Blog Posts
Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda: 12-Day Tour
Uganda: The equator
Uganda: Lake Mburo National Park
Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest
Uganda: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda: Kibale National Park
Uganda: Ziwa Rhino Sancturary
- Capital: Kampala
- Area: 241,038 sq km
- Population: 45.8 million
- Languages: English, Swahili
Uganda is a country that is located in East Africa. It is bordered by South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It is the second-largest landlocked country in the world in terms of population. It falls second only to Ethiopia. Uganda is a landlocked country with breathtaking landscapes, flora, and fauna. Winston Churchill named Uganda – the pearl of Africa in 1908, due to its vast scale, profusion of birds, insects & reptiles making it one of the top destinations for an African Safari. Lake Victoria in Uganda is the largest lake in Africa. It is also the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Victoria is one of the Nile River’s sources and is even said to be where it begins. Uganda has a young population. With 48% of the population below 15 years of age, it is the second youngest country in the world. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Uganda is one of the world’s poorest and least-developed countries. Unemployment is a huge concern in Uganda many locals find work with local cottage industries and many are still unemployed. |
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
Current exchange rate: $1USD = 3,780.72 Shilling
Credit Cards
In some big hotels, credit cards are accepted, but it is still not very common in Uganda.
Charges are normally around 10%. Don’t use credit cards as your primary method of paying.
ATM machines & Banks
In all cities and big towns, you find ATM machines from Stanbic Bank and/ or Barclays Bank.
They accept most international bank cards and Visa. The amount you can
withdraw per day is limited to about $200,- in Ugandan Shillings. ATMs can be empty or not working due to power outages, in smaller towns, there are often only a few ATMs available.
Make sure you have enough cash with you to cover 3 – 4 days.
Travellers’ Cheques:
Travellers’ cheques are not common and only accepted in a few banks in Kampala. The exchange rates are very unfavourable.
Tipping
Tipping is very important and culturally accepted, however, it always remains voluntary. The tip is accepted in both local currency (UGX) and USD. However for smaller denominations (below USD 20) UGX is more appropriate.
Accommodation:
Tip Box: 10.000-30.000 UGX (3-8 USD) per person / lodge
Hotel Porters: 2.000-5.000 UGX (0,5-1,5 USD)
Restaurants: 5 – 10% of the total amount of the bill – not necessary when dining at the lodge.
Rangers
Game Drives: 10.000-30.000 UGX (3-8 USD) per person
Chimp Tracking: 25.000-50.000 UGX (7-15 USD) per person
Gorilla Tracking: 25.000-50.000 UGX (7-15 USD) per person*
Tracking Porter: 20.000-50.000 UGX (5-15 USD)- per person
on top of the standard payment which is 50.000 UGX (15 USD)
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all public places. Be conscious when you want to smoke, especially within Kampala. Ask your guide where you can or cannot smoke when you’re not sure.
Homosexuality
There is an anti-homosexuality law in Uganda and being homosexual is absolutely not accepted in the Ugandan culture. If you are homosexual, it is still safe to travel to Uganda, but make sure you don’t openly speak about it and surely not show it. When travelling as a couple, consider booking twin rooms to avoid any discussion or raise questions.
Electronic Devices
You can charge your cameras, phones and other electric items in most accommodations. If you bring more than a couple of chargeable items you might consider bringing an extension with extra outlets since the amount of outlets is often limited. We advise bringing extra batteries for your camera since many lodges generate power with solar or generators and power cuts might occur. Solar-generated lodges will often only have power available in the rooms at certain hours of the day, but you can always use the charging ports in the main lodge area.
The Internet
If you bring your own laptop you can buy a wireless internet stick from mobile network provider MTN. Using internet this way is relatively fast. The cost for this USB stick is about 40 US dollars per month for the use of 3GB (minimum 1 month). This stick can be bought in Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. If your phone has the option to be used as a mobile hotspot, this will also work well.
To get access to the internet on your phone, you can buy internet bundles via a local SIM card by using pre-paid airtime. The procedure of getting the SIM card is as described above (“Phone Network Providers”), and your guide can assist you. Using the internet on your phone is relatively cheap and fast, with speed depending on your location.
In a lot of lodges, WIFI is provided, however, the speed will not be what you are used to at home and the lodges are often remote and do not get a reliable signal. If you don’t want to use this opportunity to complete disconnect, we advise that you get a local SIM with a data bundle or wireless internet stick as mentioned above.
Social Media Tax
In 2018 social media tax was introduced by the Ugandan Government. Social media tax needs to be paid to enable the use of all social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. After obtaining a local SIM card as described above, you can load credit on your phone (Mobile Money), and pay the tax at 200 Ugandan Shillings ($0.05) per day.
Social media tax is not required when using public Wi-Fi.
What to pack?
- Take your own toilet paper as many public toilets don’t have any.
- Good quality sunglasses; if you wear contact lenses,
- Sun hat
- Small torch /headlamp
- Good binoculars
- Camera with a zoom lens
Waterproof/dustproof bags to cover your cameras - Swimsuit as some of the lodges have swimming pools
- A small daypack to keep with you in the car during the day
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, moisturiser and lip balm
- Basic first aid kit.
