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Visiting Uganda or a visit to Uganda is among the most exciting adventures that a tourist can have in this present day. When you visit Uganda (travel to Uganda) on various Uganda tours, there are incredible wildlife tourist destinations to explore, communities, beautiful scenery, and rich history.
Uganda, found in East Africa is endowed with various tourist attractions, and tour activities including Mountain Gorilla trekking for the adventure of many travelers.
With a well-planned trip, visiting Uganda will give you a safe and memorable lifetime experience in Africa.
Visiting Uganda becomes easier by the day for travelers because the Ugandan government is doing a lot to invest in infrastructure and other aspects of tourism like travel advice for travelers.
Various visitors that have visited Uganda have reminisced about its lovely touristic nature, thus inviting more visitors to the nation.
In 1908, Winston Churchill called Uganda the “Pearl of Africa” for its lovely beauty and amazing ecosystem.
Below, we look at the various travel advice to receive as you plan on visiting Uganda, and during your stay in the country.
The Pearl of Africa is a touristic nation with various offers for travelers. From the endemic wildlife to the lovely landscapes and the beautiful people, Uganda is indeed a home for the adventurous.
The major reason for various travelers visiting Uganda is the Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a popular tourist destination holding almost half of the world’s total number of Mountain Gorillas, with more Gorilla families for trekking.
Visit the numerous wildlife including the tree climbing Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and watch the magnificent falls at Murchison Falls National Park.
Likewise, go Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and have a relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi. Alternatively, you can visit the source of the Nile in Jinja to explore the source of the River Nile, the longest river in the world.
Explore the indigenous Batwa people of Western Uganda and the Karamojong, together with the endangered IK tribe of North Eastern Uganda for an amazing cultural encounter.
Additionally, enjoy watching about 1,096 bird species in various protected areas of the country for memorable birding adventures.
There are various touristic destinations to go to while visiting Uganda. With the major destinations being Uganda’s national parks, you can also visit some major cities and cultural sites for your Uganda tour. Below we discuss these places.
There are 10 national parks in Uganda, managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and each with a distinct uniqueness to offer various tourists who visit Uganda. Let us look at the major Uganda parks below.
Bwindi Impenetrable NP is a major tourist destination in Uganda that you should not miss visiting. Apart from holding the highest number of Gorillas that are endemic to the Virunga region, it has a biodiverse ecosystem with many of the rare Albertine Rift endemic birds.
Likewise, its amazing scenery invites scenic adventures to the region and thus one of the places to visit in Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth NP is another popular tourist destination in Uganda whose biodiversity enables it to be home to a variety of wild animals and birds.
This park hosts the highest number of bird species among all the national parks in East Africa. More so, it is one of the few places where you will find tree climbing Lions, explore various crater lakes and watch many wildlife species.
The magnificent Murchison Falls National Park protects the most powerful waterfalls in the world, the Murchison Falls.
It is a great wildlife and birding destination that you can majorly explore on game drives, boat trips, and nature walks.
The famous “primate capital of the world” is an easy spot to see the habituated Chimpanzees in Uganda together with 12 other primate species. This forest park also hosts numerous forest bird species including Albertine Rift Endemics to explore during your Uganda birding tours.
This savannah park in Northeastern Uganda is a true African wilderness with golden grasslands lying under the tropical sun.
The park boasts about 77 mammal species, thus giving you amazing game-viewing opportunities.
Additionally, climbing Mount Morungole is a great opportunity to have beautiful views of the savannah grasslands, its wildlife, and the Narus River in the park.
Lake Mburo National Park is the nearest park to Kampala city and also the only one in the country where you will find the Impala Antelopes.
With about 350 bird species and 68 mammal species, prepare for an experience of a lifetime.
While in the park, enjoy the safe and amazing morning walking safaris that allow you to explore the wild animals closely on foot.
Other national parks to visit in Uganda include Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Mount Rwenzori NP, Mount Elgon NP, and Semuliki NP.
