tFAQs-Frequently asked Questions Women Travelers have about Uganda
The Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to Uganda – It is all about Knowing Uganda Before Going
FAQs-Frequently asked Questions Women Travelers have about Uganda or the Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to Uganda.
Our suggestion is, “Know Uganda before you Go.” First-Time Africa Visitors will find our Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to Uganda most helpful.
African Travel in General and African Travel for Women is not as dangerous as they made. Uganda is one of the safest, most secure Countries in Africa. According to some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in Africa, it is Home to some of Africa’s friendliest and most welcoming people.
Add to that the fact that Africa’s best English-speaking country in Africa. It might be helpful to familiarize yourself with how English is used here, and its one-of-a-kind local variety is called UgLish with phrases such spewing buffaloes.
The African Travel Horror Stories, and myths, that you might encounter on the Internet are anecdotal. The person often did not follow practical, Common Sense, cultural, safety, and security advice and was on a do-it-yourself Safari, usually a recipe for disaster.
FAQs-Frequently asked Questions Women Travelers have about Uganda or the Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to Uganda. The Pearl of Africa – the Best Travel Tip – let us plan your Safari for you and with you – planning your time in Uganda and Rwanda with what you want to do and see. Personalized with you in mind, your likes, dislikes, and preferences for activities such as Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking, Wildlife, Parks, Hikes, Climbs, and genuine Cultural Encounters.
FAQs-Frequently asked Questions Women Travelers have about Uganda
Here are some Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to Uganda
How do I get to Uganda?
Getting to Uganda has become more accessible, with new airlines adding Uganda to their routes. If you live on the East Coast of the US, beginning, you can fly directly to Nairobi, Kenya, and continue to Entebbe by taking a one-hour flight.
Uganda can be accessed through its official International Airport – Entebbe and through the unofficial one, Kigali – Rwanda, where you can access Southwest Uganda, where the Mountain Gorillas are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
A Ugandan Tourist Visa or East African Tourist Visa must be obtained online prior to your flight to Uganda.
Fly into Entebbe, where you obtain your Visa and begin your Safari, ending in Kigali, Rwanda, after Trekking Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Uganda Airlines is starting up again on routes all over Africa and to Europe with brand new airplanes,
You can choose to get here from the US or Canada with Brussels Airline, KLM, Emirates, Qatar, Turkish and Egypt Air, Ethiopian, and Kenya Airways. Be sure to read out the Entebbe Airport information page for tourists, it will make the arrival and departure process much easier.
What about the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uganda?
Uganda has not experienced the pandemic like countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Uganda has reopened for business and tourism. Uganda today is the safest pandemic safari destination in East Africa and beyond.
On April 13, 2022, there were only two people in hospital with COVID. The death rate is near zero, and new infections are at a minimum.
Like many other Ugandans, those in tourism have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, while other nearby countries use the less Chinese vaccine and have not had Uganda’s success.
Uganda has received accolades from the World Health Organization and articles on travel sites that spoke of Uganda’s success in fighting COVID. We would say that Uganda realizes that we need to learn to adapt and live with the pandemic.
The good news is that Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a safer Pandemic Safari Destination for you.
What should I wear?
If you are in a city such as Kampala or Entebbe, things are different from upcountry. You will find that most women dress up nicely and are fashion conscious even if they are, for the most part, wearing quality and affordable second-hand clothing from North America and Europe.
What should I wear? What you will wear during your time in Uganda depends on the purpose of your trip. If it is for business, then you should wear business attire. If you come as a volunteer, it depends on what you will be doing here.
If you are coming for a safari, that too depends on the activities that you will be doing. Dressing for a primate trekking safari, hiking or climbing activity is different from going on game drives in a savannah park in Uganda.
It is all about dressing for the Occasion. You will find more information below.
What should I pack for My trip to Uganda?
What you need to pack for your trip to Uganda depends on why you are visiting the country. If you are coming on business, we suggest that you dress more formally for a convention. Ugandans like to dress smart, especially in the capital city of Kampala.
If you are coming for a Safari, what you will pack will depend on the type of Safari you will be on.
Check with your airline as to luggage limitations from your country. North Americans will have more generous luggage limitations than Europeans.
- Packing for a Safari: This page covers general safaris and gives you a packing list you can download.
- Gorilla Trekking Safari: Gorilla Trekking requires different clothing and gear, as does a Savannah Park Safari.
- Fly-In Safari: On a Flying Safari, you deal with weight restrictions of 15kg. You can have more luggage, but there is an excess charge.
- What to wear in town: In Kampala, Entebbe dressing smart is what Ugandans would recommend.
As you can see, coming for a Safari, you will need to pack differently than coming as a volunteer or business visitor. Every visitor, while visiting Uganda, should make plans to spend a few days in the African Wild, even on a mini safari.
What do I do with my Jewelry and Watches?
Avoid wearing gold jewelry, necklaces, gold or diamond earrings, expensive watches, etc. It is especially true if you are going to be walking the streets of Kampala. There are pickpockets – on a safari itself, you are excellent in most cases- not wearing expensive things will avoid a possible negative situation that would not be enjoyable.
If you somehow brought something valuable, such as a watch, put it into Hotel or lodge safe at the front desk.
Custom jewelry that you might have picked up at a reasonable price in the West can be stolen – even Ugandan or Rwandan women encounter this problem in crowded.
Again, If you are on a safari with us – such thefts will be a rarity since your driver-guide will make sure that you are.
What do I need to know about Safety and Security in Uganda?
Uganda is safe and secure. Something Americans are worried about the most in 201.9. It is one of the most stable countries in all of Africa, and it is also one of the friendliest countries on the continent and, one might add, the best English Speaking country in Africa.
The safest place in Uganda is on a Safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris, where your well-being and safety come first.
Besides regular police, there is the Tourism Police, which is stationed at Tourism Destinations throughout the country. Add to that the armed rangers found in the Wildlife Parks and the Military.
Uganda is often safer than your country of origin, and there is no armed conflict within the state.
The problem is that when you tell friends that you are telling friends that you are going on holiday in Uganda, they see it through the minimal filter of Africa, the movies that they have seen, and news reports by a reporter stationed in Capetown, and the like. Ugandans are friendly, welcoming, and concerned for your well-being people. Visit our Facebook Page for the latest no Spin Safety & Security updates.
How to Keep Money out Sight and out of Easy Reach of Others?
If you are wearing slacks or jeans, put your wallet and money in the front of your pockets and put your hand over it if you are walking downtown Kampala or Kigali, especially in crowded settings such as marketplaces.
When purchasing something, paying in a restaurant, or bar, for a taxi, do not flash a wad of money, but just enough to pay for the service or product. You do not want to attract the attention of a potential thief.
If you are using an ATM in Uganda or Rwanda, ensure that the ATM is behind a door for your privacy and safety, an armed guard will typically be outside.
Theft of Cash can happen anywhere, it has only happened once in over a decade at a lodge, and in this case, the upmarket lodge paid back the money taken.
Click on the links for more advice on handling money in Uganda.
How do I protect my purse?
It is a good idea to put your bag over your shoulder, put your hand over the purse itself, and hold it to your side so that no one can readily grab it. You have lost your purse and, more importantly, the contents ranging from cash to identification, such as a passport – airline tickets, etc.
It is always good to have a scan or copy of essential documents if they are lost or stolen.
A daypack can be helpful as long as you can hold onto the straps to protect it from being stolen.
Be wise – though it is safe to walk on your own – go with a Ugandan to be on the safe side of things.
Keep your hand over your bag and keep a tight grip on it in towns like Kampala, that is how Ugandan women handle it, and they certainly know what they are doing when it comes to theft protection.
How do I keep my passport safe?
Do not carry it with you, but a copy of it, and keep it in a safe and secure place in your lodging. The same applies to any other identification and stay your credit cards at your lodging.
I have known people where the passport was lost in the form of transport, and they had to go through the tedious task of going to their embassy. In some cases, your country may not have an embassy in Uganda or Rwanda, which makes the replacement of a passport more tedious.
You can print out a copy of your passport at Home and bring it with you. Visa can be done here on arrival at one of our local shops.
Protect your passport at all costs, though the reality is that a passport loss has never occurred with a client of ours since we let them know how to protect relevant documents such as a passport.
Even if you did lose your passport – we would assist you in getting back home to your country.
Can I walk on my own? – Never act lost even if you are:
For the most part, it is okay, especially in the daytime at night. Just as a precaution, it is not recommended to walk with someone, preferably a Ugandan or Rwandan. Avoid walking through a slum and stay on the main roads.
Never act lost, even if you are. You are working as if you are lost, a potential victim of a theft attack.
Enter into a shop – or get on a Boda-Boda Motorcycle Taxi. They will take you to your destination (even though below, I recommend avoiding a Boda-Boda Motorcycle Taxi.
Remember that thieves are on the lookout for someone who seems lost. That is why you never act lost, even if you are.
Always act as if you know where you are going. Even if you do not, you will soon get there. Use a Boda-Boda motorcycle taxi or a Taxi such as Uber.
How do I get around safely?
Avoid using Boda-Boda Motorcycles – they do not use helmets and dangerous ways to get around jam-packed Kampala. They are also the number one reason for emergency room admissions due to high rates of accidents.
The taxi,s which are mini-buses and the main form of transport in much of Uganda and Rwanda, are better, but bring small Ugandan or Rwandan currency – to be safe. Do not use your Smartphone, Tablet, or Laptop in Taxi – Matatu and on a bus. Hold on to it.
Buses – are not the best way – their high and excessive speeds have cost a lot of fatalities. If you take a trip with one – avoid any food or drinks given by a fellow passenger – people have been drugged and robbed right on the bus. Avoid night travel between towns, even by bus – a bus was stopped in Northern Uganda, and all passengers were denied at 2 am.
The Safest Way to get around Uganda or Rwanda is on a Safari with a Tour Company such as ourselves with Driver-Guides, who will make your time in Africa – Safe and Enjoyable.
How to Stay Safe on a Night out on the Town?
Kampala is the City that Never Sleeps, where the party goes on 24/7. The bars do not close at 2 am, like in the West.
Kampala’s nightlife is touted as a tourist highlight since it is purported to be the best in Africa.
It is usually safe for a woman to experience a night on the town in the city that never sleeps with some safety precautions that you will find help.
Go with a local – especially a non-drinking driver that knows their way around to various places and will abstain from alcohol. We can provide a driver for you.
Ugandan Women will dress up from mild to wild, often on what would be considered the daring side.
In Kampala, quite a few women will be Mosquito Girls – Prostitutes. Becoming such was not their goal in life but became a matter of survival, in some cases having money to raise children and support grandparents or mothers.
How do defuse Flirtation Attempts?
As a woman, you may encounter an occasional attempt by a male at flirting, but that can happen anywhere in the world, and it does happen here. A smile and a “no thanks” will usually resolve the situation in a friendly manner.
You may get a subtle or not-so-subtle marriage proposal. Again, a smiling “no thank you” will do the trick. Remember that 90% of attempts at flirting are harmless – keep your sense of humor.
A picture of your “husband” – real or make belief might come in handy. It is a common practice Women Travelers use in destinations around the world.
In Uganda, you might receive a marriage proposal, something that is not unusual for a tourist to receive. The same applies to the one-night fling proposal. Receive such proposals with a smile. You will receive more than one on your night on the town in Kampala. The Antidote is this, have a picture of a man in your wallet, show it, and say that your husband is another excellent way to avoid flirtation.
