Exploring Nature

Uganda Travel Tips

 CHECKLIST

This checklist has been compiled by staff and previous tourists to help others prepare for their time on a safari with Ecotravel Uganda Ltd.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

A single entry visa US$ 50
Multiple entry 6 months US$ 200
Transit Visa good for 1 week US$ 50

Please check with the ministry of affairs website for the latest info. www.immigration.go.ug
 
Health, Medical and Insurance

Tourists on an African safari are generally required to be in good health.Persons suffering from sicknesses like heart disease, chronic illness, physical handicap, advanced pregnancy diabetes, epilepsy, haemophilia or mental illness etc, are discouraged to participate in rigorous travel programmes and activities and should notify us prior to undertaking a safari.

It is a condition of booking that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependants and traveling companions for the duration of their tour with Ecotravel Ltd.J ust in case, we have two medical centres that we recommend in Kampala, both of which have hospital facilities, are very helpful and easily accessible in Kampala.
 
  • The Surgery, Acacia Avenue, Kampala (Dr Dick Stockley)
  • International Medical Centre, Bombo Road, Kampala (Dr Ian Clarke)
  Ecotravel Uganda Ltd will not be held responsible for your medical bills.
 
Insurance

Our esteemed clients/tourists are required to be comprehensively covered by a medical insurance which includes emergency evacuation coverage and direct contact with wildlife. You may need to avail us with a copy when you arrive. Holders of the international student card may be covered – please check. Contact your local insurance agent for more information.

Vaccination Requirements

Mandatory vaccination and health requirements for tourists in Uganda include:
  • Hepatitis A vaccination
  • Hepatitis B vaccination
  • Meningococcal meningitis (menomune vaccine)
  • Polio vaccination (up to date)
  • Tetanus vaccination (up to date)
  • Yellow fever
Also recommended, but not mandatory:
  • Rabies vaccination 
If you wish to travel further in Africa, consult a physician or your local health authorities for more details on vaccines required for travel in other African countries (some vaccines are mandatory before a visa will be issued).
 
Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis

Malaria risk is high and chloroquine resistance is a problem in Uganda. A prophylactic medication such as Mefloquine (Larium) or Doxycycline is recommended. Travellers should also carry malaria treatment such as Fansidar or Artenam (also available in Uganda, probably much cheaper than in your home country). Again, please consult and discuss with your physician which treatment is most suitable for you.
 
Whether or not to take malaria prophylaxis is entirely up to you, but be aware that malaria is common in various parts of Uganda. The most effective prevention for malaria has been found to be the use of mosquito nets sprayed with repellent and wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers after sundown. This is highly recommended especially in Wildlife Conservation areas. Personal health for our clients is our priority; the accommodations are carefully selected to ensure your comfort and health.
 
Drivers Licence

A UK driving license is accepted in Uganda (permissible for 12 months before having to get a Ugandan license) and an international driving license is widely recognized. Please leave the job to our skillfully trained drivers and guides to take care of you!
 
WHAT TO BRING
Clothing:
  • 3-4 t-shirts
  • 3-4 pairs of shorts
  • 2-3 pairs of long cotton trousers
  • 1 pair of comfortable, sturdy shoes
  • 1 raincoat/poncho/waterproof trousers
  • 1 pair gumboots/wellies (for forest – also available locally)
  • light weight sleep wear
  • 1 pair of flip flops/sandals (can be bought in country) (to generally be worn indoors but not around town as these could be seen to be culturally insensitive)
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Sandals/Teva’s (waterproof sandals)
  • 1 warm sweater/jacket/sweatshirt
 Other recommended clothing for men:

  • 1-2 pairs of lightweight trousers
  • 2-3 shirts
  • Other recommended clothing for women:
  • 2-3 cotton dresses (ankle or calf length)*
  • trousers
  • shirts
  • Knee length and short skirts or shorts are not recommended for women to wear in public as they are seen to be culturally insensitive.
The above list is dependent on the number of days on safari with us.
 