Apart from the parks, you can also visit Kampala City for a city tour, Kasubi tombs for cultural enlightenment, or Lake Bunyonyi to relax on your Uganda African safaris.
There are various things to do during your Uganda tours and trips and some of them include the following.
While the cost of some of the activities is the same in all the tour destinations, some places have different costs.
Below, we look at the costs of these major safari activities in Uganda.
| ACTIVITY | COST |
| Gorilla trekking | Foreign nonresident, USD 700 Foreign resident, USD 600 East African citizen, UGX 250,000 |
| Chimpanzee trekking | Foreign nonresident, Foreign resident East African citizen |
| Game drives (Day) | Foreign nonresident, USD 20,000 Foreign resident, USD 20,000 East African citizen, UGX 20,000 |
| Boat cruise/ Launch trip to the bottom of the falls | Foreign nonresident, USD 30 Foreign resident, USD 30 East African citizen, UGX 30,000 |
| Birding | Foreign nonresident, USD 30,000 Foreign resident, USD 30,000 East African citizen, UGX 10,000 |
| Hiking on top of the falls | Foreign nonresident, USD 15 Foreign resident, USD 10 East African citizen, USD 10,000 |
| Sport Fishing | USD 50 per day |
| White Water Rafting | Foreign nonresident, USD 50 Foreign resident, USD 50 East African citizen, UGX 50,000 |
When visiting Uganda, there are various travel advice and things to consider in preparation and during your trip to make your adventure easier and more memorable.
Read below to find out everything you need to know about visiting Uganda.
The entry restrictions and visa policy of Uganda require foreigners to acquire a visa when on travel to Uganda. They can either acquire the visa online or on arrival in the country.
Uganda officially gives E-visas but the visa on arrival can be acquired at the border, even though kind of unofficially.
You will need about $ 50 to $ 100 to pay for your Visa on arrival at the border and this does not take a lot of time.
However, about 36 other countries in Africa do not require a visa to enter Uganda, as long as they are staying for less than 90 days.
Acquiring an E-visa to Uganda is easy and quick, as you will need to have your passport copy, passport-size photograph, and your Yellow Fever vaccination card.
Tourists planning travel to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda at the same time can acquire an East African community single tourist visa to travel within the 3 countries.
As long as you are still within the borders of these three countries, you can have multiple entries within the countries for as long as 90 days when the visa is still valid.
The visa is $ 100 and it also loses its validity if you leave the borders of any of the three East African countries.
To enter Uganda, your passport should also have a validity of about 6 months after the date on which you arrive in the country.
UK emergency travel documents are allowed for entering Uganda. You can get this travel document within 6 months, and also ensure to report to the authorities of your missing/stolen documents before leaving the country.
It is also advisable to have medical evacuation insurance for health emergencies or additional health screening measures with the local health centers.
Before traveling to Uganda, you will need to know the health care entry requirements and other diseases that you can prevent while on your stay in the country.
You will need the Yellow Fever vaccination card which is mandatory. However, to be on the safer side, consult with your doctor to get proper medications for your travel to Uganda.
Yes, you need to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever before entering Uganda because Uganda is a Yellow Fever endemic country, and the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate allows you to acquire a visa.
A Yellow Fever vaccination card is therefore mandatory, especially if you are coming from a Yellow Fever endemic country.
Additionally, children under 5 years will need to be vaccinated against Polio.
Apart from the mandatory Yellow Fever card, we also recommend for disease control you get other routine vaccines Malaria, Hepatitis A and B, DTP, Typhoid Cholera, and Rabies, each of which is a common and deadly illness in the country.
Ebola Virus Disease:
Even though there has been the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country, the World Health Organization announced the end of the disease. However, avoid contact with bush meat and body fluids from an infected person to help fight this Ebola virus disease.
HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS is a great risk in the country, thus it is recommended to take every measure in avoiding it, including touching other people’s body fluids like blood.
