Organize your stay Uganda
Money Uganda
Currency. The national currency is the Ugandan shilling (Ush), circulating in bills of 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000, and in coins of 500, 200, 100 and 50. Tourist establishments often use the US dollar as their reference currency, so prices quoted in this guide are expressed in US dollars (US$) or shillings (Ush).
Exchange rates. In September 2024, the euro stood at 4,114 Ush (i.e. 3,635 Ush for 1 US$). To follow the exchange rate and its fluctuations, www.xe.com is a universal conversion site.
Cash. Travelling with euros seems advantageous in view of the currency's appreciation, but this currency is more rarely accepted in hotels and restaurants than the greenback. Please note that if you travel with dollars, only banknotes issued from 2009 onwards are accepted, both by banks and by various shops and institutions.
Credit cards. The international Visa card is accepted in high-end establishments (hotels and restaurants), and ATM withdrawals are possible in all banks. Using a MasterCard or American Express is more risky: the former allows you to withdraw money from a good number of ATMs in the country and to make some payments (mainly in Kampala), but refusals are more frequent than with the Visa, while the latter is much less accepted by banks and merchants. Expect to pay a commission of 5-8% for Carte Bleue payments. In short, if you have a bank card, there's no need to carry large sums of cash. If your card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM.
Card withdrawal and payment fees. As the euro is not the local currency, a commission is charged for each withdrawal. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank, and generally consist of a fixed fee averaging 3 euros and a commission (mentioned at the time of withdrawal) of between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or allow you to benefit from their network, offering you advantageous fees or even (rarely) free withdrawals. Outside the euro zone, card payments are also subject to bank charges. Depending on the bank, you'll be charged a fixed fee of between €0 and €1.2 per payment, plus a further 2-3% of the amount paid by card. The overall cost of the transaction is therefore lower than for ATM withdrawals. Before you leave, check out the international offers available from your bank. An option costing 4 or 5 euros a month could well give you access, at no extra cost, to a dozen payments and 3 or 4 ATM withdrawals! Note that when you make a payment by credit card, you may not need to enter your pin code. You will, however, be asked to sign and (possibly) show proof of identity. Ask your bank advisor for more information.
Banking. The country's main banks are Absa Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Centenary Bank, Orient Bank, Stanbic Bank, Bank of Africa and Ecobank. The number of bank branches has increased significantly in recent years: as a result, it is now possible to find one or more branches in medium-sized towns, and even in large rural villages. However, the country's most remote rural areas are still devoid of any modern infrastructure, so it's best to plan ahead if you're planning a trip off the beaten track. Opening hours vary from town to town and from bank to bank: branches generally open between 8 and 9 a.m. and close between 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays; on Saturdays, you can visit most banks between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., although some remain open until mid-afternoon; banks are closed on Sundays with a few exceptions, such as Orient Bank, which opens from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kampala's shopping malls (Acacia, Garden City...).
Foreign exchange. Euros and dollars are easy to exchange at the airport, banks and major hotels. Large transactions are generally carried out in dollars, and everyday expenses in Ugandan shillings. Kampala and a few other cities have exchange offices offering rates that are sometimes a little more attractive than those offered by banks. Be aware, however, that exchange fees can be multiplied by five from one bureau de change to another (these fees are often already included in the posted exchange rate). The same is true in France. So use your bank card instead. For card withdrawals and payments, the exchange rate used for transactions is generally more attractive than the rates charged by exchange bureaus.
Budget & Tips Uganda
Budget. Beware: Uganda is a rather expensive country if you want to take advantage of all the activities on offer, especially if you want to visit the mountain gorillas and go on safari in the national parks, which almost always requires the services of an agency or car rental company. If there are two of you, you can expect to pay around €2,500 to €3,000 for 10 days all-inclusive (gorilla permits, rental car, lodge accommodation, park entrance fees, etc.). But for those who prefer to meet local people and enjoy the scenery, using local transport and camping, the cost can be kept to a minimum.
Low budget: around €25 to €30 per day per person in camping or dormitory accommodation, including local meals and miscellaneous expenses.
