The Best Hostels, Guesthouses & Campsites in Uganda

Looking for the best hostels, guesthouses and camps in Uganda? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Here are my favourites to help you plan your backpacking or overlanding trip through Uganda.

I’ll keep adding to this list as I discover more places, so don’t forget to bookmark this post!

Table of Contents

The Best Hostels, Guesthouses & Campsites in Uganda

Entebbe

ViaVia Entebbe: I loved my stay at ViaVia Entebbe. They have several rooms, glamping tents and a dorm set in tranquil gardens. They have space for camping and a nice restaurant.
Elementis Entebbe: Relaxing guesthouse, with twin rooms and a dorm. They have a communal lounge, gardens and complimentary hot beverages. Set right on Lake Victoria. Camping space available.
Sunbird Backpackers: Basic hostel, but friendly. Walking distance to the botanical gardens, restaurants by the lake, a mall and craft market. Camping space available.
BlueMonkey Guesthouse: Lovely and cosy guesthouse, with double rooms, especially good if you’re looking for a nice, calm place to rest your head when passing through Entebbe.

Jinja/Bujagali

Nile River Explorers: This is one of my favourite camps in Africa, well located on the banks of the Nile at Bujagali. They have a busy and popular bar, with great views and cold beer, so you’ll always find a friend or two here. They have a good mix of accommodation available including rooms, dorms, static tents and camping space. 20 minutes outside of Jinja town.
Nile River Camp: A short walk from NRE, also overlooking the water, this is another great choice with a nice bar and pool area. Camping and accommodated options are available.
Jinja Base Camp: This is a good choice if you’re staying in town. They have a mix of private rooms and dorms, with a sociable lounge area.
The Haven Eco River Lodge: This tranquil lodge and campsite sit on the other side of the river from NRE and NRC. And a bit further upriver, halfway to the old Hairy Lemon site. They have various bungalows, tents to hire, plus you can pitch your own tent. They have a great restaurant and bar area.

Kampala

The Five Horse Men: Friendly and popular hostel, great for meeting new friends. The roof top terrace bar has amazing panoramic views of the city, perfect for sundowners and they often have live music. Twin, double, single & dorm rooms available.
Red Chili Hideaway: Outside of the city, but popular with the overland crowd. They have a mix of rooms, dorms and camping.
The Fat Cat Backpackers: Located in the upmarket Kololo area of the city and in the heart of the action, Fat Cat sits on the edge of Kisementi Square, home of a massive cinema, bars, restaurants, shops, and the Acacia Mall.
Bushpig Backpackers: A mix of twin, doubles and dorm rooms. They have a sociable bar area and hold quiz nights as well as other events.
Malcolm X Backpackers: Centrally located, this is a newish hostel, close to the Lugogo Mall. They have some double rooms as well as a dorm. They also offer Ugandan cooking lessons which look great.

Murchison Falls National Park

Red Chilli Rest Camp: If you fancy a safari in Murchison Falls, Red Chilli Rest Camp is a good place to go, especially if you are travelling solo. They have a mix of static tents, bandas and space for camping, as well as a great bar and restaurant. But, they have no Wi-Fi, so you have to talk to other people! They also organise tours from Kampala if you don’t want to go it alone.
Budongo Eco Lodge: This is a great alternative location to go chimpanzee trekking if you don’t go to more well-known Kibale. They have private rooms and dorms. The guy who served our meals might just be my favourite person. I hope he’s still there.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: If you’re looking to get up close with some beautiful white rhinos, this is the place to do it. It’s a bit of a no-frills type of place. They have a bar and restaurant, but the rhinos are the main attraction.
Boomu Women’s Group: For a local experience, consider staying with the Boomu Women’s Group, located on the main road, just outside the Kichumbanyobo Gate. They have a variety of bandas, singles, doubles, twins and one larger space for accommodating groups. Some bandas have lighting from solar power. There is also a campground and campfire. They have open air showers, composting toilets and hot water can be supplied in a jerry can on request. You can visit the local communities and they provide traditional Ugandan or Western-style meals.
Twiga Safari Lodge: A mid-range lodge with 8 exclusive cottages situated on the bank of the river Nile in Mubaako Paraa opposite the Murchison falls National Park. The lodge is in the heart of the park and a 5-minute drive from the Paraa ferry crossing. They have a restaurant serving continental meals and have a well-stocked bar with a wide range of beverages.
Fort Murchison: This lodge consists of 12 en suite rooms and non-self-contained tents with 2 single beds. The tents share a communal bathroom. They have a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a sundowners whilst taking in the views of the Albert Nile. Dinner is a 4-course affair served in the restaurant. They also have a nice pool so you can cool down after a day on safari.

