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Uganda Travel Tips 2025. It is not enough to know Uganda is found on the African continent and that it is a great tourist and safari destination. Here are a few quick facts tourists need to know before going to Uganda:

Uganda safety

Uganda is considered a safe tourist destination. The country is one of those few places tourists visit and are at liberty to move about without any fatal threats to their safety.

It is however advisable for tourists to cautiously look out for themselves. Cases of thefts, robbery, sexual harassment, and all sorts of petty crime are a common occurrence, as it is in other developing countries.

It is not advisable for women, especially foreigners to walk alone in the night. Cases of rape and mugging are common especially in the inner cities.

You need a valid passport and visa

All visitors not coming from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain a visa on arrival to Uganda or from one of the Ugandan diplomatic missions.

Also, all visitors to Uganda are required to have a passport valid for 6 months.

Uganda started issuing electronic visas on 1st July 2016. Travelers who have been issued an e-visa must travel with a printed e-visa confirmation. The price of a Uganda visa is $50 and $100 for the East African Tourist Visa.

Vaccination

Travelers are required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate before entry to Uganda. Before going to Uganda, tourists must know that receiving a yellow fever shot is mandatory. Uganda Travel Tips 2021

Hepatitis A & B, polio, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Meningitis (Meningococcal disease), Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDAP), Pneumonia, Rabies, cholera, and typhoid, are some of the other recommended vaccines.

Travelers are cautioned to have a prescribed dosage of antimalarial drugs because malaria is prevalent in Uganda.

Uganda currency and forex rates

The Ugandan Shilling (UGX) is Uganda’s official currency. Notably, the most popular exchange rate is the USD to UGX rate, where $1 is equivalent to about 3,700 UGX. However, this amount fluctuates daily, depending on the varying exchange rates. For travelers, a digital currency converter proves to be a dependable tool for staying up to date with these changes.

Furthermore, forex bureaus generally offer better exchange rates compared to other places, such as the airport and shopping malls, where exchanges can also be made, but typically at a less favorable rate.

Cash, without a doubt, rules in Uganda. While the use of credit and debit cards is slowly gaining acceptance, it has not yet been widely adopted. Only a few places, such as upscale shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, and national parks, currently accept cards.

Uganda time zone

Uganda observes Eastern Africa time all year round. There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes. Uganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+3).

Uganda climate/weather

Tourists need to know that Uganda has no winters. The country has a warm tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 25-29°C. Uganda has its wet seasons and dry spells. Heavy rains normally fall in the months of September to November and March to May. It is usually hot in the months of December to February and June to August.

Uganda people

In spite of being a country of great cultural and tribal diversity, the people of Uganda exude the strong bond of unity.

As regards the treatment of foreigners and tourists, the people of Uganda are very friendly, hospitable , and welcoming. You’re sure to feel at home from the very minute you arrive at the airport.

Languages spoken

Though multilingual, English and Swahili are the official languages spoken in Uganda. English is more widespread however, it is used as the medium of instruction in schools and communication in corporate environments. Swahili is spoken by a smaller percentage and is yet to be learnt by the majority. Uganda Travel Tips 2021

Luganda is on the other hand the most prevalent local language. It is spoken by most natives including those not belonging to the Ganda tribe. Uganda has over 40 tribal groups with each having a distinct language. Luganda though belonging to the Ganda tribe, is the most wide-spread local language.

Tourists are advised to learn a word or two in Luganda. Many locals are illiterate and cannot communicate in English or Swahili.

Uganda food

Uganda is one place you can be sure to find a meal that suits your tastebuds. Spread throughout the Capital are several eateries known for their outstanding local, exotic, and intercontinental cuisine and culinary. When we talk about local dishes, Rolex and Luwombo are a tourist delicacy.

Internet and wi-fi

Uganda has a dependable internet connection. There is a 4G signal in the Capital and most tourist destinations. Most high-end hotels and lodges offer a good WiFi connection. In places where you have no access to WiFi, you can turn to any of the various internet cafes spread across the city.

Purchasing a simcard is the most convenient option. A simcard costs less than $2.  With this you get to purchase any internet bundle of your choice. The country’s various internet service providers offer 4G network connection. Airtel and MTN are the most dependable mobile networks.

