Uganda Travel Guide
Entry Check Requirements
Before entering Uganda one has to present a valid passport / identity card.Please note, your visa documentation must be done in advance prior your arrival into Uganda either at the airport or at the boarders of Uganda. The visa must be stamped as proof of verification.
Entry Check Requirements
Before entering Uganda one has to present a valid passport / identity card.Please note, your visa documentation must be done in advance prior your arrival into Uganda either at the airport or at the boarders of Uganda. The visa must be stamped as proof of verification.
Money and Methods of Payment
Currency
The National currency is Uganda shillings (UGX). Notes are in denominations of UGX 50,000, UGX 20,000, UGX10,000, UGX 5,000, UGX 2,000 and UGX1,000. Coins are in denominations of UGX1,000, UGX 500, UGX 200, UGX 100 and UGX 50. Please note, the most used currency in tourism transactions is US Dollars (USD). Foreign currency may be exchanged at the Foreign Exchange Bureaus found at Entebbe International Airport on arrival or in Kampala City and all major towns in Uganda. It is advisable to exchange money if need be in Entebbe or Kampala City.
Exchange Rate
At the time of publication: USD $1.00 = UGX 37,00, €1.00 = UGX 4,000 and £1.00=UGX 4,700
Credit and Debit Cards
Master Card, American express, and Visa are widely accepted, especially in National Parks, Hotels, well-established Restaurants and craft shops. However, please note most purchase point at shopping malls / shops may involve use of cash and especially in Uganda Shillings. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There is free import of foreign currency if declared on arrival. Unspent Uganda shillings can be reconverted to foreign currency.
Banking Hours
Banks open from Monday to Fridays, 08:30am to 04:00 pm and Saturdays 09:00am to 01:00 pm.
Customs
Export
A special permit is required to export particular specimens.
Import
The following Items may be imported into Uganda by visitors over 17 years without incurring customs duty (except from Kenya and Tanzania), 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco, one bottle of spirits or wine, 568 ml of perfume.
Uganda National Public Holidays
January 1st New Year’s Day, January 16th Janani Luwum Day, January 26th Liberation Day, March 8th International Women’s Day, April Good Friday and Easter Monday, May 1st Labor Day, June 3rd Martyrs Day, June 9th National Heroes Day, October 9th Independence Day; December 25th Christmas Day, December 26th Boxing Day.
Note: Muslim Festivals are timed according to local sightings of the moon.
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Heath information
When travelling to Uganda and the East African Community member countries a number of health requirements must be cleared.
Covid 19 Health Policy sops
While on your visit to Uganda with the current covid 19 situation all visitors must taste for covid 19 virus as a safety precaution.
A face mask, hand sanitizers are recommended in addition to the covid 19 health certificate. All the new government and health guidelines must be followed.
We are also strong that the situation will become more stable as vaccines start to be distributed worldwide. Your safety is our priority.
Yellow Fever:
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required from travellers of over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas. Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is highly recommended for everyone coming to Uganda even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported.
Malaria
Sleep under mosquito net. All hospitals and health centers in Uganda have medication in case of Malaria fever.
Cholera and Typhoid:
A cholera and Typhoid vaccination certificate is not a condition for entry into Uganda, however we recommend that our clients consult their doctors and if possible, get vaccinated on precautionary basis.
Health Cautions
Clients should avoid swimming in Lakes such as Victoria, Lake Kyoga and River Nile. Hotel swimming pools are well maintained because the water is always treated. Swimming is recommended in Lake Bunyonyi, it’s also the deepest lake in Uganda and the third deepest in the world after Lake Tanganyika.
Health care
Visitors should bring personal medicines likely to be needed because of personal health history. However, it’s important to enquire first from the Embassy or High Commission whether such supplies may be freely imported.
Insurance cover
Comprehensive health insurance
It is essential and it should include cover for emergency air repatriation in case of serious accident or illness. Most health facilities in the capital city of Uganda are of international standards.
Travel Insurance
While planning your holiday to the pearl of Africa insurance in terms of medical or travel insurance is recommended. In case of any inquiry or information about insurance, do not hesitate to contact Wabs Safaris 0r our commendable partners
Safety Measures
While on your holiday or safari in Uganda there are a number of safety precautions that ensure your safety.
