Commonly referred to as the “pearl of Africa”, Uganda continues to register an annual increase in the number of tourists visiting from all over the world. The natural beauty of Uganda is unmatched and is why tourists visit even when the country lags behind in terms of marketing. Uganda stands out for the variety in what it has to offer. Visitors to the country can be sure to have a wonderful time and go back to their countries with everlasting memories irrespective of whether they visit for holidays, research or to just explore the wonderful country. There is diverse landscape and amazing features in every part of the country.
A trip to Uganda offers Tourists opportunities to experience the beautiful scenery from all parts of the country, track mountain gorillas and see other wildlife. There are also magnificent mountains, beautiful lakes, rivers and extremely friendly people. Planning a safari in Uganda is not as complicated as one would think.
Note: There is a lot of negative press about Uganda and Africa in general which you must be aware of. Many Travel Advisories may be biased or written with the intention of protecting embassies in case of any claims. You will be surprised to find that Uganda is just as safe as your country. It is true that Uganda has been a target of terrorists but which country isn’t. The threat of terrorism is real in almost every country on earth. One has to exercise caution regardless of which country they visit. That said, the steps below will guide you on how to plan for your next trip to Uganda: –
Planning a Trip to Uganda
Choose where to visit: This step comes as number one because it’s important that you figure out what you would love to see, do and experience. This in turn helps you to know where exactly to go to in order to view the features in question. Uganda has lots of amazing places, sites and features to explore from allparts of the country. Cultural Tours in Uganda are also excellent when you consider places like the Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, Igongo cultural center, the Karamojong communities, the Uganda museum, Ndere Centre and others. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy game drives from Queen Elizabeth national park, lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park among others. If one is interested in gorilla trekking in Uganda, they should visit either the Bwindi impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Chimpanzee Trekking is also possible in Kibale National Park. Tourists who would like to do adrenaline raising activities like water rafting, bungee jumping, tubing or similar activities can visit the city of Jinja. The source of the river Nile is in Jinja City. There are lots of other fun filled activities that Travelers can choose to do like bird watching, camping, mountain climbing, boat cruises and so on. All these activities need to be considered when planning for a trip in Uganda.
Choose when to go: Having decided on the places you would love to visit and the activities to do, choosing when to actually go is the next step. Uganda is one of those countries that you can visit at any time of the year thanks to its conducive climate. Uganda has two rainy and two dry seasons. Interestingly, even during the rainy season, the sun shines immediately after the rain has stopped enabling Travelers to resume their activities. The wet months (March to May and September to October) are considered low travel seasons but they are the best times to enjoy discounts from accommodation facilities due to the fewer numbers of tourists in the country. During the rainy season, the parks are less crowded and the lush green vegetation is ideal for taking amazing photographs.
Most Travelers prefer visiting Uganda during the dry seasons (June to August and December to February) which is also considered the peak travel seasons because there is less chance of rain while doing activities. It’s much easier to spot wild animals during game drives as they convene in large numbers in the few available drinking holes of the parks. During the dry season, the vegetation is scanty hence offering clear visibility of the wild animals roaming freely around the Savanna plains. Visiting gorillas is also much easier during dry seasons because the trekking trails are free of mud and not slippery.
Book your accommodation and activities: In this step, you should decide whether to hire the services of a travel company in Uganda or organize everything yourself. If you are traveling to Uganda for the first time, it would be better to use a company to help with planning your trip. Tour companies can help you book the right accommodations with meals, provide transportation and do any transfers. They can also help you with booking gorilla permits and other activities. Using a Tour company may be more expensive but you will not have to deal with several service providers in a country you have never visited. The task of organizing most of the tour will be left with the Tour company and all you need to do is show up.
Book your flights: There are not many international airlines going to Uganda when compared to more developed countries. As a result, the airline companies that fly to Uganda receive full bookings. It is important that Travelers book their flights in advance to secure their seats. Because the flights are limited, they are often more expensive. It is recommended that Travelers compare fares through websites like sky scanner, TripAdvisor or Google flights to find the most affordable flights.
Purchase your Travel insurance: Travel insurance is very important for anyone planning a trip to Uganda. It guarantees Travelers protection in cases of emergencies like abrupt flight cancellations and medical emergencies. Make sure that your travel insurance contains a comprehensive policy that also covers medical evacuations in case of critical emergencies. Many of the hospitals in Uganda are not well equipped. The Travel insurance should also include coverage in case of loss of baggage or other valuable belongings.
Check any visa requirements: Visa rules in Uganda often change hence calling for Travelers to check out for Current information regarding requirements prior traveling. Current visa information can only be got from the official Uganda Immigration website instead of relying on random websites that could be having outdated information. You can also find out how to get the East African Visa if you also plan to visit Rwanda and Kenya. Remember to check for the validity of your passport because the general requirement is that it must be valid for at least 6 months from the time you enter Uganda.
Plan to Travel with any special Medications: Travelers with underlying medical challenges should ensure that they pack all the medication prescribed by their Doctor. There must be written prescriptions should the Traveler need to restock or replace any medicines. Travelers with no medical conditions also need to prepare themselves well for travel by visiting their physicians before leaving for Uganda. The Physician should run some checkups and ensure that the Traveler has all the emergency medications like anti-malaria treatments and pain killers. The time spent with the physician is also the best time to get the relevant vaccinations required for entry into Uganda. Uganda requires a yellow fever card to enter the country through the airport. It is highly recommended that Travelers are vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Purchase Travel Items: During your Trip to Uganda, you will need some travel equipment to use. Some of them are important for specific activities like Mountain gorilla trekking where hiking boots are a requirement. While in Uganda, you will need a pair of binoculars, a digital camera and camcorder for those who do online video content. Other items for packing include multi-purpose clothes, shoes and any other thing you deem important.
Prepare a plan for how you will manage the money you have: Managing money during trips can be challenging to many Travelers because there is a lot of souvenir and other items to purchase. While in Uganda, avoid moving around with lots of cash to avoid becoming a target of robbers. On arrival, visit a reputable Forex exchange center to exchange some of your dollars into the Uganda shillings. The Uganda shillings will help you make small purchases and also be used for tip whenever required. The dollar is widely accepted by most hotels and also for booking activities in the national Parks. It is therefore possible to pay for activities or hotels with your Visa, American Express or MasterCard.
Do continuous research about Uganda: Having followed our guidelines above, the next thing is to prepare for your arrival in the country. As you wait to travel to Uganda, read a lot about the country. Reading and researching will ensure that you are informed about what to expect on arrival, the economy, security and politics. There are lots of interesting literature about Uganda, the different cultures and activities that you can participate in. You may even go ahead and learn a few words in the local languages to use while meeting the local people.