Kibale National Park/Fort Portal

Kaitusi Backpackers Hostel & Campsite: Choice of dorms, twin and double rooms, with space for camping also. They have a small restaurant.
Maasai Backpackers: Basic, but clean hostel in Fort Portal. They have Wi-Fi and a shuttle service to and from town. You can also hire a bike if you’d like to explore the area that way. They have twin, triple and double rooms.
Yes Hostel: Centrally located in town, this is quite a basic hostel, but the rooms are cheap, the staff are friendly and they have volleyball, badminton and table tennis, which is always conducive to making a new friend. The hostel also funds a social project so you’ll be doing good just by staying there. E.S. (Youth Encouragement Services) Uganda is a community based, non-governmental organization that provides support and education to orphaned and vulnerable children in the Fort Portal area. Only a few minute’s drive from the centre of town. Camping spot available, as well as dorms and shared rooms.
Kibale Forest Camp: This is a lovely camp, part of the Nature Lodges collection. It’s not cheap, but not mega expensive either, especially if there are a group of you to share the costs. Great place to base yourself if you’re going chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. It’s an hour south of Fort Portal on the other side of the forest, so if you’re getting public transport from the south, be sure to get off on the main road close to the turn off. You can get the lodge to pick you up from the main road or get a taxi/motorbike (boda boda).

Queen Elizabeth National Park/Kasese

Kasenyi Lake Retreat & Campsite: This is quite a basic and quiet place with views over Lake George. A good place to stay if you like a view of hippos with your morning coffee. They have rooms as well as camping facilities.
Marafiki Lodge: Marafiki is a great place to stay if travelling alone, as they have a lovely bar and restaurant, a pool, a communal fire pit and the manager Matt is always keen to have a beer with the guests, so you’ll always have a pal to talk to. They offer private rooms and some dorm-type rooms with outdoor showers. Great views over Lake George. Highly recommended.
Wild Tracks Overland Camp: Located in the far north of the park, this is a favourite spot on the overland trail. They have dorms, family rooms, static tents and space for camping. Their restaurant serves a mix of food and they can also provide bbq facilities. They consistently get good reviews.
Mbunga Community Tourism Campsite: One of the cheaper places to stay. You can pitch your own tent or stay in one of their simple huts (bandas). It is outside the park though, near to Kasese in the north, but you could arrange safaris from here. Good for a more ‘local’ experience. View over the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjojo Lodge: This is a great lodge in the Ishasha section of QENP, with a great communal area. They have thatched cottages, a safari house (sleeps 7), safari tents and bamboo huts. We stayed in the safari tents and they were very comfortable. They have a campsite set away from the main lodge, with two simple kitchen areas, fire pit and seating. Water and firewood are provided.
Little Elephant Camp: A fantastic glamping camp for couples, families and small groups. All of their glamping camps are private and have a kitchen, dining/mess tent, bbq and campfire. They have a sleeping tent and extra tents can be added. The main sleeper tent has an en suite hot water outdoor stargazer shower, sink and a flushing toilet.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Ruhija Community Rest Camp: This is a really nice place, basic but comfortable and close to the Ruhija gorilla trekking start point (only a 10-minute walk so no need for transport). Views overlooking the forest and you will often see monkeys right outside your cabin. Friendly staff, hot showers (very important after gorilla trekking) and good food.
Agandi Uganda: If you want to spend a little bit extra, Agandi Uganda is one of my favourite places to stay in Bwindi and all of Uganda. It’s an eco-lodge with a community centred approach. They have gorgeous rooms and views. They have cottages, treehouses, huts and space for camping! For dinner, you can eat in the restaurant, around the campfire, at a local restaurant or with a local family.
Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite: This is a great place, close to the Ruhija gate and the village. It’s quite basic, but the rooms are comfortable, the staff are nice and it’s quite cheap. After your trek, you could take a walk into the village and have a drink at a local bar – that’s what we did.
Gorilla Friends Lodge: This is a mid-range lodge in the northern part of Bwindi (Buhoma). They have 12 en suite rooms with views over the park.
Karungi Camp: Nice camp near to the Rushaga gorilla trekking section of the park. They have a mix of tents and rooms. There’s a restaurant, room service, bar, garden and barbecue. Free Wi-Fi is offered.
Rushaga Gorilla Camp: They have rooms, as well as places to pitch your own tents. Very close to the Rushaga gate, plus they have a pool and restaurant.
Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge: Again, good location close to the Rushaga gate. Rooms aren’t cheap, but it’s a great location.
Bwindi Forest Farm: They offer accommodation in huts and lazy camping/glamping. You can also pitch your own tent at their campsite. Basic facilities, but reasonably priced. A little bit outside of Bwindi itself, so check it’s not too far from your gorilla trekking start point. Whilst you’re here you can learn about permaculture, and volunteer.

