Travel Advice for Uganda Safari Tours

Are you considering taking a gorilla trekking and safari trip to Uganda? Are you curious about the potential vaccines you may require and what to expect from the local cuisine during your safari in Uganda? For a plethora of knowledge on everything you need to know before making travel arrangements and leaving on your Uganda safari vacation, look no further than our Top Travel Tips.

Covered from head to toe with national parks, Uganda is a small country packed with attractions. In addition to chimpanzees playing in the shadow of the Rwenzori mountain range, lions prowling the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, elephants and hippos bathing in the Nile River below Murchison Falls, and much more, one can find rare mountain gorillas deep within the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Uganda’s political past may discourage tourists from traveling there, but tourism is increasing and peace has returned to “the pearl of Africa.” With the help of our East African partners, we have put up a list of recommendations and tips for Uganda safaris to make sure you have the most recent information possible on visiting this fascinating nation. This will enable you to take the journey of a lifetime while seeing the country and avoiding any “bumps” along the way.

Which vaccinations are required for travel to Uganda?

Consult a medical expert in your area before traveling to Uganda to be sure you have had the necessary vaccinations. Vaccinations against tetanus, polio, diphtheria, and hepatitis A and B are frequently advised. Vaccinations against rabies and meningitis are also advised. Safari Tours in Uganda: Travel Advice

The Ugandan Ministry of Health now mandates that all visitors provide documentation of their yellow fever immunization following an epidemic of the disease in April 2016.

Are malaria medications necessary for Uganda?

Given Uganda’s high malaria risk, it is imperative that you speak with your doctor before departing to determine whether malaria protection is necessary for the locations you will be visiting. Generally speaking, you may prevent mosquito bites by donning insect repellent with at least 50% DEET, wearing long sleeves, and wearing light-colored clothing. Visit the NHS Fit to Travel page or the CDC Traveler’s Health website for further details on the risks associated with malaria in Uganda.

Does someone need a visa?

Most passport holders who are not from Africa will need a visa in order to enter Uganda. To avoid disappointment, confirm that your passport will remain valid for at least six months after the date you plan to travel. All points of entry into Uganda, including Entebbe International Airport, offer visa services.

A three-month single-entry tourist visa costs $50. Before leaving, you can also apply online for an e-visa. Would you like to linger a bit longer? The immigration office in Kampala grants $30 visa extensions, so don’t worry.

Travel Tips for Uganda Safari Tours: A traveler displaying her Uganda visa.

What is Uganda’s food like?

Ugandan food usually consists of stews or sauce dishes made with meat that are served with ugali, a doughy, thick paste made from maize, or matoke, which is mashed, cooked green banana. In addition to meat and vegetables, stews occasionally include crushed nuts and beans for texture, along with side dishes such sweet potatoes, yams, and cassava. Ugandans eat a lot of fish, especially tilapia and tiger fish, due to the nation’s many rivers.

Many refer to Uganda as Africa’s fruit bowl because of the wide variety of fruits that are available there, including the well-known jackfruit.

How about some grasshoppers that have been deep-fried for a little something different?

If you are unable to consume these insects, chapattis pair nicely with other Indian-inspired cuisines. Mandazi is a popular delicacy among the locals, consisting of deep-fried flatbread dusted with sugar or cinnamon. Pour yourself a glass of pombe, a fermented beer made from millet or banana, to go with your meal. Safari Tours in Uganda: Travel Advice

Are you visiting Uganda? Consume responsibly!

Be cautious when dining outside of pricey resorts, as the quality and preparation of the meat might not always be ideal for an intolerant Western stomach. Avoid anything that looks dirty, expired, or inadequately cooked because food hygiene standards in Uganda are significantly lower than they may be in other countries.

Other wise decisions include avoiding ice in your drink and eating salads instead of anything that may have come into contact with contaminated water.

What kind of mementos are available in Uganda?

Uganda regularly offers traditional African handicrafts at extremely low prices, which makes them perfect gifts. Buying handcrafted, carved wooden masks and sculptures from local artisans is a terrific way to guarantee that you bring something special and authentic home with you.

There are many more items available to add some flair to your house, like bowls, batik artwork, and woven baskets.

Travelers to Uganda who wish to add some color to their outfits don’t have to go far. Vibrant textiles featuring captivating African patterns can be bought and either taken home unmade or altered by a nearby tailor to create clothing.

You will help the community once more by giving them a useful source of money by having your own custom-made clothing made, and you can be sure that no one else will be wearing the same clothes as you back home.

How am I going to get around on my safari in Uganda?

Entebbe International Airport serves as Uganda’s international entrance point and is where the majority of tourists arrive. Most of Uganda’s main roads are in fair condition; however, a 4×4 safari vehicle is recommended for exploring the backroads of the country, especially in national parks and during the rainy season.

