Travel Information

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

111 districts across four administrative regions

AREA

93,065km2 (land: 76,101 km2; water 16,965 km2)

BORDERS

Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan

BANKING HOURS

Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 6.00 pm; Sat 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

CAPITAL

Kampala.

CLIMATE

Tropical. Rainy seasons, March to May, and September to November. Dry seasons, December to February and mid-June to mid-August. Mean annual temperatures range from about 16°C (61°F) in the southwestern highlands to 25°C (77°F) in the northwest. In the northeast, temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F) about 254 days per year.

CURRENCY

Uganda Shilling (Ush). U$1 = Ush 3700 (March 2019)

In Uganda, Ugandan shilling (UGX), divided into 100 cents, is paid. There are scores of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 UGX and coins of 50, 100, 200 and 500 UGX. Changing the Euro, the US Dollar and the British Pound is the most common. When changing US dollars, problems may arise if the bills are torn or labeled or if they were printed before 2006, for the older bills the counterfeit rate is very high.

ELEVATIONS

Highest point Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley at 5,110 metres.

ELECTRICITY

240 volts AC 50 Hz. Three prong square-pin plugs mostly used.

HISTORY

Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, maintaining its Commonwealth membership.

INDUSTRIES

Cotton, coffee, tea, sugar, tobacco and textiles.

LANGUAGES

The official language is English, although many local languages are also spoken. 

POPULATION

42 million (2018 estimate)

INTERNATIONAL DIALLING CODE

+256

TIME 

GMT +3.

RELIGIONS

Christian 84 per cent, Muslim 14 per cent, other 1.6 per cent, none 0.2 per cent.

TOPOGRAPHY

Central Uganda is covered by a plateau around 1000-1200m above sea level. Scenery is most dramatic along the western and eastern borders. The Western Rift Valley runs from north to south along the Uganda-Congo border. Uganda’s highest point, the 5110m Mount Rwenzori, is found in this area. The eastern (Kenyan) frontier is lined by the 4321m Mount Elgon and other volcanic mountains.

HYDROLOGY

Uganda is a landlocked country with numerous freshwater lakes, notably Lake Victoria which covers much of the south eastern part of the country, Lake Kyoya, which lies in the middle of the central plateau, and two rift valley lakes, Albert and Edward, in the west.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1st January New Year’s Day

26th January Liberation Day 16th February Luwum Day 

8th March International Womens Day 

Easter Days Good Friday, Easter Monday 

1st May Labour Day 

3rd June Martyrs’ Day 

9th June National Heroes’ Day 

30th August Eid al-Fitr/End of Ramadan 

9th October Independence Day

6th November Eid al-Adha/ Feast of the Sacrifice 

25th December Christmas Day 

26th December Boxing Day

Payment options

It is advisable to bring a credit card - in the best case VISA, otherwise MasterCard or Diners Club - because these are now widely used. In Kampala and other major cities cash can be withdrawn at ATMs with international credit cards - almost always with the VISA card. This costs up to 5.5% of the fee. In most cases, it is also possible to pay with US dollars.

Business hours

Shops:

Mon-Fri: 8 or 9-13 o'clock and 14-18 o'clock, Sa 8-14 o'clock

However, the opening hours vary. Some shops have no lunch break, others close earlier. Only a few shops are open on Sundays. The shops in the shopping centers of the capital are open from 9-19 clock

banks:

Mon-Fri: 9 am-3pm, forex money exchange offices are usually open on Saturdays

authorities:

Mon-Fri: 8-12.30 and 14-16.30

Post Office:

Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6pm, Sat 8.30am-2pm

getting there

Uganda does not have its own airline. Currently many airlines fly Entebbe with a stopover:

Brussels Airlines (fastest connection with 11h with stop in Brussels)

Ethiopian Airlines (about 12h over Addis Ababa)

Egyptair (about 12h via Cairo)

Emirates via Dubai (yes after transfer time)

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (depending on the transfer time)

The city of Entebbe is 35 km southwest of Kampala. The journey takes about 40 minutes.

Visa

Prerequisites for entry are a passport that is valid for at least six months and proof of yellow fever vaccination. German, Swiss and Austrian citizens need an entry visa to enter Uganda. The visa application must be made online on the website http://www.visas.immigration.go.ug. After submitting the completed online form, the applicant will receive a confirmation email with a request for payment and a corresponding link. By specifying the application ID, the passport number and the birthday, the application can then be called up on the website in the "Application / Manage Application" area and paid for by credit card. For a simple tourist visa, the visa fee is currently $ 50

The term "Entry Permit" returned to the e-mail address of the applicant must be carried at the time of entry

Dress

Functional clothing is recommended, but should - depending on travel plans - be complemented by a set to go out. The clothes for trips should be chosen in lighter shades. The colors white and beige attract less than other colors insects and absorb little heat. For the evening hours and areas that are higher, a light sweater should be packed. In addition, should be in the luggage a rainproof jacket

Tip

Since monthly salaries in Uganda are low, expect u.a. Taxi drivers and waiters etc., but also gamekeepers in the national parks a small tip. In restaurants and bars up to 10% of the bill is usual, in other cases 3000-5000 UGX are enough. For gamekeepers in the national parks, US $ 3-5 is recommended depending on the performance, and US $ 10 per day for safari guides. The employees in the respective accommodation are happy about a tip.

Travel time

Due to the main rainy season from March to May, the optimal travel time for southwestern Uganda is between December and February and between June and September. The north or northeast is less affected by the rainy season.

Transportation on site

In Uganda, various charter companies offer flights within the country. However, since many places are also easily accessible by land, these are usually worthwhile only on long routes such as in the north of the country in the Kidepo Valley National Park. A ride by train is not possible. There are several bus lines connecting the Ugandan cities and centers. In Uganda, there are taxis only in larger cities. It is advisable to arrange the fare before departure. In smaller towns as well as in villages, but also in Kampala, there are motorcycle taxis or bicycle taxis. Only motorcycle taxis should be taken from the stops marked with light blue signs, as only these drivers have a license. Before driving, fare and driving style should be agreed - especially the latter is recommended. Of course, vehicles can also be rented in Uganda, this is possible with and without a driver. Newcomers should - even if the costs are higher in this case - not give up a driver. These are familiar, are used to the condition of the roads and the driving style of the other road users. For all travelers who prefer self-drive tours, there are local tour operators who not only rent cars, but also offer round-the-clock roadside assistance and insider tips. For self-drivers, the possession of an international driver's license is necessary.

Accommodations

In larger cities, such as Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja, and in national parks, hotels or lodges can be found in all price categories. In smaller towns and outside tourist centers, travelers will find simple lodgings whose standards are not necessarily comparable to those in Europe. In addition to hotels, there are also guest houses in Uganda, which can also be found in smaller towns.

There are also campsites in Uganda, some of which are hotels or lodges. But also, in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries campsites can be found whose standard is usually simpler. In these, the traveler is mostly surrounded by pure wilderness. In the best case, they have a water connection and simple Outhouse.

The climate in Uganda is balanced and temperate. The fact that a large part of the country is over 1,000 m high, the tropical temperatures are very pleasant here and lie in the cen-tral part of the country between 15 ° C and 27 ° C. In the north of the country it is much warmer. In principle, the dry season is from June to September, but also from mid-December to early February it is dry. The main rainy season extends from mid-March to late May, the small rainy season from October to December.

The dry season in Uganda

• June, July & August – June and July are the driest months in most southern re-gions, but it can still rain. Average temperatures are around 27°C in the afternoon and 16°C in the morning. The north, including Kidepo Valley, is semi-arid and can experience droughts, sometimes lasting years.

• December, January & February – Most of the south has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. It is slightly warmer with daytime temperatures of about 28°C and morning temperatures of 16°C. The north has a clear dry season with little rain.

Dress in loose clothing throughout the day but bear in mind you may need warm clothing for the chilly evenings. Long sleeves will shield you from red soil dust and colder eve-nings. Don’t forget to use sunscreen to protect your skin.

The best time for viewing wildlife is at the end of the dry season since animals concen-trate on water points. Trekking is also best during the dry season.

The rainy season in Uganda

Heavy rain, cracking with thunder, can come at any time but only lasts short durations and minutes later the sun is out.

• March, April, May: There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months, with a clear peak in April in the south. Daytime temperatures average around 28°C and morning temperatures around 16°C. It will be colder in the gorilla parks at high altitudes and warmer in the north. The rain can make travel more dif-ficult since dirt roads and forest trails used for gorilla tracking can become chal-lenging to navigate.

• September to November: Rain is usually at night and early morning. There is a bit less rain than the other season (March, April, May). Daytime temperatures are around 28°C.

Most Regions receive between 1000mm to 2000mm of rainfall annually. It is advisable to dress up in warm clothes with boots. Have long-sleeved shirts and trousers to shield you from mosquito and other insect bites.

The climate in various parks and towns in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: 

Altitude: 1,300- 2,462m. The climate is wet, yet mild, and temperatures remain consistent year-long due to its short distance from the equator. Daytime temperatures of around 23°C are usual, with a significant drop at night to around 11°C. This results in wide climatic variations within the park, as the temperature is low-ered by about 6.5°C for every 1000m you climb.

