Everything You Need To Know About Travel: Your FAQs Answered
Here's all the most important stuff you need to know about our group tours, with answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Getting answers can be overwhelming, especially if you have to comb through several pages on the internet. This is why I thought I’d share some of the answers to my frequently asked travel questions in one place so it can be a reference point for someone who needs that extra help. Let’s call it the one-stop shop?
You are required to purchase a tourist visa before you enter Uganda. However citizens from the 33 countries can visit Uganda without a visa for up to 3 months. Tourist visas can be bought in advance at one of the Ugandan Embassies abroad see contacts for Ugandan Embassies worldwide or simply purchased upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border. Photos are not required and a Uganda tourist visa costs US$ 50 per person for up to 90 days stay in Uganda. There is a planned introduction of a single entry visa for the East African Community member states.
All persons intending to travel to Uganda for a holiday, business, tourism, study or for medical reasons are required to apply and obtain a Visa on Line. Applications can be lled at the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the email provided by the applicant, once approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the email provided.
Print it out and present it together with a valid passport / travel document at the port of entry or Airport. Information about documents required in the online visa application can be found at the following link: Visa requirements Some of the documents require for the tourist visa single entry include: Passport copy (bio-data page), Recent Passport-size Photograph, Vaccination Certicate (Yellow Fever) and Visa fees -$50 per person.
An East African Tourist Visa (multiple – entry) to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda can also be obtained the same way – on line at $100 dollars per person. However one can still apply for and obtain a Visa upon arrival at the Airport in case the online application process fails.
We strongly recommend that you take out all the necessary Travel Insurance before commencing on your journey. However, we can assist with local insurance companies to cover health, baggage and any other insurance related issues.
We do recommend that you get a Yellow Fever Vaccination before coming to East Africa for purposes of safety, this was as a result of an outbreak of Yellow Fever in some rural area of Uganda Rwanda and some areas of East Africa a year ago, despite the fact that Uganda is free of Yellow Fever, it is mandatory that you present a Yellow Fever Vaccination card upon arrival at the Airport.
Only a few banks accept ATM cards or Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Uganda. While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in Kampala, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in Uganda. Credit cards can be used only in major Hotels and Forex Bureau.
A handful of places in Uganda accept MasterCard. In addition to cash, we suggest you bring a Visa debit card.
How much to tip in Uganda depends entirely on your level of satisfaction of course, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider $15 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in up market hotels and restaurants.
A number of dierent vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering Uganda. A certicate proving you have had the Yellow Fever vaccination is advisable for entry into Uganda if you plan to Visit Northern Uganda for more than 2 weeks. Immunizations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended as well. Besides bringing mosquito repellent, we also advise you to take malaria ‘prophylactics’ (prevention medication)
You are unlikely to fall sick while you are in Uganda but do take all recommended preventive measures. If you take any regular medication, please bring it with you. Take your Malaria medication as directed – before, during and possibly after – your visit to Uganda (depending on the Malaria prophylactic you take). Although HIV/AIDS infection rates are lower than many countries in Africa, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is certainly higher than in most Western countries. Therefore play safe. Please take your sexual health seriously.
Uganda is a very safe country to visit. Although Uganda has lived through a turbulent history, the country is safe, stable and welcoming. Ugandans’ hospitable nature is legendary! You will be warmly welcomed wherever you go by the friendly smiles from the country’s residents.
The most popular National Parks are situated in the south (west) of Uganda and are safe to visit. The border area with Rwanda and DRC remains stable and all National Parks and wildlife reserves are well protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s rangers. Tourism is hugely important for Uganda’s economy and a Tourism Police force has been created to protect visitors.
If you are interested in a mountain gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda you are required to buy a gorilla permit at $700 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda well in advance of your trip. As only eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day, the demand is high. Speke Uganda Holidays is happy to book your gorilla trekking permits and organize your gorilla safari. To buy your gorilla permit, you will need to provide us with your full names, nationality, and passport number also a preferred date of trekking with gorilla permit fee.
The minimum age for visiting the gorillas is 15 years. A certain level of tness is required for the gorilla tracking, and you may not be allowed gorilla trekking if you fall sick.