Updated
Yes, vegetarians eat well on a gorilla trip in Uganda. Everyday Ugandan food is largely plant-based: matooke, posho, rice, beans, groundnut sauce, sweet potatoes, greens and chapati, with excellent fruit. Lodges near Bwindi cook vegetarian meals when asked, including packed lunches for trek day. Vegans can manage too, but should state their needs clearly when booking and again on arrival, because butter, milk, eggs and meat stock appear in more dishes than you might expect.
What is naturally vegetarian
Many Ugandan meals are built around a starch and a sauce, and the most common sauces are beans and groundnut (peanut) sauce, both vegetarian and vegan when cooked without meat or fish. Matooke, posho, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice and chapati fill the plate, with greens such as dodo (amaranth) and nakati cooked with tomato and onion. Snacks such as roasted maize, gonja (roasted plantain), samosas filled with vegetables and the rolex, an omelette rolled in chapati, are easy to find. See our guide to Ugandan food basics.
At lodges
Lodges near Bwindi and in the other parks are used to vegetarian guests and usually offer a vegetarian option at each meal; at full-board lodges you eat what the kitchen prepares, so let them know in advance. Ask for vegetarian packed lunches for trek day, as standard ones often include chicken or ham sandwiches. Vegans should explain exactly what they do not eat, since “vegetarian” in rural kitchens may still include eggs, milk, butter or ghee. In remote lodges, supplies are delivered by road, so variety can be limited; a reminder on arrival helps.
On the road and in villages
Roadside restaurants on the drive to Bwindi usually serve buffets with matooke, rice, posho, beans, greens and meat stews; vegetarians can fill a plate easily, though it is worth asking whether the beans or groundnut sauce were cooked with meat or smoked fish. Street food is more limited for vegans, but chapati, roasted maize and fruit are always available. In villages around the park, you can buy bananas, avocados, passion fruit and pineapples cheaply. See our guide to where to eat near Bwindi.
Useful phrases and tips
English is widely understood, so a simple “no meat, no fish, no chicken” usually works better than the word “vegetarian”, which can be interpreted loosely. Ask about stock and smoked fish in sauces. Carry snacks you trust, such as nuts and energy bars, for long drives and treks, and bring any supplements you rely on, as they can be hard to find outside Kampala. Your driver-guide is a good ally: tell them on day one, and they will help order at roadside stops.
Energy for the trek
Gorilla treks can last several hours on steep ground, so eat a solid breakfast with plenty of carbohydrates, and carry snacks with protein, such as nuts, peanut butter sandwiches or boiled eggs if you eat them. Drink at least two litres of water during the trek; see our guide to hydration on a gorilla trek. Groundnuts are an excellent, cheap source of protein and are sold everywhere, roasted or as paste.
Kampala and Entebbe
Kampala has the widest choice, including Indian restaurants with large vegetarian menus, cafés with vegan options and supermarkets for snacks before the trip. Entebbe also has several restaurants with vegetarian dishes; see our guide to restaurants in Entebbe.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Beans, groundnut sauce, matooke, posho, greens and chapati are everyday foods.
Usually, with advance notice. Explain clearly that you eat no eggs, dairy or meat stock.
Yes, it is chapati with egg and vegetables, but it is not vegan.
A filling breakfast with carbohydrates, plus snacks with protein such as nuts or peanut butter sandwiches.
