Uganda

PASSPORTS

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return to Australia and have at least two blank pages for every entry and country you intend to visit on your journey. If your passport does not meet these requirements you must obtain a new one. The Australian Passport Office website is www.passports.gov.au.

It is a wise precaution to carry a photocopy of your passport separately and leave a copy at home. This will aid authorities in processing a new passport should yours get stolen or lost.

If you have dual citizenship and more than one passport, we strongly recommend that you use only one of these during your travels, as in some countries it is considered illegal to have two or more passports. Be sure to use the same passport on entry and exit from a country, and never surrender your passport.

If your passport name is different to your commonly used name, advise us of this and ensure your airline reservations match those of your passport name.

VISAS

Australian and New Zealand passport holders require a Tourist Visa to enter Uganda and there are two options.

Single entry and East African tourist visas are all available with further details noted below. Please discuss which option might be most appropriate with your travel consultant.

We recommend that you apply for a three month (90-day) visa as they are valid for entry from the date of issue.

All visa applications must be made on the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs website: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. We can provide detailed instructions for this process if required – just ask.

Please note:

• Visa fees are non-refundable if visa is rejected
• Incomplete applications will be deferred for a maximum of 90 days. If the application is still incomplete by then payment will be lost.
• You must present the printed eVisa on arrival

SINGLE ENTRY VISA

A Single Entry Visa is available online from the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The application fee is US$55.

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.

EAST AFRICAN TOURIST VISA

An East African Tourist Visa (EATV) allows you simultaneous entry into Kenya, Uganda and / or Rwanda. The first country you enter must be the issuer of the visa, and from there you can move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. This is only during the 90 day validity of your visa.

The cost of an EATV is US $101.

Note: this visa does NOT grant you entry into Tanzania.

CLIMATE

Uganda experiences a wet, tropical climate but being situated on the equator means that the temperature does not fluctuate much throughout the year. However, it does have wet and dry seasons which follow a similar pattern to other countries in East Africa.

March, April, May are known as the ‘long rains’ when torrential downpours can occur. The months of July through to    October are the driest, although even during these months there will be some rain. The second rainy season then begins in November which provides shorter, more variable rain.

Gorilla trekking is a year-round activity but it is best during the drier months – January and February, and June through to October. As it can rain during any month we always recommend taking waterproofs and appropriate clothing.

LUGGAGE

Charter flight companies and some safari operators impose strict luggage restrictions.

The maximum luggage weight specific to your journey is 15 kgs including camera equipment and hand luggage for travel through Uganda.  Your bags must be soft-shelled and malleable.

If your luggage does not meet the criteria the charter companies will either leave your luggage behind, charge you for an extra seat onboard the aircraft (if one is available), or charter your bags separately at your cost. The charter planes have restricted space onboard, and, above all, the regulations are in place for your safety.  

And if you are wondering how to pack everything in and keep it under weight read our blog – How to pack for a safari and keep it under 15kg

For further information on luggage and packing please refer to our AFRICA pre-departure information.

VACCINATIONS

It may be necessary to take medical precautions before, and whilst travelling. As we are not qualified to offer advice, we recommend you contact your GP or the Travel Doctor-TMVC who have the most up‐to-date information available. Requirements are highly personal depending on your health profile and the activities in your itinerary. Some vaccinations must be given well in advance of travel, so we suggest seeking medical advice as soon as you start to plan your trip. Be sure to ask what vaccinations or medications may be required to enter Uganda and to re-enter Australia.

You can also refer to SmartTraveller for a guide as to what may be required, however, you should always seek professional medical advice before travelling.

YELLOW FEVER : Vaccinations are compulsory for entry into Uganda. Proof of Yellow Fever inoculation is also required for entry into other African countries after visiting Uganda and for re-entry into Australia if you have been to an area where Yellow Fever exists (this includes airport transfers of more than 12 hours). Speak to your GP or a travel doctor about this.

For further information on health and vaccinations please refer to our AFRICA pre-departure information.

INSURANCE & AMREF FLYING DOCTORS

You should ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance before you leave for any destination. When travelling in Uganda with The Classic Safari Company you will additionally have AMREF cover.

WHAT IS AMREF FLYING DOCTORS COVER FOR?

Amref Health Africa  (formerly the African  Medical and Research  Foundation) is the  largest  African health development non‐governmental international organisation based in Africa and is the leading African‐based aero‐medical and health assistance provider. AMREF is offers a 24hr emergency contact centre, the best in‐flight care and equipment, the fastest response times and are considered the most reliable.  As  many  of safari  camps  and  lodges  in  East  Africa  are  located in  extremely remote  areas  it  is imperative  that,  in  the  unfortunate case of a medical emergency, you are able to reach a well-equipped hospital fast, with expert care en route. And that is where AMREF steps in.

Whilst most good travel insurance policies will include medical evacuation cover,  inevitably  emergencies  arise  out  of  hours , and there are often delays whilst (mandatory) authority is sought from your chosen international medical insurer. This can mean the difference between life and death. As a result most, if not all, safari operators will not accept clients on any of their itineraries, or in their camps or lodges, who are not covered for medical evacuation by a flying doctor membership, regardless of whether your travel insurance policy also covers this. The cost for AMREF cover is therefore automatically included in the cost of your itinerary designed and booked by The Classic Safari Company.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

Uganda’s currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX) which is divided into 100 cents. Australian dollars cannot be exchanged for UGX so travel with US dollars that can then be exchanged at banks, bureau de change and at some hotels.