Lake Bunyoni

Byoona Amagara: This is a great eco camp set on an island on beautiful Lake Bunyoni. There’s a mix of dorms and thatched private rooms with eco showers and spectacular views over the lake. Camping is also possible. The bar and lounge area is sociable, making it a good place to meet other travellers.
Bunyoni Overland: This lodge is in a great location and easy to get to. You have the option for rooms, cottages, furnished safari tents and camping. If you don’t have your own tent, you can borrow one of theirs. They have a restaurant, bar, games rooms and lots of activities on offer. They work with local guides from within the community to escort you on village walks and canoe trips.
Josh’s Backpackers Lake Bunyoni: If you want to get a very local, cheap and cheerful experience, look up Onesmus Josh.
OM Bunyoni Cultural Hostel: This is probably the most traditional ‘backpacker’ accommodation on the lake. It’s a great place to chill with double rooms and a dorm, as well as space for camping in your own tent or you can rent one from them. They have a restaurant serving Ugandan and international food.
Arcadia Lodge: Whilst not cheap, it’s reasonably priced and they have a good restaurant with arguably the best views over the lake. A good spot for lunch, even if you don’t stay.
Lake Bunyoni Eco Resort: Set on an island on the lake, this is a little bit more expensive than the above options, but they offer a mix of rooms at mid-range prices. Great if you want real relaxation.

Lake Mburo National Park

Rwakobo Rock: This is a lovely, friendly lodge with cottages, rooms and safari tents available. They have a lovely restaurant and bar with a great view, and a swimming pool.
Mburo Eagle’s Nest: Eagle’s Nest consists of 10 safari tents with private bathrooms and verandas overlooking Lake Mburo National Park. They also have some tents with shared bathrooms. They have a restaurant and bar.

Mount Moroto

Kara-Tunga’s Karamoja Safari Camp & Backpackers: They have comfortable safari tents (some en suite), rooms and dorms as well as a bush camp. This is a great base to explore the area and take part in numerous cultural activities.

Sipi Falls/Mount Elgon

The Crow’s Nest: A budget backpackers located at 2,000m on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The Crow’s Nest is located at 2,000m on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Home of Friends: This simple, but friendly lodge is a great place to stay before or after a climb up Mount Elgon. They have a restaurant, garden and lovely views.

Enjoy your time in Uganda! Let me know if you stay in any of the places mentioned and tell them Helen in Wonderlust says hi!