Medium budget: from €50 to €80 per day per person in a double room with meals in tourist restaurants and miscellaneous expenses.
Big budget: from €200 per day for nights in top-of-the-range lodges and establishments, as well as per day on safari with an agency.
Tipping. A small tip is always welcome. Be careful, however, not to tip too large sums, as this can depreciate the value of the work. For example, you could give 1,000 Ush to the person helping you with your luggage or to a guard. In tourist restaurants, if the tip is not included and you are satisfied with the service, you can leave up to 10% of the bill. In lodges on safari, if you want to thank your guide or staff, wait until the end of your stay. On organized tours, driver-guides are often poorly paid, so tips represent a large part of their income. Offering a meal from time to time and leaving an envelope at the end of the trip (between US$5 and US$10 per day) is also an option. In hotels, you can leave a sum to be divided among the staff in a kitty often set up for this purpose at reception.
Passport and visas Uganda
A valid passport (valid at least 6 months after the end of the planned stay) and, in some cases, a return ticket are required. A tourist visa, valid for 90 days, is required to enter Uganda. Since 2016, the immigration services of the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs have set up a website enabling e-visa applications to be obtained quickly (from a few hours to a few working days). After some initial trial and error, online procedures are now easy. Go to visas.immigration.go.ug and, in the first step, select the type of visa you require: single-entry tourist visa (US$50), East Africa Tourist Visa (single visa for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda: US$100), multiple-entry visa... Depending on your choice, the list of documents to be transmitted electronically during the procedure appears on the screen (e.g. copy of the biometric page of your passport, international vaccination certificate and recent passport photo for the single-entry tourist visa). The second step is to complete the form (in English). The third step is to attach the required documents. The final step is to submit your application. Payment for your visa can now be made online. You'll also need to specify where you'd like to obtain your "paper" visa. Please make a note of your confirmation number at the end of the procedure: it will enable you to track the progress of your application as it is processed by the appropriate departments. A few hours or days later, you'll receive an email confirming that your application has been accepted: you'll then need to print out your e-visa. Then all you have to do is go to the selected entry point with the required documents and your e-visa. At Entebbe airport, for example, after checking your yellow fever vaccination certificate, you can proceed directly to the e-visa counters. Once your photo has been taken and your electronic signature affixed, your paper visa will be affixed to your passport immediately!
Embassy of Uganda in France. 13, avenue Raymond Poincaré, 75116 Paris. Tel: 0033 1 56 90 12 20 - [email protected].
Driver's license Uganda
You'll need to take your rental car documents and international driving license with you (don't forget your French driver's license), as these will be required by the police at roadblocks on major roads. The international driving license is valid for 3 years and is free of charge. To find out how to obtain one (several months before your trip) and for more information: www.permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr.
Health Uganda
Before you leave for Uganda, as for any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, you need to find out about local health conditions, so that you can adapt prophylactic treatments and medication to your type of trip (season, duration, means of transport, type of accommodation, planned or scheduled itinerary, etc.). It is also essential to find out about any vaccinations you may need before flying to Entebbe. Consult a specialist in tropical medicine, either at an Institut Pasteur or in a hospital department dedicated to infectious and tropical diseases, for personalized treatment and advice. Allow plenty of time between your consultation and your departure: some vaccines (whether primary or booster) require the administration of two or more doses, injected at precise intervals over a period of one month. Rest assured: if you follow a few basic preventive and hygienic measures, scrupulously observe medical prescriptions and keep up to date with vaccinations, you shouldn't encounter any health problems during your stay.
Bilharzia. As Uganda has no access to the sea, the temptation is great to swim, as the locals do, in the country's many lakes and, in particular, on the beautiful sandy beaches of the Ssese islands. But, with a few exceptions (Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda...), there's every chance of catching bilharzia, a parasitic disease - also known as schistosomiasis - transmitted by worm larvae (trematodes of the genus Schistosoma) that penetrate the skin before reaching the vital organs. Common sense therefore recommends avoiding swimming. However, if the urge gets too strong, expatriates will explain that bathing is possible if, on your return (the incubation period lasts several weeks), you take a praziquantel-based preventive treatment.