Our tour guides and drivers speak English fluently, and our adventurers guarantee that you will always be driven in private 4×4 vehicles.

Is it legal in Uganda to negotiate?

The majority of goods at reputable retailers in Uganda’s largest cities, like Kampala, will have set prices and won’t be negotiable. Though price labels are usually absent from booths, markets, and family-run shops, this is where you might start haggling.

Making sure that the buyer and the seller are satisfied with the agreement once everything is said and done is the most crucial thing to keep in mind when negotiating. Maintaining your sense of humor and refraining from furious behavior are also excellent.

What is the currency used in Uganda?

Uganda’s official currency is the Ugandan shilling. Major currencies can be exchanged locally or before a trip, including euros, British pounds, US dollars, South African rands, and others. Exchange services are also offered by a few bureaus de change, and ATMs are provided by large town banks.

Requesting bank notes in smaller denominations is preferable because larger notes can occasionally be tricky to convert, and smaller notes are useful for small purchases and tips. Traveler’s checks are not advised because they might be expensive and difficult to exchange.

When is the best time to visit Uganda?

Gorilla trekking is a year-round activity in Uganda; however, it can be more difficult and less likely to see gorillas due to the muddy terrain and wet rainy seasons. We advise travelling during the dry months of January to February and June to September to facilitate your travels. We advise visiting Uganda around the end of the dry season, when wildlife gathers around the water sources in the national parks, for the finest game viewing during your safari.

What about security in Uganda?

As long as standard safety measures are followed, Uganda is a welcoming and safe location. When you are with animals, always pay attention to your knowledgeable guides; if you are in a wildlife region, carry a torch; and if you are on a boat, wear a life jacket. Safari Tours in Uganda: Travel Advice

In Uganda, the motorbike taxi, or boda boda, is the riskiest form of transportation. We advise taking a private vehicle or a cab.

Uganda’s kind people welcome visitors as the country rises from the shadows of its turbulent past. Experienced tourists are welcome to see the nation’s varied landscapes and partake in traditional African activities. Would you like additional information about traveling to Uganda? To learn more about a Uganda safari, get in touch with an advisor

I’d like to go trekking with the gorillas. What am I going to need?

For the courageous and physically capable, gorilla trekking is available in Uganda. Because of the rugged mountain geography of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the endangered mountain gorillas’ deep hiding places in the African jungle, trekking can be challenging.

For gorilla trekking, a person must be at least 15 years old.
Visitors to the park who exhibit symptoms of an infectious disease will not be allowed in.
It is necessary to obtain a gorilla trekking permit at least three months before to the planned journey date. In peak season, a license costs $600 and is only granted 96 times a day.
To maintain the intimacy and control of your Uganda gorilla trekking experience, only eight people can follow one gorilla family at a time, and you can only stay with them for an hour.

Remember that although hiking is promised, there is no assurance of seeing gorillas because this is the wild. A 50% refund of your permit cost will be given if you are unable to find the gorillas.
Bring bug repellent to keep mosquitoes at bay, long sleeves and pants to defend against stinging nettles, a rain jacket for sudden downpours, and a pair of sturdy hiking boots.

Budget for a Uganda safari: How much cash would I need for a safari excursion in Uganda?

Uganda is not an expensive country in terms of dining out and general touring. You can get a decent supper (with wine) for at least $6 USD. Hotels and decent lodging for two people will cost you about $50 USD. Moreover, reservations for shared rooms and dorms can be made for less than $10 USD.

Remember that entering Uganda’s national parks has an expense. These fixed fees were enforced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). You should allow about $40 USD for this. In distinct parks and sanctuaries, they are different.

Packing list for Uganda: What Should You Take With You?

• Bring rain protection and comfy clothing that fits the local way of life when you travel to Uganda by car. If you plan to visit Uganda, you should also pack the following additional items:
• It’s not advised to wear clothing that is too tight. Conversely, long shirts work well for casual shirts.
• One or two bottoms (such as pants or jeans)
• One light jacket, one jumper, one fleece, one sweatshirt, and one long-sleeved shirt
• two or four sock pairs.
• two or three pairs of cozy walking shoes.
• During the rainy season, carry one umbrella, poncho, or raincoat.
• bottled water.
• Sunblock
• Remember to pack your camera, extra batteries, and chargers for all of your electronics.
• If you enjoy trekking and traveling, choose a great pair of hiking boots.

In Uganda, insect repellents are advised because malaria is a common disease.
While it’s not necessary to cover your head or wear long dresses or skirts in Uganda, it’s advised if you wish to deflect unwelcome attention.