Uganda Tourist Information
Uganda is located in East Africa, and borders Rwanda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of
Congo, and Tanzania. And Uganda is one of six African countries that lie on the
equator. Kampala is Uganda's capital city and its top commercial capital. The country
official language is English since it was colonies by the British. The country prides itself
hundred tourist attraction and these include gorillas, chimpanzees, great lakes, the
source of the river Nile, forests, national parks with great savannahs and plains, the
equator, snow capped mountains waterfalls and many more. Tourists have a huge
range of activities to do whilst in the country. These include game drives, chimpanzee
tracking, gorilla tracking, leisure holidays on beaches, water activities like rafting bungee
and kayaks, cultural tour, food tour, mountain climbing and many more. Uganda is
among the most hospitable countries in the world and its very common for people to
always wave and smile at tourists especially in the rural areas. All white people are
referred to as “Mzungu” but it comes with no single degree of racism. Do not be
offended.
Transportation
Flying to and from Uganda is very easy. Entebbe Airport is the international airport of Uganda
situated roughly 40 kilometers from Kampala the capital city. The airport receives planes from all
over the world and the most common ones include Ethiopian Airways, KLM, Brussels
Airlines, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Delta Airways and more so its very
easy to choose an flight to Uganda. Uganda has domestic flights from the airport connecting to top
tourist destination within the country, these include from Entebbe to Kisoro and Kihihi air strips
(Bwindi impenetrable forest national park), Kasese airstrip in the west, Pakuba in Queens park,
Chobe in Murchison national park, Apoka in Kidepo valley park.
Road transport
Road transport is the commonest means of transportation throughout the country. Currently there is
are good roads and routes to various tourist destinations in the country. More still, road transport
crosses over borders to the nearby countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Road transport
involves the use of:
- Public buses operate daily and take passengers to various cities/town centers in the country but
tourist may need to rent a special taxi for the cities to the various destinations. The common
bus companies in the country include Global to the west, Link to the west and central, Gaaga to
the north, Star to the west and southwest. There are cross country buses to Kenya like Scania,
Mash Poa, Modern etc. and to Rwanda like Trinity and Volcano, to Tanzania like Friends, Lexus,
Modern etc.
- Taxis carry 14 passengers from Kampala to various locations in the country and they are marked
with a blue stip. The set off at any time from the taxi parks which are easy to located on your
walk through the capital.
- Boda-Bodas (motorbikes for hire) are found all over the country and one can stop bodaboda at any
point and negotiate carriage to a given location. Once you board a boda, there are no stopovers
until you reach the final destination. This makes it a very convenient means of transportation
for anyone in a time rush to reach your destination. They are ideal for short distance travels
around the cities or for distances below 10km in rural areas. For safety, tourist are advised to
use boda-bodas operated by companies. These include, Uber, Bolt and safe Boda. Download their app and order your ride.
- The country has a couple special hire taxi companies like Uber, Taxify, Green Cab, Yellow Cab
etc. Just download the app and text your taxi to come pick your from your location to your
destination. They are safe and reliable.
Water transport
The most common water transport means include ferries, ships and boats. Ferries and ship SSese island
and boats to top tourist destinations islands like SSese islands, Ngamba islands, Lake Bunyonyi,
leisure islands on the Nile and in lake Victoria.
Tourist attractions
Uganda is blessed with a number of tourist attractions that range from natural resources, culture and
traditions and entertainments.
Top Natural attractions consist of natural game parks, rivers, crater lakes, fresh water lakes,
water falls, savannahs, mountains, caves and many more.
The top cultural attractions are Kasubi tombs, Namugongo shrine, Bigo bya Mugenyi, Baker`s Fort,
Karambi Tombs, Sezibwa falls, Nakayima tree, Nkokonjeru Tombs, Nyero rock paintings, Naggalabi-Buddo
Coronation site, Wamala Tombs and Igongo cultural centre.
The top religious attractions are cathedrals, the Bahai Temple, old Kampala Mosque and Uganda Martyrs
Shrine Namugongo.
The most important tourist attractions in the country are the National parks for gorilla tracking,
game drives, mountain climbing, water activities and leisure. Here are the top tourist park
destinations.
