Organize your stay Uganda
Covid-19 : current situation Uganda
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Uganda. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Uganda
Change. The national currency is the Ugandan shilling (Ush) which circulates in notes of 50 000, 20 000, 10 000, 5 000, 2,000 and 1 000 and in coins of 500, 200, 100 and 50. Tourist establishments often use the US dollar as their reference currency, so the prices mentioned in this guide are in US dollars or shillings.
Exchange rates. At the beginning of March 2021, the Euro was 4,400 Ush (3 660 Ush for US$1). To follow the exchange rate and its fluctuations, www.xe.com is a universal conversion site.
Cash. Travelling with euros seems advantageous given the appreciation of this currency, but this currency is more rarely accepted in hotels and restaurants than the greenback. Be careful, if you travel with dollars, only notes issued from 2009 onwards are accepted, both by banks and by various shops and institutions.
Credit card. The international Visa card is accepted in high class establishments (hotels and restaurants) and ATM withdrawals are possible in all banks. The use of a MasterCard or American Express is more risky: the former now allows you to withdraw money from a number of ATMs in the country and make a few payments (mainly in Kampala), but refusals are more frequent compared to Visa, while the latter is much less accepted by banks and merchants. Expect to pay a 5-8% commission for credit card payments. In short, if you have a bank card, there is no need to carry large amounts of cash. If the card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM.
Withdrawal and card payment fees. As the euro is not the country's currency, a fee is charged for each withdrawal. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank and generally consist of a fixed fee of an average of 3 euros and a commission (mentioned at the time of withdrawal) of between 2 and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or give you the benefit of their network and offer you advantageous charges or even (rarely) free withdrawals. Outside the euro zone, card payments are also subject to bank charges. Depending on the bank, there is a fixed charge of between €0 and €1.2 per payment plus 2 to 3% of the amount paid by credit card. The cost of the transaction is therefore lower overall than ATM withdrawals. Please note that when paying by credit card, you may not have to indicate your pin code. A signature and (possibly) your ID will nevertheless be required. Ask your bank advisor for more information.
Banks. The main banks in the country are Absa Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Centenary Bank, Orient Bank, Stanbic Bank, Bank of Africa and Ecobank. The number of bank branches has increased significantly in recent years: as a result, it is now possible to find a branch or branches in medium-sized towns and even in large rural towns. However, the more remote rural areas of the country still lack modern infrastructure, so it is best to plan ahead if you are planning a trip off the beaten track. Opening hours vary from city to city and from one bank to another: branches generally open between 8 and 9 am and close between 5 and 7 pm on weekdays; on Saturdays, you can go to most banks between 9 and 1 pm, but some remain open until mid-afternoon; establishments are closed on Sundays with a few exceptions, such as the Orient Bank, which opens from 11 am to 4 pm in Kampala's shopping centres (Acacia, Garden City, etc.).
Change. The euro and the dollar are easy to change at the airport, banks and major hotels. Large transactions are usually made in dollars, everyday expenses in Ugandan shillings. Kampala and a few other cities have foreign exchange bureaus that offer rates that are sometimes slightly better than those of banks. Be aware, however, that exchange fees can be multiplied by five from one exchange office to another (these fees are often already included in the posted exchange rate). The same practice can be seen in France. Therefore, prefer a bank card. For withdrawals, but also for card payments, the exchange rate used for transactions generally proves to be more interesting than the rates used in exchange offices.
Budget & Tips Uganda
Budget. Beware, Uganda is quite expensive if you want to take advantage of all the activities on offer, especially if you want to visit the mountain gorillas and go on safari in the national parks, which almost always requires the services of an agency or a car rental company. Expect to pay around €2,000 to €2,500 for 10 days all-inclusive (gorilla permit, rental car, night in a lodge, park entrance fees, etc.). But people who prefer to meet local people and walk around can, by using local transport and camping, get by at a very moderate cost.
Small budget: about 20 to 25 € per day and per person in camping or dormitory with local meals and various expenses.
Medium budget: 40 to 80 € per day per person in a double room with meals in tourist restaurants and other expenses.
Big budget: from €180 per day for nights in a lodge and high end establishment, as well as per day safari with an agency.
Tipping. A small tip is always welcome. However, be careful not to tip too much, as this can detract from the value of the work. For example, you can give 1,000 Ush to the person who helps you with your luggage or to a guard. In tourist restaurants, if the tip is not included and you are satisfied with the service, you can leave up to 10% of the bill. In lodges during a safari, if you want to thank your guide or staff, wait until the end of your stay. On organized tours, driver-guides are often poorly paid, so tips are a large part of their income. Offering a meal from time to time and leaving an envelope at the end of the trip (between 5 and 10 US$ per day) is also possible. In hotels, you can leave a sum to be divided among the staff in a kitty often provided for this purpose at the reception.