Cholera. Caused by a bacillus, cholera can be rampant in Uganda. In 2020, several hundred cases were reported in the Kotido and Moroto districts. In May 2024, Uganda was one of eleven African countries to report new cases of cholera. Basic hygiene measures are essential.
Covid-19. This coronavirus and the symptoms it can cause (fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum, dyspnea, etc.) are no longer in evidence. By March 2021, according to figures from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, some 330 people (out of more than 40,400 who tested positive) had succumbed to the disease since the start of the pandemic. In 2024, the COVID-19 situation in Uganda is relatively stable, with figures showing a decline in the pandemic compared with previous years. As the situation may evolve, we invite you to keep informed via the appropriate websites (WHO, Institut Pasteur, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.). Preventive measures in force in the country are very similar to our own: social distancing, wearing a mask, use of hydroalcoholic gel...
Ebola fever. Identified in the 1970s, this highly lethal and contagious viral fever, for which there is currently no reliable treatment, appears in the form of epidemic outbreaks: in 2000, Ebola claimed 224 victims in the Bundibugyo district, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo; seven years later, some 40 people died in the same district. After several outbreaks between 2007 and 2013, the disease claimed new victims in 2019. The latest epidemic was declared over in January 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, promising vaccines, not intended for tourists, have emerged in recent years.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Uganda is regularly affected by this fever, transmitted to humans by tick bites or contact with contaminated blood or animal tissue. No vaccine currently exists to contain this disease.
Marburg fever. Several cases of Marburg hemorrhagic fever have struck Uganda over the past decade: in 2012, 15 people died as a result of this viral disease. The last major outbreak in Uganda occurred in 2017, in the Kween district in the east of the country. There is currently no treatment for this disease.
Insolation and dehydration. The sun's rays are extremely strong in Uganda, so you need to take certain precautions. Drink regularly and in large quantities (around 2 liters a day), and increase your salt intake. To prevent sunstroke, avoid sudden and prolonged exposure to the sun, and don't forget to wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the open. During walking safaris, sun cream and lip protection such as cocoa butter are essential for sensitive skin.
Malaria. With the exception of a few areas, the country is malaria-free. Consult your doctor about the appropriate preventive treatment: it varies according to the region, the period of travel and the person concerned (in certain very specific cases, this prophylactic treatment is not recommended). In any case, it is absolutely essential to see a doctor if you develop a high fever during your stay or in the month following your return home. In addition to pills, reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent, covering clothing, mosquito netting, etc.). The risk of being bitten is highest between sunset and sunrise, especially near stagnant water. Keep your treatment with you in the aircraft cabin. This will avoid interruption of treatment if your checked baggage remains in transit for a few days!
Mpox. At the time of writing, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan are experiencing a resurgence of cases of Mpox (formerly monkeypox). Transmitted by direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated animals, this disease manifests itself through fever, rashes and muscle pain. Before you leave, find out how the epidemic is developing and what measures to take.
Drinking water. In many countries, including Uganda, water is a traveler's main enemy. Statistically, 1 out of every 2 travellers is affected by turista within the first 48 hours, and 80% of travel-related illnesses are directly attributable to contaminated water. While turista is - fortunately - often benign, diarrhea contracted in high-risk areas can also conceal amoebae, giardia, bacteria or viruses that can be vectors of serious illnesses (typhoid, cholera, dysentery...). The utmost caution is therefore called for. It's not enough to avoid drinking tap water: ice cubes, food washed in impure water or brushing your teeth with tap water - even in a luxury hotel - are all vectors of contamination.
