Bushpig Backpackers Hostel – Dwelling Away from Dwelling in Kampala, Uganda [A Review]

The Bushpig Backpackers Hostel Idea

Bushpig Backpackers is my residence away from residence in Uganda. This colourful hostel provides a incredible location in Kampala, Uganda’s capitol, with inexpensive costs, nice meals, and an excellent enjoyable ambiance that makes it simple to fulfill fellow vacationers and locals alike.

If you happen to’re searching for a spot the place you possibly can really feel protected, have quick access to among the prime Kampala points of interest and eating places, and never break the financial institution – look no additional! As of April 2022, I’ve spent about 4 months in complete residing at Bushpig. My associate has spent virtually 7!

Learn on for why it’s our most well-liked place to remain once we’re in Uganda.

What’s a Bushpig?

A bushpig is a wild pig discovered all through East & South Africa. It makes a cute brand too! These piggies are social creatures and are normally present in teams of as much as 12, known as “sonders”. Tremendous becoming for a hostel that makes it simple to search out associates!

The Property

The property consists of some 35 rooms, plus a long-stay mini house which has two rooms for visitors staying one week or extra, together with a kitchen, little eating desk, and share rest room. There are suites with spacious residing space, queen beds, and exquisite stone showers. There are personal room choices that are fairly primary however present some solitude. And there’s the basic dorm room setup for the finances traveler. 

You’ll additionally discover a bar and eating space with indoor and out of doors seating, and a patio space out again the place you possibly can learn a ebook or absorb some solar. It’s a gorgeous property with picket picnic tables, chalk board indicators promoting the completely different occasions and drinks specials, and colourful murals that make it an excellent pleasant place to remain. 

Accessibility:

That is taken from the Bushpig web site: “We’re not a really accessible hostel for wheelchairs and different incapacity aids. That is right down to the design of the constructing, which was constructed for granted of this. Nevertheless our workers will do their greatest to be useful to all visitors always, and usually it really works properly.”

As you possibly can see from the picture beneath, there are a couple of steps to stand up to the reception or restaurant. Nevertheless, the longstay rooms to the left of this constructing pictured don’t have steps and can be a extra accessible possibility.

The Rooms

Every mattress comes with a mosquito internet which is a must have in Uganda. Within the lengthy keep, there’s a shared bathe and toilet which can be pretty easy however very clear. There are additionally a couple of bogs within the widespread space which can be very good and properly stored, in case you don’t need to trek again to your third-story room in the course of trivia. 

We’ve stayed within the lengthy keep and within the ensuite, each of which had very comfy beds. One suite was tastefully adorned with African baskets and images that the supervisor took himself. Most (if not all) of the suites have a balcony and a bookshelf or two for storage.

It’s usually very heat and humid in Uganda, however happily most rooms are outfitted with a fan.

Wifi:

There’s wifi on each flooring too so it is a nice hostel for digital nomads! From time to time the facility will exit and the wifi generally is a bit finicky, however that’s not distinctive to Bushpig Backpackers Hostel. That’s simply life in Uganda. 

Bushpig Backpackers Pub & Meals

The Bushpig Meals is superb! Having tried practically all the things on the menu, or watching my associate eat the meat-eater choices I’ve skipped, I can attest that there’s nothing you must keep away from. That mentioned, we undoubtedly have some favorites. 

Meals:

The pizzas are scrumptious and cooked in a giant stone fireplace pit, served with sides of minced garlic & jalapenos for toppings. The veggie is a private favourite – scrumptious and loaded with lots of produce. The crust is on the skinny and crispy facet which is simply how I prefer it. You will get a medium or massive for a fuller meal, however a lunch slice is barely 12,000 UGX and is basically extra the dimensions of two or 3 items. 

The burgers are nice – my associate will get the Fireball Beef & Bacon Burger and the Rooster Breast burger usually. Different favorites embody the hen salad, the mac & cheese with bacon, the avocado tomato salad, and the ribs.

Breakfast: 

You get your alternative of a number of free breakfast choices with a keep on the Bushpig Backpackers Hostel. You will get both pancakes, eggs and toast with avocado or bacon, or yogurt and muesli and each meal comes with a small fruit plate (banana, pineapple, watermelon) and a drink (espresso or tea).

If you’d like a full English Breakfast, it’s obtainable for 23,000UGX (about $6). The BP breakfast are higher than another hostel in Kampala and most hostels I’ve seen around the globe. 

Drinks:

So far as drinks go, they’ve the everyday Ugandan beers, three Banange Brewery craft beers on draft, an incredible record of specialty cocktails just like the Espresso Martini, plus a pair wine picks. In case your tummy is feeling a bit of off, you possibly can’t go flawed with a pot of lemon ginger tea!

Occasions at Bushpig

Monday nights there are two-for-one cocktails on the bar.