Air Pollution:
There is also air pollution in the country, especially in the major cities. Thus, people at great risk are those with lung or heart diseases, the elderly, children, or those who actively work outdoors. It is advised that you wear a face mask to have lesser risks and also avoid such places whenever you can.
Covid 19:
You no longer need covid-19 vaccination or to present a negative PCR test. However, Port Health Authorities will check and screen your temperature upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport to manage the health care.
However, the Covid-19 requirements are bound to change almost all the time, but currently, you are not required to present a negative PCR test or vaccination card. However, some destinations within the country will require you to wear masks, even though this is not in many places. Also, the Port Health Authorities will screen your temperature at Entebbe International Airport for safer and additional health screening measures.
Uganda has a high risk of Malaria throughout the whole country, especially in the rainy season.
Thus, you need a Malaria vaccination or medication for your travels in Uganda, especially if you are visiting the Northern region where the risk is quite higher.
You can also protect yourself against Mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothes and having your repellant cream with you.
Uganda uses the Uganda shillings for transactions. However, even foreign currencies like the US Dollars and the Euros are widely accepted, especially in high-end places.
Even though Dollars and Euros are accepted in some destinations, it is always important to carry Uganda Shillings with you so that you can easily purchase local items like souvenirs and snacks or tip some of the service providers.
In case you need to exchange money, there are some Forex offices in the towns that you can use. Alternatively, you can exchange money at Entebbe International Airport upon your arrival. You will always get a higher value for your Uganda shillings upon exchange from your foreign currency.
Kindly take note of the current exchange rates so that you are not cheated by some attendees.
Tourists who would like the services of ATMs should take note that some foreign banks do not allow ATM transactions in Uganda. Thus, walk with either extra cash or better still, an extra credit card to be on the safe side.
However, many Visa credit cards allow you to withdraw money from any bank. You can use various banks like Stanbic Bank, Equity Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Absa Bank.
Bank of Baroda is the cheapest as it does not charge a withdrawal fee. However, Standard Chartered charges the highest withdrawal fee of about UGX 20,000 which is equivalently $ 5.4.
Few high-end places offer Wi-Fi in Uganda and some of them are slow. If you are a traveler who would like internet 24/7 then we recommend that you buy a local sim card which you will use to buy your data.
A local sim card in Uganda will enable you to be connected to the people in the country and also enable you to get internet easily and cheaply.
Usually, visitors like to buy the MTN card because of the better network, even though the Airtel card is equally good.
Previously, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were blocked in Uganda. However, except for Facebook which remains blocked, Instagram and WhatsApp were restored.
Tourists who would like to access Facebook while in Uganda can do so by getting a very good VPN.
The local media in Uganda is informative and up to date with various national events.
Various television and radio stations will enable you to access news, weather forecasts, and upcoming events.
Thus, monitor local media to stay up to date with the security situation, daily happening in the country, and other important information.
Uganda has both private and public medical facilities and healthcare units for providing medical treatment to travelers and tourists in the country.
However, medical facilities with better medical treatment and medical services are found in the major cities and towns compared to the villages that have limited access to better health care. Therefore, always have a medical kit and prescription drugs for emergencies especially if you are outside the city center.
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before leaving for Uganda. Your travel insurance enables you to cater for any medical expenses while in Uganda. This includes the medical bills, thus preventing instances of expensive charges for medical treatment during your trip.
It is advisable to go for a health insurance plan that covers medical evacuation or local health services is also amazing.
You may get some diseases or even skin rashes from insect bites like Mosquitoes, Fleas, or ticks. To prevent being bitten or made uncomfortable by these insect bites, make sure that you have an insect repellant with you.
According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, national park fees differ according to the destination that travelers go to.
