Essential Travel Information for Uganda

A relatively small country, Uganda is 241 136 sq. km. in extent, of which almost one fifth is fresh water. Situated astride the Equator, it enjoys a mean annual temperature of 22 degrees Celcius, with an annual rainfall of 125 cm. The main language is English, and the basic infrastructure is sound and rapidly becoming better. The ecology varies from savanna to forest to snowcapped mountains, a great diversity which shows in its recorded bird list of over 1000 species

• The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, are generally considered the best times for gorilla trekking in Uganda
• During these months, the weather is more favourable, and trekking conditions are usually better.
• While it is possible to trek and visit Uganda to see mountain gorillas outside of the optimal times of the year, it’s important to consider that the trekking experience may be more challenging due to rainfall and the presence of steep, muddy hiking paths.

• Passports are required by all foreign visitors
• Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your return home date.
• There must be between two and three blank pages in a passport at all times (not endorsement pages). This is over and above what you will need for cross-border stamps during your travels. You may be denied boarding if you do not have sufficient pages in your passport. If you are travelling to multiple countries, please discuss the amount of blank pages you will require with your Travel Manager.

All tourists travelling to Uganda require a visa. Visas can be obtained in advance from the Ugandan embassy or consulate in your home country, or applied for online through the Uganda Electronic Visa System (eVisa) at Uganda Immigration Portal. The Uganda Ordinary Visa costs USD 50. Payment must be made online at the time of application to validate the visa.

Once you receive the visa order email receipt, you will need to upload clear copies of your current passport, Yellow Fever certificate, passport bio photo, and return flight tickets.

In the application form, you will be required to enter the ‘Contact in Uganda’—this should be obtained from your travel manager. After completing the online application, you will receive a barcoded email notification. Print this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, present the barcoded email at any entry point. The immigration officer will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and a visa sticker with your photo will be placed in your passport.

NOTES:

• Eligibility Notes: Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Uganda and have at least two blank pages for stamping.
• Non-Eligibility Notes: Not available for Diplomatic/Official Passport or Travel Document holders. Not available for those endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport (each person must have a separate passport/visa).
• Processing Time: Up to 5 business days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Processing time may increase based on the intended stay duration.

eVisa Validity:

• e-Tourist visa & e-Transit visa: Valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• Multiple Entry Visas: Valid for 90 days from the date of issue. The duration of stay depends on the visa sub-category: 6 months (length of stay 6-12 months), 12 months (length of stay 12 months), 24 months (length of stay 24 months)

• Log in to the Immigration Portal and start a new application.
• Accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer.
• Select the visa or permit type (Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa), category (East Africa visa if visiting Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya), and sub-category (Single entry visa).
• Complete the application form with personal information, home address, contact details, and passport information. For ‘Port of arrival/Point of entry,’ select Entebbe (where the international airport is situated).
• Make payment for applications that require prepayment. You will receive an email confirming your eVisa order, along with the required documents to complete the visa application: Scan of the bio-page of the passport, Applicant’s photo (selfie/headshot), Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever card), and a return flight ticket.
• An approval letter will be emailed to you.
• Print out the visa and keep an electronic copy as a backup on your phone. Upon arrival in Uganda, report to the immigration office for biometric capture with all documents, payment receipts, approval letter, and passport.

Timeless Tip:

If you are planning to visit Uganda, Rwanda and/or Kenya, or require multiple entries – it may be better value to acquire a multiple visa – for up to 90 days travel (tourist visa only). Cost is USD100 per visa, valid for 90 days. See this link for more information.

Note: It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months and has several clear pages for visas prior to departure.

