Looking for Uganda travel tips: All that you got to know before you travel to Uganda are found in this article. Do not travel without getting to know your Uganda travel tips.
Where to Find Uganda
During your Uganda Travels whether you are on safari to Uganda or traveling for business, you will find our country enjoying a Unique location. at the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa. We operate within the East African Standard Time Zone that is 3 hours ahead of GMT, also written as GMT +3 hours.
Who Neighbors Uganda
My country is bordered by Sudan in the North, Kenya in the East, the United republic of Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the West. Your Trip to Uganda can therefore be planned concurrently with Travels to any of the neighboring countries.
Water and Land Distribution
The country has a landmass of 241,000 Square Kilometers, 18% of which is covered by freshwater bodies. Lying astride the equator, Uganda combines some of the best features of Africa, including the Source of River Nile (the second longest river in the World) and Lake Victoria ( the second largest freshwater lake in the World).
The Vegetation
The country’s geographical diversity is great: in the east, it overlaps the tropical Savannah, and in the west, African tropical rain-forest zones.
The Physical and Land Form
While traveling and doing business in Uganda you will be able to appreciate the country’s peerless geography. Uganda lies on the elevated basin which rises between the eastern and western branches of the Great Rift Valley. The most mountainous parts of Uganda is the Kigezi region in the southwest. North of Kigezi on the Congolese border are the Rwenzori Mountains. Margherita Peak (5,109M) the highest point on the Rwenzoris is exceeded in altitude on the African continent only by Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Best time to visit Uganda
If given chance to choose the best time to go to Uganda, you should plan to visit Uganda in the dry season. Visiting Uganda during the wet months of April, May, October and November might deter you from outdoor tourist activities. This would come in handy at the end of your business trip.
It is worth noting that due to climatic change, the seasons are quite unpredictable in Uganda nowadays. You might therefore benefit from a call or email to your contact in Uganda asking about the prevailing weather conditions before you make a final decision on the best time to visit.
The climate is good in Uganda all year round – hot and wet, daytime temperatures generally hovering between 22-27 C. It cools down at night; enough for a jersey but woolens are not necessary.
The rains come twice a year, in October/November (short rains) and Mid-march to end of May. Rainy season is no reason to postpone your travel however, as generally it rains for an hour or two and the rest of the day is clear and sunny.
What Do I Need to Go to Uganda
Visas:
You will need a Valid passport, one that will not expire within six months on the date you plan to leave Uganda. You also need a visa to be accepted in the country unless you are from the exempted countries. The good news is that compared with visas of western counties like the USA, acquiring a Ugandan visa is quite straight forward.
Visa is now necessary for most Nationals and can be obtained prior to travel. The most convenient Way for Tourists to obtain visas for Uganda is on arrival at the airport in Entebbe if you are flying. By land, you can obtain the Uganda Visa at any entry point into the country.
You can apply for the Uganda Tourism Visa online if you want everything settled prior to arrival. The process in our opinion is cumbersome compared to the visa on arrival, there are photos, uploads of itineraries, plus a Credit Card fee.
We update our visa information for Tourists as it changes that you will not be caught unaware when you reach Entebbe International Airport. However, visa can still be obtained at all places of entry at a fee of single entry $ 50.00 per person.
Ugandan visa fees were increased with effect from 1st July 2007 as follows.
Student visas US $ 20
Single entry US $ 50
Multiple entry 6 months US $ 100
Multiple entry 1-year US $ 200
Inland transit US $ 15
Health/Insurance:
The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveler.
It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. They will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets.
This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites.
Many of the problems experienced by travelers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.
Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended and an international traveler we recommend it to avoid unnecessary inconveniences, we also recommend anti-malaria inoculations, especially during the rainy season. Most prescription drugs can be bought affordably and with ease over the counter in Kampala. We advise clients to take their Personal insurance.
Other Important Tips for Uganda Travel
Official Language:
English, Luganda and many local dialects are spoken. Swahili is also widely spoken and understood.
Airports: Airlines: Charter flights:
Currently there is one International Airport in Uganda at Entebbe the country’s hub. A number of international airlines fly direct to Entebbe, among them include, British Airways, SN Brussels, Kenya Airways/KLM, Emirates, South Africa Airways, Egypt Air and Ethiopian Airways.
Emirates with daily flights will fly to Entebbe and will link to the whole world. Most major towns have airstrips, as do most National Parks and Game Reserves. Charter flights are available with small aviation companies.
ASTHO Vacations can arrange for charter flights on request privately with those clients that that prefer charter holidays like or are limited with time. To a small scale they operate scheduled flights.
Currency:
Ugandan Shilling is our currency and convertible. It is advisable to carry Cash American US dollars, Euro, British Pound or Travelers’ Cheque.
There are numerous Forex Bureaux and International Banks in the capital city – Kampala and the main towns. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants and can be cashed to limited amount per day at the counters of international banks.
There are ATM machines that can cash some credit cards. It is generally best to carry cash- shillings upcountry as you may not get places to carry out exchange.
It is advisable to carry USD dollar notes from year 2009 and above as below notes may at times not be accepted and fetch high bank charges. Note to be in denominations of 100s and 50s. small bills are not acceptable and fetch low exchange rates.
Climate/Clothing:
Light clothing, hats, and sturdy shoes. Long sleeve shirts for evening. Sweatshirt or fleece for evenings upcountry. Uganda’s position on the equator suggests a need for sun cream. Also, it is advisable to equip yourself with insect repellent.
Women in rural towns may feel more comfortable wearing clothing that covers their knees and shoulders, but this is not mandatory. It’s usually hot by midday, but evenings are always pleasant.
The warmth of Equator and the cool breezes of natural forests and mist mountains generate a tender climate throughout the year not to be enjoyed anywhere else in Africa.
Trekking gorillas in Uganda will require you to long pants – Jeans and long-sleeved shirts and blouses, rain gear- water proof jacket or rain coat that will protect your cameras from rain. Rain in Bwindi Forest daily is almost part of the ecosystem. The terrain is steep and sturdy shoes are recommended.
Gorilla Tracking:
The minimum age for Gorilla tracking is 15 years. And each permit costs $ 700 per person per day for Bwindi National Park, $700 for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and $1,500 for Park de volcans Nationale in Ruhengeri.
Do not hesitate to seek for advice in case you have any questions and seeking answers on what you Need to Travel to Uganda.