Passport and visas Uganda
A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after the end of the intended stay) and, if necessary, a return ticket are required. A tourist visa, valid for 90 days, is required to enter Uganda. Since 2016, the immigration services of the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs have set up a website allowing the rapid obtaining (from a few hours to a few working days) of an e-visa. After some initial trial and error, the online process is now easy. Go to visas.immigration.go.ug and select, in the first step, the type of visa you want: single entry tourist visa (US$50), East Africa Tourist Visa (single visa for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda: US$100), multiple entry visa... Depending on your choice, the list of documents to be transmitted electronically during the procedure is displayed on the screen (example: copy of the biometric page of your passport, international vaccination certificate and recent passport photo for the single entry tourist visa). The second step is to fill in the form (in English). In the third step, you need to attach the required documents. Finally, the last step is to submit your application. Payment for the visa can now be made online. You will also need to mention the place where you wish to obtain your "paper" visa. Do not hesitate to take note of your confirmation number at the end of the procedure: it will allow you to follow the progress of your file during its treatment by the appropriate services. You will then receive an email a few hours or days later confirming the acceptance of your application: you will then have to print your e-visa. You will then have to go to the selected entry point with the required documents and your e-visa. At Entebbe airport, for example, after checking your anti-malaria vaccination certificate, you can go directly to the counters dedicated to electronic visas. Once you have taken a photo and signed the electronic signature, your paper visa will be stuck on your passport immediately!
Embassy of Uganda in France. 13, avenue Raymond Poincaré, 75116 Paris. Tel: 0033 1 56 90 12 20 - [email protected]
Driver's license Uganda
Rental car papers and international driving licence must be carried on board (without forgetting your French driving licence) as they will be required by the police, present at the roadblocks of the main roads. The international driving licence, valid for 3 years, is free of charge. For the necessary steps to obtain it (to be taken several months before your trip) and more information about it: www.permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr.
Health Uganda
Before leaving for Uganda, as for any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, it is necessary to find out about local health conditions in order to adapt prophylactic treatments and medication to your type of trip (season, duration, means of transport, type of accommodation, planned itinerary...). It is also essential to inquire about the required vaccinations before flying to Entebbe. Consult a specialist in tropical medicine, either in a Pasteur Institute or in a hospital department dedicated to infectious and tropical diseases, in order to obtain personalized treatment and advice. Allow plenty of time between your consultation and your departure: some vaccines (either a primary or a booster) require two or more doses injected at specific intervals over a period of one month. Rest assured: by respecting some basic measures of prevention and hygiene, by scrupulously observing the medical prescriptions and by being up to date concerning the vaccinations you should not encounter any health problem during your stay.
Bilharzia. As Uganda has no access to the sea, there is a great temptation to swim, as the locals do, in the numerous lakes of the country and in particular on the beautiful sandy beaches of the Ssese islands. But, with some exceptions (Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda...), there is every chance of catching bilharzia, a parasitic disease - also known as schistosomiasis - transmitted by worm larvae (trematodes of the genus Schistosoma) that penetrate the skin before reaching the vital organs. It is therefore common sense to avoid swimming. However, if the urge is too strong, expatriates will explain that bathing is possible if, upon your return (the incubation period lasts several weeks), you take a praziquantel-based treatment as a preventive measure
Cholera. Caused by a bacillus, cholera can be rampant in Uganda. In 2020, several hundred cases were reported in the districts of Kotido and Moroto. Basic hygiene measures are essential
Covid-19. Unfortunately, this coronavirus and the symptoms it can cause (fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum, dyspnea, etc.) are no longer presented. At the beginning of March 2021, according to the figures of the Ugandan Ministry of Health, some 330 people (out of more than 40,400 tested positive) had succumbed to the disease since the beginning of the pandemic. As the situation can change rapidly, we invite you to keep yourself regularly informed through the appropriate websites (WHO, Institut Pasteur, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs...). At the time of writing, the preventive measures in force in the country are almost similar to ours: social distancing, wearing a mask, use of hydroalcoholic gel...
Ebola fever. Identified in the 1970s, this viral fever, extremely lethal and contagious, for which there is currently no reliable treatment, appears in the form of epidemic outbreaks: in 2000, Ebola claimed 224 victims in the district of Bundibugyo, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo; seven years later, some 40 people died in the same district. After several outbreaks between 2007 and 2013, the disease claimed new victims in 2019. Promising vaccines, not aimed at tourists, have emerged in recent years, however.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Uganda is regularly affected by this fever, which is transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with contaminated blood or animal tissue. There is currently no vaccine available to control this disease.