- Clothing should be lightweight, loose-fitting and of “breathable” fabrics, such as cotton
Health advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those traveling to Uganda
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Additionally, malaria, yellow fever, zika virus, chikungunya virus and dengue fever are a risk in Uganda so avoiding being bitten by mosquitos is advised. Also, ticks can carry diseases so when going through forested areas or long grass protect yourself by wearing long trousers and shirts. Tsetse flies carry diseases and there are no effective repellents so the same precautions as for ticks are the best prevention.
Health care
Access to medical care in Uganda is very limited, especially outside of Kampala, the capital city. The health care provided by the country’s medical facilities remains of poor quality. The main hospital in Uganda is the Mulago Hospital, located in the capital. It is only suitable for basic medical care. In the event of serious medical issues, an air evacuation to another country is indispensable.
There are no satisfying emergency services in Uganda.
Pharmacies are few in the country and they only sell basic medicines, not always of reliable quality. Be sure to bring your own medical supplies in sufficient quantities when travelling to Uganda, especially if you require specific treatments.
Food safety
Only eat food that is cooked and served hot. Eat fruits and vegetables that you have personally washed in clean water or peeled yourself. Never eat food sold by street vendors. Only drink boiled water that is sealed and has been filtered and disinfected. Prefer carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.
Safety
- The volatile situation in the eastern part of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could lead to possible incursions into western Uganda by DRC rebels.
- Western Uganda also has a history of inter-ethnic violence.
- Armed banditry, car thefts, muggings and kidnappings occur throughout Uganda and foreigners have been targeted.
- Petty crime, including pickpocketing, purse and jewellery snatching and theft from hotel rooms and vehicles, occurs regularly.
- If attacked, don’t resist, as offering resistance may result in violence.
- Armed robberies are perpetrated against pedestrians, even during daytime.
- Armed robberies also occur along roadways, particularly at night.
- Keep your vehicle doors locked at all times, windows closed and personal belongings, including handbags, safely stored.
- Don’t leave items such as laptops and briefcases in unattended vehicles
- Don’t display jewellery or electronics when walking
- Remain vigilant when using public transportation or walking along deserted streets
- Avoid walking and driving at night
- Taxi and matatu (minibus) operators have robbed their passengers and stranded them far from their destination. Avoid taking taxis or matatus that have only one or two passengers, and ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times when using public transportation.
Climate
The best time to visit Uganda is during its two dry seasons: between December and February, and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time, as well as between February and March. Large numbers of wildlife can be seen at waterholes from September through to early October.
Temperatures barely change throughout the seasons, sitting around 24°C to 30°C, so you can visit Uganda all year round. The country is also fabulous for bird spotting at any time of year.
Uganda – Month-by-Month
Considered a dry season, this is one of the best times to visit Uganda, although rainfall can be expected here in any month. Wildlife spotting is particularly good at this time of year as there is less vegetation to obstruct your view and a variety of wildlife can be seen seeking waterholes. This is also a great time for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, while bird watchers can enjoy spotting migratory birds.
Considered one of Uganda’s wet seasons. Parks are lush and green and animals give birth to their young. It’s also an excellent time to spot migratory birds. Heavy rain showers are frequent so the roads can often be in bad condition. As such expect bumpier journeys.
This is one of the best times to visit Uganda and is considered a dry season, although rainfall can still be expected. It is particularly good for wildlife spotting as there is less vegetation to obstruct your view and a variety of wildlife can be seen seeking waterholes. It’s also a great time for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
This is one of the best times to visit Uganda and is considered a dry season, although rainfall can still be expected. It is particularly good for wildlife spotting as there is less vegetation to obstruct your view and a variety of wildlife can be seen seeking waterholes. It’s also a great time for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Considered a wet season, November sees dry plains gradually turn green in the national parks as heavy rain showers fall across the landscape. It is a good time to see migratory birds.
You can expect some rainfall during December, but wildlife spotting opportunities are good. This is also a great time for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as for spotting a variety of migratory birds.
Visa requirements
You have to apply for your Ugandan single entry visa or East Africa Visa (Uganda, Kenya and
Rwanda) online, through the Ugandan E-visa System via the following link:
www.visas.immigration.go.ug/
If your application is accepted, a letter of approval/electronic visa will be sent by email within
a few days. You will take this document – together with a valid passport/travel document –
to the point of entry. You will pay the visa fee of USD 50 for a single Uganda Entry visa (or USD
100 for an East Africa Visa) by credit card. Note that your online application will only be
processed after paying through the system.
You can only apply for the East Africa Visa via the Ugandan system if Uganda is your first
country visited in East Africa. If you enter East Africa via Rwanda or Kenya, you will have to
apply via the E-visa system of the country you will enter first.
Please always check with your embassy if any different rules apply to your country of
residence.
Please do note, that only travellers with approved visas having applied online will be granted
entry into the country. We, therefore, advise people to apply and pay for their online visa at least 3 to 4 weeks prior to arrival in Uganda. The earliest you can apply is 3 months in advance.
Electrical
The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Which power plugs and sockets are in Uganda?
In Uganda, the power plugs and sockets are of type G. Check out the following pictures.
Type G: this type is of British origin. This socket only works with plug G.
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| Type G: This socket has no alternative plugs |
