips, organized excursions with local guides

Eat at local markets and roadside stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use shared matatus and public buses instead of private taxis (usually 70-85% savings on transport)

Book accommodations directly with properties rather than through international booking sites (often 10-20% cheaper)

Travel during shoulder seasons to avoid peak pricing (generally 25-40% savings on lodging)

Join group tours instead of private experiences (typically 50-70% cost reduction)

Buy bottled water in bulk from local shops rather than hotels (usually 200-300% markup at hotels)

Negotiate prices for activities and transport, especially for multi-day bookings (potential 15-25% savings)

Only eating at hotel restaurants and tourist areas (typically 150-300% more expensive than local options)

Not budgeting adequately for gorilla trekking permits and park fees (can be $600+ per person for premium experiences)

Relying solely on private taxis for all transportation (generally 3-5x more expensive than shared transport)

Booking last-minute accommodations during peak season (usually 40-80% higher than advance bookings)

Not factoring in mandatory tips and service charges at safari lodges (typically adds 10-15% to total costs)