Marburg fever. Several cases of Marburg haemorrhagic fever have struck Uganda over the past decade: in 2012, 15 people died from this viral disease. Between October and December 2017, three people succumbed to the condition in the east of the country. At present, there is no treatment for this disease
Insolation and dehydration. The sun's rays, which are extremely strong in Uganda, make it necessary to take certain precautions. Drink regularly and in large quantities (about 2 litres per day) and increase your salt intake. To avoid sunstroke, avoid sudden and prolonged exposure to the sun and don't forget to wear a hat and sunglasses when driving an open-air vehicle. During walking safaris, sun cream and lip protection, such as cocoa butter, are essential for sensitive skin
Malaria. The country is, with the exception of a few areas, malaria free. Consult your doctor for the appropriate preventive treatment: it differs according to the region, the period of the trip and the person concerned (in certain very specific cases, this prophylactic treatment is not recommended). In any case, it is absolutely necessary to see a doctor in case of high fever occurring during your stay or in the month following your return home. In addition to pills, reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent, covering clothes, mosquito net...). Between sunset and sunrise, especially near stagnant water, the risk of being bitten is highest.
Drinkability of water. In many countries, including Uganda, water is the main enemy of the traveller. Statistically, 1 out of 2 travellers is affected by turista in the first 48 hours and 80% of travel-related illnesses are directly attributable to contaminated water. It is true that, fortunately, turista is often benign, but diarrhoea contracted in high-risk areas can also conceal amoebae, giardia, bacteria or viruses that can be vectors of serious diseases (typhoid, cholera, dysentery, etc.). The greatest caution is therefore required. It is not enough to avoid drinking tap water: ice cubes, food washed with impure water or brushing your teeth with tap water - even in a luxury hotel - are vectors of contamination.
It is therefore better to prevent than to cure: buy capped water bottles if possible (but be careful that they do not arrive uncapped on the table because some clever people do not hesitate to fill the bottle with tap water!), boil water (coffee and tea are "safe" drinks), avoid raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit (follow the motto: "washed, peeled, boiled or thrown away! "And a good advice: always carry disinfectant tablets with you; nothing is easier: 1 tablet in your gourd or in your 1 litre bottle and you are safe for your trek or simply to brush your teeth or to drink a little water in the middle of the night or even to wash your fruit... Depending on the place, the circumstances or the type of trip, you will not find capped bottles everywhere and you cannot always boil your water Before leaving, you can buy Micropur forte, the only product on the market that purifies water quickly (eliminates bacteria, viruses, giardia intestinalis and amoebas) and allows the water to remain drinkable; otherwise, there are also Aquatabs or Hydroclonazone (the cheapest but the chlorinated taste is very pronounced and only the bacteria are eliminated...). For the more adventurous, a water filter is essential to filter out muddy water. Katadyn filters meet the expectations of these adventurers with several models, including the famous bottle filter that allows you to have instant drinking water without pumping.
Snakes, spiders, scorpions and other such treats. For those who are worried, the risk of succumbing to a snake bite, scorpion bite or spider bite is minimal, if not non-existent. The tsetse fly remains in some places of the country where it is advisable to protect yourself during the day with a DEET-based solution (which can be applied to clothing and equipment). Nevertheless, there are a few unpleasant species in the reptile category: the legendary black mamba (cf. Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill!) and the stumbling viper, for example. Snakes, it should be noted, are fierce by nature and always tend to duck at the slightest vibration of a human step. In short, by checking your shoes every morning (avoid leaving them in front of the tent during the night) as well as your backpack before putting it on your shoulders, by watching where you put your feet when walking and by making sure to close the zip of your tent, you should not encounter any problems. However, if an accident should occur, keep your cool and do not get agitated as much as possible. While waiting for help, you can put a bandage on the whole length of the affected limb (but not a tourniquet!) and keep it immobile. Sit in the shade and ask your companions, if any, to observe the animal and give an accurate description to the hospital.
African Trypanosomiasis. This is the scientific name for sleeping sickness. Tsetse flies, the main vectors of this parasite, are still present in several remote areas of Uganda, including some national parks, but reported cases of the disease are now extremely rare. Tsetse flies are larger than houseflies and bite during the day. To protect yourself, you can use a DEET-based solution and avoid wearing dark clothing, especially dark blue which seems to attract them. In general, these bites are quite unpleasant and of no consequence, but if after a few days a kind of boil appears, followed a few weeks (or even years) later by a high fever, you may suspect an infection and start treatment quickly
HIV/AIDS. As in most African countries, it is devastating in Uganda, despite the information campaigns and public health policies put in place over the past thirty years. Condom use, which also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases, is essential.
To learn more about these different diseases, you can consult the World Health Organization and Institut Pasteur websites. For up-to-date information specific to the health and epidemiological situation in Uganda, please refer to the "Advice to travellers" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr).