Mgahinga gorilla national park
The park was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests which is
the main attractions are the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The main activities in
this park is gorilla tracking and monkey tracking etc. It also has many other animals and birds
which interest the tourist during the gorilla tracking expedition. To access the park, one needs a
gorilla permit that currently goes for $700. Tourist need to get these through travel companies and
tour operators for ease. Or one can buy this directly from the Uganda wildlife authority offices.
Talk to us for this permit and arrangement for you this trip.
Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo is a very small park is very known for the biggest herd of zebras, natural walks and
cycling safaris. It was named after the lake Mburo which is offers great chances to tourist to watch
birds and hippos while on a boat cruise. The park is only 3 hours from Kampala making it ideal for
short safaris for tourist in a bit or a rush. Activities in this park include game drives. Night
safari (game drive) with high chances of seeing leopards. Nature walks where one can to get close to
the animals, horseback riding, bicycle safari and boat trip on Lake Mburo. Animal species to expect
in the park include zebra, warthogs, hippos, giraffes, forest hogs, buffalos and many species of
antelopes and birds. To access the park one travel form Kampala towards Mbarara and you will need an
entry permit of US $40 per person per day which can be currently purchase on the main gate entrance.
Kibale national park
This forest park is very renown for its rich ecosystems in the whole of Africa. The park is Uganda’s
top destination for chimpanzee tracking. The park features animals like chimpanzee, many monkey
species, bush pig, giant forest hog, bats and rodents and many species of birds. Activities in the
park Chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee habituation. Nature walks and hiking. Birding in Kibale forest
etc. To access the park, tourist need a chimpanzee permit which can be bought from the wildlife
Authority Headquaters in Kampala or through your travel operator in the country. Access to the
chimps need early booking since permits can get sold out. The park is located in Kibaale district
accesed via Kampla-Fortportal of Kampala-Kamwenge route.
Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda is Uganda’s most visited Park and was named after
Queen Elizabeth II of England. The park’s diverse ecosystems which include, savanna, humid forests,
crater lakes, fresh water lakes, fertile wetlands and over 600 species of birds. the park is also
Uganda’s top tourist destination due its its melody of wonders. The main activities in the park are
game drives, bird watching, boat trip/launch cruise and Chimpanzee trekking. To access the park, one
needs a permit costing USD $40 per day per person and this can be purchased at the designated entry
gates of the park or from Uganda Wildlife authority offices in Kampala. You can also use your tour
operator to get you this permit through the different safari packages offered. You can access the
park via Kampala-Kasese route.
Murchison falls national park
Murchison Falls National Park is in northern Uganda is the largest park in the country. It measures
approximately 3,840 square kilometers. The park is hosting 76 species of mammals and 451 birds.
Activities to have in the park include game drives, boat cruise, Bird watching and nature walks. To
access the park, one needs a permit costing US $40 per day per person and this can be purchased at
the designated entry gates of the park or from Uganda Wildlife authority offices in Kampala. The
park is about 5 hours from Kampala and is a great destination for seeing the Big five.
Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda is very known for its mountain gorillas and
its one of Uganda’s oldest diverse ecosytems which dates back over 25,000 years. The forest has over
400 species of plants and an estimate of 320 mountain gorillas-Roughly half of the world’s
population existing population. Its also features over 350 species of birds and over 120 mammals.
The main activities in the park is definitely gorilla tracking but tourist can also have culture
encounters and bird watching. To access the park, one needs a gorilla permit that currently goes for
$700. Tourist need to get these through travel companies and tour operators for ease. Depending on
the season, gorilla permits can get sold out so one needs to acquire a permit early enough. Reach
the park via Kampala- Kabaale routes. Talk to us for this permit and arrangement for you this trip.
Rwenzori mountain national park
The Rwenzoris are one of the top climbing destinations in Africa. Some peaks of the Rwenzori are the
third highest point in Africa, The main Activities are mountain climbing and Hiking and Nature
Walks, and Birding Tourist can have a chance to have activities from one day 14 days depending on
how high one wishes to climb. Since mountain is a very risky and energetic adventure, its important
for tourist to declare their health status before the climbing. Also one needs to carry along hiking
shoes and other climbing and rain gear for the hike. Whist on the hike one will also encounter lost
of birds, butter flies and animals like monkey. To access the park one needs a permit which is
prices according to the activities one wishes to have. Permits are arranged by the rwenzori mountain
climbing services company. Find out more at
www.rwenzorimountaineeringservices.com. This company supplies the gears to the tourist and
has training climbing and tracking experts in the field. Your travel agency will make
arrangements with this company for your access to the park.
