7 Epic Uganda Camping Sites + Essential Tips

With so much to explore and uncover, Uganda is a stunningly beautiful country. We spent 3 months traversing the entire country and in the process, have camped all around Uganda. We’ve camped in Uganda from the tropical shores of Lake Mutanda in the south all the way to the arid and rugged Karamoja in the north.

During our adventures, we’ve tried dozens and dozens of Uganda camping sites and kept our ears to the ground to bring you the best camping sites that Uganda has to offer.  

Looking to do some camping in Uganda yourself? Here’s all the information you need about camping in Uganda, including the top 7 camping sites in Uganda. 

Camping in Uganda: Good to Know

While camping in Uganda is somewhat common, it’s not yet as popular as in Southern Africa (notably South Africa, Namibia and Botswana), nor is it as set up for comfortable camping as it is in those countries. Overall, do not expect the same standard of facilities as in Southern Africa – but expect to pay the same price! 

This means that while there are some excellent camping sites in Uganda, it requires a bit more leg work to find the right place. 

While the camping sites in Uganda may not be as well-developed as in Southern Africa, you can camp almost anywhere in Uganda. Pretty much every lodge or guesthouse will let you set up a tent somewhere on the property. It may not be the best camping site in Uganda, but it’ll be a place to sleep for the night. 

Want to get off the beaten track in Uganda? Check out Kapchorwa – Hidden Gem of the Mount Elgon Region

How to Go Camping in Uganda

To really make the most of camping in Uganda, you’ll need to rent a car. This will allow you to access more remote locations and get more off the beaten track. 

If you’re renting a car, it really pays to get one with the whole camping set-up (tent, sleeping bags, etc.). It’ll make things a lot easier and cheaper for you in the long run. 

Pro tip: use Discover Cars to find the best deals on rentals.

You should be able to get a good 4WD with a rooftop tent for around $90 USD/day.

Overall, the camping rentals aren’t as well set up as they are in Namibia, but they’re well enough equipped for you to get out and about to enjoy camping in Uganda. 

Camping in Uganda Costs

In Uganda, camping is almost always priced per person, rather than per site. If you’re travelling solo, this is great news. If you’re in a group, well, it can add up!

The price for camping in Uganda also varies widely. We’ve paid as little as 10,000 UGX per person per night (pppn), but some Uganda camping sites can go up to over $15 USD pppn. Crazy, I know!

Uganda Camping Facilities

Generally speaking, Uganda’s camping facilities are pretty basic. Don’t expect much in the way of bells and whistles, or nicely maintained facilities.

What can you expect when camping in Uganda? You can almost always expect to find bathroom blocks and some form of running water. In the nicer spots, you’ll get access to power points to charge your electronics, a washing-up sink and if you’re lucky, even a pool!

Most of the Uganda camping sites we’ve included are privately run, but we’ve also included a few community campsites that we really loved. These are run by local members of the community, with profits going back into the community. They’re a great way to contribute positively through your travels and we encourage you to support them.

Uganda Wild Camping

While it is technically possible to wild camp in Uganda, it’s not easy to find an ideal spot as the country is so heavily populated. You’re also likely to attract unwanted attention from locals which is less a question of safety than one of privacy. 

f you do wild camp, please leave no trace. Don’t leave behind any rubbish (especially used TP). The Deuce Ultralight Trowel is a great hiking tool that allows you to Leave No Trace cleanly.

Camping in Uganda Resources

Be sure to get a copy of the Bradt Uganda guidebook. It’s extremely helpful, with great practical and contextual information. 

Download iOverlander. Seriously, we can’t recommend this app enough. iOverlander provides up-to-date information on anything overlanding/camping in Uganda and beyond and is indispensable. 

Travel insurance, as always, is essential. If something goes wrong, you want to be covered. We use and recommend SafetyWing. Trust us, we’ve used a lot of travel insurance and they really are the best.

Top Tips for Camping in Uganda

• Have a good set of earplugs. Trust us on this. Uganda is LOUD and if you want a good night’s rest, bring a good set of earplugs. 
• Always carry water with you, just in case. Some places have potable water, but many don’t, so it’s good to have some on hand just in case. After all, you never know what is around the corner. 
• Bring a Steripen. With this bad boy, you never have to worry about access to safe drinking water. It’s a game-changer. 
• Always negotiate the price! It’s Uganda, so everything is negotiable, and we personally negotiated down a lot of these prices. 

Top 7 Uganda Camping Sites

1. The Haven 

• Price: $10 USD pppn
• Facilities:
  • Communal bathrooms with solar hot water showers 
  • Water near sites (non-potable)
  • Communal washing up sinks
  • Communal electricity station 
  • Wifi – decent, at reception 
  • Pool
  • Restaurant and Bar
  • Welcome drink on arrival (a nice touch!)
• Activities:
  • Whitewater rafting 

With epic views of the mighty Nile River, excellent wildlife viewing and a relaxing pool to boot, The Haven is easily one of our favourite camping sites in Uganda! 

It’s also one of the few places in Uganda that is properly set up for overland camping AND their prices are reasonable – no wonder it’s so popular!  

Budget a few extra days at this Uganda camping site, because once you get here, you won’t want to leave. 

2. Bunyonyi Overland Resort

• Price: $12 USD pppn
• Facilities:
  • Communal bathrooms with hot water showers
  • Bar and restaurant 
  • Pretty decent wifi (at the bar and restaurant)
  • Non-potable water access 
  • Lounge chairs and lake access 
• Activities:
  • Swimming 
  • Canoeing 
  • Boat trips 

Bunyonyi Overland Resort is undoubtedly a good option for those looking at camping in Uganda. Set right on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this popular spot is ideal for those looking for a resort experience while avoiding having to pay for an expensive room. 