Tuesday is trivia evening – to not be taken frivolously. Typically practically 100 folks present up! It usually begins at 6:30 and goes 6-8 rounds till 8:30/9pm. Every spherical has ten questions, and groups will rating after every spherical. After every spherical, the profitable crew will get a spherical of photographs. The winner of all the recreation wins a pizza! We’ve joined in on in all probability 12 or extra trivia nights and it’s actually the one place I’ve really loved trivia.

There’s additionally a chalkboard highlighting numerous different excursions and goings on all through the week. Principally, you’ll by no means be bored right here on the Bushpig Backpackers Hostel.

Able to journey? I’m prepared to assist!

I’m a journey advisor who helps busy, eco-conscious folks have once-in-a-lifetime adventures in breathtaking areas like Norway, Scotland, the British Virgin Islands, and Uganda.

I deal with all the things from daydreaming to departure and solely work with tour corporations who respect the planet and locals, so you possibly can get pleasure from your getaway realizing you’re having a optimistic affect.

Schedule a complimentary vacation planning session and let’s speak about your subsequent journey.

Bushpig Backpackers Facilities

Want laundry performed? You will get a basket of laundry washed and dried for 10,000 shillings per basket. This is likely one of the solely locations we’ve performed laundry in Kampala however we’ve heard from others that it is a nice worth, as many locations cost by the merchandise somewhat than a basket. Drop off your garments garments within the morning (earlier than 11am) and choose them up the identical day. 

The reception space has a ton of fliers and details about completely different excursions across the metropolis which can be enjoyable to discover. You should purchase bottled waters, snacks, and a few primary toiletries on the entrance desk.

Want one thing to learn? Take a look at the bookshelf within the foyer for one to borrow or commerce.

Just about something you want, the workers can let you know the place to search out it or show you how to get it performed. They’re so, so pleasant and we now have cherished attending to know them over the months we’ve stayed right here in complete!

Hostel Prices

Room costs:

That is great spot for finances vacationers. It’s not the most cost effective place you’ll discover in Kampala, nevertheless it’s value the additional few {dollars} you’ll spend for the entire great choices it has. My associate spent his first journey to Kampala exploring the opposite hostels within the space and after his experiment, determined he’s by no means staying wherever else when he returns.

Mattress in 4-bed dorm: $14 (Combined or Feminine Solely)
Triple Room: $54 – complete worth for 3 folks
Twin room: $34 – complete worth for two folks
Single room: $20
Commonplace Double: $40 (one double mattress + consists of balcony)

Ensuite Double: $55 (consists of personal rest room + balcony)

Meals & Drink Prices

Breakfast is included, however espresso drinks are between $2-3, beers and sodas are across the identical. The have cocktails from 10,000 to twenty,000 UGX with a bottle of wine working 55,000. 

A medium pizza is between 25,000 UGX and 30,000 UGX. A lot of the sandwiches and mains are across the identical value. It’s a center of the street worth level for the eating however the meals is nice and also you received’t discover the identical high quality less expensive wherever in Kampala. 

The place is Bushpig Positioned?

Bushpig Backpackers Hostel is positioned within the Kololo district of Kampala, on Acacia Avenue. It’s one of many most secure neighborhoods and inside strolling distance of numerous eating choices and different points of interest. 

A ten-minute stroll from the Acacia Mall, a number of nice espresso retailers and cafes if it’s essential to work, a movie show and health club within the mall, a salon with nice and inexpensive companies, and so many yummy eating places. There are even some prime golf equipment for evening life inside a five-minute stroll (or much less) which is nice for these late nights whenever you drank a bit of an excessive amount of to really feel comfy on a boda boda. 

It’s additionally a drop-off and pickup cease for the Pineapple Categorical, a shuttle which matches between Entebbe, Kampala, and Jinja. That is tremendous handy in case you’re coming right here straight from the airport or doing day journeys to Jinja for different adventures, which you completely ought to. 

Remaining Ideas

I’ve stayed at lots of hostels around the globe and have by no means seen a spot the place so many locals come to hang around alongside the visitors. The workers are unbelievable for us, Bushpig really looks like a bit of residence away from residence. 

Come and keep for a couple of days, and also you may end up reserving an additional couple nights like so many individuals I’ve met right here. It’s actually doesn’t get a lot better than this!

Touring to Uganda? Learn these subsequent!

Able to journey? I’m prepared to assist!

I’m a journey advisor who helps busy, eco-conscious folks have once-in-a-lifetime adventures in breathtaking areas like Norway, Scotland, the British Virgin Islands, and Uganda.

I deal with all the things from daydreaming to departure and solely work with tour corporations who respect the planet and locals, so you possibly can get pleasure from your getaway realizing you’re having a optimistic affect.

Schedule a complimentary vacation planning session and let’s speak about your subsequent journey.

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