Useful information
for your trip to Uganda
Weather
The conducive weather is yet another reason why the country is among your must-visit destinations on the African continent. It experiences a temperate climate which makes it possible to enjoy the various activities all year round.
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There are 2 main reasons for Ugandan amazing weather - its location on the equator and its geographical altitude that creates the characteristic evergreen feature. Uganda is gifted by mother nature and endowed by the wealth and multiplicity of its people; it is genuinely the concealed safari beauty queen and awaiting you to explore it.
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Average temperatures are usually between 20-30°C and if they drop, it's usually to a minimum of 14°C (yet careful in the Rwenzori mountains where temperatures can go down to 0°C due to its high altitude!). While it's true that we have some rainy seasons, the rains are truly not so bad to stop you from travelling and enjoying a safari. Especially (unfortunately) due to climate changes which makes the rain seasons less rainy.
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Clothing
Depending on where you are going, prepare for your trip carefully. For safari, avoid bright-coloured clothing as well dark blue or black clothes which avoid tze-tze flies. Light cotton materials are recommended for the warm weather. Google some tips and trick how to dress to safari in advance or have a look to Africatravel.
For the mountains, make sure to pack warm clothes, sturdy boots and waterproof jacket. In case you don't want to carry the weight, all proper clothing for climbing can be rented on spot.​
Health and vaccination
Following an outbreak of Yellow Fever in April 2016, the Ugandan Ministry of Health now requires all travellers provide proof of yellow fever vaccination. Among recommended, yet not obligatory, are Hepatitis A & B ,Tetanus, Meningitis, Polio and Diphtheria. Uganda is also in a zone of Malaria for which there is no vaccination in place yet. Nevertheless, there are medicaments that can be used as a prevention or medicaments that can be get in Ugandan hospitals in case of need.
Either way, you should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Uganda and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations.
Food and water
Ugandan food tends to consist of a meat-based stews or sauce dishes accompanied by ugali, a thick doughy paste made from maize, matooke, cooked and mashed green banana, or rice. Aside from meat and vegetables, beans and ground nuts are also added to stews for texture. Cassava, yams and sweet potato also make regular appearances on the dinner table. Thanks to its many rivers and lakes, Ugandans also eat a lot of fish, particularly tiger fish and tilapia. Uganda is largely considered Africa's fruit bowl with a variety of fruits available, including the popular Jackfruit.
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All tap water in Uganda should be treated as if contaminated and avoided at all costs unless it has been purified or boiled before consuming. Bottled mineral water is widely available and cheap so be sure to stock up on this.
People and culture
Uganda has long been a cultural melting pot, having a wide range of tribes all around the country. As evidence can be the existence of more than 40 different indigenous languages belonging to 5 distinct linguistic groups, and an equally diverse cultural mosaic of music, art and handicrafts. Generally, being a former British colony, Ugandans speak very well English.
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Ugandan people are extremely hospitable, friendly and positive, despite their dark history and prevailing tribal divides manifested in politics. As the landscape and climate are different and unique to each part of Uganda, also its people aren’t the same.
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The official currency is Ugandan Shilling. For tours and trips, you can usually pay in US Dollars and any major currency (Euro, Pounds, SA Rand, etc.) can be exchanged in banks and exchange bureaus. Carefull, smaller bills are usually charged with less favourable rate. In bigger towns, many ATMs are available, yet we recommend to google which banks have lower fees for a withdrawal. ​