Uganda is also home to the elusive mountain gorillas that can be found in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park which have a combined total of 17 habituated gorilla families that can be visited any time of the year, a visit to the Rwenzori mountains will definitely leave you perplexed as this is the 3^rd highest mountain on the African continent with an impressive height of 5109m above sea level hence giving you a snow experience along the equator.

Traverse the 10 national parks of Uganda that will leave you amazed at how biologically diverse Uganda is gifted. Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park and marvel at the tree climbing lions, large elephant herds moving all over the savanna plains of this park and wondering inside this “medley of wonders”, make a detour to Murchison Falls National Park and be enchanted by the  strongest falls of the world at Murchison falls as you hear its roars from a distance, watch the numerous herds of wild mammals as they come to take a sip of life at the fresh of waters of the Nile as Murchison falls national park is home  to 76 mammal species which include elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, various species of kobs and antelopes, primates like chimpanzees and various monkey species like black and white colobus monkeys, Pottos monkeys can found in the adjacent Budongo forest, and array of bird species that call Murchison falls national park home.

Make your safari to Kibale National Park and be greeted by the largest population of man’s closest relatives the chimpanzees with a 99% DNA similar to that of man. Proceed to the “True African Wilderness” Kidepo Valley National Park and wonder that how magnificent this incredibly perched tropical paradise thrives in what seems to conditions of extreme heat and support an abundance of wildlife from the numerous tallest land mammals the rothchild’s giraffes to the largest buffalo herds in Uganda to large herds of elephants, check out Lake Mburo National Park and treat your eyes to a feast of numerous herds of Burchell’s zebras, Uganda kobs and elands.

A Uganda safari is like is no safari without experiencing the vibrant cultures that are found in the pearl of Africa, come experience an array of cuisines from various parts of the country, enjoy the invigorating African rhythmic dances with an equally sounding African beat like the percussion bakisamba beats from the Baganda in central Uganda, foot stamping kiga dance from the Kiga people, raka raka dance from the acholi and the high jumping akarimajong dance, indeed Uganda is truly a pearl of Africa.

Uganda Travel Information

Uganda is famous as the premier safari destination in Africa teeming with abundant wildlife and wetlands and it’s not surprise that safari activities are at the top of every vacationer’s “must-do” list. Tourist attractions consist of sparkling waterfalls, wetlands and rain forests filled with wildlife, and the untouched wilderness of Bwindi where Batwa tribe still lives without any contact with the rest of the world. But a vacation in Uganda is not complete without making time to visit with local people, explore Uganda’s culture and heritage sights, gorilla safaris and do a little shopping for that “just right” souvenir to remind you of your perfect Uganda vacation. Sooth and expect your soul to be touched forever with a safari experience since Uganda is synonymous with wildlife and nature. Here, you’ll find the Big Five, birds, primates but so much more – myriad species amid dramatic, unspoiled landscapes.

From Entebbe zoo to Ssese islands a World for marine wildlife or up north to Kidepo national park with its nearby endangered Ik culture, a host of smaller game reserves and Sipi falls in north eastern Uganda, or down south to wildlife and striking land scapes or inland fresh lakes with stunning islands or gorge – there’s wildlife aplenty not far from Kampala. While Kampala is a busy urban centre, a few hours’ drive from the city lounge a number of phenomenal wildlife destinations.

Uganda travel Entry requirements and Health Advice

Entry Requirements

All travelers to Uganda are required to strictly conform to the following requirements.

You must be in possession of a valid passport issued and recognized by your government.

You must have an International immunization Certificate against Yellow Fever.

You must obtain a visa if you are an American, British National or European National.

Countries exempted from Visa requirements to Uganda include; COMESA countries:

Kenya, Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Eritrea, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zambia, Antigua, Jamaica, Cyprus, Bahamas, Barbados, Sierra Leone, Belize, Fiji, Gambia,Grenada, Malta, Tonga, Singapore, Lesotho, Solomon Islands, St.Vincent & The Grenadines,

Vanuatu, Italy (Only Diplomatic Passports).

Uganda visas are available at entry points including Entebbe International airport. The cost for a single entry visa is $50.

For those visiting Rwanda, nationals from the USA and Germany are not required to have visas. British and South African citizens do require a visa for Rwanda however is issued free of charge at the border. Other nationals have to get their visas before proceeding to the border.

Uganda travel health Advice

Vaccinations and Immunizations

Vaccine recommendations are based on the best available risk information. Please note that the level of risk for vaccine-preventable diseases can change at any time. The following information was obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Uganda.

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Routine- Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)- Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with “standard” tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B-Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map), especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug.

Meningococcal (meningitis)- Recommended if you plan to visit countries that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June.

Typhoid- Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in East Africa, especially if staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where exposure might occur through food or water.

Polio- Recommended for adult travelers who have received a primary series with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV). They should receive another dose of IPV before departure. For adults, available data do not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV.

Rabies – Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for travelers with significant occupational risks (such as veterinarians), for long-term travelers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, and other mammals. Children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals, may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites

Yellow Fever- Recommended for all travelers from 9 months of age. Uganda requires travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10-year intervals if there is ongoing risk. Find an authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccination clinic.

How to stay healthy while on Uganda Safari

Wash your hands often with soap and water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub to remove potentially infectious materials from your skin and help prevent disease transmission.

In developing countries like Uganda, drink only bottled or boiled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink.

Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your health care provider for a prescription.)

To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.

Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide). If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.

What you are supposed to do while on your Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.

Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked to reduce risk of infection (i.e., hepatitis A and typhoid fever).

Do not drink beverages with ice

Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.

Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis.

Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas.

Do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing or injections to prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B.

Avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept.