Uganda Tourist Travel Tips and Advice:

Travel Tips to make your stay in Uganda-The Pearl of Africa more enjoyable

Travel to anywhere can be stressful and wear one out rather quickly and often a traveler is ill informed as to what to expect in Uganda.  Uganda is Africa and Africa no matter what your background or your country of origin is different.  Words may mean one thing in your country they mean another.  If someone wants to take you to saloon here, it is not for a drink but to get your hair done.  This Uganda Travel Tips and Advice page is to make your time here an enjoyable and remember to laugh, keep your sense of humor, put away your schedule at times and remember that relationships are more important than 20 minutes.  Enjoy Uganda and welcome to the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda will be a life changing experience, no matter if you are coming as a business traveler, short term volunteer, or going on a Safari.

Uganda has much to offer you, but it is best to be informed so that you do not have some unpleasant surprises.  The Uganda Travel Tips and Advice on this page will be of help to you as you come to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

Do not forget your journal and each day write down your impressions of the day.  This website as I began to transcribe thoughts and impressions from my various journals over the years.

Most of all enjoy your Ugandan Journey and a journey in Africa is simply a safari.

Practical Tips & Advice that will make your African travel Tour in Uganda more enjoyable

• Uganda Visa:  Get it at point of entry.  It will cost you 50 dollars.  I have bought 6 month visa and longer in the USA only to be stamped for 3 months and having to pay anew for another new visa.  For more detailed Uganda Visa information see the Uganda Visa Page.  In order to get your visa you will need an International Health Card with Yellow fever vaccination noted on it.  That is rarely looked at.  You will need sufficient funds to be in the country (rarely asked of Westerners) and you will need a  return ticket to country of origin. (Also rarely requested)

• Money:  The USD that most people bring is worth around 2000 shillings to the dollar.  When you have a hundred thousand shillings on you will seem like a lot of money, but it is only about 60 some dollars.  The 1000 shilling, 5000 and 10000 bill can be confused with each other, especially the 5000 and 10000 shilling notes.  The latter two are very close in color and since you are untrained in using them, do not just go by color, but looks at the numerical value printed on the money.  For Uganda money advice see the Uganda Money advice page.

• Ugandan Transportation:  Hopefully you will have someone to pick you up at the airport such as I do when I have safari guests arriving in the country.  Should you not and you did not book with a higher priced hotel that offers free transport to the hotel, do not fret, you can easily rent a special hire taxi.  No buses or so called taxi vans come to the airport and neither do boda-boda motorcycle taxis.  The normal rate that will be asked is around 50,000 though some will ask for more, negotiate.  For getting around Uganda transport information see the "getting around Uganda" page.

• Uganda Hotels and Guest Houses:  Just because President Clinton stayed there, does not mean it is a good hotel.  I recently reviewed comments on the Internet and found one hotel where President Clinton stayed on a visit and found that the majority of comments were extremely negative.  No mosquito nets, no hot water, and more.  Book through someone in Uganda such as myself who understands the Ugandan market and also knows your expectations and your stay will be pleasant at an affordable price.  When the Commonwealth Meeting of Heads of State took place in Uganda in 2007, everyone expected to make lots of money.  The prices were raised to higher level and in many cases have not come down, so it will take someone in Uganda who can find you the right place.  There are no Internet specials, it takes good old bargaining and often there is no multi-day discount and yet affordable, clean and reasonable priced accommodations can be found.  See the Kampala Hotel Page for some more information.  There is also hotels and accommodations in other parts of Uganda including National Parks.

• Eating out in Uganda:  Most likely you will not be cooking on your own unless you are like me and live here.  If you are going to cook for yourself I can tell you where you will find a butchery and bakery that is reasonable and cuts meats in western manner.  As far as eating out, there are some basic precautions that one must use in order to stay healthy.  Avoid food that is brought to you and is not hot, avoid buffets where candles are used for sauces, this is especially the case with some sauces that will attract all kinds of micro-organisms, avoid fruit salads, green salads, ice cubes, juices where water has been added unless it has been bottled water.  Spicy food does not mean you will not get sick.  You do not want Amin's revenge and be laid up in your lodging instead of enjoying Uganda.  Avoid Street Vendors.  See the "Staying Well in Uganda" page and also the restaurant page regarding some restaurants in Kampala.

• Safety and Security Tips:  Be sensible and practical.  Would you do this back in your own country?  Uganda for the most part is safe and enjoyable.  For some practical tips see Staying and Secure in Uganda.  Uganda Travel Safety & Security - after the World Cup Terrorist Attacks in Uganda.

• Health Tips:  There are precautions to take before you arrive here and some things to do after you get here.  The Staying well in Uganda page has health tips and advice that you will find practical and make your trip to Uganda more enjoyable.

• Cell Phones:  You can bring an unlocked International Quad cell Phone with you and purchase a Ugandan Sim Card from MTN, Zain, UTL or Warid.  UTL and Warid international calls are at 25 cents a minute to places such as Europe, Asia and North America, whereas MTN charges about 35 cents a minute for such calls. Read Every Ugandan has a cell phone but.. and here is some in depth advice for Mobile Cell Phone use for visitors in Uganda

• Internet Access:  You can access at one of the many Internet cafe's that you will find in Kampala and most larger Ugandan cities.  You can also do something different if you need to have ongoing access to the Internet.  You can use your laptop and a gprs phone with phone tools such as Motorola has available.  Upon coming to Uganda go to an MTN office and obtain a Sim Card, very inexpensive and then buy some phone air time, from 50 cents upward and add GPRS service to your sim card for about 45 dollars for a month.  You now have 24 hour internet in Uganda.  Not too fast, but it works just great and you have access.  Here is more in depth advice how to get on line with your laptop in Uganda.

• Electrical Current and Plugs:  240 volts is the voltage in Uganda and you will need a UK plug.  You can buy a converter plug that will make your appliance fit locally.

 

Guide and Travel Information to Uganda for Tourist & Visitors More Uganda Travel Advice and Information to enhance your stay in Uganda. Brought to you by - Kabiza Wilderness Safaris Ltd. Quality Uganda Safaris - Low in Price - Without Compromise 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. Why visit Uganda?  Uganda has more to offer beyond the Big 5 animals commonly found in Africa. There are Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, more hippos, the snow capped Mountains of the Moon, and the River Nile. 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. 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. Health Tips for Uganda:   What are choices regarding malaria prevention?  What not to eat?  How is the water?  What do to in a restaurant?  There are a lot of things you can do in order that you do not get ill while in 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. Using your Mobile Cell Phone in Uganda: Advice and Tips for staying connected while in Uganda.  Helpful information for getting the most out of your cell phone while visiting Uganda.  Advice in using a local sim card and its benefits, staying connected on the internet via laptop using your phone as a modem.  The ease of using the local sim card in your phone and what kind of phone is needed here in Uganda. Uganda Safaris:  Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to go on Safari.  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. Do You Have a Uganda Travel Question? Contact us by clicking on the Mountain Gorilla Stamp or this link, it will take you to the contact page. Call us from overseas 256 - (0) 774785852. Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.     Live Chat The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

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Last updated: 28 July 2010

Uganda Travel Tips and Advice for Tourists

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