Entry requirements are a passport that is still valid for at least six months and proof of a yellow fever vaccination. German, Swiss and Austrian citizens need an entry visa to enter Uganda. The visa application must be submitted online on the website www.visas.immigration.go.ug. For a basic tourist visa, the visa fee is currently $ 50. The fee is only due upon entry and can only be paid in cash.

In Uganda, the Uganda Shilling (UGX), divided into 100 cents, is used to pay. There are notes of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 UGX and coins of 50, 100, 200 and 500 UGX. Changing euros, US dollars and British pounds is the most common. When changing US dollars, problems can arise if the notes are torn or labeled or if they were printed before 2006, the forgery rate is very high for the older notes. 

It is advisable to take a credit card with you – in the best case VISA, otherwise MasterCard or Diners Club – as these are now widespread. In Kampala and other large cities, cash can be withdrawn from ATMs with international credit cards – almost always only with the VISA card. This costs up to 5.5% of the fee. In most cases, it is also possible to pay with US dollars. 

In Uganda, various charter companies offer flights within the country. However, since many places can also be easily reached by land, these are usually only worthwhile for long journeys such as in the north of the country to the Kidepo Valley National Park. It is not possible to travel by train. There are several bus routes that connect the Ugandan cities and centers with each other. Taxis are only available in larger cities in Uganda. It is advisable to agree the fare before departure. In smaller towns and villages, but also in Kampala, there are motorcycle taxis or bicycle taxis. Only motorcycle taxis should be taken from the stops marked with light blue signs, as only these drivers have a license. The fare and driving style should be agreed before the journey – the latter is particularly recommended. Of course, vehicles can also be rented in Uganda, with and without a driver. Newcomers to the country should not do without a driver – even if the costs are higher in this case. They know their way around and are used to the condition of the roads and the driving style of other road users. For all travelers who prefer self-drive tours, there are local travel companies that not only lend rental cars, but also offer round-the-clock breakdown service and provide insider tips. An international driver’s license is required for self-drivers.

Yellow fever vaccination:

Travelers must be vaccinated against yellow fever and provide proof of this upon entry. This vaccination must be carried out at least 10 days before entry. Although it is now known that a single vaccination is sufficient, there are some countries – including Uganda – that still insist on a booster after 10 years.  

Malaria: 

It is advisable to get malaria prophylaxis medicines before departure and to have them with you on the journey. We also recommend body-covering, light-colored clothes and the use – especially in the evenings and at night – of a mosquito repellent. Mosquito nets, which are available in most lodges, are also available at night. 

Further vaccinations:

In addition, standard vaccinations should be checked and, if necessary, completed. These include vaccinations against hepatitis A, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis and MMR.  

Medical care in Uganda: 

It is always advisable to take out health insurance for travel abroad. This usually includes free transport back to your home country in the event of an emergency. Medical care is very good in Kampala, but rather poor in rural areas. It is therefore advisable to take a well-stocked first-aid kit with you. 

The water in Uganda should be viewed as a potential health hazard. Water that is to be used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice cubes must be boiled beforehand or otherwise sterilized. Milk is not pasteurized and should also be boiled. We recommend canned or powdered milk. Avoid dairy products that are likely made from uncooked milk. Only eat meat and fish that have been cooked well and are preferably served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits peeled. 

Ugandan cuisine is based on English, Arabic and Asian – but above all Indian influences and consists largely of regionally grown foods such as plantains, sweet potatoes, corn, beans and cassava. Eating cheaply is possible almost everywhere in the country and there are international restaurants with Indian, Chinese and the favorite Italian cuisine in larger cities. 

Traditional dishes are served with ugali, a solid porridge made from corn flour. This is served with a stew made from peanuts, beans, chicken or other meat such as beef, goat or mutton. Game dishes are also on the menus of some restaurants or safari lodges. Fish, including the tiger fish, mukini, mputa, and tilapia, are popular. 

Vegetarians may have difficulty outside of the big cities, but inside these Indian and Chinese restaurants usually offer a variety of vegetarian dishes. 

Traditional desserts include mandazi, donuts, which are often served with cinnamon or sugar. 

While tipping is always appreciated, it is not a common practice. In tourist-oriented restaurants, 5 to 10% is normal. 

The climate in Uganda is balanced and temperate. Due to the fact that a large part of the country is over 1,000 m high, the tropical temperatures are very pleasant here and are between 15 ° C and 27 ° C in the central part of the country. It is significantly warmer in the north of the country. The main dry season is from June to September, but it is also dry from mid-December to early February. The main rainy season extends from mid-March to the end of May, the small rainy season from October to December.

Functional clothing is recommended, but – depending on your travel plans – should be supplemented with a set for going out. The clothes for trips should be chosen in lighter tones. The colors white and beige are less attractive to insects than other colors and absorb little heat. A light sweater should be packed for the evening hours and areas that are higher up. You should also have a rainproof jacket in your luggage.

Power sockets in Uganda are type G. If the plug on your device does not match the shape of these sockets, you will need an adapter. The current is usually 220 to 240 volts AC.

Time: The time difference is only one hour during summer time. In winter time it is two hours. 

Tipping in Uganda: Since the monthly salaries in Uganda are low, taxi drivers and waiters etc., but also gamekeepers in the national parks expect a small tip. In restaurants and bars, up to 10% of the invoice amount is usual, in other cases 3000-5000 UGX are sufficient. Depending on the performance, US $ 3-5 is recommended for game rangers in the national parks and US $ 10 per day for safari guides. The employees in the respective accommodation are also happy to receive a tip if they perform well. 

Accommodation: In larger cities such as Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja and in the national parks there are hotels and lodges in all price categories. In smaller cities and outside tourist centers, travelers will find simple accommodation, the standard of which cannot necessarily be compared with those in Europe. In addition to hotels, there are also guest houses in Uganda, which can also be found in smaller towns. 

There are also campsites in Uganda, some of which belong to hotels or lodges. But campsites can also be found in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, the standard of which is mostly simpler. In these, the traveler is usually surrounded by pure wilderness. In the best case, they have a water connection and simple outhouses.