Other necessary items:
  • Passport photos (can also be done in Uganda)
  • Towel
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen (not readily available in Uganda)
  • Mosquito repellent (not readily available in Uganda)
  • Alarm clock
Other recommendations:
  • Sunglasses
  • Good flashlight or head torch (plus bring extra bulbs)
  • Money belt
  • Waterproof watch
  • Good water bottle
  • Small supply of snack items you cannot do without!
  • Personal toiletries – shaving cream, razor blades, shampoo, body lotion, hand cream, toothpaste, dental floss,
  • feminine hygiene products. (Please note, however, all of these products are readily available in Uganda but if you prefer specific brands then you should bring them with you.)
  • Personal first aid kit containing: antibiotic cream and tablets/band aids/antihistamines (again, local pharmacies in Uganda can also cater for most for your general medicines)
  • Adaptor plugs for electrical items (we are on the same system as the UK)
  • Transformer (220v to 110v) if you intend using electrical appliances from the USA (can be purchased at Radio Shack or equivalent stores)
  • Lonely Planet Guides (for Uganda and further travelling)
  • Swiss Army knife (don’t carry in your hand luggage!)
  • Mini sewing kit
  • Ziplock bags (to protect your possessions)
 Other useful items:
  • Small gifts (t-shirts, baseball caps, postcards of your country, gum, pens, notebooks)
  • Books to read
  • Walkman with tapes/CDs
  • Photographic equipment and film (an extra camera battery is advisable as they can be hard to find) (APS filmand 400 and 800 speed film are difficult to get in country)
  • Video camera and blank tapes
  • Pictures of home (local people like to see where you are from)
  • Laptop computer (plus a surge protector and adapter is recommended)
  • Second set of prescription glasses, if applicable and/or contact lenses
  • Binoculars
  • Clipboard
  • Field guide books
  • Anti-bacterial hand wipes/antiseptic lotions
  • Mobile phone 
  • Recommended research equipment
  • battery charger + rechargeable batteries
  • laptop (surge protector, adapter and extra battery is recommended)
  • video camera and digital photo camera with charger + batteries
  • dictaphone
  • walkman
  • GPS (e.g. Garmin 60 or Garmin Rino)
 GENERAL INFORMATION

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags (or kaveras as they are known in the local language) are commonplace in Uganda and something that we would like to see abolished because of the negative impact they have on the environment. As such, we ask that you refrain from using them and/or carrying them on the safari vehicle. Obviously, this does not include useful ziplock bags and other “recyclable” style bags that you may be using that you will have to take back home with you. When shopping, please use boxes for carrying your goods, or better still, invest in a local made basket which you can pick up cheaply from the market and reuse every time you go shopping.
 
Batteries

Batteries cannot be disposed of properly in Uganda, and until such a time as a recycling plant is established, we must ask you to take your batteries back home with you. We strongly recommend that you bring rechargeable batteries with you for torches, walkmans, etc. You will always find a place to charge from at the accommodations.
 
PHONES

If you want to bring your own mobile phone, first check that it is not “sim locked”, otherwise it will cost you anywhere up to Ushs 50,000/= to have it “unlocked”. You can simply purchase a (Ugandan) sim card, airtime and service fee card, when needed. These are available all over Uganda and there are four competitive companies – MTN, Zain,  Orange, Warid and UTL. MTN currently has the widest coverage but reception for other networks can be received in most other towns. You can also check with your mobile phone provider at home, if roaming is offered in Uganda. In that case you don’t need to purchase a local sim card.
 
MAIL

In case you anticipate receiving a mail prior to end of your safari/trip, personal mail and parcels can be sent to you and will be delivered to our office in Kampala:

C/o Ecotravel Uganda Ltd, PO Box 72370, Kampala, Uganda

Expect a two-week delay between posting and receiving mail. A record of 8 months has been experienced. For heavy packages, you should expect to pay a small fee to collect your parcel (normally about Ushs3,000). We also suggest that senders write “RELIGIOUS MATERIALS” on the front of your package to avoid being tampered with! (It actually works!)
 
EMAIL

If you intend to take a few minutes off the trip, there are numerous Internet cafés in Kampala and a few widely distributed in upcountry towns. Prices vary, but on average, it will cost you Ushs2, 000/= per hour (approximately US$1.00).
 
MONEY

There is a wide array of banks and forex bureau’s to choose from, with several international banks represented (Barclays, Standard Chartered, Stanbic). We suggest you bring cash and/or credit cards with you as opposed to traveller’s cheques, as the exchange rate on traveller’s cheques is much lower. Despite what some guidebooks claim, credit cards are not widely accepted and where they can be used, mainly with the larger hotels and companies, hefty surcharges are common. Barclays Bank (open Mon-Fri, 9.00 am – 3.00 pm), however, offers cash advances against credit cards with a small surcharge. Most banks now offer automated cash machines for (their own) cards.

