Situated in the heart of Africa, Uganda is the undiscovered Pearl of the continent. So far, discovered by a few tourists, Uganda is still virtually untouched and pure. Uganda is a country of many surprises with rolling hills, sparkling crater lakes, abundant wildlife, adrenaline activities and, of course, the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Uganda is still authentically African, lush green and home to the friendliest people on the continent. So, take time off and discover a lifetime of memories.
Capital City: Kampala
Population: 45 million
Government: Republic
Currency: Ugandan Shilling – UGX (USD, English Pounds, and Euro also used.)
Time: 3 hrs + GMT
Weather and Climate
Uganda has a warm tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 25-29°C, apart from the mountainous areas, which are much more relaxed; the top of Mount Elgon is often covered with snow. The hottest months are December to February. Evenings can feel chilly after the day’s heat, with temperatures around 17. 18°C.
Most regions of Uganda, apart from the dry area in the north, have an annual rainfall of between 1,000mm and 1,500mm. Heavy rain between March and May and September and November makes road travel difficult in parts of the country.
Language
The official spoken language in Uganda is English. Besides, the country has more than 30 indigenous languages, including Luganda, mainly spoken in Kampala and its surroundings.
Security
Uganda is one of the friendliest and safest countries in Africa. This reputation is thanks to the inhabitants' hospitality and the low crime level. Nonetheless does use common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t walk in the towns or cities at night – take a taxi instead.
Getting There
The international airport of Entebbe has located 40 km from the capital city of Kampala. Several international airlines can be reached, including KLM, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, and Egypt Air.
Luggage
Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend using soft duffle bags. Some air charters limit baggage to a 10 – 15 kg maximum.
Insurance
Take out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accidents and medical expenses.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory but a tip for exceptional services.
Electricity
Uganda uses 240 voltages of power with a three-pointer plug charger system.
Cuisine
Tourist-oriented hotels and restaurants serve good Western-style meals, while a broader range of cuisines is available in the capital and some larger towns. Local restaurants serve Ugandan dishes, typically ugali (a stiff maize porridge) or matooke (cooked banana) eaten with a stew.
A single-entry visa costs US $50 per person. Visas must be applied for and paid online via the Uganda Immigration website. Once the application is submitted, it will be studied by an Immigration Officer. Please note that during the approval process, additional information may be required.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Uganda requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from all foreign visitors and citizens over 1 year of age travelling from an infected area or having been in transit through infected areas (>12 hours).
Your medical practitioner can issue an Uganda vaccination waiver if the yellow fever vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons. However, be warned that problems may arise when crossing borders and the vaccination waiver may not be honoured or accepted.
Covid-19
A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is no longer required for fully vaccinated inbound and outbound travellers. In addition, children under the age of 6 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate whether vaccinated or not.
Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health authorities. If your temperature is above normal or you display COVID-19 symptoms, you may be required to take a COVID-19 test. If a foreign national test positive for COVID-19 and wishes to be repatriated for treatment outside of Uganda, they will be expected to cover the costs themselves.
Uganda's two dry seasons last from December - February and June - August and are characterised by dry, pleasant weather, perfect for trekking. March-May is by far the wettest period in Uganda, with heavy rainfall making trekking more challenging. However, national parks are lush and green, with many species giving birth in this period.
June - August is the best time for spotting gorillas, with dry weather making trekking easier and vegetation less dense, so you can better spot gorillas. It also coincides with the Great Migration in nearby Tanzania, which is easily combined with gorilla trekking.
