Uganda travel info is very helpful to people who intend to travel to Uganda, especially for their first time. Prepare and immerse yourself with these tips and knowledge from Uganda travel info to get you started with a basic understanding of what you may require while in Uganda. Some visitors travel to Uganda without carrying out enough research on what is required of them which leads to last-minute interruptions on some occasions or even cancellation of safaris. Please take a look at the following useful info and travel advice.
Uganda Visas Information
Visa is now necessary for most Nationals and can be obtained prior to travel. However, visa can still be obtained at all places of entry at a fee of single entry $ 50.00 per person.
| Student visas | US $ 20 |
| Single entry | US $ 50 |
| Multiple entry 6 months | US $ 100 |
| Multiple entry 1 year | US $ 200 |
| Inland transit | US $ 15 |
Best time to Visit Uganda
The climate is good in Uganda all year round hot and wet, with 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 the end of May. The 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.
Airline, Airports, and Charter Flights
Currently, there is one International Airport 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. We arrange them on request privately with those clients that prefer charter holidays or are limited with time. On a small scale, they operate scheduled flights.
Climate and Clothing
Light clothing, hats, and sturdy shoes. Long sleeve shirts for the 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 the evenings are always pleasant. The warmth of the 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. Tracking gorillas will require you to wear long pants, Jeans and long-sleeved shirts and blouses, rain gear- a waterproof jacket or raincoat that will protect your cameras from rain. Rain in Bwindi Forest daily is almost a must. The terrain is steep and sturdy shoes are recommended.
Health and Insurance
There are some vaccinations needed for Uganda trips. Yellow fever vaccination is one of the vaccinations required for Uganda trips and you will be asked to show a copy at the airport. Yellow fever certificates are required for entry in Uganda. Make sure you first get vaccinated for yellow fever and carry the vaccination certificate with you but in case you fail or delay in the process, we can arrange for you a yellow fever vaccination in Uganda though we strongly recommend you get vaccinated from your country weeks before your trip. 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.
Currency Used in Uganda
Ugandan Shilling is our currency and convertible. It is advisable to carry Cash American US dollars, euros, British pounds, or traveller’s cheques. 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 a 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 the exchange. It is advisable to carry USD dollar notes from the year 2000 and above as the below notes may at times not be accepted and fetch high bank charges. Note to be in denominations of 100s and 50s.
Making Payments in Uganda
A few banks in Uganda accept MasterCard and we suggest you carry a Visa Debit Card with you plus some extra cash. Please note that PayPal is currently not supported in Uganda but it is in our neighboring country, Kenya. Try to inquire with our staff about the few banks that accept MasterCard in case you need to make extra-cash withdrawals from the country.