Understanding the Phrase “Budget” In Safari Planning: The phrase “budget” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap” it rather refers to the comfortable amount of money one is willing to part with for a given product or service. Therefore if you are looking for a cheap safari to Africa, am sorry you won’t find any as safaris are generally no cheap ventures. For instance, if intending to go gorilla trekking in either one of the two safe gorilla trekking destinations, gorilla permits alone cost USD1,500 in Rwanda and USD600 in Uganda. Effective 01 July 2020, Uganda will also increase her gorilla permit price to USD700. I doubt you would call this cheap??? Remember we have not factored in airfares, visas, hotels etc….
Understanding the Phrase “Budget” in safari planning: The Difference explained
Low budget: People looking to go on safari for example to see the mountain gorillas but are willing to stay at very basic facilities with cold showers and serve very basic food (something to keep you going). People seeking to travel and see gorillas on a low budget should rule out going to Rwanda, as Rwanda only caters to the high-end category.
In Uganda, low budget travellers would ideally stay at places like Buhoma community rest camp, Ruhija community camp, or Bwindi Backpackers in Nkuringo sector.
Midrange Budget: Tourists in this category are often the ones that prefer a middle-class type of accommodation fairly comfortable, not flashy but with working hot showers, and great food. A Middle level of service is also expected of the lodge staff.
In Uganda, the midrange lodges catering to travellers here for midrange gorilla trekking include; Havens Lodge in Buhoma, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort or the recently opened Bakiga Lodge in Ruhija sector.
High-end Budget: This seems very obvious but I will still expound on this. These type of travellers have the money to spend and are looking for value for money. They are very particular about what they want and how they want it – they have the “price doesn’t matter” attitude.
There are still a few properties in Uganda that could cater to the high-end budget clients. these include; the recently opened Nile Safari Lodge, Bakers lodge, wild waters lodge, Hotel No.5
Whether catering to low, mid or high-end budget travellers, one thing that cuts across is “Value for money” – give them what they have paid for nothing less. We hope this article on Understanding the Phrase “Budget” in safari planning has been helpful.
