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| Elephants in Queen Elizabeth Park |
Uganda is one of those countries that will surprise you as not really much is brought out for first timers to know what they are into except it is one of the places you could see gorillas in the wild which is known to everyone and after visiting, I can wholeheartedly say you will realize it’s one of the most beautiful places ever visited by you and i am sure something about your time here will strike you leaving you longing for a return. From the friendly locals to the lush greenery to the diverse wildlife in the many game parks around. Uganda is a place you absolutely have to put on the top of your bucket list.
How to Get to Uganda the Pearl of Africa
Uganda is located in East Africa, so it can be a bit far from most parts of the world. If you’re coming from the USA, you’re likely going to make a stop either in Europe or the Middle East on your way to Uganda.
To get to Uganda, the best airport to fly into is Entebbe International Airport (airport code: EBB). If you’re doing a trip combination between Uganda and Rwanda or are just planning on visiting the southern part of Bwindi, you can also opt to fly into Kigali International Airport (airport code: KGL) in Rwanda. But, for the purposes of this itinerary, you’ll want to stick with flying into Entebbe.
Best Time of Year to Visit Uganda
Our country Uganda is on the equator, so the temperature is pretty consistent throughout the year. we have rainy seasons in Uganda, which you want to avoid for the most part because too much rain can cut some activities short. I would hate to see somebody travel all the way to Uganda to go gorilla trekking only to have their time completely rained out.
This Uganda itinerary is going to focus on the entire country, so let’s talk about the dry season in the southwest where there are Bwindi Gorillas . There are actually two dry seasons in Uganda : December-February and June-July. You could also visit on the shoulders of these dry seasons to get better pricing. For example, you can come early March and it rains, but the rain is not an issue for it rains for just a few hours sometimes it drizzles this is how good this tropical weather.
How long to spend in Uganda.
Uganda is definitely a place you want to take your time visiting. Not only does it take some time to get around from place to place (this is Africa), but it’s a beautiful country. For your Uganda itinerary, I’m going to recommend at least a week. I think 5-10 days in Uganda is a perfect time. go here for a 5 to 10 Day safari to Africa
If you’re combining a trip to Uganda with a larger East Africa trip, you could do 3-5 days if you’re just trying to go gorilla trekking or chimp trekking. Popping over to Uganda just to see the gorillas is actually fairly common to do, but if you keep reading this itinerary, you’ll see why Uganda is definitely not a place to underestimate when it comes to pure beauty.
If you want to see everything, I would say you’ll probably need 2 weeks. That being said, this Uganda itinerary is going to feature mostly the southern part of the country however the northwest and northern part of the country also has plenty to offer, which is why I think 12 days in Uganda is perfect.
how to get around during your Uganda itinerary
There are a few ways to get around during your Uganda itinerary. The easiest way to get from area to area is going to be with domestic flights. However, this is going to be the most expensive way to get around and while you’re definitely going to see some beauty from the air, you’ll miss a lot of it by flying everywhere.
I absolutely recommend hiring a driver and guide during your trip to Uganda. If you want to get the full experience, it’s necessary to do this. The guides are usually from the area and know exactly where to go and will help you spot wildlife. They’ll help you with national park entrances and it’ll just make the entire experience much more easier.i personally recommend Game ranger tours i absolutely love them.
If you’re looking for a bit more of a budget trip and are comfortable driving on your own, you’re able to rent a car here and drive yourself around. If you opt to rent a car, make sure to purchase the insurance. This option is definitely not for a first time traveler in this region because driving in Africa has its challenges, so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into if this is the route you choose to take.
The most important thing to remember whether you have a driver or rent a car is that distances in Africa are not always what they seem. What Google Maps might say takes 2 hours could easily take 5 hours in Africa. There are definitely a lot of dirt roads throughout our country in remote villages, but there are roads being paved every day making driving around the country easier. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the views on your drives from place to place!
Other helpful tips while traveling in Uganda.
Traveling through Eastern Africa can sometimes pose challenges, especially if you’re not used to what it’s like. Having a guide with you makes things a lot easier because they’re there to help you along the way. That being said, even if you have a guide with you, here are some helpful tips to know before you arrive in Uganda.
- Language. I found that most people in Uganda spoke enough English to get by. Again, if you have a guide with you, any language barrier kind of goes away because they will likely speak English and translate. You’ll see Swahili spoken sometimes around Uganda and might recognize some words, but you should have no issues with English.
- Money. In uganda we use Uganda shillings currency and it keeps changing according to the currency rate
- ATMs & Credit Cards. ATMs will be very hard to come by if you’re outside of the international airport or major cities. ATMs are virtually non-existent around the national parks, so you’ll want to make sure you have a good amount of cash on you for the times you need it. The good thing is, if you have your Uganda itinerary set up with a driver and guide, a lot of the trip might be paid for ahead of time. You’ll likely only need money for souvenirs, tips, and extra meals. You can often change currency where ATMs are lacking.
- Tipping. It’s standard to tip your driver, guide, and staff at safari lodges. You’ll be able to tip the driver and guide at the end of the trip. You’ll want to tip the Driver $10-$30 a day.if you hire a porter you might as well tip them as well as a guide.
- Food. Since this is a safari, most of your meals are going to be included in your stay at all the safari lodges and camps. Usually there’s a set meal every night and you may have a couple of options. Make sure to tell your guide or the staff at the lodge if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Water safety. It’s best to not drink the water or use the water for things like brushing your teeth. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle , that you can fill up at your lodge before heading out. Your guide will likely always have water bottles in the car if you need them on drives.
- Bathrooms. You’ll be spending a lot of your time either in the car or on safari drives, so bathrooms can sometimes be limited. Make sure to keep small currency amounts with you in case you need to pay a small fee to get into toilets at rest areas. You also might have to get comfortable with the idea of a bush toilet when you have to go during safari drives!
- Safety. Uganda is a generally safe country. Safaris are typically set up in a way where you’re with the guide a lot of the time which increases the safety of the country. That being said, nowhere is completely safe so always be cautious while traveling anywhere and be smart.
- Water safety. It’s best to not drink the water or use the water for things like brushing your teeth. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle, that you can fill up at your lodge before heading out. Your guide will likely always have water bottles in the car if you need them on drives.
- Bathrooms. You’ll be spending a lot of your time either in the car or on safari drives, so bathrooms can sometimes be limited. Make sure to keep small currency amounts with you in case you need to pay a small fee to get into toilets at rest areas. You also might have to get comfortable with the idea of a bush toilet when you have to go during safari drives!
Where to Visit on This Uganda Itinerary.