Flight Information
When a client is interested in flight updates at Entebbe International Airport/ Airlines
Please use the link below that gives you live information/ data from different airlines
Tap the link Details
Wabs safaris books for you accommodation ranging from Budget, Midrange and Luxury. That is cottages, hotels, lodges, guest houses and many others, wabs safaris makes it a priority to give you details of where you shall be accommodated while on your safari experience. Accommodation is also classified with self-contained rooms which include showers, toilet and hot water, non-self-contained rooms may not have showers, toilets and hot water but the bathroom and toilet are found outside the rooms. Room service is also offered based on the type of accommodation booked.
Photography Guide Lines
While on holiday/ Safari in Uganda, no charge is levied on your personal camera.
Clients are advised to carry the recommended digital cameras or binoculars depending on a particular safari for example birders, adventure tourists and on game drive, boat cruise safaris or any related tour.
Please note, Photography is not allowed in some places like embassy, state house or other government premises, security organs and among the locals. You may need to request before taking such photographs.
Flash Lights must be off around wild animals for example chimps and gorillas
Extra batteries are recommended on your safari
Food and Drinks
Only drink bottled water from recommended brands served at eating points, restaurants and hotels. Some well-established restaurants and hotels also serve boiled water although bottled water is highly recommended.
There is a lot of delicious food served by roadsides consult your tour guide before you get tempted to buy roadside food because of unhygienic environment of some roadside food points. Only eat well-cooked Vegetables, meat and fish preferably served hot.
Eat from recommended food restaurants and Hotels. Your food should be served hot and it is recommended that you inquire from your guide
A number of restaurants and hotels in Uganda serve both local and international food and beverages with unique cuisines that are blended from all over the world.
However, our main cuisine entails Matooke (staple food made from green bananas), Kalo (Bantu speaking people) or Atap (Teso speaking people)/Kwon (Luo Speaking people) made from Millet flour and sometimes mixed with Cassava flour, served in all parts of Uganda; Cassava, a root tuber that is commonly made into flour; Sweet potatoes also served in all parts of Uganda; Chicken, Fish and Beef stews; The fresh fish is commonly got from Uganda’s fresh water bodies like Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward and River Nile. It is also common to find fresh cooked greens, beans and groundnut sauce in many restaurants and Hotels. The commonly known ‘Rolex’ which is a mixture of fried eggs, tomatoes, onions, green pepper and cabbages rolled in pan fried with its local name ‘chapatti’; however, sometimes it is modified to have meat, chicken or fish. As far as food production is concerned, in Uganda Bananas, millet, maize, sorghum, rice, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes are grown in abundance. Fresh Fruits are also plentiful like: water melon, passion fruits, pineapples, mangoes, tomatoes, avocado, lemon, oranges, and pawpaw among others.
Uganda also manufactures its own liquor / drink such ‘Uganda Waragi’, a famous for cocktail base. Uganda also has two main distilleries that produce the largest percentage of beers consumed in Uganda: Uganda Breweries in Kampala and Nile Breweries located at the source River Nile in Jinja Town. Fresh coffee and Tea is also readily available in all
Restaurants and hotels all over Uganda, Leading Dinning places in Kampala City include: Kabira Country Club, Kampala Casino, The Lawns, Cayenne Restaurant and Lounge, Mango Grove Restaurant, Nyanja Restaurant, Paradise Terrace (Sheraton Kampala), Piato, Sam’s Restaurant, Shahi Darbar Restaurant, Soho Café and Grill, Spectrum at Labonita, The Bay, The Bistro, The pearl of Africa, The Space, Victoria (Sheraton) for breakfast only, Villa Kololo, Pyramids Casino and Restaurant, The Fez Brasserie and Wine Bar, 7 Hills Revolving Restaurant, Pardis Corner, Faze 2 and II Patio. African Cuisine in Kampala can be accessed at: 2k Restaurant, Baguma Restaurant, Spectrum Restaurant at Labonita, Shaka Zulu Foods, St. Anthony’s Restaurant and Kembabazi Catering Center.