What do I have to do to stay well?
You can do some practical things about your well-being while eating out, such as avoiding street vendors since their hygienic ways may not be the best. I have some friends who eat Rolex all the time – not the watch but Rolled Eggs in a chapati with vegetables – a favorite Ugandan dish that some university students innovated and has spread all over Uganda.
Avoid eating salads or raw cabbage on your plate unless it is a good restaurant or Hotel. Avoid those buffets heated only by a small candle where the curries and other things will spoil. With juices, ask if the water has been boiled and if there are no ice cubes, to name a few.
Vegetarians and Vegans can survive in Uganda on a plant-based diet – even the gorillas do.
Other dietary needs, such as gluten-free, can be met. For more information read our staying well on safari page.
How do I stay in touch with Home?
We used to recommend getting a local Sim Card. Today, you need a National ID or go through a cumbersome process with a passport to obtain it.
The easiest way – you do not need an open phone, you need a smartphone that will work with WiFi – stay in a hotel or lodge, or be in a restaurant where it will work.
You can use Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter, and you are connected with the rest of the world.
That is, 2019 is the simplest way for you to stay connected with Family. Technology has changed in recent years, and so has the methodology that people use to remain associated with Family, Friends.
With the Internet, have patience. We have 3-G and 4-G in fewer places, and in reality, it will be more like 2-G.
We do recommend that you do not post pictures of your time in Uganda while here. Wait until you get home. The reason is that potential thieves read your posts and you may find an empty home upon return.
Speed- will mot often be not what you are used to – have patience – Hakuna Matata.
Can I go on a Solo Safari?
Solo-Travelers in Uganda. People do it with mixed results. The attempt to go on a Safari by bus, back of a pickup, or a ride from a tour company vehicle.
We do a reasonable number of Solo Safaris each year, primarily for women. The cost is higher, and the benefits far outweigh the cost for many.
You can have your driver-guide who will keep you safe and sound on a solo safari in Uganda.
We create a safari itinerary with your input, and you are off to exploring Authentic Africa in the heart of Africa, Uganda.
Solo Safaris, Solo Travel in Uganda – for many, it is worth the extra cost since you are in control of a private safari.
Can I use a Hairdryer?
Often we are asked, “Will my hotels and Safari Lodges have hairdryers that I can use?” That is a tricky question since if you are on a Safari, you are often not on the power grid, and power is provided by solar energy and backed up by generators.
Neither solar nor generator-powered electricity can handle a hairdryer; they use too much power since they require full power, which is 240 volts.
When it comes to hairdryers, there is not much good news. In Kampala and Entebbe, you might find hairdryers in luxury or mid-range hotels in other cities. On Safari in the wilderness with lodges and tented camps not on the power grid. These lodges use solar power and generators that do not provide full power to run a hairdryer.
We realize that not being able to use a hairdryer will be an inconvenience for some. On the positive, you are in tropical Africa, temperatures are pleasant, and wet hair will not be as uncomfortable as in a northern climate.
One option is to sit out in the equatorial sun with a cup of morning coffee while your hair dries.
Do you offer Safari Travel Information-Tips – Advice – Uganda?
Suppose you like to go on a Safari in Uganda or Rwanda. Here is some excellent information, tips, and advice to plan a safari that fits you.
We have taken many women travelers on Safari in Uganda or Rwanda with the just driver-tour guide that introduces you to Uganda and Rwanda.
From Primates to wildlife – there is much to do and see in either country. You stay in the lodges and hotels of your choice, do the activities you would like, and here you have all the information you need for that suitable African Safari.
Uganda is a safari destination with ten parks plus wildlife reserves of one kind or another and is Home to Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys. It is and has been the Pearl of Africa.
Take advantage of our free Safari Tips and Advice – you will be glad that you did.
Top Travel Tips for Women Travelers to – Uganda – If you have any questions – don’t hesitate to contact us.
