13 Uganda Day Wildlife Explorer

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'.

Uganda Eases Covid Entry Requirements 19 April 2023 

Travelling to Uganda has just been made easy with the adjustments of the COVID 19 entry requirements as travelers are no longer required to show  proof of their vaccination status or test results upon arrival at the airport or boarder points. However those departing are advised to be aware of the entry requirements at the final destination they are heading to.
Upon arrival, passengers are subjected to temperature checks and screening for other infectious diseases by the Port Health Authorities and if you are found exceeding the normal body temperature or display symptoms of COVID 19, you may be requested to take a test.

UGANDA VISAS
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Most passports need a single-entry visa (cost US$55).   

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.  You must apply and pay for them online at least two weeks before your arrival.

You are required to upload clear copies of your current passport, yellow fever certificate and a passport photo.

The online form will ask for your contact in Uganda:
G&C Tours (U) Ltd +256 (0) 772 721 479

Please take note of the following important information:

1.       The earliest time a person can apply for a tourist visa is 3 months prior to arrival.
2.       The number of days applied for start counting from the day of the visa approval in the system and the person has to enter Uganda within that time or forfeit their visa and payment.
3.       We advise that everyone applies for a 3 month visa as this gives the traveller 90 days from time of visa approval to enter the country. Please be sure that this time period fits into your travel plans to Uganda.
4.       If a traveller applies for a visa of 7/10/14 etc days then they get the related number of days to enter the country before their visa is forfeited. I.e. if you apply for a 7 day visa and it gets approved on the 1st May 2023 then you have to enter Uganda before the 8th May otherwise the visa will be forfeited.
5.       Once Applications are automatically cancelled in the system after the time period has elapsed, they cannot be recovered or reinstated and the visa payment is lost. The traveller would need reapply for a new visa and make payment again.

Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments.  Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your finger prints and photo and place a visa in your passport.  

The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya,  Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).

Please do always check the latest visa requirements and procedures, as well as health requirements, at time of client's travel

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