Kibale National Park: 

Altitude: 928-1,568m. Temperature is moist and temperate and is almost remains the same throughout the year. Day temperatures are around 27°C, cool-ing off nightly to about 15°C. Kibale lacks a real Dry season, so rain is possible anytime, although the months of December through February are typically drier. June and July also experience drier weather. Two wet seasons exist from March to May and August through November.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: 

Altitude: 2,227- 4,127m. The climate is mild to cold and wet. It is on average 20°C during the day, becoming cold after sunset (9°C). The climate is quite varied because of the park’s wide range of altitudes. Temperatures drop by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: 

Altitude: 884-1,337m. The climate is warm and tempera-tures remain stable year-round, due to being near the equator. Daytime temperatures rise to around 29°C and slowly fall to around 17°C at night.

Murchison Falls National Park: 

Altitude: 615- 1,187m. The climate is tropical and hot and temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year. Daytime temperatures of around 31°C are common, with it cooling down at night to around 18°C.

Lake Mburo National Park: Altitude: 1,239- 1,607m. The climate is mild with regular tem-peratures. Daily temperatures are around 27°C, with nightly temperatures of 14°C on av-erage. Rain occurs throughout the year, although June and July get the least amount of rain. The total annual rainfall is over 800mm.

Kidepo Valley National Park: 

Altitude: 999- 2,349m. The area is semi-arid. Some year’s droughts are common. Temperatures can reach as high as 40°C, but average around 29°C in the afternoon and 17°C at night. There is one wet season – differing from most of the country which experiences two – from April to August.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve: 

Altitude: 619- 1462m. The reserve lies below an escarpment and has a hot climate. These high temperatures remain throughout the year. Daytime temperatures hover at 30°C, and taper off at night to around 18°C. Rain is unpredictable as there is no true Dry season. Rainfall is less in June and July, as well as the period from December to February. There are, however, two distinctive Wet seasons – from March to May and from August to November.

Kampala: Altitude: 1,155m. The mean daily high temperature is at 27°C. The low varies between 16 and 18°C throughout the year.

Entebbe: Altitude:

 1,145m. The temperature is like Kampala but it is cooler because of its proximity to Lake Victoria.

Gulu:

 Altitude: 1,110m. The mean daily high temperature is at 29°C. The low varies be-tween 16 and 18°C throughout the year. The high temperatures vary by over 5°C.

Jinja: 

Altitude: 1,145m. The mean daily temperature is 27°C. The low varies between 14 and 15°C throughout the year. April is the wettest month.

Uganda has perfect weather all year round that is ideal for a holiday at any time. Most regions have temperatures that are rather pleasant and you can relax under the sun alongside the pool.

Yellow fever vaccination

Travelers must be vaccinated against yellow fever and prove this upon entry. This vaccine must be taken at least 10 days before entry. Although today it is known that a single vaccine is sufficient, there are some countries - including Uganda - that still insist on a refresher after 10 years.

Malaria:

It is recommended to get medicines for malaria prophylaxis before departure and to have them on the way. Also recommended are body-covering, bright clothes and the use - especially in the evenings and at night - a mosquito repellent. At night, mosquito nets are also available, which are available in most lodges

Further vaccinations:

In addition, standard vaccinations should be reviewed and, if necessary, completed. These include vaccinations against hepatitis A, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis and MMR.

Medical care in Uganda:

It is advisable in any case to conclude a foreign travel health insurance. This usually includes a free return transport to the home country in case of emergencies. In Kampala, medical care is very good, but rather poor in rural areas. Thus, it is recommended to bring a well-filled first aid kit.

Standing face to face with a silverback and its female harem is without a doubt the highlight of any trip to Uganda. For the majority of vacationers, the encounter with the gentle giants is one of the absolute wow moments in the exploration of Uganda's unique wildlife.

Thanks to successful conservation projects and the introduction of sustainable gorilla tourism, the populations of the endangered mountain gorilla have recovered in recent years. Today there are about 1000 specimens of these rare primates. Uganda is home to about half of the remaining population. At the moment there are 18 families accustomed to humans. Per day and family, however, only a maximum of eight people are allowed. It is therefore advisable to book the gorilla tracking in advance as early as possible. The fee is $ 600 per person in high season.

Gorilla tracking is offered in Bwindi National Park (Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma) as well as in the Mgahinga National Park. Usually, the treks start in the early morning and take up to six hours depending on the location of the gorillas, which is determined by tracks. Once the animals have been found, the group may observe them for one hour.

In addition, there is also the opportunity to attend the habituation of a new gorilla family. Travelers can spend up to four hours near the animals. The cost is 1500U $.

Only 8 visitors are allowed to see the gorillas for one hour a day, participants must be at least 15 years old. and they are accompanied by UWA guides while they are traveling with the gorillas.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR GORILLA TRACKING

Walking shoes, tight sneakers or rubber boots are ideal. In addition, it is advisable to bring gardening gloves to be able to hold well in sloping terrain in the scrub. Travelers can rent trekking poles at the ranger stations. For $ 15, you can also hire a local porter to carry your luggage.

THE BEST PLACES TO SEE GORILLAS

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (18 habituated gorilla families)
• Mgahinga National Park (1 habituated gorilla family)