Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is located in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals many larger countries. Here, Eastern Savannah meets West African jungle. Uganda really does offer visitors incredible diversity with its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the 3rd highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, it’s a beautiful country bursting with bird and wildlife.

In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort – not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species.  And, if Uganda will have primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it will have birdwatchers doing cartwheels.  Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists – undoubtedly the finest bird watching in Africa.

For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where coming face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience.  Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven metres wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating; with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa’s answer to the more southerly “adrenalin capital” Victoria Falls.

We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. You’ll struggle to find the words that do justice to when recounting your time in this jewel of a country.

Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Wild Frontiers as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.

Most passports need a single-entry visa (cost US$55).

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.  You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.

You are required to upload clear copies of your current passport, yellow fever certificate and a passport photo.

The online form will ask for your contact in Uganda: G&C Tours (U) Ltd +256 (0) 772 721 479

Please take note of the following important information: 

1. The earliest time a person can apply for a tourist visa is 3 months prior to arrival.
2. The number of days applied for start counting from the day of the visa approval in the system and the person has to enter Uganda within that time or forfeit their visa and payment.
3. We advise that everyone applies for a 3 month visa as this gives the traveller 90 days from time of visa approval to enter the country. Please be sure that this time period fits into your travel plans to Uganda.
4. If a traveller applies for a visa of 7/10/14 etc days then they get the related number of days to enter the country before their visa is forfeited. I.e. if you apply for a 7 day visa and it gets approved on the 1st May 2023 then you have to enter Uganda before the 8th May otherwise the visa will be forfeited.
5. Once Applications are automatically cancelled in the system after the time period has elapsed, they cannot be recovered or reinstated and the visa payment is lost. The traveller would need reapply for a new visa and make payment again.

Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments.  Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your finger prints and photo and place a visa in your passport.

The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya,  Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).

East Africa Tourist Visa

If you are planning an East Africa trip to include Uganda, Rwanda and/or Kenya, it may be better value to apply for a multiple entry visa – valid for 90 days for tourists only.   Cost is USD100 per visa.  For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.

US Dollars cash is widely accepted and in most cases preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger.  Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.

Credit Cards:  Can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee will be charged which can range up to 5- 8%.  Ask first.

Please check with us directly for the latest health updates. 

Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.) consult your physician first.

Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory.

Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.

Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy.  Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Diarrhea / Giardia – Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.

This is a guide only.  Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information.

Ugandan cuisine draws on English, Arab and Asian – especially Indian – influences and uses home-grown local produce including plantains, sweet potatoes, corn, beans and cassava. Traditional foods include ugali (solidified maize meal porridge) served with a stew of groundnuts (peanuts), beans, chicken or meat such as beef, goat or mutton.

Please be sure to drink bottled water.

Uganda has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 21-25°C (70- 77°F), apart from in the mountainous areas, which are much cooler. The hottest months are December to February. Evenings can feel chilly after the heat of the day with temperatures around 12- 16ºC (54-61°F).

Most regions of Uganda, apart from the dry area in the north, have an annual rainfall of between 1,000mm and 2,000mm. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November, when road travel can become difficult in parts of the country. The best time for trekking is during the dry seasons, between January and February and June to September.

During your safari, depending on the style of trip chosen, dress code may vary slightly.  None of the lodges/hotels insist on any formal type of dress – ties, jackets etc – so the norm would be casual or smart casual depending upon the level.

On Safari – Bush gear ie hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, e.g. greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended.  In the day time on safari, generally shorts or lightweight trousers, t-shirts, hat, sunblock etc. as it is generally fairly warm (25-35 degrees C).  Avoid wearing blue & dark colours in areas where you may find tsetse flies, as they are often attracted to these colours, (this would be in some parts of Murchison Falls for example, check with your guide).

We suggest you take something warm e.g. tracksuit, fleece or sweater for the mountainous areas.  It is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings.  A rain jacket/anorak is also suggested as it rains regularly in the rain forest areas, even in the drier months.

Long trousers and long sleeved shirts are also recommended for general evening use to assist in the prevention of mosquito bites and also as it’s generally cooler than during the day.

LUGGAGE

Due to space limitations in the vehicles it is imperative that luggage be kept to a minimum.  We suggest a barrel or soft bag (15 kg maximum) for your main gear, plus a camera bag or smaller ‘day pack ‘ for inside the vehicle.  Samsonite / hard bags / suitcases, etc. are not suitable as it makes packing very difficult. If you are travelling internationally with one we suggest you repack safari items into your soft bag, before the safari, and then leave your hard suitcase at your return point e.g. Entebbe hotel to collect later.

PLASTIC BAGS

There is a strict ban on the use of polythene bags throughout Uganda.