Entry Requirements
It is no longer possible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You must apply for an e-visa about six weeks in advance of your trip. When you land in Entebbe, Customs and Immigration will review your document and insert a proper visa into your passport. The link to e-visa applications is https://visas.immigration.go.ug
Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry, unless you have proof of exemption from your doctor. See the Health and Safety section below for other vaccinations and medications to consider.
Languages
There are about 40 indigenous languages and dialects spoken in Uganda, but English and Luganda are both official languages here, and Swahili is spoken as well. English is taught in schools and is widely spoken, particularly in the cities and within the tourism industry. Outside of the cities, in the villages, it is a little less prevalent. You will certainly have no difficulty communicating.
Climate
Uganda lies directly on the Equator, so you might expect unbearable heat most of the time. There are areas of the country that are semi-arid and hot, but, in fact, Uganda is blessed with many rivers, lakes, and mountains which keep the climate reasonably temperate. The dry seasons are normally December – February and June – August. June and July are the coolest months. The wet season usually runs from March to May (the short rains) and September -November (the long rains). Temperatures will range from 21-25 C (68-77 F) during the day, and 12-16 C (54-61 F) at night. When you know the dates of your safari, and start to consider packing, check this link: https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/uganda
Currency and Money Management
The local currency is the Ugandan shilling; the symbol is /=. As an example, a 20,000/= banknote equals about $5.25 in US dollars. ATMs are widely available and we will include several stops on your itinerary so that you may withdraw funds as needed. The limit per withdrawal at ATMs is normally 1,000,000/= per day, which is a little over $250 US.
There are numerous Forex Bureaus in Entebbe and Kampala where you can exchange US dollars, including one at the airport, if you wish to exchange a small amount. The exchange rate will not be as good as other offices outside of the airport, but it’s an option.
IMPORTANT: If you are bringing US dollars, request them from your bank well in advance, large denominations ($50-100), 2013 or later printing, and in pristine condition, with no marks, tears, or folds. It’s wise to go through the bills at the bank and reject any questionable ones, so the bank can replace them right away. Once in Uganda, you may well be able to exchange bills that don’t meet that standard, but the exchange rate will be poor, if they are not rejected outright.
Your accommodations and all activities on your itinerary will have already been paid by the time you arrive in Uganda, but you will be responsible for the following:
- meals and beverages, other than breakfast; $25-30 per day per person should cover lunch and dinner
- personal expenses, such as laundry and souvenirs
- gratuities for guides, porters, servers, housekeeping
- any activities that you book directly with any other service providers
We will usually have dinner in our lodges, but if we are in transit from one lodge to another, we will stop for lunch. Pay in shillings here.
Some lodges will accept credit cards for your meals, but many will prefer shillings for a number of reasons: they buy supplies and services from local vendors, don’t have reliable internet to put through a charge, or don’t have access to exchange bureaus. Or all of the above. We have tried to indicate on your itinerary which lodges will accept credit cards, so you may be prepared. Visa is far more widely accepted than Mastercard, or any other major credit cards, but don’t bother about Travelers’ Checks. Is that still a thing?
If you’re curious about costs, this link will give you an idea of the cost of living in Uganda: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Kampala?displayCurrency=USD
Tipping
Although tipping is not as “expected” here as elsewhere, people employed in the tourism industry in Uganda are among the hardest-working and lowest-paid of any sector. Even the smallest amount of money can make a huge difference to them. Tipping of local guides, porters, servers, and housekeepers must be done in shillings, although your driver/guide can accept US dollars.
This article, and there are many others, offers some excellent advice, and will give you a better understanding of what is admittedly a confusing subject. https://www.tulambule.com/tipping-in-uganda-guide
Electricity
You will need a kit with international plugs and a converter. The plugs in Uganda are all of the British standard three-pronged variety.