Below is a list of the daily park fees in the different protected areas.
| National Park | Category Of Visitor Paying Park Fees | Park Fees |
| Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 30 – $ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Queen Elizabeth National Park | -Foreign Resident -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 30 – $ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Murchison Falls National Park | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 35 – $ 45 – UGX 25,000 |
| Kibale Forest NP | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $30 – $ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Kidepo Valley NP | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 30 – $ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Lake Mburo NP | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 30 – $ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Mgahinga Gorilla NP | -Foreign Nationals -Foreign Non Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 30 -$ 40 – UGX 20,000 |
| Mt Rwenzori NP | -Foreign Resident -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 25 – $ 35 – UGX 25,000 |
| Semuliki NP | -Foreign Resident -Foreign Non Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 25 – $ 35 – UGX 25,000 |
| Mt Elgon NP | -Foreign Resident -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 25 – $ 35 – UGX 25,000 |
| Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary | -Foreign Resident -Foreign Non-Resident -East African Citizen | – $ 20 – $ 20 – UGX10,000 |
Apart from the park fees, the Uganda Wildlife Authority also charges fixed prices for certain safari activities in Uganda’s national parks.
For your Gorilla trekking permit or Chimpanzee trekking permits, you can purchase them at the offices of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through your tour operator.
A Gorilla trekking permit costs USD 700 for foreign nonresidents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
The Chimpanzee trekking permits differ according to the destination you are going to trek the Chimps. However, the major Chimpanzee trekking destination, which is Kibale NP charges USD 200 for foreign nonresidents, USD 150 for foreign residents, and UGX 150,000 for East African Citizens.
A journey to Uganda can be quite manageable, especially if it is well-planned. Travelers on a budget safari can eat the local food, sleep in budget lodges or camps and also hire a self-drive vehicle to reduce public transportation costs. However, you may most likely spend more on fuel.
Additionally, you can get transport services cheaply by using public means like Buses, Matatus, and Taxis.
There are various means of public transportation in Uganda, beginning with taxis, Matatus, Buses, Coaches, Boda Bodas, and Bicycles in village areas.
Boda bodas are the common means of public transportation services, especially if you are having a city tour. They are also the most flexible for many travelers on Uganda tours.
Additionally, you can also use various apps like Uber and Safe boda to order a boda, especially if you are not sure of the charges to a certain destination.
Other road transport means in the country include taxis, matatus, buses, coaches, and many others.
More so, the roads in Uganda are fair since many of them have been worked on. Many other roads are also under construction to improve the public transportation conditions of the country.
The most challenging part is the weather condition whereby the heavy rains cause some roads to be muddy, thus difficult to pass.
Follow the local traffic laws to drive safely and avoid road accidents.
There are both international and domestic flights that are safe to use in Uganda. Your tour operator can help book for you a flight to your different destinations.
Likewise, various destinations in the country are reached by phenomenal boat cruises and trips which are safe. Ensure to wear your life jacket when going on boat travel.
Both self-drives and hiring a driver are suitable for your travels depending on the conditions.
Self-drives however are cheaper thus allowing you to save on your Uganda tours.
However, group travelers can hire a big 4×4 vehicle and also hire a driver for their trip. This will enable you to have enough relaxation and thus enjoy more while on the road.
Additionally, if you hire a tourist vehicle with a driver, there are not many stops for police checks as when you hire a private vehicle and you are on a self-drive.
There are not many petrol stations or gas stations along the way when going to the far rural areas in Uganda.
If lucky, you will find locals selling petrol in jerricans along the way and be able to buy it.
However, if you are driving too far to destinations like Kidepo Valley National Park in the north, then you can stop for gas in either Kitgum or Kaabong.
There are not as many power sockets in the country areas as in the city and major towns.
The fact that many lodges and hotel rooms use either solar or generators means that electricity is not available all the time.
Thus, always pack your power bank with you and ensure you carry extra batteries for your camera.
There are more than 40 languages spoken in Uganda but the most common one is Luganda. All these tribes are very welcoming and friendly to foreigners. Thus, learning a few common words in the local languages is amazing and will help you to easily create a bond with the locals.
