I nearly didn't go. The permit fees made me wince, the packing list confused me, and honestly, I wasn't sure Uganda was "budget-friendly" enough for someone like me. But here's what nobody told me before I booked: Uganda is one of the most extraordinary places on the planet, and if you know what you're doing before you arrive, it doesn't have to cost the earth. This is everything I wish someone had told me first about gorilla trekking, safari planning, and what Uganda travel actually looks like on the ground.