Lodges will generally have a charging station in the dining area where guests can charge up their devices. Most rooms will also have outlets, but don’t be surprised if some lodges shut off electricity after midnight, if they rely on solar or a generator for power.
You may find that lighting in the rooms is often barely adequate, which can be particularly challenging to anyone with less than perfect vision. A headlamp or a small flashlight/torch will come in handy in those situations.
Be sure that any electrical appliances you bring are low-voltage, made specifically for travel, so as not to overload a fragile system. You can sometimes obtain an appliance from the lodge office if you need one. It has been our experience that using a hairdryer or an electric shaver is an exercise in futility. To use either effectively, three things are required: an electrical outlet, a mirror, and light to see by. It is rare that you will have all three of those things in one place within cord length. Plan accordingly, and try to be as low-maintenance as possible.
Food and Drink
Bottled water is provided in the vehicle. Aside from that, you are responsible for any other beverages that you would like. In terms of alcoholic beverages, lodges generally have beer and wine available, and many lodges have fully-stocked bars. We recommend that you avoid requesting ice in your drinks, since you cannot know for certain whether it has been made with boiled/filtered water.
Some, but not all, lodges have boiled/filtered water available so that you may refill your water bottle and avoid using too many plastic bottles. Each year we see more lodges providing that, so let us keep asking for it!
If you are concerned about eating something that might disagree with you: some travelers report good results with Pepto-Bismol chewables. They’re useful for two reasons: 1) they’re not liquid, so you don’t have to worry about the quantity in your carry-on, and 2) chew a couple of tablets before eating anything you think might give you some difficulty, like fresh fruit, which may not have been washed properly. The tablets coat your stomach so anything unpleasant has a harder time getting a foothold. Also consider prescription Dukoral, which is taken in two oral doses before your trip, and it is effective for about three years. Ask your health care provider if those suggestions might work for you.
Meals at our lodges, in general, cater very much to European and Western tastes. You will rarely find something on the menu that is unfamiliar. If you have specific dietary requirements, please let us know in advance so that you may be accommodated. When we are on the road between destinations, we will stop for lunch at local restaurants, giving you an opportunity to sample some Ugandan food. Much of it will be familiar as well: potatoes, beans and rice, fish and chips, fruits and vegetables. You certainly won’t go hungry!
What to Pack
Pack clothes that are easily washed and will dry quickly: cotton, or moisture-wicking synthetics. Jeans are too heavy, and won’t dry overnight. You can hand wash clothes at night and they will usually be dry by morning. Some lodges do have laundry service available. Pack an empty backpack or duffle inside your checked suitcase; it will be useful for the trip back for souvenirs and/or dirty laundry.
If you will be spending time in the bush, avoid wearing white or black shirts. Greens and browns are better choices. Do not wear, or even bring, any camouflage clothing. Only military personnel and wildlife rangers are allowed to wear camo in Uganda.
Depending on your itinerary, you probably won’t need any dressy clothes, although you might want something a little nicer to change into for dinner if you’re feeling dusty. Ugandans in the city dress very stylishly, but you will find that people in the villages are much more conservative, especially the women. If your tour involves spending time in a village, ladies might want to throw on a skirt. But don’t feel that you must. Tourists are given a lot of leeway.
Toiletries such as deodorant and moisturizer should be unscented, so you don’t attract bugs. Definitely no perfume!
Health and Safety
Speaking of bugs… you may have heard, we have mosquitoes here. Some bite in the daytime, some at night. You will want to protect yourself at all times. Sleep under the mosquito nets, and apply a good DEET-based insect repellent. You can also take a malaria medication such as Malarone for added protection. Some advice here:
Check with your health care provider or travel medical clinic about recommended vaccines and medications. It’s a good idea to be up-to-date with Tetanus and Hepatitis vaccines, and carry an antibiotic such as Cipro.