In the year 2018, Uganda introduced a social media tax known as OTT. Since then, it is not possible for one to access social media platforms like; Facebook, Twitter, Whats-app, and Instagram, without paying the tax. Using various VPNs however, is the way most locals dodge the tax. Uganda Travel Tips 2021

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit is one of the only three countries in Africa where mountain gorillas can be visited in their natural habitat. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the other two countries.

Uganda has a population of over 400 individual mountain gorillas found in its Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda excursions are organized in the two parks and tourists are required to have permits before they can trek any gorilla family. Here are all the facts tourists need to know about a Uganda gorilla permit:

What is a Uganda gorilla permit?

A gorilla permit is a term that was coined by conservationists to refer to a document or card or temporary license that is issued to allow tourists to trek the endangered mountain gorillas.

A Uganda gorilla permit is issued to allow tourists to trek the gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the only locations where mountain gorillas are found in Uganda.

The gorilla permit issued indicates the park a visitor will go trekking, the date of trekking, and park region where to go trekking.

How much does a Uganda gorilla permit cost?

As of July 1, 2024, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $800 USD per person for foreign non-residents. This permit allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

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For foreign residents, the permit costs $700 USD, while East African citizens can obtain it for 300,000 UGX (approximately $80 USD)

Reason for increasing Uganda gorilla permit cost

Increasing the cost of gorilla permits is aimed at boosting the conservation efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The income generated from permit sales is to be used in funding gorilla conservation projects and supporting the local communities living near the parks.

Uganda’s gorilla permit cost still fair

In spite of the recent increment, the Uganda gorilla permit cost is still very fair as compared to Rwanda’s charges. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500.

How does one get a Uganda gorilla permit?

Gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Visitors can book their permits directly by contacting the UWA head offices in Kampala. This can be done by email or phone call.

Using a trusted tour operator is the other sure way to get a gorilla permit. All one needs to do is to tell their tour operator when they want to go trekking and the operator can check with UWA to see whether a permit for any of the choice dates can be issued. If a choice slot is available, one can go on to make the payment. Due to high demand tourists are advised to book their permits 3 months or more in advance.

When does a Uganda gorilla permit expire?

A Uganda gorilla permit is valid for one day; the day a visitor is allocated to go trekking. Permits expire the moment trekkers successfully locate their allocated families.

In case of failure to locate a gorilla family, as a result of the group’s movement to a distant location or due to natural disasters, trekkers are given another chance to go trekking again the next day without paying again.

The Uganda gorilla trekking permit is otherwise valid for one day and cannot be reused after that.

Is it possible to switch gorilla trekking dates?

Yes, it is possible for tourists to change their gorilla trekking dates. Changes are allowed when there are still several months or days to the originally chosen date.

Rescheduling is not possible if it’s only a few days left to the trekking date. Late changes would cause losses to the UWA.

Also, changing dates come at an extra cost charged by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on the tourist.

Can you cancel your gorilla trekking permit and get a refund?

It is possible for a tourist to cancel their Uganda gorilla permit but a refund is conditional;

If a permit is canceled 0-8 days to the gorilla trekking date, no refund is made by UWA

For cancellation from 14-45 days to the gorilla trekking date, only 25% of the payment will be refunded and UWA will retain 75%.

For cancellation from 46-90 days prior to the gorilla trekking date, 50% will be refunded and UWA will retain 50%.

Cancellation from 91 days and above before gorilla trekking date calls for 75% refund and 25% is retained by UWA.

When are Uganda gorilla permits issued?

Uganda Gorilla permits are issued all year round. Tourists are advised to book their permits at least 3 months or more prior to their desired trekking dates.

Tourists are required to pay 30% of the total permit fee to confirm their booking. Pre-payment is aimed at ensuring the proper and timely allocation of gorilla families to trekkers.

Do tourists choose gorilla families to trek?

Tourists are given a chance to choose the family they want to trek, but the final decision solely lies in the hands of the park authorities.

Allocation of families is normally done in the morning, on the day of the trek, during the pre-trekking briefing. The best option would be to trek a family that is closer to one’s accommodation or lodge.