• It is imperative and strongly recommended that guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Covering for personal effects, personal accidents, medical & emergency travel expenses, cancellation & curtailment.
• Depending on your insurance company, “cancellation for any reason” insurance must be taken within a specific time frame from the first payment as set by your insurer.
• Most insurance offered by credit cards does not provide sufficient coverage.
• Please check you are fully covered before traveling.
• Read our article: The Importance of Having Travel Insurance »

• Precautions against malaria: Please consult your physician or local travel clinic before you travel to Uganda.
• Read our article: Considering Malaria when Travelling to Africa »

• Existing and new yellow fever vaccination certificates are now valid for life.
• You must have the vaccination at least 10 days before you plan on entering a yellow fever area.
• Please consult your physician for exemption on medical grounds.
• Read our article: Considering Yellow Fever when Travelling to Africa »

• Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human diseases including flu and colds.
• If you are participating in a gorilla/chimp trek then you need to be free of any easily contagious diseases and this is checked at the start of the trek by the park authorities. If they are in any doubt of your condition, they reserve the right to prevent you from continuing on the trek.
• If you are participating in a Chimpanzee Interaction programme – please refer to the documentation provided on booking.
• Special/additional vaccines and health certificates are required to be presented to ensure participation. This is because you have direct contact with the chimpanzees. Trekking, in the forest is a different activity.

• Due to space limitations in the vehicles, it is imperative that luggage be kept to a minimum.
• We suggest a barrel or soft bag (15 kg maximum) for your main gear, plus a camera bag or smaller ‘day pack‘ for inside the vehicle.
• Samsonite / hard bags/suitcases, etc. are not suitable as it makes packing very difficult. If you are travelling internationally with one we suggest you repack safari items into your soft bag, before the safari, and then leave your hard suitcase at your return point e.g. Entebbe Hotel to collect later.
• Domestic flights luggage allowance: If you are travelling on a light aircraft within Uganda, then the luggage restriction is dependent on combined client and luggage weights and varies from plane to plane and routing.
• A maximum of 15kg per person in soft bags is usually allowed and this is strictly adhered to for safety reasons.
• Hand luggage forms part of this total 15 kg allowance. Please double-check your personal allowance upon confirmation of the itinerary and aircraft.

• Anyone who has any special medication should take enough supplies to last at least the length of their visit.
• Although most hotels and lodges are equipped with a First Aid kit, we suggest that you bring a small airtight container with your own basic first aid kit.
• We remind travellers who have any allergies i.e. insect stings, or an asthma condition, to pack the required medication.

It is essential for the comfort and safety of your trip that you advise your Travel Manager as early as possible if:

• You require special attention. Such as food allergies, or food related illnesses or require a gluten-free menu.
• If you require any special facilities, such as a wheelchair-friendly environment.
• If you are travelling with a CPAP machine.
• Any other medical concern or personal requirement which may impact your travels.

• Primate tracking is a dynamic experience, with timing and conditions shifting as these incredible animals move through the rainforest.
• Weather can be unpredictable, so it’s helpful to come prepared for any changes along the way.
• The journey often takes you through steep terrain without marked trails and can range from a short hike to a full day’s trek through warm, high-altitude areas.
• Being in good physical shape will enhance your experience and help you make the most of your time here.
• While tracking chimpanzees is usually a bit easier than gorilla tracking, it can still be challenging, as chimps are swift movers. Both activities require a solid fitness level.
• A guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwandan ORTPN will accompany you, meeting you at the trek’s starting point. They can also arrange for local porters to assist with carrying your essentials, allowing you to focus fully on the journey.
• Porters are from nearby communities and well-acquainted with the terrain, offering support along the way if conditions become tough.
• Their services typically cost around USD15 per day, with additional tipping optional.
• Keep in mind, that porters will stop a short distance from where you’ll view the mountain gorillas, as they don’t carry tracking permits.
• To fully enjoy this encounter, consider leaving valuables at your lodge or camp and bringing only the essentials in a day pack.
• Once your group spots the gorillas or chimps, you’ll have up to one hour to observe them, allowing for a meaningful but respectful connection.
• Minimum distances of 5-7 meters are maintained to ensure their comfort, and your guide will help manage this.