The odds of you being squashed by an elephant, or eaten by a leopard, are slim to none. The advice here is basically, “don’t be foolish”. Otherwise, advice for assuring your personal safety while traveling in Africa is the same as traveling anywhere: use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, keep your wits about you, don’t walk alone at night in the city, and don’t walk alone in the bush, day or night. Fairly standard advice.
A note of caution, though. Building codes are a bit lax here. You will find a lot of uneven walkways, with unexpected obstacles. Stair risers might not be of a uniform height. You will be presented with many opportunities to trip and fall. Stay alert.
Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
Each trek is limited to eight persons per group, and, once the chimpanzee or gorilla family is located, you will be allowed one hour to observe them. Depending on the activity of the group, you may be able to sit and relax, or you may have to follow them around. You will not be permitted to have close contact, and will be asked to wear a mask, as they are susceptible to our diseases. Your guides will instruct you in proper great ape etiquette, and you must follow their instructions immediately and without question.
The chimpanzee trek generally takes place on fairly well-worn paths, and you will not require any special gear. Runners are fine for this hike, unless your feet and ankles require more support. We recommend long-sleeved shirts, and long pants tucked into socks in case you encounter ants. There may be some uphill paths, depending on where the families are located, and how active they are, but it is not a particularly difficult hike.
Gorilla trekking is a bit more intense. Mountain gorillas live in, you guessed it, the mountains. You will be hiking uphill at an altitude of between 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 feet) through primeval forest. The vegetation can be dense, so your trackers will clear paths as necessary. Hiking boots are highly recommended, along with long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks, and a rain jacket. A pair of garden gloves will be useful for grabbing onto spiky vegetation, and gaiters if the ground is muddy. Walking sticks are available at park headquarters.
For both treks, carry a backpack to hold essential items such as bottled water, camera equipment (don’t even think about bringing a tripod!), rain jacket/hat, and Ugandan shillings for gratuities. You might want to hire a porter to manage your backpack, and you will definitely want to tip your guides, trackers, and porters! They will have earned it.
Most of our lodges will have wifi available in the dining area, along with the aforementioned charging stations. Connections can be frustratingly slow, however, as all the other guests at the lodge will have the same needs at roughly the same time. Uganda’s mobile phone network is generally reliable and widely available, so you might want to look into installing an e-SIM card. What’s an e-SIM? Airalo is one option, and there are numerous others.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/best-esims-for-international-travel
While out on Safari
It is a privilege to see animals in their natural habitat. However, they go about their business without you in mind, so we cannot guarantee that you will see every animal on your list. With the help of experienced drivers and guides, we will do our utmost.
You must be cautious when viewing the animals, and carefully follow instructions given to you by either your tour guide or the wildlife rangers. The excitement of seeing these creatures in the wild is very real, but you must contain your excitement and remain peaceful. You must not shout, call out, or otherwise make noise in an effort to attract their attention. You must remain in the vehicle at all times unless your guide or ranger advises you that it is safe to get out.
Speaking of getting out… Please refer to your Packing List for the ®Tire Checking Kit®.
While on the road, we stop often for comfort breaks, but washroom facilities can sometimes lack the amenities that we hope for. Always take your kit in with you, just in case. When we’re out on the savannah, there’s not even a porta-potty for miles. At times like these, you announce that you have to “check the tires”. Your guide will make sure it’s safe for you to get out so you can ”make sure all tires are properly inflated”. If necessary, your guide will even dig a hole for you. Rest assured that you are not the first person to experience this situation! The zip-lock bag is so that you can pack out soiled wipes. Do not leave any evidence behind.
Ethical Photography
Just as you would not care to be photographed by tourists as you go about your daily life at home, the same applies here. It can be considered rude and disrespectful. Please be very discreet when taking photos of local people, and try to obtain their consent if possible. If you wish to take a photo of someone, please ask your tour guide to approach the person, and perhaps a small gratuity may be offered.
You might have questions on topics that are not covered here. Don’t be shy about asking; there are no silly questions! Contact us at info@ntalesafaris.com anytime.