UGANDA

Uganda
A relatively small country, Uganda is 241 136 sq. km. in extent, of which 44 000 sq. km. is fresh water. Situated astride the Equator, it enjoys a mean annual temperature of 22 deg C, with an annual rainfall of 125 cm. The main language is English, and the basic infrastructure is sound and rapidly becoming better.

Visas
Uganda - All passport holders must obtain visas when travelling to Uganda. Costs vary depending on nationality from USD30-60 per single entry visa. Visas can be purchased on arrival at the airport, or can be issued by Ugandan High Commissions in countries where they are represented.

American passport holders, visa costs if obtained prior to traveling

Single Journey VISA, good for three months is $50US;

a Multiple Entry VISA, good for 6 months is $90US;

and, a Multiple Entry VISA, good for one year is $190US.

It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months and has several clear pages for visas prior to departure. It is suggested that you check your status with regards to visas prior to travel - they change on a regular basis, and some of these states embassies will INSIST you get one prior to travel, whereas they may be freely available on arrival - embassies make money out of this.

Health Requirements

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all of East & Central Africa and must be done no later than 10 days prior to your departure. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc) you must consult your physician first.

Tetanus is also recommended, as is Cholera, but are not compulsory.

Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveller.

Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Diarrhea / Giardia etc - good personal hygiene and control over the quality of your drinking water should avoid this, bottled water is readily available throughout the country, but take along some medicine in case, particularly if you are planning to spend some time traveling alone and not with a tour. We recommend that guests either buy bottled water, or take along water purification tablets and look after your own drinking water.

As with all medical requirements, your doctor or travel clinic will provide the most up to date information - the above is a guide only.

Departure Tax
From Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania (if you are flying out) is from US$30-50 per person and is usually included on your ticket. If you anticipate paying any departure taxes locally, please take the correct amount - change is generally not given should cash payment be required upon departure.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. The road network extends over 28,332 km. While travelling through Uganda you will be mostly on tarred roads and they are in reasonably good condition. There are some really bad sections of dirt road. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and adequate third-party insurance is required. UK driving licences are accepted. Drivers must carry their vehicle log books and must pay for a temporary road licence. There are still some army and police check points on roads and railways.

Climate

The temperature, usually ranging between 21-25°C, can be quite cool in some parts of the country owing to the country’s high altitude, despite its position on the equator. The mountain areas become much cooler and the top of Mount Elgon is often covered with snow. Other parts of the country are much warmer. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November.

Clothing

In the day time on safari, generally shorts, t-shirts, hat, sunblock etc is recommended. For warmth, casual clothes such as a tracksuit would be appropriate. Generally lightweights and rainwear, with warm layers for the evenings are advised.

For JungleTrekking

Hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, no army camouflage clothing should be worn. Greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended. Avoid dark colours & bright blue in areas where you may find tsetse flies as they are often attracted to these colours.

It will also be necessary to take some lightweight rain gear as it does rain in the mountainous areas of Uganda.

It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long pants to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. (Tracksuit pants often get caught on bushes, thorns, etc and jeans can get very heavy when wet). Gloves are also highly recommended – just cheap gardening gloves will do. Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects. Also take a water bottle, and possibly a day pack for camera gear and to carry your jacket if it’s too warm.

Other Suggested Items
Insect Repellent

Torch - and Spare Batteries ( a “mini maglite “ is NOT a torch !! )
Wet Wipes

Water Bottle
Towel for swimming (most lodges do provide)

Plenty of film

Extra batteries
Binoculars / camera etc
Comfortable walking shoes

Sandals / strops

Sunscreen
Hat

Swimwear
Waterproof jacket (lightweight)
Leave your jewelry behind, and if you wear a watch preferably use a hard-wearing type

Photography
Do not photograph any government buildings, police or military posts. Ask permission before photographing local tribesmen. For gorilla photography a 35 - 70 mm zoom, or 50 mm fixed is usually sufficient, but you may want to carry a longer lens but remember you may well be in low light conditions. Take fast film (200-400 ASA plus), you may sometimes be allowed to use flash, check this with your gorilla guide.

Game & bird photography obviously longer lens would be recommended 80-300mm ideally.

Do not spend all your time with the gorillas trying for the classic photograph, look around you and observe and enjoy these gentle animals.

Electricity
Electricity spec: 240 volts British Standard, generally through 3 pin square plugs. Some lodges and camps have power only at certain times of the day, and in some video charging facilities are centralised. You will need your own charger.

Money – please read this carefully
US Dollars cash is the preferred option when traveling in Uganda.

We suggest a combination of small denomination notes (USD 1, 5, 10, 50) as well as USD 100 bills - make sure they are POST 1999 and have the ‘large heads’ on – (the older notes depict the various senators with ‘smaller heads’ – this may sound a bit cryptic, but when you compare the notes it will become clearer. Note that whilst more convenient in terms of changing currency and not having to carry around huge amounts of Shillings, there is normally a surcharge on the smaller notes when changing them. Keep your slips, you are able to change surplus shillings back to cash if you have proof of purchase when leaving the country.

Travellers cheques are difficult to change and REALLY bad rates of exchange generally apply, and are often VERY difficult to cash, even in Kampala and especially over weekends and after hours. Throughout the rest of the country, changing TC’s is almost impossible.

Bank cards (hole in the wall ones) that work internationally in other parts of the world (even in Africa like South Africa) GENERALLY DO NOT work here in spite of them claiming to be internationally usable all over the world!! Do not rely on this, though you may be lucky!!

Credit cards – there is at least a 5% surcharge when using a credit card, and they are not accepted at very many places at all. Cashing money on CC can ONLY be done in banking hours (9-3pm weekdays) at Barclays Bank KAMPALA & rates of exchange are not good either & it takes time.

Exchange rate USH 1900 = USD1 approx, at time of writing August 2004.

Travel Insurance
It is a strong recommendation that you are covered by some type of medical insurance. Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Minimum cover should be $25 000 for medical and related expenses.

Safety
When near markets or in the centre of Kampala/Entebbe - be careful with personal possessions and cameras, etc. A "moon bag" is a useful item.

Tipping
Although always appreciated, it is not standard practice. It is normal to tip 5 to 10 per cent at tourist orientated restaurants. Guides and drivers should also be tipped.

General

A suggestion from past guests is to mention that if people want to help the poorer Ugandans they could bring old clothes etc with them & give to appropriate places & if interested in this particularly should advise us before travel as we can set up times/ days on safari where they can volunteer eg orphanage, or school, or assist or give donation for “something specific” that we ensure it happens etc. Or, perhaps donations to charities / wildlife associations etc etc. We can monitor this and ensure that the appropriate funds are received by the right people!

INFORMATION COURTESY OF WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE

GREAT EXPEDITIONS / 6142 HYGIENE ROAD/ LONGMONT CO 80503

720-494-1530 / TOLL FREE 1-888-SNORKEL / FAX 720-494-1542

INFO@GREATEXPEDITIONSTRAVEL.COM / WWW.GREATEXPEDITIONSTRAVEL.COM