English 
NederlandsMove directly to: Practical information / Local culture
Practical information about Uganda
Your trip
The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons: from June to August and from December to February. During these months, the weather is best for safaris and trekking, like the famous gorilla trek. Roads are easier to travel and there is less rain. Uganda is on the equator and has a tropical climate with little change in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius.
The rainy seasons are from March to May and from September to November. You can still travel during this time, but expect heavy showers and roads that are harder to use, especially in rural areas. However, nature is very green and beautiful during the rainy season.
Everyone must take out travel and health insurance before leaving for Uganda. Whether Uganda is covered by your policy differs per insurance policy. In most cases this will not be a problem. At CultureRoad we recommend: IATI Travel Insurance, a reliable company that has different insurance options that fits your personal needs. Book now to get a 5% discount!
Citizens from a number of African countries, Malaysia, Singapore and the Republic of Ireland are granted a 3 month visa at no cost. All other citizens will need to obtain a visa prior to the tour at a cost of $50. Tourists can apply for an e-visa in advance through the official Uganda e-immigration portal. It is not possible to obtain a visa on arrival, so make sure to arrange this beforehand. You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival, a passport photo, return flight tickets, a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, your travel itinerary, and hotel reservations.
There is also an option to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV), which allows you to travel to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya with a single visa. The EATV is for for 90 days at the cost of $100. Please note you will need to apply for this visa prior your tour and your first entry point should be the country you apply from. For more details visit this link.
Uganda uses the time zone UTC +3.
Uganda has no difference between summer and winter time.
The local currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). ATMs are readily available in Kampala as well as credit and debit cards being widely accepted in restaurants, shops and bars/cafes. However, we recommend bringing enough cash in US dollars or euros, as ATMs outside the big cities can be unreliable or unavailable. Please note that small-value banknotes often get a less favourable exchange rate. For the current exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
The amount you’ll spend mainly depends on your personal spending needs and habits, but as a guideline, we advise to budget for approximately €30 to €50 per day for your basic needs. However, if you want to buy souvenirs, you might want to bring some extra cash. For a meal you’ll pay between €10 and €20, and soda or coffee generally cost around €1 to €3.
Tipping local guides and drivers is highly encouraged. Local wages are very modest, so a small contribution from you will often make a big difference to our local partners and their families.
We are always available to advise you when booking a flight. However, most customers prefer to book the flight themselves. Often this is cheaper in terms of price and you can pick your own preferences.
Practical information
The complete electricity supply in Uganda is 240 Volt / 50 Hz. Uganda generally uses the British-style plug (Type G), which is different from the plugs used in most of Western Europe. It is therefore recommended to bring a universal adapter. There are also regular power outages, so make sure to charge all your devices whenever electricity is available in your hotel. It is advisable to bring a powerbank with you.
Most accommodations in Uganda have internet (if it works). Do not expect a fast or stable connection, especially outside the cities. There is usually mobile signal available in and around towns and villages. Purchasing a sim card and data is pretty formal – you will need to present your passport, have a picture taken and your fingerprints scanned. There are a number of operators to choose from; however we recommend MTN or Airtel. Sim cards cost $0.50 and $5 you can get 5 GB data for 1 week. If you want help with this, your guide will be happy to assist you.
Local culture
Most Ugandans are Christian, and religion plays an important role in daily life. There are also many traditional cultures and tribes, each with their own customs. In general, social behaviour is similar to that in other African countries, but visitors are encouraged to act with respect and awareness.
A few guidelines to keep in mind:
– Dress modestly, wear conservative clothing to respect local norms.
– Avoid public displays of affection – these are seen as inappropriate. Please note that unfortunately same-sex relationships are illegal in Uganda.
– Many Ugandans are not used to seeing tourists, especially outside the main tourist areas. You might encounter curious looks, but these are often meant well.
Uganda is generally known as a safe country. The areas we visit are places where we feel comfortable and where we are confident taking travellers. If the safety situation changes, we will immediately adjust the travel plan. We therefore ask our travellers to be flexible. The local guide knows the current situation best and always has the final say when changes need to be made.
A few things to keep in mind:
– If we have a long travel day, we will start early. If the car breaks down, we don’t want to be stuck after dark.
– Do not wear flashy jewellery or expensive watches. It is best to leave valuable items at home.
– For safety reasons, we do not share the travel plan or the name of the hotel with others, even if people just ask out of curiosity.
– We recommend everyone register with their local embassy. In case of any issues during the trip, it will be much easier to get assistance through the embassy on site.
In general, you can take photos freely. You can take your drone with you, but you do need a permit for it.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
– Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person.
– Do not take pictures of military personnel, military installations, police officers or government buildings.
Ugandan food is simple, healthy, and made with local ingredients. Main foods include matoke (mainly plantains), posho (a thick maize porridge), rice, and vegetables. Beef, chicken, and goat are the most common types of meat, and fish is also eaten a lot.
In bigger cities, you can find more and more international restaurants, but in villages the food is usually local and simple. There are good options for vegetarians, such as bean dishes, vegetable stews, and fruit. If you need help ordering, your guide can assist you.
Alcohol is easy to find, especially local beer.
Since Uganda has a tropical climate, we recommend bringing comfortable and breathable clothing. It is often warm during the day, so light clothes are useful. For cooler areas, such as higher altitude regions, and for the evenings, it is also good to bring a warm jumper or jacket. During the rainy season (March–May and September–November), rain gear or quick-drying clothes are recommended.
Good walking shoes are important, especially because many roads and paths are unpaved. In most hotels in the bigger cities, it is possible to do laundry if there is time.
If you are taking part in Gorilla trekking, you will need to pack:
– Long sleeved shirt and long trousers – go for neutral colours, avoid bright colours and very dark colours
– A warm jumper or jacket
– A rain jacket
– Gloves (such as gardening gloves)
– A hat
– Waterproof hiking shoes
Uganda is a developing country with limited access to healthcare, especially outside the big cities. Medical facilities are often basic, and the local hygiene standard naturally differs from that of the Western World.
The mosquito-borne diseases Malaria and Dengue Fever are endemic in many areas of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. We recommend you take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including always using insect repellent and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. Make sure you have enough hand sanitizer, sunscreen, insect repellent and antimalarial drugs with you. We also recommend bringing any general medicines for extreme travelling, such as anti-diarrhoea medicine. A Yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required at immigration in Uganda.
The following information must be viewed as a guide only. It is not intended, nor implied, to be a substitute for professional medical advice – therefore we strongly advise you to see your medical practitioner/healthcare provider 4/6 weeks prior your tour. Please check your local Government’s website for the most updated health and travel advice.
Ensure vaccinations are up to date. Below is an example of what you should be vaccinated for:
– Diphtheria & Tetanus
– Hepatitis A & B
– Measles, Mumps & Rubella
– Polio
– Typhoid
– Varicella
– Rabies
We always recommend staying informed about the latest health risks in the region you plan to visit. For the most up-to-date information about your destination, check with your government.