Uganda Travel Advice and Tips:

Travel Tips and Advice for Travelers to Uganda

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.

Most of all enjoy your Ugandan Journey and a journey in Africa is the Swahili word 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.   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 2200 plus 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.  US Dollar favorable exchange rate benefits visitors from the USA to Uganda.

• 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 40 USD though some will ask for more, negotiate.    Self Drive  is not suggested, you may have a heart attack...try hiring a vehicle and driver.

• 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 are 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.

• Tipping in Uganda:  In many cases it is not expected, but certainly always appreciated. In the case of a restaurant where a lot of Westerners, tipping will be more the norm.  What might surprise you is how much of an impact your tip left behind might have.  See the Tipping in Uganda page.

• 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.   See also Safe and Secure Safaris in Uganda.  Women Travelers  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 20 cents a minute to places such as Europe, Asia and North America, whereas MTN charges about 30 cents a minute for such calls. Read the a bit humorous 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 a few dollars and gig may jus do it..  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.

Why visit Uganda? Reasons why you should visit Uganda - The Pearl of Africa.  Things to do & See in Uganda:  A top 10 list of Uganda's best attractions. Flying to Uganda: Getting here and helpful arrival information. Uganda Tourist Visas: Where to obtain  your Ugandan Visa? Packing for Uganda:   Most of us over-pack, tips to make it easier. Uganda Travel Advice & Tips: Tips that will make Uganda enjoyable. All About Uganda: Most things about Uganda. Uganda Money Tips: Credit Cards, Cash, exchange. Using your Mobile Cell Phone in Uganda: Buy a local sim card Internet Access in Uganda: Access the internet  anywhere in Uganda Longer Safaris:   5 days or longer Safaris in Uganda. Bargaining in Uganda:  That ancient ritual can be a lot of fun. Uganda Safety & Security Information:  Is Uganda a Safe Destination Health Tips for Uganda:   Staying Healthy in Uganda. Simple Tips Uganda Weather:  Holiday weather all year long. Private versus Group Safaris: - you decide what is best for you for you. Luganda Everyday Phrases:  The language spoken besides English in Kampala Conversations Uganda Style:   Cultural Differences that are there. Driving in Uganda:  Humorous insights about driving in Uganda. Cars for Hire-Transportation with Driver in Uganda:  Uganda is not a place for self drive Uganda Background Information:   gain an understanding of Uganda Gorilla Tracking  Information:A complete Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Uganda. Practical Safari Tips in Uganda: The word is practical and applicable. Create your own Uganda Safari: Put together a safari you like.  Uganda Big 5 Animals Plus:  Experience the best of Uganda's wildlife plus. Jinja-the Adventure Capital of Uganda :  The action capital of Uganda and East Africa. Kampala City Information: Hotel, Restaurants, things to see, day trips. Uganda Wildlife Information:  Find the where the wildlife you like to see is located. Accommodations in Uganda:  Towns and Park Lodging, hotels, tented camps. National Parks of Uganda Information & Guide:  Check out the Parks in Uganda. Uganda Travel Guide: Must read for Uganda Travelers. Uganda Safaris:  Safaris off the beaten Path in the Pearl of Africa. Contact us by clicking on this link or our Logo and it will take you to the contact page. Call us from overseas in Uganda 256-793-017-960 or 256-776-863-741. . Our number in the USA is 360-474-2105. For Pricing and itineraries, please use our contact page link just above. Kabiza Wilderness Safaris-Quality Private Safaris in Uganda - Low in Price without Compromise. Kabiza Wilderness Safaris Best Low Price Guarantee: We are committed to an affordable Private Safari in Uganda. Discover Magical Uganda - Insights- Accounts-helpful Advice and Tips - plus what not to miss while in Uganda

 

 

 

 

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