• During your safari, depending on the style of trip chosen, the dress code may vary slightly. None of the lodges/hotels insist on any formal type of dress – ties, jackets etc – so the norm would be casual or smart casual depending upon the level.
• In towns and cities, and at certain of the more up-market lodges and hotels then long pants and shirt/golf shirt would be more appropriate (especially in the evenings), or ladies may wear a skirt of course.
• On Safari – Bush gear ie hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, e.g. greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended. In the daytime on safari, generally shorts or lightweight trousers, t-shirts, hat, sunblock etc. as it is generally fairly warm 77-95°F (25-35 degrees C).
• Avoid wearing blue & dark colours in areas where you may find tsetse flies, as they are often attracted to these colours, (this would be in some parts of Murchison Falls for example, check with your guide).
• We suggest you take something warm e.g. a tracksuit, fleece or sweater for the mountainous areas.
• It is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings. A rain jacket/anorak is also suggested as it rains regularly in the rainforest areas, even in the drier months.
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are also recommended for general evening use to assist in the prevention of mosquito bites and also as it’s generally cooler than during the day.

• While gorilla and chimp tracking you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots – with good tread and support. Conditions are generally muddy/slippery.
• There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous.
• It is also advisable to wear a long-sleeved shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. (Tracksuit pants often get caught on bushes, thorns, etc. and jeans can get very heavy when wet).
• Gloves are also highly recommended – gardening gloves will do – this will prevent your hands being scratched when holding onto vegetation for support, through dense parts of the forest.
• Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects.
• Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state – therefore take old clothing for the gorilla trekking.
• A poncho or lightweight rain jacket is useful, and a day-pack to carry your lunch, water and camera gear in.

• USD cash is widely accepted and in most cases preferred as the currency that travellers should use to exchange into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, and tips.
• Please ensure your USD100 bills are post-2006. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
• When changing money, keep your confirmation as you are able to change surplus local money back to the original currency if you have proof of purchase when leaving the country.
• Credit Cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee will be charged which can range up to 5- 8%. Ask first.
• ATM Machines: ATMs may be found in Entebbe/Kampala, and it will pay out local currency only.

If you particularly enjoy bird-watching, try and get hold of an East African Bird Book – it will make your journey even more enjoyable! The guide generally carries a set of reference books for the entire group’s use and local maps. Binoculars are very useful.

In tourism, it is most important to conserve our wildlife and its habitat. Without the income generated from tourists, conservation would not be possible.

Timeless Tips:

• Do not feed any wildlife of any description.
• Do not dispose of any litter, keep it in our vehicles until you find a suitable bin.
• Do not collect any natural objects as souvenirs. Collecting trophies is illegal.
• While watching and photographing game it is not permitted to approach too close.

Note: Harassment of wildlife in any form is strictly illegal. Please do not ask your driver to break the rules, he could be arrested and his vehicle impounded.

• Your safety and well-being is our prime concern.
• Please take care of all your possessions at all times – do not tempt petty theft, or pickpockets, by displaying large amounts of money, especially when near markets or in the center of Kampala / Entebbe.
• Valuables, especially cash and credit cards should be kept on your person at all times. A “moon bag” or “body belt” is a useful item for storing cash and other valuable small items.
• When leaving the vehicle in towns, please ensure all the windows are shut and that you take your valuables and cameras with you for safekeeping.
• When at lodges/hotels we recommend you either keep your money and valuables with you or utilise the safekeeping facilities provided at the various establishments.
• Please also be sure to check your room and ensure you have everything packed before
  moving on to a new place.

• Electricity spec Uganda: 240 volts British Standard, generally through 3-pin square plugs.
• Two-pin plugs are generally available in most lodges/camps as well. Some lodges and camps have power only at certain times of the day, and in some charging facilities are centralized. You will need your own charger.
• In lodges/ camps utilising solar power systems, the amount of power available for charging often depends on how sunny the weather has been and how busy the lodge is with charging equipment, so whilst they will always try to assist, continuous charging cannot be guaranteed at all times to be available.
• Particularly items like laptops etc which draw a lot of current – please ask before you plug in.
• Use of specialized breathing machines, hair dryers, curling tongs, shavers and other electrical equipment is possible at hotels in towns and at lodges with large generator power backup systems but generally not possible at the remote, solar-powered safari lodges – please check your detailed itinerary to ensure you are aware of where you can utilise these items.

Distances in Uganda can be long – but the scenery is generally interesting and varied. There is a good selection of scheduled flights available which we recommend for some of the sections.