Before I attempted to summit Mt. Elgon's Wagagai Peak, I spent a night in Kampala. Located on Acacia Avenue, which is famous for its eating and drinking scene, is the Bushpig Backpackers Hostel, which is claimed to be one of the best hostels in Kampala.
Location in Kampala
A walking distance from Acacia Mall and close to Kampala downtown, Bushpig Backpackers Hostel is at the heart of the city's vibrant dining scene. If walking is not your thing, a quick boda boda ride is sufficient to bring you to the starting point of your tours.
In my case, I booked a Kampala Walking Tour and the starting point is in Nile Avenue and Speke Road. A boda boda ride to Nile Avenue cost me UGX 5,000 or USD 1.35 which was quite affordable and reliable.
Rooms & Facility of Bushpig Backpackers Hostel
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explore every nook and cranny of the hostel as I was always short on time. I was too late for my walking tour in the afternoon, too tired to care in the evening, and rushing to check out the next morning to catch the matatu to Mbale.
Enough with my excuses, and let me make the most of what I have at the moment. The hostel has several room types and I ended up in a Twin Room despite booking a bed in a Female Dorm. Not sure if it was an upgrade or a mistake, so I didn't argue any further. The Twin Room was quite basic yet decent and spacious and even had a window as a source of fresh air.
While I'm not new to mosquitos, it's my first hostel/accommodation experience with such mosquito nets. It was a thoughtful gesture since Uganda and its neighboring countries are prone to mosquito-borne diseases such as Yellow Fever and Malaria. As a side note, remember to take precautionary measures that I have shared in my post, Travel Vaccinations for Africa Trip.
As for the facilities, I've only used its shower areas and toilets and they were all functioning well as designed. The toilets were quite small though but well-maintained and I expected much worse, to be honest.
The hostel was famous for its Tuesday Quiz Night and boy the crowd was wild! Locals and foreigners alike were occupying the whole bar and the garden and all I could manage was to order a pizza. I was allowed to take it into my room and finally, I ate my first meal in peace. But it was a shame that I couldn't join the fun!
Bushpig Backpackers Hostel Cost
As a fan of Booking.com, here's how much it cost me for a one-night stay in the hostel in April 2024:
Originally, I booked one bed in a 4-bed Female Dormitory Room for $25.30 (AED 93 in my local currency) for a one-night stay. I thought this price was quite expensive compared to all the beds I booked in Central Asia. But of course, this is Africa.
However, instead of a Dorm Room, the hostel gave me a bed in a Twin Room and told me that that's where I should be so I didn't argue any further. On top of that, they charged me the same amount anyway, and I had the whole room to myself. In the end, I guess it wasn't too expensive, or at least, it was my lucky day.
Conclusion
As my first taste of backpacking in Africa, I was happy with my first choice of hostel. I usually get a hit or a miss when choosing my first base. But finding Bushpig Backpackers Hostel in Kampala was definitely a hit. Not only because of its location but also because of its value and sense of comfort.
Oh, and did I also tell you that the ladies working in the reception were amazing? They were really supportive, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. From arranging boda boda, booking airport transfers, and even suggesting places to go to.
Apart from not getting the chance to join the Tuesday Quiz Night, I didn't get to meet any fellow travelers who wanted to socialize. I saw some foreigners, but I think they want to enjoy their time alone and I respect that. And it was absolutely not the hostel's fault. So that's all for now!
Ready to book your stay? Book this hostel through Booking.com!
