Immunizations: Get them from your local doctor, or travel clinic. Yellow fever is a must, but tetanus, polio and diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, meningitis are something else to look at and whatever else your doctor sees on the list for Uganda.

Malaria Prevention: It is Melarone, doxycycline and or mefloquine (larium). These are the standard. Melarone being the best and most expensive, doxycline makes some sensitive to the sun, mefloquine gives some of us nightmares. Start your regiment before you arrive in Uganda and follow directions.

Water: Don't drink the water. Stay away from ice cubes. Stick with one of the bottled waters here. If you boil water, do so for 20 minutes. My coffee water in the mornings is heated up about 5 times in an electric hot water kettle to stay safe. I have had my experiences...

Travelers Diarrhea: A most common ailment Just eat properly cooked food and if it is not hot send it back. Wash your hands before eating with soap and water. Stay away foods that are raw such as salads, fruit salads, ice cream and buffets with candles underneath them. Bring some Imodium and Ciproflaxin which is an antibiotic and will help in extreme cases. Follow directions including instructions for getting fluids back into your dehydrated systems. Rarely have I have seen tourists come down with such extreme cases, but have seen it more commonly in ex-pats living here and throwing caution to the wind.

Bites, bites, bites: Not only are there mosquitoes that infect you with malaria, but there are other dudus (insects) that can cause havoc such as Tsetse flies. The best is to spray your body with insect repellant. Wear loose cotton clothing. I like jeans, even though they are heavy, and this is a warm climate, I find they protect quite well. Wear long sleeved shirts and avoid shorts in the evenings. In your hotel, have them spray in the evening as you go out for dinner. In many hotels it is automatically done. Use the mosquito net and a fan, flying things do not like to move against the wind.

Sunburn: Easily acquired in Uganda, so get out the lotion and put it on thick and repeat. If your hair is thinning like mine, wear a hat. If you are going on a boat ride on the Nile or Lake Victoria, lotion is the key to avoid getting burned.

Bilharzia: A small snail that at the end of the day causes damage to your organs. Not a good thing. Do not swim in lakes, there are not many that are truly Bilharzia free. Enjoy the view of the lake instead.

HIV-AIDS, STD's: Simply-avoid it by abstaining. The percentage of bar girls with STD's and HIV-AIDS is quite high. You are playing Russian Roulette. Condom use a must if you cannot abstain. Many prostitutes are known to also rob you of everything, wallet, money, passport, watch, cell phone while you sleep. Recent police reports have shown that some use chloroform on body to knock you out and then take your things. This has happened in up-market hotels. Here in Uganda the slogan is ABC - A=Abstention, B=Be Committed, C=Condom or the Born Again (Balokole which is mostly Pentecostal) and evangelical communities like to substitute C=Christ. Statistics to sober you-almost 60% of prostitutes have STD's and almost 50% are HIV positive. In recent years the HIV infection rate has been on the increase, attributable to the myth that ARV drugs cure (deal with symptoms, that circumcision protects you totally from HIV (reality it reduces the chances). In the 90's there was a combined effort from the President and his wife along with the faith communities and everyone else that joined forces to educate people regarding HIV. This educational process has waned and the results are higher percentages of new infections.

Meningitis: You can get inoculated before you arrive and avoid the chance of getting it.

Nicks and Cuts: If untreated, they become the cause of infection that can last a long time. I have had such experiences. Clean the cut or nick properly. Use a proper anti-septic cream.

Heat Rash: Cool down, wear baggy clothing and powder your body with talc.

Snakes: They more often move away from you before you ever meet them. Most snakes are not poisonous. You will not come across many in your time here. I have rarely met one that has and living here it is only out in the countryside that I have.

The most common problem has to do with the intestinal track and that in most cases is easily treatable. Rarely have I had visitors from abroad that were laid up in a hospital or even in their hotels or other lodgings.

Places for Medical Emergency:

The Surgery - 2 Acacia Avenue, Kololo. Tel: 0414256003. 24 Hour Emergency Service Tel: 0752756003, Ambulance Service. Tel: 0752 756003

International Hospital: Down from Reste Corner in Muyenga up from Kapalagala and then down toward Namuwongo. Everyone knows International Clinic and it was founded by Dr. Ian Clark who still lives in Kampala and is a weekly commentator in the New Vision Newspaper. I had a friend there who was in Kampala from Sudan and came down with malaria and he was effectively treated at International Hospital and an all day stay in the Hospital with drip was less than 80 dollars USD. Tel :0312200400, Ambulance Service: 0772200400/1

Dental Emergency:

Sterling Dental Clinic: Located on Kampala Road in Bhatia House.

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More Uganda Travel Tips

Helpful Information, Tips, Advice to make your stay in Uganda a delight.

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Why visit Uganda? Uganda is a bit under the radar when it comes to African Safari Travel and yet Uganda has more to offer than other African countries in a safe and secure setting. It is one of the most bio-diverse countries in Africa, the highest snow capped mountain range in Africa, Rainforest Jungles, Savannas, the largest lake in Africa and home to half the endangered mountain gorillas in the world.

Things to do & See in Uganda: Here are the top ten things to do and see in Uganda. The Mountain Gorillas, the Rwenzori Mountains, White water rafting on the awesome Nile river, Chimpanzee tracking in the Jungle and more. There is lots to do and see in Uganda.

Uganda Background Information: Make your trip to Uganda more enjoyable by knowing something about the country. You will find some historic background, current situation in the country. What life is like for the average Ugandan, all designed to give you insight into the Pearl of Africa.

Flying to Uganda: Uganda is serviced by many major international airlines from British Airways to KLM. There are also African carriers from Air Kenya to South African Airlines. Here you will find helpful terminal information that makes your arrival and departure easier.