It's better to be safe than sorry: if possible, buy sealed bottles of water (but make sure they don't arrive uncapped on the table, as some clever people don't hesitate to fill the bottle with tap water!), boil water (coffee and tea are "safe" drinks), avoid raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit (follow the motto: "washed, peeled, boiled or thrown away! "And a word of advice: always carry disinfectant tablets with you. Nothing could be simpler: 1 tablet in your flask or 1-liter bottle and you're safe for your trek, or simply for brushing your teeth or drinking a little water in the middle of the night, or even for washing your fruit... Depending on the place, circumstances or type of trip, sealed bottles are not available everywhere, and you can't always boil your water. Before you leave, you can buy Micropur forte, the only product on the market that purifies water rapidly (eliminating bacteria, viruses, giardia intestinalis and amoebae) and keeps it drinkable; otherwise, there's also Aquatabs or Hydroclonazone (the least expensive, but with a strong chlorine taste and only bacteria eliminated...). For the more adventurous, a water filter is essential for filtering muddy water. Katadyn filters meet the needs of these adventurers with several models, including the famous bottle filter, which provides instant drinking water without pumping.
Snakes, spiders, scorpions and the like. The risk of succumbing to a snake bite, scorpion or spider bite is minimal, if not non-existent. Tsetse flies persist in some parts of the country, where you should protect yourself during the day with a DEET-based solution (which can be applied to clothing and equipment). Nevertheless, there are a few unpleasant species in the reptile category: the legendary black mamba (see Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill!) and the colliding viper, for example. Snakes, it should be noted, are fierce by nature and always tend to duck at the slightest human footstep. In short, if you check your shoes every morning (avoid leaving them in front of the tent overnight) and your rucksack before putting it on your shoulders, watch where you put your feet when walking and make sure your tent zips up, you shouldn't have any problems. In the event of an accident, keep your cool and don't overexert yourself. While you're waiting for help, you may want to bandage the affected limb (but don't use a tourniquet!) and keep it still. Settle down in the shade and ask your companions, if any, to observe the animal and give a precise description to the hospital.
African trypanosomiasis. This is the scientific name for sleeping sickness. Tsetse flies, the main vectors of this parasitosis, are still present in several remote regions of Uganda, notably in certain national parks, but reported cases of the disease are now extremely rare. Tsetse flies, which are larger than houseflies, bite during the day. To protect yourself, you can use a DEET-based solution and avoid wearing dark clothing, especially dark blue, which seems to attract them. In general, these rather unpleasant bites are of no consequence, but if after a few days a sort of boil appears, followed a few weeks (or even years) later by a high fever, you may suspect an infection and need prompt treatment.
HIV/AIDS. As in most African countries, HIV/AIDS is wreaking havoc in Uganda, despite the information campaigns and public health policies implemented over the past thirty years. Condom use, which also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases, is essential.
To find out more about these diseases, visit the World Health Organization and Institut Pasteur websites. For up-to-date information specific to the health and epidemiological situation in Uganda, please refer to the "Travel advice" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr).
Mandatory vaccination Uganda
Vaccination against yellow fever is the only compulsory one; the injection must be carried out in an approved center. We advise you to keep up to date with your usual vaccinations, such as DTP or BCG, and to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, as well as typhoid (if you have already been vaccinated against one or more of these diseases, check that you are still immune; you may need a booster). Depending on the length, type, season and region of your stay, other vaccines may need to be considered: rabies and bacterial meningitis. If possible, consult a doctor specializing in tropical medicine at least two months before departure (whether for a primary or booster vaccination); he or she can also give you valuable advice on malaria prophylaxis and, if necessary, prescribe a suitable treatment. As far as Covid-19 is concerned, at the time of writing we are not in a position to prejudge whether or not vaccination is compulsory for entry into Uganda. Please do not hesitate to consult authorized websites (WHO, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MesVaccins.net, Institut Pasteur...) for the latest recommendations and regulations.
