Travelling Solo in Uganda: 20 Must Know Tips in 2023

This post will guide you through how to make your travel dreams come true. Helping you navigate those fears of stepping into the big, wide world alone Travelling alone is not as risky as your parents think. Continue reading to find out how to prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. 

"Moments Where You Feel Lonely Are Normal"

As a solo traveller, you need to be ready to feel lonely and a wide range of other emotions. Just remember that this is completely normal and do not let it ruin your trip. Also, to overcome loneliness, I would recommend challenging yourself to do something and make the most of your trip. You will not regret it!

When you travel alone, you really do become your own best friend. You start relying on yourself and your instincts. Also, you are truly pursuing your own interests. That is where greatness happens. 

In addition, when you are alone, try to enjoy your own silence. Allow yourself the freedom to be yourself; you don't have to worry about what others think. These introspective moments are life-changing. Overall, you will be inspired with new ideas and gain powerful insights. It is important to remember that the most difficult experiences will help you get to where you want to be. 

Put Yourself Out There and Meet New People

The best way to enjoy your trip as a solo traveller is to make connections. You can do this by staying in hostels or backpacker accommodations, booking group tours, or joining solo traveller travel pages on Facebook.  If you book a bed in a hostel, introduce yourself to the other guests in your room.  ur room. Also, keep an eye out for day trips, SOTPs, and tours run by hostels, as this is an excellent way to meet people. 

Meeting people in your age group or with similar interests is the perfect recipe for fast friendships and deep connections. As a result, the best long-lasting memories are created. Meeting fellow solo travellers on my trips has become one of the most memorable experiences. I would recommend going to areas that are popular with other solo backpackers, including Southeast Asia, Central America, and Europe. 

It is so important to be genuinely interested in meeting people because it opens so many doors, including those of adventure and friendship. Also, take a genuine interest in their culture and remember things about them, like their name. Make sure you get new acquaintances on some sort of social media, so you can check out their profiles for inspiration and to stay in touch. Also, even though the world is a big place, you might bump into each other further down the line on your travels. 

Solo Travel. Tips for surviving solo travel

Don’t Plan Your Trip from A to B, Leave Some Wiggle Room

While you are on your travels, you might meet someone that you become great friends with or fall for! Therefore, you might want to follow their travels for a bit. Also, if you are constantly meeting up with new people to arrange day trips, just be aware that other adventures might happen and your itinerary might not be completed the way you wanted it to be. It is all about the adventure! Some of my best experiences have happened when I had no plan. 

In addition, be open to doing things spontaneously at the last minute with people you do not know. Just say yes to any invitation and be open to new ideas. Trust me, you will not regret it. You will end up doing things you would not normally do or trying new foods and making the best memories ever. It is what solo travel is all about. 

Do A Trial Run

Before you embark on the biggest trip of a lifetime where you plan on spending months travelling, make sure you start small first. Starting small can mean taking yourself out for a walk around your area. Or perhaps you will go into town by yourself for a day. Then afterwards, you can try going to a city for a weekend by yourself. Then, get on a plane and go somewhere for a week! 

All the practice is a good experience before you commit to a big solo travel itinerary. If you are ready to cross borders, I would recommend going somewhere that is generally known as a "safe" country. In addition, you can go somewhere where you know the language. Most touristy places and large cities will have people who speak English. 

Apart from Uganda, the best countries to visit as a first-time traveller include Iceland, Thailand, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Vietnam, Bali, Cambodia, Singapore, the USA, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Croatia, the UK, Costa Rica, Greece, Scotland, Poland, and Estonia. These countries are affordable, beautiful, and easy to get around. 

Research your destination.

Researching your destination can either be the most exciting or difficult part. To prepare yourself, you can read guidebooks, watch vlogs, read blogs, and search on Google. You should look into the amount of time required for each destination. Also, you can research the seasons, customs, religion, environment, and dangers. Check the public transportation schedules for your chosen destination as well. Check to see when and where public transportation is scarce or irregular. 

