Uganda travel information
This Uganda travel information simply gives you a few tips on basic rquirments that one will need inoerder to get themselves into Uganda from another country if they fly in the country.
How to Reach Uganda by air
There are several airlines that fly to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The most common from Europe are Brussels Airlines, KLM, Emirates and other companies are Kenyan Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, South African Airways recently also Qatar Airways and Turkish airlines. There are daily flights to and out of Entebbe International Airport although none is direct from USA.
Best Travel Period
The best period to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons from December to March and from June to September. October, November and April-May are considered period of rain. However, tourism in Uganda is not seasonal, and road conditions and temperature are stable all year round.
Luggage
We advise you to travel light as most of the tours will be in the safari vehicles.
Visa entry fees
You will be issued an entry Visa on arrival Entebbe Airport where you will need to present a valid passport for at least six months from departure. However, we advise that if you are travelling to Rwanda through Uganda, please apply for a visa before arrival in Uganda and in Uganda you should request for multiple entry if your departure flight is from Entebbe international Airport.
For further information on immigration go to: www.mia.go.ug
Language
Uganda is a home to many tribes that speak different languages. Uganda has 56 tribes and about nine indigenous communities that formally came to be recognized in the 1995 constitution amendment of 2005. English is the official language of Uganda. Luganda and Swahili are also widely spoken in most parts of the country. There is also French, Arabic and Germany mainly in institutions where they are taught and at embassies.
Health requirements
Vaccination against Yellow Fever is mandatory. Take your anti malarial drugs before arrival in Uganda and come along with mosquito repellants. We recommend that you bring all your personal medications.
Medical facilities in Uganda are limited. Medical help at the scene of an accident is likely to be limited. In the case of serious accident or illness, evacuation by air ambulance may be required. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Currency and Exchange rate
The Local currency is the Shillings (Ugx). It is exchanged on the average as follows 1¼ = 3700 Ugx, 1 US$ = 3700 Ugx. Make sure that you are travelling with dollars from the year 2007 series and above as these will be given a higher and better rate as compared to those series before the year 2007. You can exchange your values upon arrival in Kampala. International Credit Cards are only accepted in Kampala and main hotels; however it might require long processing and they attract a surcharge of 5% commissions. Electron Credit Cards are not accepted.
How much to Money to Bring?
Although almost everything on your safari is inclusive, there are some exceptions, which will be listed on your itinerary. The majority of clients tell us that the bulk of what they spend their money on is alcohol and souvenirs. Depending on the length of your safari and how much you like to drink/shop we usually recommend that clients bring around $20-$50 USD a day for personal expenditures.
Clothes
Dress is mainly informal and should be light as well as practical, like long trousers, t-shirts, trekking shoes. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings and shirts/jumpers in the evening are better helping against mosquitoes. Light rain jacket for the rain is necessary.
Things to Remember
Do not forget sun glasses, hat, sunscreen products, and torch for evenings, insect repellents, swimming costume, backpack, binoculars for game drives and birding. Remember to bring with you disinfectant products for the hands and face.
Cameras and Videos
In Uganda it is easy to purchase cards in Kampala you can find the batteries for digital cameras. It is prohibited to take photographs of military and State buildings and military personnel plus bridges. It is allowed to take photographs and filming for personal reasons within the national parks and mountains gorillas.
Telephones
Uganda has a well developed mobile phone network as well as telephone booth.
Roads
Uganda has a developed network of tarmac roads connecting Kampala with the main towns and regions. However, in national parks the roads are not tarmac but generally well maintained.
