Travel Guide to visit Uganda
Quick Links about Uganda
How to reach by plane:
There are several airlines companies flying to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The most important from Europe are SN Brussels, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways. Other companies are Kenyan Airways, Emirates, Egypt Air, South African Airways. There are not direct flights from USA.
When to go
The best period to visit Uganda are the dry seasons from December to March and from June to September. October – November and April-May are considered period of rain. However tourism to Uganda is not seasonal, and road conditions and temperature are stable along the year.
Luggage
We shall advise you to travel light as most of the trip will be on the safari vehicles. Remember your hand bag for the trekking.
Documents and Visa entry fees
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport you will exhibit a passport valid for at least six months from departure. Entry Visa will be directly released at the airport through the payment of 50$ US or 30 Euros for one month validity. You are not requested to purchase a multiple visa entry unless previous different arrangement.
Health requirements
It is no longer compulsory the vaccination against Yellow Fever.
It is advisable to follow the prophylaxis against malaria, starting one week before departure and to be completed for the four following weeks after leaving. Please contact your doctor for advise on the best available prophylaxis. For whom decides not to take the prophylaxis it is advisable to be very careful about mosquitoes and by using skin repellents.
We recommend you to bring with you the personal medicines in your luggage, including eyewash and anti diarrhoea.
Currency and Exchange rate
The Ugandan currency is the Shilling (UShg). It is exchanged on the average as following: 1 € = 2.800 UShg, 1 US$ = 1700 t0 2000 UShg.
Make sure that you are travelling with dollar banknotes series prior year 2000, as these are exchanged at a lower rate.
You can exchange your values upon arrival in Kampala or/and during the journey.
International Credit Cards are only accepted in Kampala and main hotels, however it might require long processing and extra commissions. Credit Cards “Electron” are not accepted.
What to dress
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, sun protection products (the sun at the Equator can cause you some inconvenience), torch for evening, insects repellents, swimming custom, hand bag, binoculars for game drives and birding. Moreover bring with you disinfectant products for the hands and face.
Cameras and Videos
In Uganda it is easy to purchase films in town and in Kampala you can find the bacteries for digital cameras. It is prohibited to take photographs of military and State buildings and military personnel. It is allowed to take photographs and filming for personal reasons and not commercial within the national parks and mountains gorillas.
Telephones
Uganda has a well developed mobile phone network as well as telephone boxes.
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. |