Ethiopian Food (Ethiopian Village and Gojo Ethiopian Bar and Restaurant)
Italian Food (Caffe Roma-Lubowa, Patio, Mamba Point Restaurant, Mediterraneo Restaurant, Villa Kololo)
Japanese Food (Kyoto Turkish Restaurant and Pizza Meter, Yujo Japanese Restaurant);
Korean Food (Arirang Restaurant), Mexican Food (Romeo’s Restaurant),
Thai Food (The Oriental Simply Thai-Metropole Hotel) and West African Food (Mama Ashanti Restaurant).
Greek Food (Athena’s Taverns and Mythos Greek Taverna and Lounge)
Indian Food (Handi, Kati Kati Restaurant, Khana Kha Zana, Khyber Pass-speke Hotel, Nyanja Restaurant, Oasis Club House-Munyonyo, Pavement Sizzles and Flames, Sizzler’s and More, The Asian Fusion, Top Tree-Fairway Hotel
Transport Information
Air transport:
Flight Info
When a client is interested in flight updates at Entebbe International Airport/ Airlines
Please use the link below that gives you live information/ data from different airlines
Tap the link Details
The main International Airport is Entebbe International Airport. Entebbe is served by Many International Airlines like: Uganda Airlines; KLM the Royal Dutch Airline; Brussels Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, Uganda Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, South African Airways and Rwandair among others.
Specific scheduled domestic air transport to our major towns and some National Parks, Charter flights can be arranged to the National Parks that have airfields like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park as well as closer towns such as Soroti, Mbale, Jinja and many others
Water transport:
Tourist destinations on water bodies and within the parks and the beautiful Islands of Lake Victoria can be accessed by boats and ferry services. Through Entebbe we have Nakiwogo Landing site and Bukakata Landing site in the South near Masaka Town, which are the reliable ports for catching water transport to Ssese Island with private boats and the reknown ferries that is the Mv Kalangala and Mv Vanessa.
Road transport:
Uganda has connecting road routes with all neighboring countries, bus service between Kampala and Neighboring countries’ cities like: Nairobi, Arusha, Dar-es-Salam, Kigali and Juba. For Safari an excellent safari in Uganda it is recommended that you hire a private customized reliable safari car that can enable you do game drives with pop-up roof for proper game viewing. In Uganda traffic drives on the left, with police & Army road checkpoints at different locations to ensure proper safety and security for travelers. The speed limit is 80km/h or 100km/h on highways. Always fasten your seatbelts at all times when you are travelling in a vehicle and keep vehicle doors locked.
Rail transport:
Currently Uganda Railways Service operates only one commuter train between the main City center and Namanve Industrial area. The other trains operated by Uganda Railways service are cargo trains that operate between Kenya and Uganda. However there are plans to reintroduce passenger trains with a standard garge railway to serve all major parts of the country.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage Allowance
This applies to air transport, road transport and others. There is always limited space on board for the luggage to be transported. A minimum weight / luggage size is maintained.
Please note, airlines have policies that run baggage and these should be read and adhered to.
Charter flights just like the outbound flights and these also vary in accordance to policy.
For charter flight about 10 kg baggage is allowed per pax on board.
In safari vans while on your safari we recommend soft bags for your essentials as well as back packs for items like sweaters, boots, hats and other essentials. For the big bags a maximum of 14 kgs is recommended and this also depends on the number of days of the tour.
National Park of Uganda
The park is located in the north western part of the country and is both the oldest and largest park in Uganda and was also once called Kabalega national park “the iconic falls thunderous falls symbolized the wrath of the bunyonro king”
The park is famous for the Murchison falls were the Nile waters surge into a 7 meter gorge with a 40 meter depth forming the most powerful waterfalls, the lower section of the park offers a number of wild to sight such as crocodiles in a profusion of hippos, in the afternoon animals are seen drinking water to cool off the heat. While on game drives on the north we get to see a number of mammals such as the Roth’s child giraffes, buffalos, elephants, oribis, antelopes, big cats such as the lion and the leopard. We get to do a boat safari and engage in chimp tracking in the Budongo forest. The park is divided into the north and the south sector and they are divided by the River Nile making the park a savannah park and wood land.
