Uganda’s Best Camping Adventures
Uganda, affectionately known as the Pearl of Africa, is a country where the call of the wild still echoes across open savannahs, forested highlands, and river valleys. For travelers seeking adventure in its purest form, camping in Uganda is the ultimate experience — a chance to sleep under starlit skies, wake to the sound of birdsong, and feel the pulse of nature all around. It’s an experience that strips travel back to its essence — connection, simplicity, and discovery.
From the thundering waterfalls of Murchison Falls National Park to the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s landscapes are perfect for campers who want to immerse themselves in the country’s natural beauty. Whether you prefer wild camping surrounded by elephants or luxury tented lodges with panoramic views, Uganda offers a camping adventure for every style of traveler.
In this detailed guide, we explore Uganda’s best camping adventures — the places, experiences, and moments that make outdoor life in this African paradise unforgettable.
1. Murchison Falls National Park – Camping by the Mighty Nile
At the heart of northern Uganda lies Murchison Falls National Park, one of the country’s most spectacular wilderness areas. Named after the thunderous Murchison Falls — where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge — this park is the perfect destination for an unforgettable camping adventure.
Imagine setting up camp near the riverbank, where hippos grunt in the distance and elephants come to drink as the sun sinks behind the horizon. The park’s campsites, such as Red Chilli Rest Camp, offer comfortable facilities and unbeatable views of the Nile. For travelers seeking solitude, there are also designated wilderness camps where you can pitch your own tent surrounded by nothing but nature.
Days here are filled with game drives across open plains where lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes roam freely. Afternoon boat cruises take you to the base of Murchison Falls, offering breathtaking photo opportunities as rainbow mist rises above the roaring water. In the evenings, campfires crackle under star-filled skies, and the sounds of the African night create a soundtrack unlike any other.
Murchison Falls offers a mix of adventure and tranquility — a true African safari experience that’s even more magical when enjoyed from a campsite along the mighty Nile.
2. Queen Elizabeth National Park – The Savannah Meets the Sky
In western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers another level of camping adventure. It’s one of Uganda’s most diverse parks, home to open grasslands, crater lakes, and rich wildlife — from elephants and buffaloes to the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
The park has several excellent camping options, both inside and just outside its boundaries. Ishasha Wilderness Camp and Simba Safari Camp are popular choices for those who want comfort and proximity to wildlife. For more adventurous souls, basic campsites are available in the Mweya and Kasenyi sectors, where you can pitch your tent overlooking the Kazinga Channel — a waterway that connects Lake George to Lake Edward and teems with hippos and crocodiles.
What makes camping in Queen Elizabeth so special is the combination of wildlife and landscape. Sunrise paints the plains in shades of gold, while evening game drives offer encounters with elephants, leopards, and grazing antelopes. At night, you might hear the distant roar of lions or the laugh of hyenas — reminders that you’re truly in the wild.
For photographers and nature lovers, this park offers some of the most rewarding camping experiences in East Africa.
3. Lake Bunyonyi – Tranquil Camping on the Island Shores
Few places in Uganda are as peaceful and picturesque as Lake Bunyonyi, located in the southwestern highlands near Kabale. Its name means “place of many little birds”, and true to its name, the lake is a haven of calm surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 small islands.
Camping here is all about serenity. Many of the islands, such as Byoona Amagara and Itambira Island, offer eco-friendly campsites where you can wake up to birdsong and mist rising from the lake. With no hippos or crocodiles, the waters of Lake Bunyonyi are safe for swimming and canoeing — perfect for families and travelers seeking relaxation after days of safari.
You can spend your days kayaking across the calm waters, hiking through nearby villages, or simply relaxing on the shores watching fishermen in dugout canoes. Evenings are magical, as lanterns light up across the lake and the stars reflect on its glassy surface.
Lake Bunyonyi’s combination of beauty, peace, and adventure makes it one of Uganda’s most rewarding camping destinations — a place to pause, breathe, and connect with nature.
4. Lake Mburo National Park – The Ideal Short Safari Camp
If you’re looking for a compact yet thrilling safari experience, Lake Mburo National Park is the perfect choice. Located just a few hours from Kampala, it’s the most accessible park for weekend camping adventures.
Lake Mburo is unique for its diverse landscape of acacia woodlands, rolling hills, and five lakes that attract an abundance of wildlife. It’s also one of the few parks in Uganda where walking and cycling safaris are allowed — making it perfect for active travelers.
Camping options range from basic bush camps to scenic lodges with tented accommodations. Rwonyo Rest Camp and Eagle’s Nest Lodge are popular for their elevated views over the savannah and proximity to game viewing areas.