Semuliki national park
Semuliki park is unique due to its tropical lowland forest, denseness and flat. The park features
animals like, buffalo, leopard, civet, bush baby and flying squirrels etc. Activities in the park
include Birding. Game drive. Nature walks. Mountain hiking. To access the park, one needs a permit
costing USD $40 per day per person and this can be purchased at the designated entry gates of the
park or from Uganda Wildlife authority offices in Kampala.
Kidepo national park
Located in North East Uganda, the park is known for its vast savannah. The park is over 10hours drive
from Kampala so tourist should be prepared for long drives. Activities on this park trip include
Safari game drive. Birdwatching. Cultural encounters Hikes and nature walks. To access the park, one
needs a permit costing USD $40 per day per person and this can be purchased at the designated entry
gates of the park or from Uganda Wildlife authority offices in Kampala. Let us help you to get the
entry permits.
Uganda wildlife authority and park fees
Uganda wildlife authority is a government organization in charge of managing wildlife and
conservation. It's located in Kamyokya Plot 7, Kira road, Kampala, Uganda. They offer tourist
information and sell the necessary permits for activities. For more information, visit www.ugandawildlife.org.
Currently, park entry fees for wildlife parks are US $40 per day per person, US $200 for chimpanzee
trecking and US $700 for gorilla trecking. There is a discount for children, East African residents,
and for Non-east African residents. In many national parks, boat rides are charged US $30 per person
and there is a charge for entry of each car depending on the size.
Culture, currency, food, religion and visas
Ugandan culture is highly based on these ethic groups and tribes. Different tribes speak different
languages but almost everywhere you can find someone who can speak English. Various tribes have
different cultural norms and some behavioral differences but these do not differ much. As a tourist
you may have a chance to witness this during cultural occasions and performances. Its always amazing
learning about our local cultures and you shouldn’t miss any change to learn for this.
Currency
The Uganda shilling is the country’s currency. The country uses other currencies but US dollar and
Euro are the most common. Other common international currencies include the Indian dinar, Canadian
Dollar, Yuan, Kenyan shilling and Tanzania shilling. For tourist its very easy to exchange money on
arrival at the airport, in local banks and forex bureaus. Depending on where your coming form in the
world, its better to carry along Euros or US dollars to be on the safer side and your money card.
Food
The biggest part of the population lives in rural areas producing their own food. People eat three
meals in the day which include breakfast mainly tea or porridge lunch and supper which are full
plate meals that mostly consist of solid food and a sauce. Popular dishes include matooke
(steamed/boiled green bananas), rice millet, posho (maize floor) cassava, sweet potatoes, Irish
potatoes, yams etc. The country also plenty of fruits including delicious Jackfruit.
Religion
Uganda is a very religious country with visible attendances for/to prayer and worship. Over 70% of
the population is Christians, Islam follows with about 13% and others belong to traditional worship
beliefs, new exotic religions and some to none. The country has freedom to religion and tourist
enjoys this freedom to pray and assist various churches and mosques in any charitable acts they may
wish.
Visas
Uganda visa can be bought online or on your arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Its sometimes
more convenient to purchase the visa on arrival. The Uganda visa is currently at US $50 for single
entry, US $100 for multiple entry, and US $100 for East African visa. Please note, your passport
must be valid for the next 6 months for the date of your visa application. Find out more about the
Uganda Visas from www.immigration.go.ug.
Safety, vaccinations, accommodation, and what to take with you
Uganda is generally safe and stable throughout the country. Its important though to take precautions
while traveling alone, at night and in cities. Do not carry a lot of cash with you and valuables. In
case of any emergency report the case to the police, to your embassy or you may call any tour
company for help and directions.
In Uganda, visa and master cards are very common and are accepted my many banks, unlike debit and
credit cards. You should note though, card transactions aren’t much used in the country so you may
need to withdraw cash for your payments. Visa, MasterCard, and credit cards can be used to access
money in many bank ATMs. The country is only starting to adopt cashless payment systems.