Queen Elizabeth National is located in south western part of Uganda and was named after Queen Elizabeth of England with the iconic kazinga channel where lakes George and Edward meet to form the kazinga channel with congregates a profusion of crocodiles and hippos amidst other wild life at the shores. The park is also a good birding haven with a number of beautiful and scenic craters. While in the park we can engage in game drives, boat safaris, chimp tracking in kyambura gorge, lion experiential, birding safaris,
The park is national park is rainforest famous for chimp tracking and habituation with over 13 primate species hence also known as the primate capital of the world with over 1000 chimpanzees. Other species include the red colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkeys Ihoests monkey, red tailed, blue monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabey and bush baby.Kibale is also home to mammals such as buffalos, warthogs, leopard, duikers and a number of elephants.
Home to the giant mountain gorillas and this is where the gorilla trekking & Habituation experience takes place. Bwindi forest has more than half of the total population of the mountain gorillas left in the whole world. The park is also home to other species like birds, mammals that is about 400 bird species with about 23 being endemic to the park. Bwindi is also habituates 120 mammals, 11 primate species baboons, chimps. Black and white colobus monkeys and Lhoest monkeys.The park is also home to the indigenous batwa people native and lived in the forest for ages and this gives us a good avenue for nature walks.
Kidepo Valley National park is a remote park located in the northern part of Uganda. It happens to be the true wilderness of an African safari and also famously known to be home of the native kejongs with a unique background, culture and customs.The park is known to be home of the largest buffalo herd with a unique scenic land scape and its home to 77 mammals and over 400 bird with a congregation that meets at the narus valley.
Lake Mburo National park is the smallest savannah park in western Uganda and closest park from Kampala city. The park has a number of antelopes and it’s a good haven for birding with over 350 bird species. The park also entails ancient metamorphic rocks which are believed to have existed 500 million years ago. The park is also home to a number of mammals such as the impala, zebras, oribi, buffalos, waterbuck, hippos, topi, reedbuck, hyena and the leopard respectively and these make your safari experience colourful.
The gorilla park is located in south western part of Uganda and it was gazzated to become home to the mountain gorillas which are an endangered species. At the same time the park is home to the unique golden monkeys. The dense forest is also endowed with vegetation and also home to the indigenous Batwa pygmies and these were hunter and with a unique culture and back ground.
The park is located in eastern Uganda in the land of the Bamasaba (Bagishu). The mountain itself is an extinct volcano and it is believed to have first erupted 24 million years ago, it also has the largest surface area in the world. Mountain Elgon also borders Uganda and Kenya.
Mountain Elgon is home to a number of mammals such as antelopes, monkeys, Buffalos, Elephants and over 300 bird species. The national park gets its reecos its name from the gaint Mount Elgon, it’s also home to the mighty Sipi falls, scenic caves, cliffs and a number of gorges. Mountain Elgon is also blessed with diversity in botany such as orchids and olive trees among other species. The region is also famous for its cultural norms of circumcision that occurs once a year.
The park and the mountain are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is located in the district of kasese in western Uganda. Its peak is snowcapped throughout the year with the third highest peak in Africa given a height of 5,108 meters (16,762 ft) and with a number of diverse plant species as we ascend to the top. A number of streams follow down earthing a number of waterfalls and lakes. It is also known to be home to the 3 horned chameleons, and home to a number of mammals and birds.
Semuliki National Park lies on an area of 220 sq. km, it is found in Bwamba County in Western Uganda in Bundibugyo district just near Fort portal town 70 km. Semuliki National Park harbours an extension of Congo’s Ituri Rainforest.
Semuliki National Park is home to over 52 species of mammals such as buffalos, vervet monkeys, elephants, white tailed mongoose, over 400 bird species in diversity of tree species. Semuliki national park also known to be a good birding for bird lovers, birds such as the Congo serpent Eagle, Long Tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black Wattled Hornbill, Red billed Helmet shrike, Ituri Batis and the black winged starling among other birds that may be sighted.