You can practice some of the words and phrases below in Luganda,
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| How are you | Olyotya |
| I am fine | Gyendi |
| Thank you | Webale |
| Okay | Kale |
| Please | Bambi |
| What is your name? | Elinya lyo gwani? |
| My name is … | Elinya lyange nze… |
| Help me | Nyamba |
| Banana(Green) | Matooke |
| Rice | Mukyere |
| Sweet Potatoes | Lumonde |
| Irish Potatoes | Bumonde |
| Cassava | Muwogo |
It is generally safe to travel to Uganda as there are very low crime rates in the country. However, avoid traveling at night for personal security especially when you are alone more so outside the major town as there are reports of criminal activities in those places.
Armed robbery by armed groups, pickpocketing as well as scams are major threats. Thus, for personal security, do not carry large sums of money, and avoid showing off expensive jewelry, gadgets, or money especially when in the city center as you may attract thieves who will snatch them.
Terrorism:
Terrorism attacks have occurred before and even though it was not directed toward foreigners, it is still important to stay safe and avoid overcrowded places.
The Kampala central business district had two explosions on 16th November 2021, making them three within almost the same period.
Due to the security situation, you will find security checks by local authorities and security forces in various places including airports, government buildings, shopping centres, places of worship, and banks among others to manage further attacks.
If you suspect any unusual activities related to terrorism, contact the nearest police station or call 999.
Demonstrations:
Some demonstrations occur, especially due to political events and differences in political parties. The local authorities use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live bullets to manage such situations, thus it is important to stay away from any demonstrations. You can later monitor local media to know how to stay safe.
Kidnapping:
Although not common, the kidnapping of foreigners has occurred before. The local media reported a tourist was kidnapped from the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth NP on 2 April 2019, but later was found by the local authorities. Travelers are well-guarded as they move with armed groups of rangers for their tours.
Natural Disasters:
It is also important to take note of natural disasters like flooding and landslides that have occurred in some regions of the country, especially during the rainy seasons. To protect yourself in case of such instances, always follow the safety precautions of local authorities and people, keep your documents in a waterproof bag, monitor local media to remain up to date, and always connect to your friends and families.
Safety for female travelers:
Female travelers may face harassment and verbal abuse from some people. Travelers, especially females should exercise caution about drinks or food from new people as it may contain illegal drugs or substances that will subject them to robbery, sexual assault, or any other further attacks.
Wildlife Viewing:
To stay safe while viewing wildlife, it is recommended to keep the safe recommended distance by your guide. Also, use reputable and registered tour operators and guides for your travel to Uganda.
Driving Safety:
Road accidents have occurred often, but majorly because of overspeeding and overloading. Thus, it is important to follow the local traffic laws while driving to avoid getting into any dangerous situations.
Additionally, only those who are 18 and above are allowed to drive as long as they have a driving permit. Thus, if you are considering a self-drive adventure around the country then you should carry your international driving permit.
The Democratic Republic of Congo -South Sudan border is not yet very safe, but if you have a guide and an armed ranger as you exercise caution, then you may visit destinations near the border of other countries. This also applies to the Democratic Republic of Congo border in Western Uganda.
Communities in, the west of Uganda have had a history of wars between tribal groups, but the area is safe.
Most of the tourist destinations of the country are in Western Uganda, next to the unstable Democratic Republic of Congo border.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has some civil wars thus it is advisable for travelers to not travel at least 50 km within the Democratic Republic of Congo border, especially if they are alone.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked the Bweramule Parish in Ntoroko District at the Congo border on 12th December 2022. Be careful about these cross-border attacks, especially because it is near Semuliki NP and Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.
To protect the borders, DR Congo and Uganda formed a joint military operation against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in North Kivu and Ituri region, next to the Virunga National Park. You may thus find some armed groups in these regions.
It is important to be acquainted with precise travel information when traveling to the northern Uganda border of South Sudan and the Karamoja regions. This is because of the instabilities in South Sudan which may make the border unsafe for travelers due to cross-border attacks.
