Although Uganda has at least as much to offer as its big brother Kenya, it has not yet received as much attention as a destination. In Uganda you can experience the world’s most powerful waterfalls, Murchison Falls, Africa’s highest mountain range, the Rwenzori Mountains and – if you’m lucky – the rare mountain gorillas.
On this page you will find practical information and facts about Uganda.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING IN UGANDA
Climate and best travel time
“If you do not like the weather in Uganda, wait five minutes.” This is how the local saying goes, which clearly indicates that the weather is very changeable in Uganda.
The warmest period is from December to February with up to 29 degrees in the southern regions and up to 32 degrees in the north. The rainy season in the south falls from April to May and from October to November with the heaviest precipitation in May. In the north, the rainy season is from April to October. The best travel periods are January-February and June-September.
Our recommendations for the best travel in Uganda are based on how the climate has been in previous years. The weather in Uganda can be very changeable and unpredictable and therefore our recommendations for travel times are indicative only. Visit shoefrantics.com for Uganda gorillas chimpanzees and big 5.
Money
The local currency is the Uganda Shilling (USH) and can be used as a means of payment everywhere. There are ATMs in the major cities and it is possible to exchange traveler’s checks and foreign currency in Kampala. It is easiest to exchange US dollars.
Visa
NOTE! Visa rules are subject to change at short notice, so We recommend that you check the current conditions at the country’s embassy. The information below is subject to change.
There are visa requirements for Uganda. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the stay. There is also a requirement for proof of Yellow Fever vaccination upon entry.
Special Conditions for Traveling to Uganda
When traveling to Uganda, be aware that you have experienced periods of unrest in the past.
Transport
Flights
There are opportunities for domestic flights to the northern cities and national parks.
Minibuses (taxi or matatu)
Minibuses are the main means of transportation in Uganda. There are many, they drive fast and have fixed, cheap prices. The minibuses only run when they are full and not at fixed times.
Bus
Buses run daily between the big cities. Buses are more comfortable than minibuses on longer distances and safer to travel with.
Bicycle and moped taxi (boda-boda)
Boda-boda is a common means of transport for short distances.
Tip
In many countries, tips are counted as part of the salary of employees in the service industry. Therefore, it is good (and sometimes directly necessary) to give tips to, for example, cleaning staff, waiters, guides, drivers and more depending on which country you visit. We therefore recommend that you familiarize yourself with how much is normal to give in tips and to whom before departure. Such information can be found, for example, in Lonely Planet guidebooks.
