As of November 12, 2026, Uganda is cheaper than Zambia for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $84 in Uganda against $136 in Zambia, a gap of 61.0%. Over the past year Uganda has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+14.1% after inflation, against −14.3%). Zambia carries the lower US advisory (Level 1 against Level 4).
| Measure | Uganda | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $84 | $136 |
| Lean day | $33 | $53 |
| Comfortable day | $234 | $347 |
| Real change, 12 months | +14.1% | −14.3% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +14.8% | −9.9% |
| Versus 5-year average | +10.0% | −27.2% |
| US advisory | Level 4 · Do not travel | Level 1 · Normal precautions |
| Ease of travel | 2.9 · Rough edges | 2.8 · Rough edges |
| Index score | Not ranked | 39 |
| Best months | Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Shoulder months | Sep, Mar | May, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Mountain gorillas at half Rwanda's permit price, plus the source of the Nile.
The catchRead the current US advisory before planning anything: it has been raised sharply. Permits and park fees are in dollars regardless of the shilling.
Walking safaris and Victoria Falls with a fraction of the crowds.
The catchBush camps are costly and remote, and the kwacha is among the world's most volatile currencies, in both directions.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.