Uganda Travel Guide – Everything to Know about Uganda

The Uganda Travel Guide by Jewel Safaris – Everything to Know about Uganda

Visitor Information:

Climate | Latest Travel Advice | Visas & Immigration | Money | Local Time | Getting Around | Car Hire | Public Holidays | Electrical Power | Travel Insurance

Introduction on Uganda Guide

UgandaUganda is located in east-central Africa, situated north and northwest of Lake Victoria. It is a landlocked country bordered by Sudan on the North, Kenya on the east, Tanzania on the South, Rwanda on the southwest and Zaire on the northwest.

The greater part of Uganda consists of a plateau about 4,000 ft in height. Along the western border of the Ruwenzori Mountains reaching heights of over 16,000 ft, while on the eastern frontier Mount Elgon rises to 14,178 ft. By contrast, the Western Rift Valley, which runs from north to south through the western half of the country, is as low as 3,000 ft on the floor of Lake Edward and Lake George and 2,000 ft on the flow of Lake Albert.

The White Nile River has its source in Lake Victoria.

CLIMATE

Although Uganda is located on the equator, its climate is warm rather than hot, and temperatures vary little throughout the year. Most of the country receives an annual rainfall of at least 30 inches. In the Lake Victoria region an annual rainfall of 59 inches is distributed throughout the year and the average annual temperature is 21.6°C (71°F) with a daily range of 7 – 9°C (13-16°F). Further north rainfall averages about 35 inches, with a pronounced dry season in June and July. The mean annual temperature in this region is 15.5°C (60°F) with a daily range of 11-13°C (20-23°F)

Climate Chart for Entebbe

Climate Chart

For today’s weather forecast see     CNN – Africa Weather Forecasts

LATEST TRAVEL ADVICE

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)

US State Department – Travel Warnings

Uganda safari tours

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

Visas are required by all except nationals from Angola,. Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Comoros, Cypress, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Italy, (only Diplomatic passports), Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe These can be obtained from Uganda’s Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad.

It is possible to get issued a visa on arrival at Entebbe Airport as long as one satisfies the entry requirements. However, it is advisable that you get your visas before you embark on the trip to Uganda to avoid unnecessary paper work at point of entry.

On arrival in the country, you may be asked to show you have sufficient funds to support your stay and that you have an onward ticket.

Tourist Offices and Embassies located around the world

MONEY

Official Currency:    Uganda Shilling

Current Exchange Rate:    Today’s Exchange Rate

Banks and forex bureaus are available at the airport, and in all towns. Visitors may bring in as much foreign currency as they wish. Credit cards arc accepted in the main hotels, but not in outlying areas. Visa is the most commonly accepted credit card. Traveler cheques are best taken in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling and Rands

Barclays Bank Cash Machine Locations

BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

Banking:    Monday to Friday: 0830-1400

Shops:     Monday to Saturday: 0830-1800

LOCAL TIME

Uganda is three hours ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND

Air:

International Flights to Uganda

Click for flights from Europe with KLM

34 51 Click for flights from Europe with British Airways

Domestic Flights

Air Uganda offers a domestic service to some of the major towns. Air Charter is also available. Usually you will be required to pay for flights in hard currency.

Train: There are services from Kampala to Kasese and Tororo but the service is slow, uncomfortable and erratic.

Lake Ferry:  Lake Victoria has a ferry service which connects Port Bell and the Ssese Islands.

Bus:

Bus services connect all the main towns but they can be slow, crowded and they make frequent stops. Minibuses and shared taxis are a good way of getting around. They have fixed rates and leave when full.

Scandinavia Express Services

Cross border Bus Service between Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia

Self Drive / Car Hire:

Uganda Map

The Africa Guide’s recommended Map

Uganda Nelles Map

(amazon.com) – USA    (amazon.co.uk) – Europe

Over 44 full-color street maps for Cairo, with clear indexes for streets, cultural centers, embassies, hotels and other points of interest. Includes the principal areas of metropolitan Cairo and Giza. This work is presented in an easy-to-use format.

Other Maps & Atlases for Sale

Most the roads between main centres in the south are connected by sealed roads, but in the north roads are in a poor condition, often very badly potholed and sometimes during the rains they are impassable. Driving is on the left hand side and a national driving licence is required. There are a few hire car companies but often these will hire on a car with driver option.

Click to Rent a car in Uganda

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1st January         New Year’s Day

26th January      Liberation Day

8th March           International Women’s Day

1st May                Labour Day

3rd June               Martyrs Day

9th October        Independence Day

25th December Christmas Day

26th December Boxing Day

Moveable Holidays         Good Friday and Easter Monday

Variable Islamic holidays

ELECTRICAL POWER

Electric Power is 240V running at 50Hz. The Plug type used is:

Rectangular blade plug – view

TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you need medical care whilst in Uganda, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country’s local embassy or representative.

To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

Edinburgh Car Rental; Rental Cars UK car will not only get you to your hotel room or other accommodations, but you’ll have a comfortable, safe way of getting around for most of your journey to the area.

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