Planning to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Safari or Wildlife Viewing ? Gorilla Expeditions team has been Viewing the Best Ways to explore Uganda on a Safari and What to See, we have written these Tips to Have a Great Safari to Uganda with the Experts in Uganda & Rwanda.
These tips are for first time travelers to Uganda. Many seem obvious, One has to do some homework if one’s trip will be one of pleasure and have less stress.
Buy a book about travel to Uganda. Read it and decide what parts of Uganda interest you and which destination you want to visit.
Get an idea of the geography of Uganda.
In Uganda, it is possible to travel every time of the year. Though there rainy season and dry seasons. The months of April, may and November are regarded as low season and other months are regarded as high season.. This is becouse of summer and winter seasons in Europe. In Uganda, in low season, they offer discounted gorilla permits at $350 and in high season the permits costs $600 USD.
The best way to travel in Uganda to different tourism destinations is by a safari van. You can book through a local tour operator to arrange for you every thing like Ground transport, Gorilla permits and hotel booking. Besides that, there are also self drive services for those with international driving permits who which to travel by them selves.
The best way to get currency in Uganda is to use an ATM machine. In Uganda there are many ATM machines especially in the city center. Be sure to contact your bank that you will be using your ATM in Uganda.
If you plan to rent a car and drive, read the Driving Guide for Foreigners. You will need an International Driving Permit. Be aware that it is almost impossible to find free parking on the street in city. Rental Cars are available at the airport and most tour companies offer such services.
Uganda is a safe country to travellers,though a visitor to Uganda should know that there is some pickpocket theft in the city and in crowded places.
At night you should not walk on a street where you are the only one. It is safe when there are many others on the street.
General safety tips for tourists
Don’t keep all your credit cards and cash in the same place. Especially when you’re walking around in unfamiliar surroundings; take only what you need for the day.
If there are two of you, divide your cash and cards when you’re out and about.
f you travel overseas more than twice a year, save with an annual travel insurance policy rather than buying for each individual trip.
Renting a car? You might collect your vehicle in a dim and dark undercover car park, without a hope of spotting unrecorded damage. As soon as you hit daylight, stop and take a walk around your vehicle and head straight back to the car hire depot if you see anything worrying.
When you check in to a hotel, reception staff will usually block an amount against your debit or credit card as a deposit, and it can be substantial. Your available credit is reduced and you might have
problems when you use your card later on. When you check in, find out how much is blocked and make sure you use the same card when you settle your bill or it might take longer to unblock the original deposit.
Finding a decent cup of coffee in an unfamiliar airport can be a challenge. If in doubt, look for where airline staff are queuing.
Don’t flop into bed as soon as you hit your hotel room. Rehydrate, eat and sleep by local time and if you arrive in the morning, take a brisk walk in the sunshine to help reset your circadian rhythms.
If you have any reason to believe that your hotel room security might not be up to scratch, hang the “Do Not Disturb” tag on the door when you leave the room.
If your hotel room isn’t up to standard, if the airline loses your bag, if a cruise operator doesn’t deliver on its promises, document their shortcomings. Take photos, get the facts in writing and take down names. If you need to seek compensation, the process will be a whole lot easier if you can back your case.
Avoid the traveller’s trots. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket and use it every time you sit down to eat.
If you’re looking to save money, choose your accommodation with care. An island resort or a similarly isolated location offers no possibility of dining out, and chances are the price of meals at your resort won’t be low.
If you travel with several devices that need to be recharged regularly, throw in a double adaptor as well as an adaptor plug for your destination and you have hassle-free multi charging.
Good travellers check their bags every time they’re loaded into a vehicle, at airports, hotels and railway stations. Mistakes happen and so does mischief. Don’t rely on your driver or porter to do this, lest you part company with your bags forever.
If you want to be sure of a good night’s sleep in a hotel room,check that your alarm has not been set by a previous guest checking out in the wee hours ,housekeeping don’t always reset the clock.
Kids in the Third World will often ask you for sweets or pens, but neither will make a meaningful contribution to their education or oral hygiene. If you want to help them to a better life, donate to a charity such as World Vision or better still sign up for ongoing support.
Important travel tips
Getting there
Entebbe international Airport, which lies 40km from the capital kampala, is serviced by a number of international airlines, including SN Brussels, Britain Airways, south African Airways, kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Rwandair Express, Egypt Air and Ethiopian Airlines. Uganda can also be reached overland from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
On arrival
Customs and immigration officials are polite and efficient, and a visa for those who require one can be purchased on the spot at the International Airport or at any overland border. Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are available at the airport, which is also serviced by several shops and restaurants. Most midrange to up market hotels in kampala and Entebbe will arrange airport transfers by request, as will any tour operator based in or around the capital.
Health
A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. It is advisable to drink bottled rather than tap water.
Money
The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. The US dollars is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but Euro and pound sterling are also widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns, but travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted outside kampala. Local currency can be drawn against visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in kampala, at Entebbe international Airport, and in a few other large towns.
Language
Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English, which is the official language. Of 30 plus different indigenous languages Luganda serves as something of a lingua franca.
When to visit
Uganda can be visited at any time, though mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains, which generally peak over mid September to November and March to may.
What to wear
Day time temperature are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing.Evening are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who intend to hike on the mountains will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.
What to bring
A valid passport is mandatory, and visa requirements should be checked before you travel. To make the most of the game reserves and national parks, carry binoculars and field guides. Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or similar). Print film and developing is available in kampala. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.
Driving
Driving is on the left side. Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to organise a vehicle with a driver rather than self drive.
Tipping
Tipping is not standard practice at local hotels and restaurant, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.
Food and drinks
Tourist oriented hotels and restaurants serve good western style meals, while a wider range of cuisines being available in the capital and some larger towns. Local restaurants serve Ugandan dishes, typically ugali (a stiff maize porridge) or matoke (cooked banana) eaten with a stew.
What to buy
A wide selection of local handcrafts are available as souvenirs. These include musical instruments,such as the hide drums made in the vicinity of mpigi,as well as excellent local basket work, paintings,batiks and pottery.
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