It’s best to take a mixture of money – credit card, debit card or travel cash card, plus cash just in case.  Small denominations of USD are advisable – especially for tipping.  If all else fails, have someone you can depend on who will make an emergency transfer of funds.

ATM machines are available in most cities & towns, are NOT widely available beyond that so do rely on these as your sole source of funds.  Please be vigilant if you do withdraw cash.

Major international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.  AMEX is not so popular and in some instances is not accepted at all. Please note that you need to take your physical credit card, and you need to know your PIN number, as not all places will allow you to ‘tap’.  In some cases you may also be asked to sign.

It is recommended that you DO NOT change money on the black market as you are more likely to receive a lower rate of exchange or fake notes.

TELL YOUR BANK

We highly recommend you advise your bank of your destinations and travel dates. This should prevent any of your transactions being deemed as ‘out of the ordinary’ (and possibly stopped) due to their unexpected location.

POWER

There are basically two main voltage systems used around the world: 110 Volt ‐ USA, Canada, Spain & Japan 220 Volt ‐ the rest of the world. In simple terms, the power supply available at the socket is roughly twice as powerful in 240V countries as in 110V countries.

The voltage in Uganda is 240 Volts, therefore if you wish to use any electronic devices from Canada, the US or Japan you’ll need a voltage converter AND a plug adapter. Australia operates a 220V currency and therefore you only require an adapter for Australian appliances.

The adaptor you will need for Uganda is a TYPE G or, alternatively you may prefer to invest in an International Travel Adaptor that provides you with more than one option.

Many adaptors also have a USB port so you can plug your smart phone, or I‐product directly into the adaptor.

For the latest & most up to date information about voltage and what adaptors to travel with refer to: www.korjo.com

GORILLA TREKKING GUIDELINES

Trekking to see mountain gorillas is surely one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in the world and is bound to be a highlight on any African itinerary. Worldwide there are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild – all living in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Gorilla trekking was introduced in Uganda as a form of sustainable wildlife tourism to support the conservation of these critically endangered primates. After its introduction, populations of mountain gorillas have seen significant growth and they are considered to be the only species of great ape with an increasing population. Gorilla tourism remains fundamental to this success and it also helps to create jobs and produce an economy for the surrounding communities.

GORILLA GROUPS & PERMIT ALLOCATION

There are a total of 15 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, 12 of which are located in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. There are a maximum of eight gorilla permits allocated to a gorilla family each day. The gorilla permits are assigned to a specific area of the forest where that particular gorilla family has its territory.

Gorilla trekking permits are in extremely short supply and it is highly recommended you book your permit well in advance. Permits can only be secured with payment – so no matter how far in advance you are booking you must pay for your permit immediately.

HABITUATION

In order to become habituated to the presence of tourists each gorilla group has undergone an extremely delicate process. Over the course of at least five years researchers spend time with the gorillas to gradually get them accustomed to human presence. This allows a few privileged visitors to safely observe them in the wild. However, the gorillas are by no means tame and care needs to be taken when around these magnificent animals. Please read the rules and regulations which must be followed.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY

You will meet at the park headquarters at 0730, where you will meet your guide and receive a briefing, before heading off on your trek. The gorillas cover large distances from day to day, as they roam the forest in search of areas of dense vegetation. For this reason, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as nine hours. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts in an effort to reduce the time it takes for you to locate them with your guide but you may need some patience and a certain amount of stamina!

No matter how long it takes to find them, your group will have a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. This is to avoid causing the animals any undue stress or getting them too used to human interaction. You will then return to the park headquarters and get transferred back to your hotel.

Conditions vary according to the location of the gorillas and the terrain can sometimes be difficult with steep slopes and dense vegetation. In addition, the altitude means participants do need to have a certain level of physical fitness to enjoy the hike. However porters are always available for hire to help out at additional cost of about US$15.

If for some reason you are unable to complete your excursion to the gorillas you will be escorted back to the base of the trail by a porter.

IN THE COMPANY OF GORILLAS

When you reach the gorillas, the tracker may make soft grunting sounds to  tell the gorillas that friends are approaching. You are likely to reach their   location during their long midday rest and play period. At this time of day the dominant male (usually a silverback) generally lounges on the ground or against a tree while youngsters roll in the vegetation and climb on trees, vines, and each other. Females nurse and play with their infants.  Occasionally, a curious youngster may approach you or someone in your group. Though it is tempting, do NOT touch the Gorillas.

Your trekking group will be instructed to stay together and crouch down whilst observing the gorillas. This is so the dominant male can see you at all times and the family does not feel threatened, surrounded, or overwhelmed. Although you may find a gorilla looking directly at you, you should maintain a subservient stance and look at it sideways or from a lower height.

Sometimes, as a release of tension or as a display to the rest of the group, a male gorilla may charge whilst pulling up vegetation and beating his chest. It is quite a sight but it’s vital that you remain calm, stand your ground and maintain a subordinate, position. The gorilla will stop before reaching you!