The US dollar, the Euro and the Pound Sterling are the strongest currencies used in Uganda and are the easiest to exchange. US dollar notes dated prior to 2000 are turned away. Also, notes smaller than US$50 attract a far lower exchange rate. All the forex bureaus take cash – look around for the best exchange rate. It’s advisable that you change money in Kampala as the exchange rates up country can be a disappointment.

Ugandan shilling coins are 50, 100, 200 and 500. Larger notes are 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000. For a 50,000 note please make sure you always have change for it in particular before you go shopping.
  
VALUABLES AND OTHER PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

We suggest that you lock your hotel rooms and take care of your belongings at all times. This will also protect your possessions from rats and other vermin. Ecotravel, Its staff and management shall not be held responsible for the loss or damage of your valuables.
 
COPYRIGHT AND USEAGE OF PHOTOS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE

Ecotravel Ltd reserves the right to take photographic images and video of individual/group participants to use for Non/commercial promotion, wildlife and environmental conservation. Tour members who prefer that their image not be used are asked to notify us prior to the start of the safari.
 
KAMPALA

Restaurants

Kampala offers an amazing variety of international cuisine, including Italian (Mambo Point), Chinese (Fang Fang), Thai (Krua Thai), Greek (Andy the Greeks), Al Tarboush (Lebanese), Indian (Masala Chat/Handii’s), Ugandan (Ekitobeero), Ethiopian (Fasika), European (Sam’s) and pizza (Dominoes/Speke Hotel), coffee/fresh juice (Ban Café), bakery (Vasili and Sons) and fast food (Nandos/Steers)... to name a few!

Crafts

There are so many craft shops throughout the city. A great place for textiles (sarongs, bedspreads, table cloths) is the Textile Centre at UGMA Showgrounds, near Metro Cash and Carry. You may want to try the local crafts market behind the National Theatre for a variety of handmade items where you can bargain. UCOTA located on Gaba Road in Kansanga is a great place for handmade crafts, made by communities groups from all over the country. Banana Boat in Kisementi (near Just Kicking), at Lugogo Mall and Garden City Mall offers exclusive crafts from Kenya and Uganda. A little pricey but definitely worth a look, especially for something a little more special. Cassava Republic, under Wagadugu’s, and their sister shop just around the corner, “Jungle Junk”, has wonderful hand painted cloth with wrought iron spears to hang them from, plus other local crafts. Just let us know what your desire is!
 
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT UGANDA
 
WEATHER

Uganda is sunny most of the year, with temperatures rarely rising above 29oC. The heavy rainy season is March-May, light rainy season November-December; though there will always be some considerable hours of sunshine.
 
LANGUAGE

The official language in Uganda is English. Luganda and Swahili are also widely spoken.
 
FOOD AND DRINK

Uganda with its agricultural resources, combined with the favorable climate, produces a wide range of food products. Bananas, millet, maize, sorghum, rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes and cassava grow in abundance. Fruits and other vegetables are also plentiful - watermelon, passion fruits, pineapples, mangoes, tomatoes, green peppers. You should probably expect better and fresher fruits than you have at home! Tea and coffee is readily available almost everywhere and the latest craze is coffee houses or cafés. Soda (coke, fanta, sprite, bitter lemon) are sold by the (glass) bottle, which are returnable and recycled. Local beer (lagers only) are as good as any international beer and there are many to choose from – Bell, Club, ESB, Pilsner, Castle, Guinness (all brewed in Uganda). If you can’t avoid one, try a Nile Special.

RECOMMENDED READING

GUIDE BOOKS
  • Spectrum Guide to Uganda, by CAMERAPIX
  • Bradt Guide to Uganda
  • Lonely Planet Guide to East Africa
  • Lonely Planet – Africa on a Shoestring
  • Collins Field Guides (Birds, Mammals, etc) 
AFRICA
  • Scramble for Africa
  • I Dreamed of Africa (Kuki Galman)
  • The Tree where Man was Born (Tim Matheson)
  • Into Africa (Craig Packer)
UGANDA
  • Abyssinian Chronicles (Moses Isegawa)
  • East of the Mountains of the Moon
  • The Mountain People
  • Sowing the Mustard Seed (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda)
  • The Man with the key has gone (Dr Ian Clarke)