Mandatory vaccination Uganda
Vaccination against yellow fever is the only compulsory one; the injection of the vaccine must be done in an approved centre. We advise you to be up to date with your usual vaccinations, such as DTP or BCG, and to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B as well as typhoid (if you have already been vaccinated against one or more of these diseases, check that you are still immune; you may need a booster). Depending on the length, type, season and region of your stay, other vaccines should be considered: rabies and bacterial meningitis. If possible, consult a doctor specializing in tropical medicine at least two months before departure (whether for a primary vaccination or a booster); he or she will also be able to give you valuable advice on malaria prophylaxis and prescribe an appropriate treatment, if necessary. Concerning Covid-19, we cannot prejudge, at the time of writing, whether or not vaccination is mandatory to enter Uganda (currently a negative PCR test of less than 120 hours is required to enter the country). Do not hesitate to consult the authorized sites (WHO, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MesVaccins.net, Institut Pasteur...) in order to know the evolution of the recommendations and regulations on the matter.
Security Uganda
Uganda is a relatively safe country, as long as basic safety precautions are followed. Walking alone in the countryside is not a problem, nor is strolling in the evening in the big cities. Of course, like everywhere else in the world, thieves - who target 4x4s in particular - do exist, but as long as you take basic safety precautions (don't carry your cameras over your shoulder, don't leave your wallet in your back pocket, don't leave your car doors open or valuables visible...) there is normally no reason for anything to happen to you. The only real danger comes from the road, in particular from speeding, drunk drivers or drivers who have only a vague notion of the highway code and from animals roaming on the tracks. Avoid a fortiori driving at night, the roads are very dangerous (potholes, bicycles without reflectors, pedestrians difficult to see, lack of public lighting, animals running loose...)! Beware also of the border areas bordering Congo-Kinshasa and South Sudan. The political instability prevailing in these two states calls for the utmost caution: incursions by armed groups into Ugandan territory are possible and the risk of kidnapping is not zero. It is absolutely necessary to obtain information on the security situation before travelling in the immediate vicinity of these borders. Finally, the increase in cattle rustling in Karamoja since the end of 2019 should also be taken into consideration (tourists are not targeted but it is better to avoid possible collateral damage...).
Time difference Uganda
Uganda is located on the GMT +3 time zone. There is therefore a two-hour time difference in winter and one hour in summer compared to France (when the clock strikes midnight in Paris, it is 1 hour in Kampala in summer and 2 hours in winter).
Spoken languages Uganda
English is the official language, spoken by almost everyone in the cities but not necessarily in the remote areas. Luganda is the vernacular language with the most speakers.
Communication Uganda
Telephone coverage and the quality of the Internet network are generally satisfactory. Let's be clear: the number of white areas (national parks, remote rural areas...) remains significant but the coverage of the national territory is improving year after year. Among the mobile network operators (Smile, Africell, Uganda Telecom...), give preference to MTN and Airtel for extensive coverage. Social network users (Twitter, Facebook...) should expect to pay Ush 200/day under the OTT Tax, instituted in 2018 under the guise of fighting infox and funding public policies. Those allergic to smartphones will still find a few cybercafes in the country's main cities (rates range from Ush 1,500 to Ush 6,000 for an hour of connection). Finally, you should know that wifi is available in many hotels and lodges, including the most remote.
Electricity and measurements Uganda
Electricity. The voltage is 240 V. It is necessary to get an adapter for the English plugs which are the standard in Uganda and consist of three square plugs.
Weights and measures. Uganda has adopted the metric system.
Luggage Uganda
The amount and type of luggage you take with you to Uganda depends mainly on the type of trip you are planning: simple pleasure or expedition, complete autonomous trip or organized tour. Here is a list of the essentials to carry with you.
Clothing. When going on safari, avoid flashy reds or fluorescent colours to avoid scaring the animals. Completely white clothing is also a no-no, as animals can spot it from a distance, but also because of the constant dusting during game drives
. Avoid black and dark blue which absorb heat and attract insects (while making them less visible). In short, prefer discreet colours that blend in with nature (khaki, brown, beige)! Dress according to the season (we can never repeat it enough: the evenings, nights and early mornings of winter are cold in Uganda).In any season: swimsuit, hat, sandals and walking shoes, Bermuda shorts, cotton shirts and T-shirts, pullover, trousers or long skirts for the evenings, cotton socks, k-way or poncho (useful even in the dry season in the immediate vicinity of a waterfall or cascade). Dress in the luxury lodges
is generally casual.In the dry season, especially between June and September: windbreaker, fleece, thick socks, gloves, scarf and hat may be useful during night drives
.Traveller's essentials : binoculars; camera, film or memory card, spare batteries; power adapter; sunglasses; knife; torch or headlamp; notebook and pens; anti-malarial treatment; sunscreen and lip balm; mosquito repellent; medical kit for first aid; hiking boots.