It is advisable to not travel over 50 km into the South Sudan border because of these instabilities.
However, visiting Kidepo Valley National Park in northern Uganda and close to the South Sudan border is safe.
Generally, food and water in Uganda are safe. In most places, you will be able to find Matooke, Posho, Potatoes, Cassava, Beans, Cabbage, Meat, Grounded Peanuts, and Rice.
You will also find the “Rolex”, a common Ugandan snack prepared and sold cheaply in stalls almost everywhere.
However, risky sicknesses like Cholera and Diarrhea result from eating dirty food, therefore, tourists should make sure that they are in healthy environments and clean restaurants when eating.
Make sure that the fruits that you are eating are washed with clean water.
We advise that you do not drink tap water when you visit Uganda as it is not safe for drinking. However, you can safely use it for brushing, washing your face, and bathing.
It is advisable to stick to bottled water and later dispose of the plastics in a safe place to protect the environment. This way, you not only stay healthy but also help to support the local communities when you buy from them.
Avoid swimming in lakes and rivers as some of them contain Crocodiles and Hippos that are threatening to human life.
However, there are safe swimming destinations that your guide can show you in Lake Bunyonyi or the various swimming pools in the lodges and other areas around the country.
Like any other republic, there is a legal status of national and local laws that govern both the citizens and visitors in the nation.
Punishments are given to the guilty accordingly, thus you should be able to abide by the national and local laws upon visiting the country.
There are various regulations in the tour destinations, more so the Covid 19 Standard Operating Procedures.
Or else, public transportation costs may change, thus increasing or reducing the costs of your tours.
To avoid any inconveniences, it is better to prepare for your trip in advance by getting all the prior important information, especially through your tour operator.
Being in a new environment, you need to carry the right items for your Uganda tour, for example
When visiting rural areas, women should make sure that they wear skirts or dresses below their knees because wearing short clothes may be seen as disrespectful.
Also, wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers when trekking, to avoid scratches from the vegetation.
Other things to pack while visiting Uganda are your international driver’s license, memory cards and extra batteries, a flashlight, sarong or scarf, an adapter, and a passport.
Below is a guide to registered tour operators that you can choose to use while visiting Uganda.
1) Prime Safaris and Tours Limited
2) Guide to Uganda
3) Wild Gorilla Safaris
4) Uganda Tours Safaris
5) Gorillas & Chimpanzee Safaris Africa
6) Africa Safari Tours
7) Adventure Vacation Safaris Uganda Africa
8) Jinja Source of the Nile Tours
There is enough accommodation to suit just any traveler from budget, midrange, and luxury for use when to visit Uganda.
From Entebbe to Kampala the capital city and various other protected areas, you will find lodges or hotel rooms that suit your budget.
When you visit Uganda, you will discover that it is tourist friendly, and its welcoming people make the nation a home for various travelers.
The country has some of the friendliest people in the world and various tourist attractions for your tours.
During a visit to Uganda, tipping in Uganda is allowed and appreciated by the guides, attendants, waitresses and so much more.
Even though tipping is not compulsory in Uganda, it is expected by some guides during nature walks, game drives, or boat tours.
To make tipping easier, you can have your money exchanged for Ugandan Shillings to cater to the large population that may not be able to easily exchange foreign currency.
Yes, U.S. citizens traveling to Uganda need an entry visa. For visa requirements, US citizens can also contact the Ugandan Embassy in Washington DC.
Uganda is great for travel all year round, but the best season to visit is in the dry season. These are from December to February and June to August.
March. April and May are quite challenging as they are the wet season in the country. In these months, the roads become muddy, and the trekking trails are usually difficult to pass.
Popular tourist destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Lake Bunyonyi are usually cold at night due to their high altitudes.
Visiting Uganda is an amazing experience, given you receive the right travel advice for your tour. With the above travel advice, navigate through the pearl of Africa with your amazing adventures.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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