Uganda Hotels, Camping Grounds and Safari Lodges
Uganda offers a broad range of accommodation options. There are lodges and hotels providing an experience both luxurious and genuine. Some lodges and camps are specifically located to give the best access to gorilla treks; some of which provide as close as it’s possible to get to a zero-footprint stay. Kampala now boasts a choice of hotels, from the generic Sheraton to a more distinctive luxury boutique offering just outside the city. And throughout there are safari lodges and villa-style accommodation to suit every taste.
All these can be categorized into;
- Up market / Luxury
- Midrange / Standard
- Budget / Basic
- Shoestring
- Camping
Luxury / Upmarket
This category embraces all hotels, lodges and resorts. They cater mainly to the international business traveler or one who has come for leisure & they are accorded rankings three to five star internationally. Most hotels in this ranking offer best modern accommodation with en-suite facilities, air conditioning or fans though this depends on the local climate of the region; where some are hot and others are cold, mosquito nets, DSTV in all rooms, internet facilities at the business center, airport pickups/shuttle among others.
In this category rates for double rooms range from US $100-300. Some of the up market city hotels room rates may include bed & breakfast & exclude all other meals.
There is a smaller subset within this category that consists of game lodges & tented camps exclusively built & decorated in a style that compliments the surrounding environment, they normally also include lunch & dinner. Therefore while in Uganda this is the category to look for if cost is not a major concern & you want to feel almost like home.
Midrange / Standard.
This category embraces those hotels for one reason or another. They could not be classified as up market but are sufficiently of high standard. They could be equally costly but lower than the up market hotels & includes decent lodges or hotels. Hotels in this range offer comfortable accommodation in self-contained rooms with hot water, fans, possibly DSTV, decent restaurant.
Most moderate hotels charge around US $ 40-80 for double room & breakfast is inclusive. This is the type of accommodation to look for when you are traveling on limited budgets; but expect a high standard of accommodation but not luxurious.
Budget / Basic
Hotels in this category are generally aimed at the local market & they don’t approach the international standards but are usually reasonably clean & comfortable. They have a decent restaurant attached to them, en- suite facilities, running hot water, mosquito nets. The room rates range from US $ 10- 40 for a double room; breakfast is inclusive though it may not be substantial. This is what you will look for if you are working on a limited budget just like its category says!!!
Shoestring.
Under this category, there are small establishments most of which are managed by foreigners/westerners. This may include hideaways, guest houses & backpackers. They are fairly comfortable & affordable.
The guesthouse may have 10 rooms which are self contained (shower & toilet) with a central courtyard, reception area & restaurant at the front. Standards of guesthouse tend to vary between different towns & so are the room charges.
Camping.
There are a few number of organized campsites where tourists can pitch a tent with good facilities. Camping costs around US $ 3-5 per person per night.