Security Uganda
Uganda is a relatively safe country, as long as basic safety precautions are followed. Walking alone in the countryside is no problem, nor is strolling in the evening in the big cities. Of course, as elsewhere in the world, thieves - who target 4x4s in particular - do exist, but as long as you take basic safety precautions (don't sling your cameras over your shoulder, don't leave your wallet lying around in your back trouser pocket, don't leave your car doors open or valuables visible...) there's normally no reason for anything to happen to you. The only real danger comes from the road, particularly from speeders, drunk drivers or drivers with only the vaguest notion of the highway code, and animals roaming the slopes. Avoid driving at night, as the roads are very dangerous (potholes, bicycles without reflectors, pedestrians difficult to see, lack of street lighting, animals running loose...)! Beware, too, of the border areas between Congo-Kinshasa and South Sudan. The political instability prevailing in these two states calls for the utmost caution: incursions by armed groups into Ugandan territory are possible, and the risk of kidnapping is not nil. It is absolutely essential to find out about security conditions before undertaking any travel in the immediate vicinity of these borders. Finally, the upsurge in cattle rustling in Karamoja since the end of 2019 should also be taken into consideration (tourists are not targeted, but it is better to avoid possible collateral damage...).
Time difference Uganda
Uganda's time zone is GMT +3. This means that there is a two-hour time difference in winter and a one-hour time difference in summer with France (when the clock strikes midnight in Paris, it's 1 a.m. in Kampala in summer and 2 a.m. in winter).
Spoken languages Uganda
English is the official language, spoken by almost everyone in the cities but not necessarily in remote areas. Swahili is the country's second official language. But depending on where you travel, you may well hear more widespread use of Luganda, the language most widely spoken in the central region of Uganda, including the capital, Kampala.
Communication Uganda
Telephone coverage and Internet network quality are generally satisfactory. That said, there are still a significant number of "white zones" (national parks, remote rural areas, etc.), but coverage is improving year on year. Among mobile network operators (Smile, Africell, Uganda Telecom...), give preference to MTN and Airtel for extensive coverage. For example, getting a SIM card with MTN, including a local number and an Internet package for one month, will cost you around 20 euros. This can quickly prove useful and economical, especially if you want to use the SafeBoda app in the streets of Kampala to book boda-bodas or cabs (prices are set by the app, so you avoid any negotiation).
The OTT (Over-the-Top) tax, which had been introduced in Uganda in 2018, was abolished in July 2021. This tax required users of social networks (such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.) to pay 200 Ugandan shillings (Ush) per day to access these services. However, access to Facebook may well be impossible without the use of a VPN. Let's hear it! Smartphone-averse people will still find a few cybercafés in the country's main towns (rates range from 1,500 to 7,000 Ush for an hour's connection). Finally, Wi-Fi is available in many hotels and lodges, even the most remote.
Electricity and measurements Uganda
Electricity. The voltage is 240 V. It is necessary to get an adapter for the English plugs which are the standard in Uganda and consist of three square plugs.
Weights and measures. Uganda has adopted the metric system.
Luggage Uganda
The amount and type of luggage you need to take with you to Uganda depends essentially on the type of trip you are planning: simple pleasure trip or expedition, complete autonomy or organized tour. Here's a list of the essentials you'll need to take with you.
Clothing. If you're going on safari, avoid flashy reds or fluorescent colors to avoid scaring off the animals. Completely white outfits are also to be avoided, as animals can spot them from a distance, but also because of the constant dust baths during game drives. Avoid black and dark blue, which absorb heat and attract insects (while making them less visible). In short, prefer discreet colors that blend in with nature (khaki, brown, beige)! Dress according to the season (we can't stress this enough: winter evenings, nights and early mornings are cold in Uganda).
Whatever the season: swimsuit, hat, sandals and walking shoes, Bermuda shorts, cotton shirts and T-shirts, pullover, long pants or skirts for the evenings, cotton socks, k-way or poncho (useful even in the dry season in the immediate vicinity of a waterfall). Dress in luxury lodges is generally casual.
In the dry season, particularly between June and September: windbreaker, fleece, thick socks, gloves, scarf and hat may be useful for night drives.
Traveller's essentials : binoculars; camera, film or memory card, spare batteries; power adapter; sunglasses; knife; flashlight or headlamp; notebook and pens; anti-malarial treatment; sunscreen and lip balm; mosquito repellent; medical kit for first aid; hiking boots.
