Trip Planner

Full Country Name Republic of Uganda Area
 241,038 sq km

 Population
39.66 million (UN 2015) Capital and largest City Kampala Borders Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formally Zaire), Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania
 Religion Most common is Christianity followed by animist and Muslim Time Zone Standard time is three hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time Languages English is the official language, with Swahili, Luganda and other Bantu languages also spoken Country Dialling Code +256 Winston Churchill called Uganda ‘the pearl of Africa’, presumably basing his opinion on the country’s great natural beauty. From the moment the visitor lands it is clear that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination. Dominated by a century old botanical garden alive with the chatter of acrobatic monkeys and colourful tropical birds, Entebbe itself is the least obviously urban of all comparably sized African towns. Just 40 kilometres away, sprawled across seven hills, there is the capital Kampala. The bright modern feel of this bustling, cosmopolitan city reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterised Uganda since 1986. Since the late 1980s, the nation has managed to move on from the abyss of civil war and the economic catastrophe of the Idi Amin days. Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. In this lush country, one can observe lions prowling the open plains, track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth, then navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocs before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla.

Overview

• There are an estimated 20 gorilla families living in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, approximately 400 gorillas in total.
• 9 of these families are the ones that you will see on a trek in Uganda, approaching from four separate Park Gates in the forest. Read on for a Comprehensive Guide to Gorilla Trekking

• Each gorilla permit costs US$600 in Uganda
• In April, May and November the gorilla permits are discounted and cost US$450.There are a limited number of gorilla permits issued in one day so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO Uganda?

• At the time of writing, a visa for Uganda is required for Australian passport holders.

WHAT IS THE COST Of a UgandAN VISA?

• Single Entry Visa: USD 55 per person on an Australian passport.
• East African Tourist Visa: USD 100 per person on an Australian passport.

How do I apply for a Ugandan Visa?

• The visa must be applied for online (visas.immigration.go.ug).
• On completion and submitting the application, travellers will receive a bar coded email notification.
• On arrival at any border post, airport or land borders, your email must be presented and the bar code will be scanned into the immigration system. A visa sticker will be printed, including a scanned in picture to be inserted into the passport on payment of the respective visa fee.

Don't Forget...

• Visitors must also be in possession of onward travel documents and have sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.
• It is important to have two blank pages side by side in your passport for the entry and exit stamps to be issued. If there is insufficient space, entry into the country may be denied
• Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda

Please double check this with Bench Africa or your travel agent as this may change at any time.

Peak Season: January to March / June to October

Predominately Uganda has a tropical rainforest climate, which means that even when you travel in the “dry season” you will still encounter rainfall. Advantages to travelling to travelling to Uganda in the peak season

• 
This is when temperature is most pleasant and there is less rain
• This is the best time to track gorillas as the terrain is easier to tackle when there is less rain

Disadvantages to travelling to Uganda in the peak season

• Prices are higher at this time of year

Green Season: April / May / November

The rainy season in Uganda brings more rain but most days will have some sunshine too. Advantages to travelling to travelling to Uganda in the green season

• Gorillas tend to move further down the slopes so the treks during the rainy season can be shorter
• Excellent value for money
. Properties offer discounts of up to 30% of what they would usually charge
• 
The price of a gorilla permit is almost halved

Disadvantages to travelling to Uganda in the green season

• The trek will more than likely be muddy and wet – more so than usual Forest trails can be in poor condition

Currency

• The unit of currency is the Ugandan Shilling.

You Should know...

• When changing money, US Dollars cash is the preferred currency.
• Any dollar bills taken must not be tattered or torn, and should not have been issued prior to 2006.
• It is difficult to change money outside Kampala.
• Credit cards are not widely accepted and not all lodges will take them.
• Small local purchases such as souvenirs and drinks will definitely have to be paid for in local currency.

Voltage & Frequency

• In Uganda the general voltage is 240 and the frequency is 50 Hz. The British three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Top Tips

• Electricity in most camps is provided by generators.
• Batteries may be recharged in the camp during the day but it is wise to double check with the camp manager.
• As the sockets can vary a ‘Travellers Adaptor Set’ is recommended.
• Voltage sometimes fluctuates and whilst power cuts are rare, they are not unknown. It is useful to carry a torch.

Road Conditions

• Please note that road surfaces vary from tarmac, gravel, sand and occasionally vehicles may travel “off road”.
• Additionally, if visiting remote areas or National Parks and Reserves, the roads may well be rough, bumpy and in a poor condition and may
be affected by adverse weather conditions.

Road Safety

• Road travel in Africa can be a risky business. We cannot stress enough how important it is that you travel with a reputable ground operator, who has strictly enforced guidelines regarding speed and road safety.
• We have spent the best part of 50 years assessing the ground operators in each country that we sell.
• In booking through Bench you know that you will be the safest that you can be!

