Which means of transport to use Uganda?

From the airport to the city centre Uganda

Entebbe International Airport is not served by public transport. To reach the capital, Kampala, you will need to take a cab(special hire). The fare is Ush 100,000 (US$ 27). From the airport parking lot, be sure to use the numbered vehicles marked airport cab (Airport Taxi Services). Note also that some Kampala hotels organize transfers for their guests to and from the airport, and that private shuttles serve the country's largest city. You can also reach Kampala by minibus. To do so, take a cab (at least US$2) to the bus station (Entebbe Taxi Park). From there, take a shared cab to Kampala's Usafi Taxi Park. Expect to pay a minimum of Ush 3,000 (a surcharge may apply if you are loading bulky luggage) to cover the 35 km. You'll then be driving on the old road, which is fairly congested, as theexpressway (opened in 2018 and paying 5,000 Ush for a light vehicle - it saves 25 to 30 minutes) is closed to boda-bodas and minibuses.

Public transport Uganda

Coaches. This is one of the most economical ways to visit Uganda. Large buses provide regular connections between the country's main cities at very reasonable fares. It's hard to generalize about comfort, safety, journey times and punctuality, as the quality of service varies from one company to another. That said, you may well come across a reckless driver and a dilapidated coach that makes many untimely stops and doesn't leave on time... What's more, the volume of the radio or videos being broadcast can be quite loud, making it impossible to take a nap. If you've packed earplugs for the road, you're in luck! In Kampala, some coach operators have their own terminal (like Link), while others are grouped together in bus stations (Namayiba and Kasenyi). To buy your ticket, it's best to go to the bus station or company office the day before. In the provinces, passengers are usually picked up and set down on the main road in towns without a terminal. And don't forget that neighbouring countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan and Kenya) are all served from the Ugandan capital. Finally, in the pages of this guide dedicated to Kampala, you'll find information on each of the most reputable domestic and foreign companies.

Minibuses. Minibuses (also known as matatus or cabs) operate on main and secondary roads. Their timetable is unpredictable: they leave only when they have filled up with passengers and stop on request on the road, so you can hail them as they go by. Flexibility guaranteed! This is a very economical but rather slow solution, best reserved for short distances where comfort is not the priority. Within the capital, the most important minibus stations (Usafi, New and Old Taxi Parks) are located in Old Kampala. Matatus are now grouped by destination. If, for example, you want to get to Entebbe, go to Usafi Taxi Park. At these stations, as mentioned above, there are no fixed departure times: vehicles leave when all seats are occupied. Departures to Entebbe and Jinja are therefore very frequent (every 10 minutes or so), as the minibuses fill up quickly; other destinations may take longer. The country's main cities also have their own cab parks. But it's not always necessary to go there. In fact, it's sometimes enough to stand on the road leading to the desired destination to find a minibus shuttling there.

Boda-bodas. These motorcycle cabs are a practical and pleasant way to get around, even in small towns. If you're an independent traveller, you're bound to use a boda-boda to get around town and into the country's most remote areas. With rare exceptions (such as on Kilembe Road in Kasese), the fare is never stipulated. So you'll need to discuss the price before you set off. During this friendly haggling, the distance to be covered, the duration of the trip, the terrain, the condition of the road (dirt track or freshly paved main road), the season, the time of day and the prospect of finding a customer at the drop-off point are all parameters to be taken into account in order to establish a fair price. In reality, only experience will help you determine a price that's fair to both you and your driver. It's also worth noting that two people can ride together. In Kampala, if you're concerned about the safety of motorcyclists, you can opt for the trained drivers of SafeBoda (www.safeboda.com). The double advantage of this application is that the rates are fixed in advance, and you get to wear a helmet! If you don't, we strongly recommend that you buy one on site ...

With a driver Uganda

To find what is commonly known as a cab, in Kampala as in the rest of the country, you'll need to specify that you want a special hire, unless, of course, you book it through a hotelier or anyone used to working with tourists. Cab drivers usually wait outside major hotels and at international airport parking lots, so you'll have no trouble finding a vehicle in town. Ugandan cabs do not necessarily bear any distinctive markings (number, light, characteristic colors, etc.). What's more, few are equipped with a taximeter, so you'll need to ask about the fare before you get in. If you need to hail a cab without making a reservation, look for easily identifiable company cars (Airport Taxi Services, Kampala Taxi Services...). What about VTCs? Uber is well established in the Ugandan capital. You can also try out (by downloading an application) Diva Taxi, a young Kampala company staffed exclusively by women drivers. Last but not least, those renting a vehicle to cover the country's roads can hire a driver (for around US$50/day).

By car Uganda

General information. The road network in Uganda is of uneven quality: the tarmac roads linking the country's main towns are generally good, notwithstanding a few potholed stretches, but many tracks are bumpy and, in many cases, virtually impassable after the heavy downpours of the rainy season. Your choice of vehicle will therefore depend on the regions you visit and the routes you take. It's perfectly possible to travel in a sedan-type car on the main roads, but if you want to get off the beaten track a little, a 4x4 is more practical and, on some occasions, even essential. Driving is on the left. The speed limit outside built-up areas is 100 km/h on asphalted trunk roads and 80 km/h on dirt roads (although there are some excellent, "rolling" and well-graded dirt roads, there are also many in poor condition; on the latter, exceeding 30 or 40 km/h is sometimes a challenge). In built-up areas, the limit is 50 km/h. Caution is advised, especially at night, as street lighting is extremely rare on the Ugandan road network, as is signage on secondary roads and tracks. Potholes, animals and human beings on the road are all potential causes of night-time accidents. There are service stations in towns and, quite often, at least one pump in large rural villages. When traveling in remote areas, it is wise to carry jerry cans of fuel, although gasoline (sometimes of dubious quality) is generally sold by private individuals on the roadside and in local markets. It's essential to take your vehicle documents and international driving license with you, as they will be required by the police at roadblocks on major routes. Finally, the maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

Driving in national parks. Within the parks open to motor vehicles (Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Lake Mburo), the speed limit is 40 km/h. The penalty for speeding is Ush 100,000 (US$ 27). All off-road drivers are liable to a fine of US$150 per person in the vehicle. Finally, a fine of US$500 is payable for road kill (killing an animal on the road by hitting it with your car).

The case of Kampala. As in most of Africa's major cities, Kampala's dense traffic is a tad anarchic (to put it mildly). Driving can be tricky for Westerners coming from countries where traffic regulations are more respected. Here, you'll have to weave in and out of the flow of traffic, honking your horn at every opportunity and expecting a bit of hazardous overtaking... However, with a little time, practice and relaxation, you should be able to get the hang of the local "rules". Another point: parking is not free in certain areas of the city center. A ticket costs 1,200 Ush for one hour. For more than 60 minutes, you'll have to add another 1,000 Ush for every 30 minutes.

Car rental. Numerous agencies (mainly based in Kampala) offer various types of rental vehicle, from the most basic car to the most powerful 4x4 or minibus (cost from US$40 to US$300/day, excluding fuel, depending on the season, length of stay and vehicle model). Many tour operators also offerself-drive tours.

Accessibility Uganda

Public transport in Uganda (minibuses, coaches, etc.) is generally not adapted for people with reduced mobility. If you are traveling on a chauffeur-driven tour, please inform the tour operator with whom you have booked your trip of your disability beforehand, so that the operator can make the necessary arrangements.