Sempaya hot springs
The magnificent female hot springs have high temperatures of about 100 degrees Celsius and this is as a result of geothermal energy beneath the earth’s crust. Semuliki is also home to a male hot spring that is also worth visiting. The hot springs can of boil eggs and this is usually tried out by clients
Shopping
Uganda is also a destination for souvenir shopping. African and Western souvenirs that you can take back home with you. The common souvenir purchases done by most tourists in Uganda include: bangles, necklaces, kitenge dresses, scarf, African Sandals, ear rings, cow horn saucers, candle stands, wooden mortars, wooden African masks bracelets, woodcarvings, basketry, tea, coffee, ceramics, handmade shoes, African stools and chairs, baskets and mats and much more, Most of these Items can be found in many tourist service points including hotels. In Kampala, handmade souvenirs are mostly bought from places like Uganda Arts and Crafts Village next to The National Theatre and Banana world, Exposure Africa and Craft Africa on Buganda Road.
Known shopping Centers around Town: Kingdom Kampala, Garden City, Quality Supermarkets, Capital Shoppers, Shoprite Lugogo and Kampala, Forest Mall, Village Mall, Acacia Mall Ntinda and Mega Standard Supermarket.
Shopping hours. Daily from 08:00am to 05:00 pm Monday to Saturday and a few open places on Sunday.
Night Life and Performances
Nightlife is more interesting in Kampala than any other part of the country. Kampala never closes completely, it stays awake there are points that bring people together for joy. People from Rwanda, Kenya and Sudan usually spend weekends in Kampala because of the enormous fun, entertainment and leisure Kampala City.
Safety and Security in Kampala is one of the most important factors attracting many people to spend their leisure time in Kampala. With a number of Bars, Restaurants, night clubs, comedy venues, cultural centers like Ndere for cultural entertainment and very many music concerts. Famous Bars and Night Clubs in Kampala City include Bamboo Nest Bar and Restaurant, Bubbles O’Leary (Irish Pub), Capital Pub, Casablanca Pub and Restaurant, Cayenne Restaurant and Lounge, Equator Bar and Lounge, Faze 2, Lotus Mexicana, Mammamia Restaurant, Obama’s Kabalagala, Olive Garden, Palm Café’ Pizzeria and Bar, Piato, Punchline Bar and Night Club, The wine Bar, Big Mike’s, Fame Loungue, Club Ambiance, Club Amnesia, Guvnor Club, Insomia, Illusion, Kampala Casino, Kings Casino, Casino Simba, Mayfair Casino, Tag Mahal Hotel and Casino, Ceasars Palace Casino and Empire Casino. Rock Garden, The Mist Bar, The Park Square, The Terrace Bar
Tipping
The hospitality industry has no standard price on tipping and this makes it normal to tip USD 5 to USD10 at a tourist service point per day and this may also apply to tourist guides and drivers per day when service is offered. Please note, the tipping practice is not a must as it should be in appreciation of good service offered based on the good services offered.
Business Etiquette
English is used for all business discussions and appointments should always be made for any kind of meeting. A suit and neck tie is best worn by men for business meetings and sometimes a simple gentle outfit. Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 am-12:30pm – 01:00pm and 02:00pm-04:30pm – 05:00pm.
Highlight of what to see and Do in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale Forest National Park (Chimpanzees), Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Mountain Gorillas), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys), Lake Mburo National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Mountain climbing), Semiliki National Park, Pian Upe game reserve, Sipi Falls, Kampala Capital City tour, The Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs, Wamala Toms, Nagalabi Coronation site, , Kibuli Mosque, Gadaffi Mosque (National Mosque), Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Bahai Temple built before Independence, Idi Amin Torture Chambers, the Kings Palace (Lubiri), Buganda Parliament, Ssezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest – Zip Line, Source of the Nile, Tea and Sugar Plantations, Itanda Falls, white water rafting and kayaking in Jinja, sport fishing on Lake Victoria, Owen Falls Dam, Budjagali Falls and Dam, Kagulu Rock, Botanical Gardens, Uganda Wildlife and Education Center (UWEC Zoo), Samuka Island, Rwenzoris Mountains for mountain climbing, Fort Patiko (Bakers Fort), Ssese Islands, Lake Bunyonyi – 3rd deepest in the whole world, Nshenyi Cultural Center,, the IK people, the Karimojong people, Mt. Muhavura (mountain climbing), Budongo Forest (Chimpanzee tracking), Murchison Falls (world’s strongest water falls), Hot air balloon in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bungee jumping in Jinja on the River Nile, boat cruise on Lake Victoria, to Murchison Falls, Kazinga Channel and Lake Bunyonyi and Matheniko game reserve
