Website 2024 - Peaks of Africa - Rwenzori Mountains

Uganda, or the ‘Pearl of Africa’, as it was famously dubbed by Winston Churchill, is characterised by relatively dry and flat savanna in the north, with verdant mountains in the West, and vast dense and remarkably lush forests in the central region. The nation is home to an astonishingly diverse range of African wildlife including the highly endangered mountain gorilla which can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife watching is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which hosts four of the Big Five, a flock of flamboyant flamingos and the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding facilities on offer. Add to this some friendly locals, a burgeoning cultural scene, and a capital city full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants, and it is easy to see why Uganda has gained itself a reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country'.

Currency 

Local currency: Ugandan Shilling 
Symbol: USh 
ISO code: UGX 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 shillings 
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 shillings 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM 
Weekends: Limited hours in some locations 
Public Holidays: Yes (limited hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Uganda Airlines 
International Airports: Entebbe International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Various 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Limited 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: Limited 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Ugandan cuisine reflects a mix of indigenous tribes and foreign influences. Staple foods include Matooke (cooked green bananas), Posho (maize meal), and Rice. Common dishes are Luwombo (steamed stew), Rolex (chapati with eggs and vegetables), and Nyama Choma (grilled meat). Ugandan cuisine is rich in flavor with a variety of spices and herbs. 

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Waragi (banana gin), Tonto (local beer), and Malwa (fermented beverage). 

Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated, typically 5-10%. 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging around 1200 mm 
Average temperature: 23°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 27°C 
Average lows: 16°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 26°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, when the weather is cooler and ideal for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities. 

Internet Availability 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Yes 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Long wracked by political strife, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known as Zaire) is slowly beginning to stabilise and welcome tourists across its borders again. It’s an intense country to travel, but those intrepid souls who dare to explore it will be richly rewarded with pristine tropical landscapes, magnificent wildlife and a memorable cultural experience. Congo’s highlights include its exceptional game reserves, five of which are World Heritage Sites. Arguably the premier tourist drawcard is the guided treks that offer travellers the chance to experience primates in their natural habitat - including gorillas, chimpanzees and endemic bonobos.

Currency: 
Local currency: Congolese franc 
Symbol: Fr 
ISO code: CDF 
Central bank: Central Bank of Congo 
Subunit: centime 
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 francs 
Coins: 

Banking: 
Card Transactions:  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: No 
American Express: 
Diner’s Club:  
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 0800 – 1130 
Weekends:  
Public Holidays: 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air:  
Main airlines: Congo Airways S.A. 
International Airports: 
N’djili Airport 
Goma International Airport 
Bangoka International Airport 
Lubumbashi International Airport 
 
Road: 
Tar roads: No 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: No 
Uber available: No 
 
Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, if cooked well and peeled 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes if cooked well 
Street food: No 

Local cuisine:  Congolese cuisine is a delectable combination of Chinese, Lebanese, French, Belgian, Italian, Arabic, Indian and South African influences offered at various cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and Nganda restaurants that serve food from specific regions of the Congo.   

Drinks:  

Linguila - A wine made from fermented sugar cane. 

Palm wine - A tipple made from the sap of palm trees and fermented by natural yeasts. 

White elephant - A popular alcoholic drink made from rum, coconut and milk. 
 
Tipping: 10% 
 

Annual Rainfall: 1,000 mm - 2,000 mm  

Average Temperature: 20°C to 25°C 

Summer: 

Average Highs: 31°C 

Average Lows: 20°C  

Winter: 

Average Highs: 24°C  

Average Lows: 16°C  

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the DRC is during the dry seasons, from June to August and from December to February. These periods offer the most accessible conditions for travel, especially for trekking and visiting national parks like Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega. The dry seasons are also ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to observe. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes