Uganda Travel Guide – Best things to know before visiting Uganda 

Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in the world, especially for primate viewing. Uganda is popular for its elusive mountain gorillas that reside in the Impenetrable forest of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located within the southwestern part of the country. Besides Mountain gorillas, Uganda safari offers remarkable adventure and experiences that will keep you excited during your safari tour in Uganda. This Uganda Travel Guide or Complete Guide to Uganda Safaris is designed to offer you an insight into Uganda Safari. Uganda Travel Guide will help you understand more about Uganda, its attractions, where it is located, and what to do during Uganda Safari tour/Uganada Holidays.

Uganda is a country located in East Africa, bordered by Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, South Sudan in the North, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the West. This Landlocked country is a safari insider boasting about 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves and several sanctuaries. Uganda is popular for primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, and Golden monkeys among others. If you are traveling to Uganda, this complete guide to Uganda safaris is a must-read to better understand the country and its attractions.

 

Here is all you need to know about Uganda – Complete Guide to Uganda Safaris 

Attractions in Uganda & What to do in Uganda 

Uganda is a diverese safari destination with a number of safari attractions from wildlife to natural landforms. Uganda’s top safari attractions include wildlife like the mountain gorillas and the African Big Five Animals that can be seen on Uganda safari tour. This Uganda travel guide brings you the top and must see attractions in Uganda during safaris. Here are the top Uganda attractions;

Mountain Gorillas 

The elusive mountain gorillas are an endangered primate species, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. Mountain gorillas can only be seen in three African countries; Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo. Uganda is home to half of the remaining gorilla population making it a superb destination to trek these elusive creatures in the wild.  Uganda’s gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, you need to acquire agorilla trekking permit – the legal document given by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to eligible travels that grants them access to gorilla trekking premises.

Mountain gorillas are a must see while in Uganda. Book a gorilla trekking tour with Acacia Safari Limited and experience unmatched Uganda Safari experiences.

Chimpanzees 

If you are planning to go on safaris in Uganda, consider including chimpanzee trekking in your safari activities. Uganda is home to over 5000 chimpanzees that live in the country’s National Parks and Sanctuaries. Chimpanzee trekking just like mountain gorilla trekking is an exciting primate adventure that involves hiking and trekking in the forest. Uganda’s Kibale National Park is the primary destination for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, also dubbed the primate capital of the world. The other popular chimpanzee trekking destinations include; Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour is one of the best safari activities to do in Uganda, especially for those that love primates.

African Big Five 

Besides the primates, Uganda is also home to the famous African Big Five Animals(lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). The African Big Five Animals are a crave dose for most tourists to Africa and Uganda is blessed to have all the Big Five Afrian Animals that can be spotted during Uganda wildlife Safari game drive in different National Parks accros the country. Although rhinos are endangered and can not be found in Uganda’s various safari parks, You can view rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is home to about 32 southern white rhinos. The other four (lion, leopard, elephant, and Buffalo) of the African Big Five Animals can be ssen in different safari parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.

to better experience Uganda’s Big Five African Animals, embark on a safari game drive in these National Parks. You will also have a chance to spot other resident wildlife such as hippos, warthogs, various antelope species, caracal, cheetahs, and hyenas, among others.

Rwenzori Mountains – Mountaineering and Hiking in Uganda

For those in love with hiking and climbing, Uganda is home to the Rwenzori Mountains “Mountains of the Moon” one of the best hiking safari destinations in Africa. These amazing ranges are the highest mountain ranges in Africa and the third highest mountain in Africa. While on a Uganda safari, you can explore this impenetrable, rocky chain along Uganda’s western edge, perpetually capped with snow, clouds, and fog. The Rwenzori Mountain offer a diverse variation of vegetation patterns that can be witnessed as you climb from various elevations of the Mountains. You will walk in the foothills as you witness the clear streams, lush vegetation, and thriving villages. The highest point on the Rwenzori Mountains is the Margherita Peak – Africa’s third highest, at 5,109m. Explore Uganda’s snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains.

