Finding the right time to go for a Uganda safari that is both suitable for your schedule and yet perfect for Ugandan weather is not only desirable but utterly paramount as well.  It all comes down to proper planning and careful coordination to strike a balance between your holiday and Africa tours Adventure in Uganda. After all; you do want to maintain the thrill and adrenaline of the safari without compromising on the calm and relaxation expected of a holiday.

Ugandan weather is considered relatively safari friendly but you need to understand that all safari activities have their “ideal time” depending on the weather requirements that come with the adventure. For instance; gorilla trekking, game viewing and boat cruises are best done in the dry season. You will realize that here the roads are dry making hiking easier and also animals are more abundant around water sources looking for food.

Birding is best done around April when the wet season is easing up. This is simply because in this period many birds are breeding in their nests and you will be able to find most bird species within designated places. Other activities like Hot Air balloon adventures, mountain climbing and primate tracking generally require the dry season that runs from December to February and June to early August.

Documentation for Uganda adventure safaris generally refers to all the necessary paperwork that you will need to present upon entry into Uganda. These documents are very essential and without them, you may find yourself missing out on your long awaited safari adventure. First of all; all travelers arriving from non visa exempt African countries will be required to present one. A tourist visa can be obtained by applying online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ .

You would need to apply prior to your safari, pay in the bank and attach a receipt online. Single entry visas cost USD $50 while East African multiple entry visas that allow you to visit other East African countries on your safari cost USD $100 each. Upon arrival at the airport, you will receive your visa and will be required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate without which you cannot enter the country.

Following the recent scourge of the corona virus pandemic, you will be required to present a negative covid19 test certificate issued at least 72 hours before boarding the plane. Grade 2 country travelers must present a covid19 vaccination certificate lest they are subjected to a PCR test immediately at their own expense. Also, persons that test positive for the corona virus will be taken into quarantine by the M.O.H at their own expense.

Gorilla trekking; the absolute delight of any Africa Adventure safari. There are about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world and Uganda safeguards more than half of this population. If your dream is to capture a great ape of this magnitude on your lens, then a Uganda safari is in order. Mountain gorillas only exist around the Virunga ranges of Rwanda, the DRC and in the Bwindi forest of Uganda.

Mountain gorillas in Uganda can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla National Parks. Bwindi has 10 habituated mountain gorilla families with 600 gorillas while there is only one habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga with about 300 mobile individuals. Mountain gorilla trekking can be done in either parks after securing yourself a gorilla permit worth USD $700 if you are a foreigner and UGX 250,000 if you are an East African citizen.

Although gorilla trekking is quite the adventure of a lifetime, there are certain rules to be followed when embarking on this Uganda safari activity lest you risk missing out. First, the most important thing you need to do is book a permit months before the actual date coz they run out fast, then ensure you are free of any ailments that you could pass on to the gorillas. You will be able to stand within 8metres of the gorilla habitant for two hours to take your pictures.

Most transactions in Uganda are carried out using the Uganda shilling, the country’s official currency. With that said, it would be wise to change some money that you will expect to spend into Uganda shillings upon arrival. The only places you could get to use dollars or Euros for that matter are high end establishments therefore, while on your safari you will definitely have to change some money into Uganda shillings.

In addition, credit cards and master cards are rather scarcely used with limits being ATM machines within Kampala metropolitan area. This means that while you embark onto a safari, you will not be able to use these services and will have to make do with cash. When it comes to tipping, it is often safer to do so using local currency and so make sure you buy some shillings at the airport or at a forex bureau before you leave town.

Yes. Uganda is mostly safe for travel. In the olden days, African countries were riddled with political anarchy and instability which greatly hindered tourism. There were cases of attacks by guerilla groups who matched onto villages killing men, women and children and even went on to attack national parks and reserves; killing tourists and management and even slaughtering wildlife rendering Uganda and other African countries unsafe for travel.

However, all that has changed with government boosting up security in efforts to keep the country and wildlife safe. The army has been deployed to guard country borders and keep guerilla groups, if any, at bay. National parks and game reserves have also hired and trained armed game rangers whose main goal is to keep you safe as you chill out and enjoy your Uganda Adventure Safaris.

Most of the year, toasty warm. Uganda is a tropical country located within the wake of the equator and therefore the weather ranges from hot to warm and slightly chilly. When you travel to Uganda in the dry seasons of January to February and June to July, the sun is often scorching and you will experience immense heat throughout the day while the nights and early mornings may present a little chill.

