Africa Adventure Safaris offers you reliable travel advice to Uganda and other African countries. Below are some of the travel tips:
Uganda health services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Uganda (CDC’s) require travelers to vaccinate for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever Vaccination, Meningitis, Rabies and Measles.
Other health tips to Uganda include
- Take antimalarial medicine
- Eat and drink clean food and water
- Carry mosquito repellents
- Keep away from wild animals
- Do not expose yourself to germs
- Do not share body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
- Drink boiled water
- Avoid street foods
Also endeavor to visit your doctor for a thorough check-up before traveling.
What to wear
You should dress decently in light clothes during the day and warm sweaters at night. If you are going to trek gorillas, consider carrying;
- Hiking Boots
- Gardening gloves
- Long sleeved shirts and blouses
- Sun glasses and hat
- Rain jacket
- Long pants
- Long stockings
What to do upon arrival
You will find our driver guide at the airport for pickup. The guide must have a placard with your names to confirm he is from Africa Adventure Safaris. Our guides reach the airport an hour before the guest’s arrival.
When to visit
The Pearl of Africa can be visited all year round. However, dry season between the months of June, July, August, September, October, December, and January is the best time to trek mountain gorillas, and forest walking and birding. Other activities like birding watching are best done in rainy season to see migratory birds.
How to drive in Uganda
Driving in Uganda is on the left-hand side with a valid driving permit. Visitors on self-drive Uganda safaris are advised to hire experiences guides familiar with African roads to avoid getting stuck in the wilderness. Driving speed in Uganda is 80 km/hr. while in Rwanda its 50 km/hr.
Stop-over points
Stop-overs for short calls, refreshment and photography are inevitable on a Uganda road trip. En route meals are also provided depending on the length of the journey.
Visa information
Endeavour to have a valid Visa. You can apply for a visa online or through immigration. Those doing Uganda safaris through Rwanda can apply for an east African Visa which allows you to travel within Uganda and Rwanda with no difficulty.
Money to carry
US dollar note is the most acceptable currency by travel operators in Uganda. Most local transactions in Uganda shops and local markets are done in Uganda Shillings by cash.
Remember to carry some local currency with you.
Tipping
Tipping your driver guide, porter, room attendants, waiters, waitresses and local people in communities is optional but highly appreciated. The amount to tip is your choice depending on the quality of service received. Tipping motivates service providers encouraging them to work harder and ensure quality service delivery.
Climate in Uganda
Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, has a tropical type of climate with temperatures ranging between 25-29°C (77- 84°F); the rainy season in South of Uganda ranges between mid September to November and March to May. The dry season stretches between December to February and June to July. The northern areas of Uganda: Murchison falls national park and Kidepo Valley National Park, have higher temperatures while southwestern Uganda, especially around Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park, are generally cooler. Remember to dress appropriately depending on which region you are traveling to.
Temperature vary in different locations in Uganda:
- Entebbe – Altitude 1,145 meters: High temperatures vary by 2 degrees Celsius throught the year, the mean daily high being 26 degrees Celsius. The lowest peak is between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year, with Entebbe being cooler – thus the colonial government prefered staying here because of the cool temperature and the lake breeze
• Kampala – Altitude 1,155 meters: High temperatures vary by 3 degrees Celsius through the year; the average daily peak being 27Degrees Celsius. The low peak ranges between 16 – 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year;
- Fort Portal – Altitude 1,540 meters: Here temperatures vary by 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year, the average daily high being 25 degrees Celsius. The lowest ranges between 12 – 14 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
- Kabale – Altitude 1,950 meters: High temperatures vary by 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year; the average daily high being 23 degrees Celsius. The lowest ranges between 9 – 11 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
- Masindi – Altitude 1,145 meters: High temperatures vary by 3 degrees Celsius over the year; the average daily high being 28 degrees Celsius. The lowest ranges between 12 – 13 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
- Gulu – Altitude 1,110 meters: High temperatures vary by 5 degrees Celsius throughout the year; the average daily high being 29 degrees Celsius. The lowest ranges between 16 -18 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
- Jinja – Altitude 1,145 meters: High temperatures vary by 3 degrees Celsius throughout the year; the average daily high being 28 degrees Celsius. The lowest ranges between 14 – 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year.