Completely agree that Uganda couldn’t function without the BodaBoda – they really are everywhere and help get people around quickly, even in the midst of crazy Kampala traffic. We wanted to be sure that we were on a safe boda boda with our own helmet, so that is why we first went on Walter’s Boda Boda tour to give ourselves an overview of the region and then would hire them on the street. But, we always insisted on having a helmet 🙂

Uganda couldn’t function without the boda boda. They can be immense fun but a word of caution: many of them are unlicensed, few have insurance, and few will hang around if you get into an accident. Therefore, always try and use a boda driver that has been recommended. Don’t just get onto the back of any bike flying past you in the street, although Lord knows dozens will want to take the visiting tourist for a slightly higher ‘muzungu price!’

No trip to Uganda is complete without getting on the back of a boda boda and eating a rollex ‘rolled eggs’ chapati omelette. I would highly recommend a night out in Kampala too – the best nightlife in East Africa. It is legendary across the region!

For more Uganda travel ideas, and stories about conservation, volunteering, culture and community tourism, feel free to check out my blog Diary of a Muzungu.

Hanna, congrats on your upcoming trip to Uganda. Although this post is a good starting point for Ugandan travel advice, I’m sure you will hear of more places and experiences once you get on the ground and start talking with people. Enjoy your trip!

Mark, glad you enjoyed this piece! We found that for some travelers we met that their focus on gorilla trekking kind of put on blinders to other experiences and places around them in Uganda. So, that’s where the idea for this article came up 😉

We know that we have only experienced a small slice of all that Uganda has to offer from nature to cultural experiences, but we hope that these encourage future travelers to seek out even more. Thanks for all the advice for a future trip!

You are definitely right to consider Murchison Falls for your next trip (best park in the country!), and don’t forget Kidepo Valley in the northeastern corner, Lake Mburo, Ssese Islands, Sipi Falls, and the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga which are all worth consideration as well.

Let me know if you want more ideas before your next trip. I just finished writing guidebooks to Murchison, Kidepo and Lake Mburo for African Wildlife Foundation so hopefully those will be available soon.

Thanks for highlighting the best country in Africa, if not the world!

Lizzie, it’s easy for that to happen as the gorillas are what most people talk about when they mention Uganda. That made all the other things we discovered a rather pleasant surprise and we wanted others to know so that they stick around for a bit after seeing the gorillas. Hope you get to try a rolex soon!

You’re welcome! Glad to add to your travel bucket list 🙂 We were surprised by Uganda’s landscapes with its lush hills and lakes.