When you land, first get your bearings. Depending on how much time you have, I would allow yourself to wander aimlessly around the area and get lost. This is the best way to get to know your area. You'll be able to locate the nearest supermarket, local attractions, and the best restaurants and cafes. 

Once you get there, you can speak to the locals or ask the receptionist or host for the best attractions and places to go. As they have lived there for a while, they should be able to give you the best insights and know the best places to go.

Inform a Family Member of Friend Where You Are

As a solo traveller, it is important to touch base with your family or friends every now and then. Make sure your family or friends know what your current location is. In addition, at least a few people must know your itinerary. 

You can also share information about the accommodations where you are staying. Additionally, it is good to tell those close to you how long you intend to spend in a city or area before you head off to your next destination. Also, you should share with close friends or family where you intend your next destination to be. 

It is important to let your loved ones know when you are doing well, as you do not know when things are going to turn bad. I'm not saying something WILL happen, but it is good to be safe on the off chance that you run out of money, your phone gets stolen or lost, or you have no place to stay. Sometimes this is something you will forget to do or not do as often as you want to because you will be quite busy and having so much fun!

Depending on the country you visit, you can get a local SIM card for a reasonable price to stay connected. Once you are finished, you can discard it and get another one.

Follow Your Gut Instinct

When you know something is off or have a gut feeling that something is wrong about the situation, follow your instincts and stop whatever you’re doing and leave. You are allowed to change your mind when you’re feeling uncomfortable. You are allowed to make your own decisions and not have anyone else force you into doing something you don’t want to. 

Unfortunately, wherever you are in the world, there are still creeps. So remember to be on guard and aware of your surroundings as you would when you are out in your own city. Also, do the things you do to stay safe when you are in your own neighbourhood. Applying this to when you are travelling and taking precautions can help you feel more relaxed and be able to enjoy the experience more. 

For example, do not get extremely drunk by yourself, do not walk at night by yourself, and do not walk in dark streets or alleyways by yourself. Do not walk with blaring music or podcasts in your ears, as you need to be able to hear what is going on. 

So you do not get lost, you can carry a power bank in case your phone dies, so you can still use apps or contact loved ones. Also, you can download offline map apps just in case you have no signal.

Moreover, do not draw attention to yourself by looking like a lost, confused tourist. So, as I say, "fake it until you make it" and try to blend in as much as you can. Never say you are travelling solo when you are alone and bump into an awkward situation. Therefore, keep calm, be collective, and ultimately, be street smart. 

Budget & Save Up

To save up, you can cut down on your daily expenses such as shopping for clothes, gym membership, and eating out, which can help you save for your future trip. In addition, by cutting down on spending on luxurious goods, you will become closer to making yourself richer in life experiences as a solo traveller. Some areas that are cheaper to live in for long-term solo travellers include Central America, South East Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Keep A Safe Stash of Money

It is important to keep an emergency fund or backup cash when you are travelling. Preferably, your emergency fund will be stored separately from your main wallet and bag. This is so you have access to money if your bag or wallet happens to get stolen or lost. 

Make sure you keep enough aside for a ride to the airport or a few nights' accommodation. Basically, it's enough for you to sleep, eat, and get back to where you need to be. The likelihood of this happening is not expected; however, sometimes things go wrong, which is not your fault. 

Passport, Visa and Insurance

Every single time you go to a country, make sure you get the correct visa with your passport if required. Also, to travel, you will need to have at least six months of validity left on your passport. In addition, I would recommend having copies of your documents on your phone and on paper. Paper versions should be stored securely in different bags, just in case one of them gets lost.  

Also, it is important to get insurance as you might get lost, sick, or something valuable might be lost, stolen, or broken. Make sure you do your research before you leave for your travels. 

Packing

Overpacking is something I am notorious for. One rule: whatever you want to bring, you should half it... then half it again. You need so little on the road. Having less is easy to carry and gives you more room to buy cool clothes and things in the country you travel to. 

