Travel Tips
Uganda
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the mighty Nile make Uganda an extraordinary wildlife destination.
- Capital
- Kampala
- Currency
- Ugandan shilling (UGX)
- Language
- English, Swahili
- Best overall
- June to August and December to February
- Emergency
- 112 or 999
- Electricity
- 240V, plug type G
Most visitors need a visa, and must apply online in advance. Use only the official Ugandan immigration site. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
The drier months, June to August and December to February, are best for gorilla trekking. Rain is possible at any time.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The classic place for mountain gorilla trekking. Permits are limited.
Murchison Falls
The Nile bursts through a narrow gorge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat safaris and tree-climbing lions.
Kibale National Park
Top place for chimpanzee trekking.
Lake Bunyonyi
A peaceful, island-dotted lake.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Days 1 to 2 Entebbe and Kampala
- Days 3 to 4 Murchison Falls
- Days 5 to 6 Kibale National Park
- Days 7 to 8 Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Days 9 to 11 Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi
Want a route planned around your dates?
- Use an experienced driver-guide, as roads between parks are long.
- Book gorilla permits months in advance, and they are expensive.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Carry shillings and clean US dollars. Cards mostly work only in larger lodges and cities.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- Rolex: a chapati and egg roll, a popular street snack.
- Matoke: steamed green bananas.
- Luwombo: stew steamed in banana leaves.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Check your government's advice, including park and border areas.
- Ask your doctor about malaria and vaccinations, and carry yellow fever proof.
Planning a trip to Uganda?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.