A passport is required that is still valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and can be obtained at the Uganda Embassy in your country. Also note that a Yellow Fever injection is required and a proof for this can be requested for upon arrival.
The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns, but travellers' cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. Local currency can be drawn against Visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in Kampala, at Entebbe International Airport, and in a few other large towns.
All travellers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Hepatitis A: recommended for all travellers
Typhoid: Recommended for all travellers
Yellow fever: Recommended for all travellers. Required for travellers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas.
Polio: One-time booster recommended for any adult traveller who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult
Meningococcus: Recommended for all travellers to Northern Uganda
Hepatitis B: For travellers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies: For travellers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): Two doses recommended for all travellers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria: Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Most of Uganda is also considered a malaria area and you can take various types of prophylaxis for prevention (Lariam, Malarone, or doxycline). The recommendations may change and it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you. By far the best way to prevent getting malaria is to make sure mosquito's simply can not bite you. We recommend that you bring along a good anti-mosquito repellent with a high percentage of DEET. For the tours we organise, it is not necessary to bring a mosquito net with you, unless specifically stated otherwise.
The time difference with CAT (Central Africa Time) is 1 hour (later in Uganda)
The time difference with CET (Central European Time) is 2 hours (later in Uganda)
The time difference from GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is 3 hours (later in Uganda)
The time difference EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is 7 hours (later in Uganda)
The time difference with PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) is 10 hours (later in Uganda)
(For more information about time differences we refer you to www.world-time-zones.org)
Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who intend to hike on the mountains will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks. For female travellers we advise a strong and comfortable bra. The roads are not always as good as somebody wishes and a solid bra can certainly be useful. Uganda is located directly on the equator and the sun can be very powerful. It is sensible to take a hat or cap, as well as sun cream with high protection and sunglasses on safari with you.
Different mobile services are available country wide for example, MTN Uganda, Uganda telecom, WARID telecom, Celtel Uganda among others. These offer reliable services for mobile phones country wide. Internet facilities are widely available in Kampala. Also in smaller country towns and hotels there are several options for internet, but depending on your itinerary you might have some days on which there are no internet services available. International calls: when you want to make a call abroad during your visit to Uganda it can be expensive, especially at the hotels. It is often a better idea to call with your own mobile phone.
It is recommended to avoid drinking tap water and to be careful with the use of ice cubes. Boiled water and water sold in sealed bottles are perfectly fine to drink. It is important to drink a lot of water especially in dry and hot areas. Africa Miracles only uses good quality services and accommodation so you can safely eat everything offered in the recommended accommodation. However, you should still be careful when out and about. In Uganda you can find delicious banana dishes, stews, pastes and juicy fruits and drinks. Uganda's' culture weaves a thread of variety not only through the manner of dress, language and other characteristics but also in its variety of dishes. One popular local dish is matooke (bananas of the plantain type) which are cooked boiled in a sauce of peanuts, fresh fish, meat or entrails. Matooke really goes with any relish, except that the best and most respectable way the Baganda cook it is to tie up the peeled fingers into a bundle of banana leaves which is then put in a cooking pan with just enough water to steam the leaves.
A journey through East Africa is an introduction to another culture and also meeting with a great variety of different people. You certainly want to capture these encounters on photo or video. Sometimes the local people consider this as an intrusion to privacy. Showing respect by asking if you may take a photograph before pulling out your camera, creates a lot of 'goodwill'. This way the contact with the local people will be a bigger experience then when you are only shooting pictures from a distance. You can charge the batteries of your equipment in most places.
Local voltage in Uganda is 240volts, 50 cycle AC. 3-pin (square) sockets. Electric switches generally switch on downwards. The voltage can greatly vary, be careful with sensitive equipment. In addition you need a three-legged plug. If you do not have this then a good idea is to buy a world plug. This allows you to use it worldwide.
Tipping is not standard practice at local hotels and restaurants, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist-oriented restaurants. It is usual to tip guides and drivers, especially if you feel they did a good job. An average amount is around USD 5 per person per day, but a more personal gift like a good book or a new pair of shoes will certainly also be appreciated.