Don’t Cram 

Lots of solo travellers are prone to cramming as many destinations into a short period of time when they first start travelling. Most of the time, you will feel as if if you do not see this place now, you will never have the opportunity to see it again. It is much better to enjoy the experiences because cramming causes you to forget what you have seen and you are not present in these locations. Also, allow extra time for weird, unexpected adventures. 

Do You

Finally, do not let anyone tell you how to travel. If you want to do luxury travel and stay in the most luxurious hotels, then save up. Or, if you want to spend two days in each city and jump from hostel to hostel to meet as many people as possible, then go ahead. Do not feel bad if your itinerary is not the same as someone else’s. We are all different people with unique interests and want different things from our trips. Travel is for you to discover yourself, unwind, make the most of it, and enjoy your life. Therefore, it is different for everyone.

Websites and Apps To Get Your Started

Hostel World

Hostel World is a great website and app for finding your next hostel stay. The site is super easy to use, and you can find the best hostel that suits your needs. Hostel World, an online travel agency, showcases more than 17,000 hostels in 179 countries. You can choose to stay in refurbished prisons, historical castles, haunted churches, or beach-view dorms. 

Booking.com

If you fancy a night away in a private room and need a break from shared accommodation, Booking.com is a great site for making lodging reservations to find good private rooms in hostels and hotels. A bit of privacy is always nice after staying in a shared room for a while. Or, you can splash the cash for a few nights and book something more luxurious.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a platform where you can arrange a global exchange. This is a great option if you want to meet new people, are on a tight budget, or want to see the world from a different perspective. The app allows you to find people who will host you in their accommodations or who you can hang out with for a few hours. In exchange, you can share something from your culture, cook some good food, share your travel stories, or teach them a new skill.

Host a Sister

Host a Sister has a similar principle to Couchsurfing; however, it is primarily for solo female travellers. The Facebook group that was set up in 2019 You can find a host for free, make amazing friends, check people’s travel stories, or ask for travel advice. 

AirBnB

AirBnB is a great place to rent lodging or vacation rentals. It is perfect if you meet other backpackers on your travels and want to book a weekend away somewhere. Airbnb showcases some of the most unique houses or lodges in the best locations. 

Workaway

As a volunteer or "Workawayer" in a different country, you can use Workaway to set up homestays or cultural exchanges. First, you have to register before you can search for jobs in your chosen country. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and provide the help that they require. Jobs that you will find on the website include babysitting, gardening, home help, general maintenance, and DIY. 

Also, working away is a perfect way to improve language skills, work on new talents, and learn about local traditions. Some jobs are in locations that you will never imagine going to or places that you have never heard of, but that is the magic of travel, and you will get to see a different part of the world that people do not know exists. 

Au Pair World

Au Pair World is a site where you can sign up for cultural exchange by looking after a family’s children in exchange for food and accommodation. Being an au pair is brilliant if you want to improve your language skills and if you enjoy caring for people. Places that are good for au pair programmes are the United States of America, Australia, and Europe. You will get to experience life and little pockets of countries that are not usually on a tourist’s itinerary.

WWOOF

WWOOF stands for "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms," and it is a programme that allows homestays on organic farms. In exchange for help with farming or gardening, the host provides food, a place to stay, and chances to learn. As a member of the scheme, you will be known as a "Woofer." Exchange currently operates in 21 countries, with over 2600 farms in Australia.

Uber

Uber is a transport company that works like a taxi. First, you have to download the app on your phone, which will allow you access to up to 85 countries worldwide. Uber is a safe and secure transit method for solo travellers. However, the only thing is that Uber is mostly available in larger touristy cities in more developed countries. 

Final Note

Solo travel is not as scary as it seems. Most countries you go to, you will make decent human beings who will become lifelong friends. Be open to positivity and do not assume that everyone is out to get you. You are far stronger and capable, self reliant and wise enough to do it. 

  Have a look at Adventures in Uganda you probably didn't know about to give you a kick start