Vaccinations
The yellow fever vaccine is a must so carry along your immunization certificate. Other important
vaccinations include Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and meningitis.
Accommodation
Uganda has a variety of facilities for example hotels, cottages, guesthouses, inns, and motels. But
tourist lodges and hotels are mostly used by tourists. Hotels are ranked one star to 5 stars. During
your safari lodges and safari camps are highly recommended because they give tourists a touch of
wilderness experience. Talk to us for advice on accommodations and ease to do your activities whilst
on safari. We collaborate with naturelodgesuganda.com
since they have some great safari camps in all the major National parks in Uganda, and with Masaka Backpackers Hostel.
What to bring on your journey to Uganda
Include a rain Jacket and special gear like books for special activities. Talk to your tour agent to
inform you about the necessary gear you require for your particular safari activities. Otherwise
carry along items like binoculars, a camera, sun screen, mosquito repellant, enough clothes,
electronics, a money waist bag, a phone, etc. Carry along your driver's license if you’re planning
to drive In Uganda, your medication with vaccination records.
For a safari, take insect repellent, sunscreen, safari shoes for hiking on top of your comfortable
summer shoes a headlamp, A good camera, binoculars, prescriptive and preventive medication, clothes
(including a rain jacket for your rain forest trecking), a hand bag, electronics like your phone and
their respective chargers. Please note that electricity plugs may differ from the ones you use back
at home. We are using British type G plugs with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern
supplying 240 volts and 50 Hz.
Steps to planning your trip to Africa
- Choose a destination: East Africa is your best bet for stunning wildlife and natural beauty.
Southern Africa follows on the list. For a great experience with wildlife, choose Tanzania and
for a great combination of wildlife, gorilla tracking, and nature beauty, choose Uganda.
- Decision making: Make a decision between guided travel of a self-drive safari experience. We
highly recommend guide safaris for the best experience. You will learn a lot from your tour
guide and go to places you would rather be afraid to travel to unguided. If you wish to drive
your own adventure, www.roadtripafrica.com offers you a good 4X4 and all the camping gear you
will need.
For guided travel, its way easier to select from one of the set travel plans as displayed on
travel sites and customize it to your liking. You can also tell your travel operator your
favorite destination and you together tailor-make your holiday travels. Discuss your budget and
make sure you fully assess what you get from the offer given to you. Good travel operators will
always tell you about the nature of accommodation, activities, time, meals, and all exclusions
in your budget. Make free inquiries by emailing contact@travelbootholiday.com
- Select the best time for travel. You can always travel to Africa any time of the year but the
best time for wildlife travel is July to November since this is a dry season. Since this is a
peak season for East African safari travel, you have to book your Uganda gorilla tickets way in
time for your trekking this season.
- Decide on how long you will stay in Africa.
Life in Africa is quite different from that in the Western world, there is plenty to see, do,
and learn. Unless otherwise spend a week and more on your holiday. Save a bunch while enjoying
your stay by volunteering (find out more here at www.helpkidsuganda.com) for Uganda volunteering,
stay in an AIrB&B place or Backpackers Hotel, and do some cheap activities like city tours. Plan
your stay with your tour operator and seek such information about the length of your stay.
- Purchase a visa: in many African countries, the visa acquisition process is a very short one.
You can either buy it online or at the airport. To avoid long queues on your arrival, we
recommend you purchase the visa online. Please take caution on the duration of the visa, many
African countries offer 3 months for tourist visas but some offer just one month. East Africa
offers offers its visa at $100 which makes it a good deal for entry into all 5 East African
countries.
- Book your air ticket: have your tour agent book a flight for you and we highly recommend direct
flights or flights with few stops. Take caution on very cheap flights, some involve many
stop-through countries that will require you to purchase a visa to pass through. See for
information from your agent.
- Learn a bit about your African destination: your will have an amazing holiday when you are
informed a bit about your destination. Great tour operators will always tell you more about the
country and when you have questions within the chart, you will learn a lot. It's also wise to
know what to do when the unexpected happens. You can always find your way through.
- Explore Uganda! We hope you will choose and recommend Uganda for its beauty, culture, wildfire,
and safety.