There are several other charming safari attractions and experiences in Uganda including birdlife, waterfalls, flora, natural landforms like the Rift Valley, water bodies among others. A single visit to Uganda can also combine a number of safari experiences like Mountain Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking Birdwatching in Uganda, hiking & Climbing, nature walks, cultural experiences, and golden Monkey trekking among others. If you are planning a Uganda Safari then book your safari with Acacia Safaris Limited, the best tour operator in Uganda with unbeatable experience in organizing Uganda tours for the past two decades.

Other Important Things to Know before travelling to Uganda – Best guide to Uganda Safaris 

Getting to Uganda & How to get around in Uganda? 

If you are wondering How to reach Uganda by Air; There are several airlines that fly to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The most common from Europe are Brussels Airlines, KLM, Emirates, and British Airways. Other companies are Kenyan Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, South African Airways recently also Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. There are daily flights to and out of Entebbe International Airport although none is direct from the USA. After landing in Uganad, you can opt to transfer by road to your safari destinations or book local chartered flight.

Some popular safari destinations like Murchison Falls National Park have airstrips that can support local chartered flights. However, most travelers prefer transfer by road as it gives you opportunity to experience the country side scenic views and landscapes.

What is the best time to visit Uganda? – Best Travel Period / Uganda Travel Guide

Uganda is a superb safari destination year round however the best period to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons from December to March and from June to September. October, November, and April-May are considered rainy seasons. The dry month offer the most ideals safari conditions in all top safari destinations in Uganda especially National Park. The dry months see the trails drier and more accessible, wildlife also congregates near water areas making wildlife viewing much easier, and finally, the vegetation is less thick making spotting animals easy.

However, it is important to note that wildlife viewing and Uganda Safaris in general can be done at any time of the year. Let us help you plan the ultimate Uganda Safari tour and experience unbeatable safari memories of the charming pearl of Africa.

Luggage / Uganda Travel Guide

Uganda is one of the most culturally diverse nations in Africa. Its strategic location and fertile land attracted a number of ethnicities over centuries ago, The most prominent are the Bantu which comprise of a number of tribes like Baganda, Basoga, and Banyankole among others. While in Uganda, you will have opportunities to visit the forest-dwelling Batwa in the Areas around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are about 40-60 languages spoken and many more dialects, with English often a lingua franca for people of different regions to communicate.

Visa entry fees / Uganda Travel Guide

You will be issued an entry visa on arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will need to present a valid passport for at least six months from departure. However, we advise that if you are traveling to Rwanda through Uganda, please apply for a visa before arrival in Uganda and in Uganda, you should request for multiple entry if your departure flight is from Entebbe International Airport.

Health requirements

Vaccination against Yellow Fever is no longer mandatory. Take your antimalarial drugs before arrival in Uganda and come along with mosquito repellants. We recommend that you bring all your personal medications.

Currency and Exchange rate

The Local currency is the Shilling (UShg). It is exchanged on the average as follows 1¼ = 3200 UShg, 1 US$ = 3880 UShg. Make sure that you are traveling with dollars from the year 2000 series and above as these will be given a higher and better rate as compared to those series before the year 2000. You can exchange your values upon arrival in Kampala. International Credit Cards are only accepted in Kampala and main hotels; however, it might require long processing and they attract a surcharge of 5% commissions. Electron Credit Cards are not accepted.

Clothes / Uganda Travel Guide

The dress is mainly informal and should be light as well as practical, like long trousers, t-shirts, trekking shoes. Something warm should be brought along for early mornings and evenings and shirts/jumpers in the evening are better helping against mosquitoes. Light rain jacket for the rain is necessary.

Other things to pack

Do not forget sunglasses, hat, sunscreen products, torch for evening, insect repellents, swimming costume, backpack, binoculars for game drives and birding. Remember to bring with you disinfectant products for the hands and face.

Cameras and Videos

In Uganda it is easy to purchase films in town and in Kampala, you can find the batteries for digital cameras. It is prohibited to take photographs of military and State buildings and military personnel. It is allowed to take photographs and filming for personal reasons and not commercial within the national parks and mountain gorillas.

Telephones

Uganda has a well developed mobile phone network as well as a telephone booth.

Roads

Uganda has a developed network of tarmac roads connecting Kampala with the main towns and regions. However, in national parks, the roads are not tarmac but generally well maintained.