What to know before visiting Uganda?
Uganda is a land locked country in east Africa with amazing landscapes, plenty wild life and many water bodies within. You can find any attraction or activity of your choice on your destination to the country because of its amazing blessed and amazing nature. Uganda, also known as the pearl of Africa has got very many exciting things to make your destination look amazing and exciting like the gorilla trekking, various local foods, and the different languages being spoken in the country among others.
Uganda’s entry requirements.
Before coming to Uganda, you have to know that the visas are granted to different to the different visitors coming to country, they can be tourists who would like to come for tourism in the country, business people for business within the country, students who come for studies, and families who come on their family visits. For your visa to the country you can apply online using the immigration portal and taking note that the visa validity takes 90days from the day it has been approved.
Requirements for;
- A passport copy with the validity of at least 6 months, the tour plan of the trip, recent pass port photos, hotel bookings proof and the vaccination yellow fever certificate.
- Business: a passport copy with at least 6 months validity, the letter of invitation that has clear address and stating business in the country clearly, recent passport photo, the accommodation proof, the vaccination yellow fever certificate, the immigration status of the host.
- Studies: a passport copy with the validity of 6 months, recent sized passport photos, the invitation letter and the admission letter from the school, the yellow fever vaccination certificate, the status of the student.
- Family visits: a passport copy with the validity of 6 months, a recent sized passport photo, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, the immigration status of the host and the hotel booking proofs.
Take note that the visa fess are non-refundable and all the documents attached should be in English.
Best time to visit Uganda.
Uganda can be visited any time of the year and visitors should know that the country has got two seasons, i.e. the dry and the wet seasons but the drier seasons which are December to February, June to august are the best to visit the country because of the attractions and the activities within the country like the gorilla trekking activity which is famously known in Uganda and all other game viewing practices.
Safety.
In Uganda, terrorism has become a threat which has caused deaths and injuries within the country. For your safety within the country, avoid moving in the large gathering areas like the places of worship, cultural festival gatherings among others. Due to the terrorist attacks within the country, crucial checkups have been put in place and visitors have to be aware of the car checkups, body and luggage checkups when travelling. Visitors are advised to always be alert because violent crimes can happen at any time and are encouraged to avoid walking in the isolated areas of the streets.
Uganda also experiences natural deserters and bad weather which can lead to landslides, floods, and earthquakes. Visitors are encouraged to keep in touch with their families and friends, follow advices of the local authorities for safety reasons.
Theft in public transport like snatching of bags, pick pocketing also happens especially in the streets of Kampala. In order to be safe, you have to do the preventive things for your safety like not carrying large amounts of money to avoid pick pocketing, closing doors and windows at places of resident, avoid moving in crowed places, keeping car windows up and lock up the car doors while driving among others.
Health.
Your travel insurance should cover the health insurances before travelling to Uganda. For one to have a health trip while coming to Uganda, the immunization status checkups are required. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory as you enter Uganda and the chances to be denied entry to the country without the yellow fever certificate are high and if the visitor doesn’t have it, they can be vaccinated when the reach the Uganda airport. Other of the recommended vaccinations for the visitor to be with before coming to Uganda can include the hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus.
The country advises all travelers to the country to first seek for Medical advice before travelling to the country and ensuring that all appropriate vaccinations are current.
Local laws.
For your adventure to Uganda the pearl of Africa, understanding the local laws of the country gives you an adventurous safari and shall help you understand the country’s unique cultures and traditions. You should be aware of the several laws Uganda has regarding to the consumption of alcohol, talking of drugs, and the behavior in the public places.
In Uganda, consumption of alcohol is not taken for persons under the age of 18, it’s only taken by adults. You are only allowed to take or consume your alcohol in places like bars, restaurants and hotels since they are the recommended places rather than taking alcohol on streets to avoid issues. If you are found possessing any drugs, you shall face penalties for possessing the illegal drugs.
Using drugs or possessing drugs in Uganda is prohibited. Avoid carrying drugs or using drugs in Uganda as it can bring you dangers for your stay within the country and you are also not allowed to take photos in some places in the country and where you shall be penalized if caught.
Accommodations.
As you are planning to have your Uganda safari, getting a good accommodation is the best to part of your safari .you can book your accommodation on internet or after you have arrived in the place. Uganda has a quite number of hotels to provide good accommodation to travelers. To your transportation costs, you ca book your accommodation near to safari destination. Hotels in Uganda are ranged from budget, mid-range and luxury lodges.
The luxury accommodations are commonly found in the cities of Uganda like Entebbe, mbarara, Kampala among other cities and destinations like the Murchison falls national, Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park among others. The hotels offer excellent accommodation facilities and amenities like the swimming pool, Wi-Fi, bars and restaurants and others.
For the travelers with limited amounts of money can also get themselves places of rest when the reach the place, “the mid-range accommodations.” They offer clean and private rooms for accommodation, television in rooms and Wi-Fi. To book your accommodation, it should be done early to avoid conveniences and if you are travelling for gorilla trekking, the drier seasons are the best for you to book your accommodation.
Culture.
On your journey to any foreign country, be aware to find people. Get to know that where there are people, there are always cultures that define them. Upon visiting Uganda, you shall experience unique and different cultures of different people in Uganda. Uganda being known as the pearl of Africa, has warm hospitality, with many cultures and rich traditions. Understanding various cultures of different people in the country, can help you experience a wonderful and a tremendous visit to the country. You can show interests and appreciate the Ugandan culture by participating in their cultural activities, trying their local foods and respecting the Uganda’s cultural.
Common languages in Uganda.
Uganda being the pearl of Africa, has got many different cultures of people speaking around 42 different languages which are spoken by the indigenous tribes in the country. Travelers to Uganda ought to know some words in the Uganda language which shall help you buy some items in different local markets and asking directions in different places.
Uganda uses English as the official language while Kiswahili and Luganda follow it. An official language makes it easier to communicate amongst different people from different countries.
Money and currency.
The Ugandan shillings (UGX), is the Uganda’s official currency which shall help you enjoy your safari destinations in Uganda. You can either use cash, or credit cards to pay for your items, but cash is the most preferred to buy items in the local markets and shops and the remote areas than the credit cards.