Uganda Tourist Visas: Getting your visa is actual quite simple. Arrive here and purchase your tourist visa for the time of your visit right at the Immigration desk. It costs you less than sending your passport to a Ugandan embassy and paying for the express mail coming and going.

Packing for Uganda: Packing for Africa takes a it more planning than normal. Especially if you are coming from Europe and have a baggage limitation compared to flying in from North America where the baggage allowance is more generous.

Uganda Travel Advice & Tips: Practical advice for those planning to travel to Uganda. Here you will find safety tips, health tips, transportation tips, all designed to make your stay in Uganda trouble free. It is our desire that you enjoy your journey to and in Uganda.

Ask Uganda Travel Questions: Simply type in your question regarding travel in Uganda and we will attempt to answer it shortly thereafter. Many of your question may be answered on one of the pages on this site, but just in case you are unable to find it, ask.

Money Tips for Uganda: The Uganda Money Tips page covers ATM machines here in Uganda, the use of credit cards here in Uganda, what currency to bring, Forex bureaus, banks, even a link to page where you can check the latest exchange rate.

Uganda Safety and Security Information:: Latest security update from Uganda regarding travelers to Uganda. This includes travel alerts and advisories, the current situation, updated daily for you. This includes the background to the July 11, 2010 deadly bombings in Kampala, Uganda.

Getting around Uganda: Transportation in Uganda is readily available and usually quite affordable. From Motorcycle taxis to self drive, you can travel across Uganda by bus, plane, or bus. If you have not been here before, self drive is not suggested but hire a vehicle with driver for similar cost.

Uganda Weather: Find out what the weather is like in Kampala. Get the mean temperatures of various cities and towns in Uganda. Find out when the rainy seasons take place. You can even get current weather information from Kampala on this page. Helpful information for visitors and tourists.

Bargaining in Uganda: The bargaining ritual, if you are not with a tour group you have to bargain for a lot of things from transportation to souvenirs. Enjoy the ancient ritual and bring a sense of humor, it is actually a lot of fun.

Conversations Uganda Style: Making yourself understood in Uganda and tips of social etiquette in Uganda. English is spoken everywhere but there are times words mean different things to the one speaking. If someone says that they are going to make a short call, it is not a phone call, but a trip to the bathroom.

Luganda Everyday Phrases: Learn some Luganda phrases before you come to Kampala. Knowing some basic Luganda phrases will endear you to most Ugandans in the central region. Luganda is spoken in Kampala and in the central region of Uganda. In villages some of the people do not speak English, so some words in Luganda will bring a smile on the hearers face.

Uganda Safaris: Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to go on Safaris. A small country and yet bio-diverse in nature, almost twice the species of birds found in the USA yet Uganda is the size of Oregon. Game parks, lodging from budget to luxury, jungle, open savannas, mountains, volcanoes...simply awesome and off the beaten tourist track. One day, three day and 5 day or longer safaris with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.

Gorilla Tracking (Trekking) Information: Complete Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Uganda. Here you find all the information that you need to know for a gorilla safari in Uganda, from permits, to guidelines and the lodging that is available.

Uganda Wildlife Information: The wildlife that you find in Uganda from Mountain Gorillas to Chimpanzees, reptiles, hippos, crocodiles, birds. There is simply lots to discover in Uganda and you will enjoy your time here in Uganda viewing tree climbing lions, the Giraffes, leopards, warthogs and so much more.

National Parks of Uganda Information & Guide: There are some fabulous game parks in Uganda, not only the wildlife but the scenery is simply breathtaking, crater lakes, bamboo forests, the most powerful waterfall in the world, glacier covered mountains and intriguing rainforest jungles.

Accommodations in Uganda: From Budget to Luxury accommodations can be found in every game park in Uganda. Tented camps that give you that classical Safari feel, great lodges with fabulous food all enhancing your Uganda safari in the National Parks in Uganda.

Kampala City Information: Originally built on 7 hills, now many more, Kampala is a truly African city where much awaits your visit. Here are some of the things you can see and do in Kampala and simple practical tips for a Kampala visit. From day trips from Kampala to entertainment.

Specialty Safari Tours in Uganda-Africa: Including Uganda African Photo Safari, African Honeymoon Safari in Uganda and Create your own Safari. Each of the specialty safari tours is created with your input in mind. Private photo safaris where you are in control, Adventure safaris that allow you to experience Uganda in a very different way, romantic Honeymoon safaris that reflect the celebratory note of your visit to Uganda and Create your own African Safari.

Helpful Africa Safari Information & Uganda Travel Information: How to save money on a safari, budget travel, how to choose a safari, booking a safari, safari consultant, comments from clients, safety in Uganda, and responsible tourism practices.

Cars for Hire-Transportation with Driver in Uganda: Cars for hire with English Speaking driver. Airport pickup and transportation to any destination in Uganda and other destinations in East Africa. We provide you with an accident free driver who knows Uganda. From passenger vehicles such as station wagons to 29 passenger buses we can meet your transportation needs in Uganda.

Uganda Travel Guide and Visitor Information: Here you will find the complete Uganda Travel Guide and Visitors Information such as Packing for your Ugandan Visit, Flying to Uganda, Visa Information, Uganda Background Information, Money Tips, Safety Tips, Health Advice, Luganda Phrases, Restaurants, Kampala City Information and more.

Experience a Safari in Uganda: Get a taste and feel of what a Safari in Uganda is like. Get acquainted with what awaits you here in the Pearl of Africa- Uganda and plan a safari that is simply you. Any Safari package that we do offer is totally adjustable with you in mind. Our principle of customer service, our desire to create what you want is foremost on our mind.

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Last updated: 28 July 2010

Staying well in Uganda - Health Tips for Uganda Travel

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