When I tell people that I traveled alone to Uganda for three weeks, I usually get the same reactions every time.
“Wait… alone?”
“Weren’t you scared?”
“But… why Uganda?”
And honestly, I understand the questions. Uganda is probably not the first country people think about when they hear “solo travel”. But for me, that was exactly what made the trip so exciting.
Here are some of the questions I always get afterwards — and my honest answers.
“Was it safe?”
This is definitely the question I get the most.
And the answer is: yes, I felt surprisingly safe most of the time. Just like anywhere else, you need to use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts.
I avoided walking alone late at night, kept an eye on my belongings, and listened to advice from locals and other travelers.
But what I remember the most is actually how kind and helpful people were. People helped me find the right buses, wanted to chat, asked where I was from, and welcomed me to their country.
“Why Uganda?”
The short answer? I wanted to do something that felt a little more adventurous.
I enjoy classic beach vacations too, but this time I wanted something completely different. Something new, unfamiliar, and a little scary in a good way.
Uganda attracted me because of the nature, the people, and the feeling that it is still quite untouched compared to many other destinations.
And I’m so happy I decided to go.
“Did you feel lonely?”
Sometimes, yes.
But lonely in a beautiful kind of way.
When you travel alone, you also become much more open to the people around you. I talked to more people than I ever would at home. Other travelers, hotel staff, drivers, locals.
At the same time, it was also really nice to spend time completely alone. To do exactly what I wanted, at my own pace.
“How was the food?”
Really good — and so much fresh fruit.
I ate fresh pineapple, mango, and watermelon almost every day. The avocados were huge and tasted completely different from the ones back home.
And yes, I quickly became addicted to fresh juice for breakfast.
“What was the best part of the trip?”
It’s hard to choose just one thing.
But maybe the feeling that the world suddenly became bigger again.
Riding on a boda boda through the chaotic streets of Kampala. Waking up to the sound of birds and monkeys in Entebbe. Realizing that you can handle more than you think.
Uganda was intense, warm, beautiful, messy, and full of life in a way that has really stayed with me.
And yes — I would do the trip again tomorrow if I could.