• Gorillas in the Mist: Dian Fossey
• My Life with the Chimpanzees : Jane Goodall
• The Last King of Scotland: Giles Foden

Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is usually considered customary in Africa although not as widespread as the United States or Europe. It is always at your discretion. If you feel that someone has gone the extra mile to make your stay more enjoyable, a tip would be considered a nice way of saying thank you. To help you budget for your trip, the following is given as a guideline only (shown in US Dollars): Driver (per person per full day): $5.00 Guide (per person per full day): $5.00 Gorilla Guides – Main Guide (per person): $20.00 Gorilla Porter (per person): $20.00 Cooks/Camp Assistance (Ngamba Island): $5.00 Hotel Porter (per bag): $1.00 Restaurant (per person per meal): $1.00 A la Carte dining (% of the bill): 10%

High Commission of the Republic of Uganda

11 Ngunawal Drive, O’Malley, ACT 2606, Australia Tel: +61 2 6286 1234 or 6290 7300

Consulate of Uganda

Level 28, 1 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Tel: +61 2 9265 3061 Tel: +61 2 9389 0906 (After hours)

Australian Consulate in Kampala

Plot 40, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero (opposite Nakasero Hospital) Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 31 2515 865

General Information

• Formal clothing is generally not needed throughout most of Africa. We recommend that you limit your luggage to the basics. More formal attire is usually only required when staying in the more prestigious city hotel establishments and on luxury rail journeys such as Rovos Rail or the Blue Train, in South Africa.
• On a wildlife safari, casual cotton clothing is the most practical. Calm neutral colours such as tan or khaki are a good idea although a bush outfit is not essential.
• Some form of headgear is recommended, and sunglasses are essential. A warm fleece or jacket is advisable for colder evenings and early mornings. A lightweight raincoat may be useful as some seasonal rains can occur.
• Heavy footwear is not required, but sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots are recommended for nature walks, with a change of shoes (such as trainers) for the camp.
• The dress code is informal at all of the camps and it is advisable to bring long sleeved shirts and trousers for the evenings to minimise insect bites.
• Good laundry facilities are readily available at many hotels, game lodges and camps, and often on a complimentary service where the amount of luggage is restricted. However, on a busy itinerary it is advisable to check that your clothes
 will be ready before your departure.
• It is always a good idea to dress in layers on activities to accommodate the early morning and late afternoon change of temperature. Winter months will definitely require a warm jacket and perhaps a beanie, gloves and a scarf.
• It is worth investing in a pair of gardening gloves for the gorilla trek.
• If your trip contains any light aircraft flights, then you may be subject to some very strict baggage restrictions. You will be limited to a certain weight, often between 15–20 KG. Bags also have to be soft-sided cases so that they can fit in the hold. These restrictions cannot be avoided, as there simply is not the capacity on these small planes so bear this in mind when you are packing for your Africa trip.

Safari Checklist

• Hat for protection from the sun
• Good quality sunglasses preferably polarized
• Binoculars
• Torch
• Camera, charger and adaptor
• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case of dust irritation.
• Good walking shoes, trainers as well as sandals
• Socks (long socks, if you are doing a gorilla trek)
• Shorts/skirts
• Tracksuit
• Long trousers/slacks
• T-shirts/long-sleeved cotton shirt for cooler evenings
• Sweater/fleece/raincoat. These may be required for early morning and late afternoon game activities throughout the year.
• Lip balm
• Sports bra – ladies, you may need this for bumpy game drive
• Swimming costume
• Basic medical kit (aspirins, elastoplasts, Imodium, antiseptic cream etc
• Malaria tablets AND anti-histamine cream
• Insect repellent (many lodges do supply sprays)
• Protective suntan lotion particularly for pale and sensitive skins
• Tissues or ‘wet wipes’
• Garden gloves for the trek

Guidelines

• Please ask the local operator at your hotel/lodge to reconfirm all onward flights prior to departure to ensure the flight timings are still correct.
• Most departure taxes (domestic and international) are included on tickets, however some regional and private airports have taxes to be paid for locally.

General Luggage & Weight Restrictions on Light Aircraft

• The maximum baggage allowance on the light aircraft utilized for transfers between game lodges is 15kg per person in a soft bag. This includes photographic equipment and hand luggage.
• Only soft bags will be accepted – no wheels, frames or rigid structures can be transported, as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft.

Smart Traveller advice on travel to Uganda from Australia. Here you can find Uganda’s most up to date COVID-19 health screening requirements for entry, exit and transit, which may include recent COVID-19 test results and/or vaccination requirements.

Subsequently we advise you to subscribe to Smartraveller for updates to stay informed if something changes.

Smart Traveller’s Global Covid-19 Health and Travel Advisory.

Subsequently we advise you to subscribe to Smartraveller for updates to stay informed if something changes.

Health requirements vary from country to country. We recommend you speak to your local Travel Doctor for up-to-date information and advice. The following information is to be used as a guide only.

Malaria: It is recommended that precautions against malaria are taken for travel to most regions in Africa. We suggest you contact your doctor for advice on which prophylactic is recommended.

Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination is required. All travellers must carry proof that the Yellow Fever vaccine has been administered at least 10 days prior to travel. Please note that it is ESSENTIAL that all visitors arriving into Uganda present an up to date Yellow Fever certificate to immigration upon arrival.