Uganda travel advisory

These recommendations include everything you must understand while planning a trip to Uganda. They act as a guidance that will assist you in making wise decisions. Please read the provided information carefully and take notes. You are welcome to contact Sight View Safaris whenever you need further details or clarification.

Most people with passports from countries other than Africa require a visa to enter Uganda. All entry points, notably Entebbe International Airport, frequently have access to visa services. Visas to Uganda safari and tours are USD 50 for 90 days. Students (with proper ID) will only be charged a $30 visa fee.

Qatar Carriers, Uganda Airlines, Egypt Air, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Kenya Airways, Precision Air, Rwandair, KLM, and Brussels Airlines are just a few airlines that frequently fly into Uganda. Additionally, several reliable domestic charter companies are available, such as Eagle Air, Kampala Executive Services, Air Serve, and Aerolink. Most people with passports from countries other than Africa require a visa to enter Uganda. Vis Sight View Safaris can help you with your airline reservation needs as a ticketing business. We frequently have access to prices that are on par with or even lower than those found online or through your travel agent. Additionally, you are helping the Ugandan GDP directly by making a reservation with us.

Most tourists arrive in Uganda by air, landing at Entebbe International Airport, which is 45 minutes by car from Kampala, the country’s capital. For you or your party, Sight View Safaris Limited will be happy to make arrangements for airport shuttles.

Please be aware that trekking with mountain gorillas is a strenuous activity that requires a certain degree of muscular fitness. Hiking requires at least the age of fifteen years. Anyone displaying signs of a bacterial infection will not be allowed in. Although hiking and seeing gorillas are assured with a gorilla permit, the standard of gorilla mountaineering is not guaranteed. 

There are several domestic and international beer brands available. Most alcoholic beverages and beverages are imported and easily accessible at slightly higher costs. The drinking age limit is 18. It is not, however, strictly adhered to.

In Kampala, there are a variety of decent hotels to suit all budgets. In the National Parks and the rest of the country, hotels and lodgings are conveniently located, and the grade of their amenities and accommodation varies substantially. Sight View Safaris will secure the best lodging choice available for your safaris, except you say differently. Our planned journeys all start in Kampala. Please contact us if you require pre- or post-safari accommodation reservations in Kampala; we will be happy to help. 

Dont use tap water. Pre-boiled water is typically available in resorts and eateries, while packaged mineral water is readily available throughout the nation.

All around the country, fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant. In the hotels and restaurants, a wide variety of traditional and international dishes are served. 

 Yellow fever and covid19 vaccinations could need certifications. Review the current medical advice on cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid. You shouldn’t feel compelled to spend hundreds of dollars on injections, though, as these infections are not widespread. Malaria poses a general risk. Hence precaution is advised. Antimalarial medications should be taken 10 to 14 days before travel and for another 14 days after leaving East Africa.

Most airlines permit two bags or 20–40kg of weight on most trips. We recommend that customers carry soft stuff because there is limited space for it in safari vehicles—any items you won’t require while on safari can be stored, as we can arrange.

The Ugandan shilling (USh) is a relatively reliable unit of exchange. It is offered in 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 dollar increments. Coins come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 UGX. The shilling is entirely convertible, and there are no legislative restrictions on foreign exchange operations. The exchange rate for smaller US bills (such as the $50 and $100 notes) is significantly lower than for larger ones (like the $100 bills). You should only hold US dollar bills that were printed after 2000.

In Uganda, universal banks such as Barclays, Standard Chartered, Stanbic, and Citi Bank operate. Throughout the country, there are numerous local banks and forex bureaus. Banking hours are generally from 8.30 morning – 4 evening—Monday to Friday. A few banks keep open for hours and are available on Saturdays.

Most banks in Uganda accept travelers’ checks for exchange (however, exchanging TCs in smaller cities may be challenging). However, foreign exchange bureaus are not where they can be traded. Exchange rates that travelers check are frequently a little less than cash rates.

Only a few exclusive Kampala eateries and up-country resorts take AMEX, VISA, and MASTERCARD. Barclays Bank only offers cash extensions on credit cards in Kampala. In Uganda, the proportion of ATM bank cards is not approved.

Bringing your film and battery packs is preferable (or purchasing them in Kampala).

Photographing gorillas and chimps requires high-speed film, whereas climbers should use high-altitude filters. For additional information, contact your local photo shop. Personal cameras and video recorders are free, while commercial cameras may incur a fee in some locations (e.g., national parks). Any such price is the responsibility of the client. 

As in any big city, one must take the standard security measures in Kampala to secure their personal belongings. We recommend against going for a late-night walk alone. Taxis are cheap and widely available. Unless there is a safety deposit box in your hotel or lodge, keep your identity papers, traveler’s checks, money, and other belongings with you at all times. We can retain your passport and ticket in our offices for protection if you ask us to Sports

Along with the activities listed on this website (such as white water rafting, trekking, climbing, quad biking, golfing, etc.), the cities of Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja all have great gyms, squash courts, tennis courts, and swimming pools.

Uganda’s main thoroughfares are typically in good condition. Four-wheel-drive cars may be necessary for the hills, especially in national parks throughout the rainy season. For VIP service, we maintain a fleet of saloon cars, minibusses, and four-wheel drives (self-drive vehicles, other than saloon cars, are generally difficult to obtain).

The average daytime temperatures in the country are about 26°C, and the average nighttime temperature is about 16°C. March-May and then from Oct-Nov are the wet seasons. The mean monthly rainfall during the rainy season is 175mm. Humidity levels are typically low beyond the rainy seasons.