The lakeside sundeck is very relaxing and the views from the restaurant are excellent. With decent wifi, it’s also a good option for digital nomads. 

While it’s a more expensive option for camping in Uganda, it’s a nice place to hang out for a few days. If you stay for more than 3 days, we have heard it’s possible to negotiate a lower price. 

Pro tip: grab a camping spot in front of one of the safari tents. From here, you get great lake views and get to utilise the power station at the safari tent. 

3. Rwenzori Turaco View Community Camp 

• Price: $5 USD pppn 
• Facilities:
  • Communal bathrooms with a warm(ish) shower
  • Basic bar and restaurant 
  • Non-potable water access 
• Activities:
  • Guided nature walks
  • Hot springs
  • Community tours
  • Access to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park 
  • Self-guided walks throughout the valley

Set in the foothills of the stunning Rwenzori mountains, Rwenzori Turaco View Community Camp offers a level of peace and tranquillity that is often hard to find in lively Uganda. (Translation: Uganda is the loudest country we’ve ever visited and this is the only quiet place we could find).

This community campsite in Uganda is a wonderful example of community-based tourism (CBT) in action. Under CBT, all the profits go back into community initiatives such as a youth centre, women’s programs and environmental conservation. 

The camp also arranges several interesting activities such as hiking in the Rwenzori’s, local walks, community tours and visits to the nearby hot springs – highly recommended! The beautiful valley also makes for a fun place to explore. 

Side note: the Rwenzori Mountains are truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth, so if you can afford the splurge, we highly, highly recommend a trek. Check out a great option here.

Related: The Essential Guide to Trekking the Rwenzori Mountains

4. Karamoja Arts Eco Lodge 

• Price: 10,000 UGX pppn
• Facilities:
  • Non-potable water access 
  • Communal bathrooms, with cold water showers
  • Basic restaurant 
  • Communal lounge area
• Activities: 
  • Cultural tours and community visits

Set in the heart of the wild and arid Karamoja, Karamoja Arts Eco Lodge truly is an oasis in the desert. This popular campsite in Uganda is properly set up for overlanders which is a welcome sight after the adventure you’re bound to experience reaching here. 

Not only are their prices very cheap but all of the proceeds from the camp fund their community initiatives, including a school and women’s programs, making it another excellent example of CBT. 

Karamoja Arts also offers excellent cultural tours. This is an experience not to be missed in this part of the world! 

5. Lake Mutanda Community Camp 

• Price: $10 USD pppn
• Facilities:
  • Communal bathrooms with warm(ish) showers
  • Non-potable water access 
  • Basic bar and restaurant 
• Activities: 
  • Community tours 
  • Birding tours 
  • Lake cruises 

While not entirely set up for camping in Uganda, Lake Mutanda Community Camp’s lakefront views, combined with a backdrop of gnarly volcanoes make for a pretty cool place to pitch up for a couple of nights.

As an added bonus, you can swim in the refreshing lake and may even spot a family of otters from the deck! 

The camp also arranges several (overpriced) interesting tours including visits to local Batwa Pygmy villages and trips to nearby Mgahinga National Park. The manager is slightly pushy with these tours, so if you’re not interested, be prepared to politely deline a few times.

6. Masindi Hotel

• Price: $7 USD pppn
• Facilities:
  • Bathroom blocks with hot-water showers (and we mean HOT)
  • Wifi (at the bar and restaurant)
  • Bar and restaurant 
  • Welcome drink on arrival
• Activities:
  • Visits to nearby Murchison Falls National Park 
  • Ad-hoc chimp trekking at a reduced rate

The historical Masindi Hotel just celebrated its 100 year birthday in 2023 and this sense of history and charm can be felt through its colonial architecture.

As Uganda’s oldest hotel, the Masindi has hosted the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Audrey Hepburn. It’s not often that this sort of place offers camping options, so camping here is a novel experience.

Beyond its novel appeal, the Masindi Hotel is actually a really nice place to camp in Uganda. With lots of grassy, flat pitches, piping hot showers and relatively quiet space, it’s an excellent camping site in Uganda. 

7. Lake Nkuruba Community Campsite

• Price: 30,000 UGX pppn
• Facilities:
  • Wifi 
  • Bar and restaurant 
  • Non-potable water access 
  • Bathroom blocks with hot-water showers (woodfire aka donkey)
• Activities:
  • Swimming
  • Guided Walks 

Lake Nkuruba Community Campsite also ranks highly on our list of top Uganda camping sites. The campsite is well set up on the tranquil banks of Lake Nkuruba, one of Uganda’s many crater lakes in the Fort Portal region. Its beautiful serene environment caters well to campers with several covered areas that include picnic tables and power outlets. 

The surrounding forest is filled with several kinds of monkeys that are quite entertaining to watch, however, the vervet monkeys are very naughty and will steal your food if you’re not careful. Watch out!

There is also a restaurant that serves good food at a decent price, just make sure you order well in advance as they move painfully slowly.

The wifi is also pretty decent which makes this Uganda camping site a good stopover for digital nomads looking to get a bit of work done. And the fact that you can swim in the lake is simply the cherry on top! 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book anything through them, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us run this website and create comprehensive guides to help you get off the beaten track. We only recommend products and/or services that we use ourselves and trust.