What makes camping here special is the sense of intimacy. Without large predators like lions (though leopards can be seen), you can safely walk close to zebras, impalas, and warthogs. In the evening, campfires glow against the backdrop of a setting sun, and the night air fills with the songs of crickets and birds.
Lake Mburo’s size and accessibility make it ideal for first-time safari campers or travelers who want to experience the wild without long drives.
5. Mount Elgon National Park – High-Altitude Adventure Camping
For those who crave mountain adventure, Mount Elgon National Park on Uganda’s eastern border offers a different kind of camping — one defined by hiking, breathtaking scenery, and crisp highland air.
Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano with the world’s largest volcanic caldera, and its slopes are covered in dense forests and moorlands. Camping is part of the trekking experience here, with designated camps along the routes to the summit (Wagagai Peak).
As you ascend, you’ll pass waterfalls, caves, and bamboo forests filled with unique birdlife and primates. Nights at the mountain camps are quiet and cool, perfect for those who love solitude and star-filled skies. The Sasa Trail and Piswa Trail are popular routes for multi-day treks, offering rustic but well-maintained campsites along the way.
Mount Elgon is less crowded than other East African peaks, making it one of Uganda’s best-kept secrets for wilderness camping and adventure.
6. Sipi Falls – Camping in the Foothills of the Mountain
Not far from Mount Elgon, Sipi Falls offers another unforgettable camping experience. This region, known for its three cascading waterfalls and sweeping views of the Karamoja plains, combines adventure and tranquility in perfect measure.
Campers can set up tents at sites like Sipi River Lodge or Crow’s Nest, both offering views of the highest waterfall and access to hiking trails. The area is also famous for Sipi Coffee Tours, where you can learn how local Arabica coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted — all while enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Evenings here are unforgettable. As the sun sets over the plains, the waterfalls glisten in shades of orange and gold, and the distant hum of nature fills the air. For those who love adventure, camping at Sipi can be combined with abseiling beside the falls — one of Uganda’s most thrilling outdoor experiences.
7. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Camping in the Gorilla Highlands
For the ultimate wild experience, few places rival Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. While most visitors stay in lodges, camping near Bwindi offers an extraordinary sense of closeness to nature.
Campsites such as Buhoma Community Rest Camp provide basic yet comfortable facilities, surrounded by misty rainforest. Waking up here means hearing the calls of tropical birds and monkeys echoing through the forest canopy.
After a day of gorilla trekking, evenings by the campfire bring moments of reflection — the feeling of being deep within one of the world’s most ancient ecosystems. Bwindi’s beauty is raw, wild, and deeply spiritual, making it one of the most memorable places to camp in Africa.
8. Kidepo Valley National Park – The Wild Frontier Camping Experience
For true adventurers, Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda is the ultimate camping destination. Remote and rugged, Kidepo feels like stepping into Africa as it once was — vast, untamed, and untouched by time.
Camping here offers a front-row seat to some of the continent’s most stunning landscapes: sweeping savannahs framed by distant mountains and dramatic skies. The park is home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and more than 400 bird species.
Apoka Rest Camp and Kakine Campsite offer simple facilities and unforgettable views of the plains. At night, you can watch the stars blaze overhead while listening to the calls of jackals and owls. Kidepo’s isolation means fewer visitors, ensuring a raw and authentic safari experience that feels personal and wild.
For those who truly want to disconnect and feel the soul of Africa, camping in Kidepo is an adventure of a lifetime.
The Magic of Camping in Uganda
Camping in Uganda is more than an activity — it’s an immersion into nature’s rhythm. Every sunrise brings the promise of discovery, every nightfall the comfort of a crackling fire beneath a starry sky. Whether you’re listening to lions in the distance, sharing stories with locals, or simply sitting in silence by the water’s edge, Uganda’s landscapes remind you of life’s simplest and most profound pleasures.
The country’s combination of wildlife, culture, and scenic beauty makes it one of the best camping destinations in Africa. From luxury tented camps to wild bush camping, Uganda offers an experience for every traveler — authentic, peaceful, and unforgettable.
Recommended Safari Operator
To make the most of your camping adventure in Uganda, travel with Muhiga Safaris — one of East Africa’s most trusted tour operators. With expert guides, well-maintained camping equipment, and deep local knowledge, Muhiga Safaris ensures every camping journey is safe, comfortable, and full of discovery.
Whether you’re pitching a tent by the Nile, exploring the gorilla forests of Bwindi, or sleeping under the stars in Kidepo, Muhiga Safaris crafts experiences that combine adventure with authenticity.
With Muhiga Safaris, every campsite becomes more than a stop — it becomes a story, a memory, and a connection to the wild heart of Uganda.