Know Before You Go

eVisa available online (https://www.e-visa.go.ug) for most nationalities; tourist visa costs USD 50. Also available on arrival at Entebbe airport. Passport valid for 6 months minimum. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Processing is straightforward; online is faster than on-arrival.

Ugandan Shilling (UGX) is official currency; USD is accepted in tourist areas and large establishments. ATMs are plentiful in Kampala and major towns (Visa and Mastercard accepted). Exchange rates improve at banks versus street dealers. Credit cards accepted in hotels, restaurants, and established shops. Markets and remote areas require cash.

Providers: MTN Uganda, Airtel, Vodacom. SIM cards available at airport and shops (minimal cost). 4G/LTE coverage in Kampala and major towns; 3G/2G in rural areas. Tourist bundles include data; rates are reasonable. Internet is generally reliable in cities; backup offline maps for national parks and remote regions.

Kampala has bajaj (tuk-tuks) and metered taxis; negotiate fares if meter-less. Intercity buses connect major towns; long-distance travel is common but buses lack comfort. Domestic flights (Uganda Airlines, Precision Air) connect Kampala, Fort Portal, and Kasese. Car hire with driver is common for safaris and multi-day trips; organized through lodges and tour operators. Roads in southwestern regions are good; northern roads are variable.

Malaria is endemic; take prophylaxis, use mosquito nets, and apply insect repellent. Yellow fever vaccination required. Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination recommended. Tap water in Kampala is treated but drink bottled water outside cities. Medical facilities in Kampala are good; rural areas have limited care. Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is important.

English and Luganda are official languages; learning basic Luganda greetings is appreciated. Respect for elders and extended courtesies in greetings is important. Handshakes are formal; using right hand only (left hand is considered disrespectful). Photography requires permission; compensation is often expected. Modest dress is expected, particularly in rural areas. Tipping is appreciated in tourist venues (10% for good service).

Two rainy seasons: March-May (long rains) and September-November (short rains). Dry seasons: June-August and December-February. Uganda is equatorial; temperatures are warm year-round. Altitude varies significantly; highlands are cool. Gorilla trekking is possible year-round but muddy in rainy seasons; December-February is driest. All seasons offer opportunities; select based on activity (gorilla trekking, savanna viewing, hiking).

Entebbe International Airport (EBB), 40 km from Kampala, is the primary hub, served by Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Egypt Air, and regional carriers. Roads from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and South Sudan are well-traveled. Lake Victoria ferries connect Tanzania and Kenya, though ship travel is slow.