When it comes to the months between the dry season and wet seasons, that is to say; Mid September to October and December, the weather is generally warm although it might rain occasionally. Safaris are best done during these months and in the dry season because the rainy months might pose some challenges with transportation, animal viewing and even ability to hike any mountains or volcanoes.

In the rainy months of March, April, May, August and Early September, expect random immense showers. You will realize that the days can get incredibly hot while the evenings and early mornings bring forth some heavy rainfall. If you choose to have a safari during this period you will need a rain coat, water proof hiking boots and a sweater. You should also prepare for some challenges like flooding arising from the heavy rainfall.

Ugandan is a country comprised of folk from all walks of life and countries. The natives themselves are divided into tribes; each speaking their own language while being joined by three most used languages; English, Luganda and Kiswahili. Although the country has over 41 languages spoken within the people; the official, most used and most recognized language is English; well spoken on the white collar scene.

Traders dealing in importation and exportation and the security personnel will mostly use Kiswahili and a hint of English while the natives within the metropolitan area going about their everyday business will mostly speak Luganda. This shouldn’t frighten you though as many folk will be able to harness a response when spoken to in English, considering it is the official language of the country.

While you exploit the charm of your adventure safaris in Uganda, English will be the most used language although you might also hear your travel team occasionally throwing in some words in luganda to keep a casual and warm atmosphere with the locals. You might also learn a few words in some local languages to be able to exchange greetings with the natives especially if you are embarking on a cultural experience in Uganda.

Owing to the fact that Uganda is blessed with a diverse culture comprising of a mish-mash of tribes and foreign walks of life, you are in for a treat when it comes to Uganda cuisines. There is an almost endless display of dishes across the country ranging from high end gourmet servings to local traditional dishes and urban blends. No matter what you choose to taste, we guarantee that each bite will be a unique one.

Depending on where you dine, you can always find something interesting to try. High end restaurants will provide international cuisines ranging from Asian, to French, Italian and Indian full course meals among other outstanding specials. Such an assortment of meals to choose from may however be found within urban centers especially within major cities like Kampala metropolitan area, Jinja and Gulu among others.

Local specials that you definitely ought to try include matooke(smashed plantain wrapped in banana leaves), groundnut paste, mchomo(roasted meat), posho(stiff corn porridge) and spiced black tea with ginger, lemon grass and cinnamon. Within Kampala metropolitan area, you need to keep an eye out for the signature snack; the Rolex. It is a combination of an omelet wrapped between one or two chapattis.

The most important thing when travelling or planning for a safari in Uganda is to stick to your budget. It is always wise to work within and maintain the limits of your pocket as you enjoy your once in a lifetime adventure in the wild. However, you will definitely need some money on you especially to purchase some things that you need but were not able to carry with you from home such as toiletries and certain personal effects.

On the same note, you might also need some cash for tipping, purchasing souvenirs and paying for extra services like laundry. However, since most of your safari activities will be handled by your tour agency, you will realize that you do not need to carry a lot of cash with you. Hotels, transportation, meals and other necessities are prepaid according to the nature of your safari and you only need to carry some Uganda shillings for miscellaneous purposes.

Tipping is just a way of showing how much you appreciate the services you have received and how they have been delivered. Although tipping isn’t mandatory, it will go a long way in showing that you are grateful to the staff and that you are having a good time on your Uganda safari. Usually, the people to be tipped on safari include the staff at your hotel or lodge attending to you and your safari agency team like the tour guide and driver.

How much you choose to tip someone is entirely up to you but tips ranging from $1 to $5 USD for hotel staff should definitely do the trick. Also for drivers and tour guides, between $5 USD and $10 USD is more than enough to express your gratitude. When considering tipping, it is advisable to have some Ugandan shillings on you and if you have not been able to acquire these, you can always use US dollars that are dated from 2006 to present.

The golden rule of traveling is to pack light. You do not want to haul a load of heavy luggage across the jungle. But fear not, we have drawn up a few suggestions of what to pack for a safari along with your wits, courage and adventurous spirit.

• A hat and sunglasses to block out the extra light.
• Long sleeved shirts and trousers for protection against plant scratches.
• Durable hiking boots.
• A sweater or raincoat for cold nights and rainy days.
• Binoculars.
• A pointer and birder’s book.
• Personal effects.