Around & About

How do I get there?

 By Air

A number of airlines operate direct flights to and from Uganda. Entebbe International Airport, the international gateway, is located about 40km away from the capital city, Kampala. Taxis are available at the airport to take you to the city.

By Road

A connection by road from all the neighbouring countries of Uganda is possible even though there are no guarantees of the border posts being open. Please check with the Ugandan Embassy of the country you are travelling from. You require a valid international driver’s permit, vehicle papers and third party insurance. On entry to Uganda, you will need to pay a temporary road license fee.

By Train

Rail services are available from Nairobi (Kenya) twice a week. The service is not the best, nor is it the fastest, but the scenery is rewarding and the price is affordable.

Getting Around

By Air

Flights are available at reasonable prices from Kampala to all the other major towns like Entebbe, Arua and Kasese. Charter plains are also available but at a very hefty price.

By Road

Traffic drives on the left in Uganda. The road network is very good all over Uganda except on the northern parts. The bus service (minibuses and “matatus”) is unreliable and tends to get over crowded. It runs from Kampala to all the other major cities around Uganda daily. The EMS postal bus service run by the postal department is efficient, reliable and affordable. Taxis that are coloured black and white are expensive but will take you wherever you want to go.

There are many car hire companies but the range of vehicles on offer is small.  Some charge a flat weekly rate but most base their fares on daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol. Cars come with a chauffer but self-drive cars are becoming increasingly available.

By Train

The train service runs twice a day between Taroro and Kampala and once daily to other destinations. The trains are comfortable but are not always on schedule.

By Waterways

There’s a ferry service that connects Kampala with the Sesse islands. It runs once a day and is expensive but definitely worth the ride.

Tourist Offices

For further information the following offices can be contacted: Ministry of tourism, trade and industry, the Uganda tourist board and any of the Ugandan Missions around the world.

P. O. Box 7211, Plot 6, 2nd Street, 
Kampala, Uganda.
Tel: 256 41 254 261
Telex: 61150   

When to Go

Most of Uganda is ideal for a visit through the year because of its equable climate. However, it rains very heavily between March and April and October and November, and is best avoided, especially if you plan to drive around or go on a gorilla safari.

Where do I Stay?

Kampala and Entebbe are the only cities that offer five star hotels, luxury lodges and plush motels. Accommodation is generally expensive in these cities. The smaller towns have guesthouses, rustic bush camps and campsites. Currency is the only accepted mode of payment from foreigners in the smaller towns. VAT and service tax are the “extras” usually charged every where in Uganda. 

What to bring

Lightweight clothes are applicable for all seasons because Uganda has a mild winter. If you are planning to go on a safari, stick to neutral colours, the khakis, browns and greens. Among the other things you need are a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. A jacket for early mornings and evenings, which tend to be cool, is enough.

Even though equipment is available wherever you go in Uganda, it is advisable to bring your own fishing tackle, golf clubs and climbing gear. A camcorder, camera and binoculars can also be useful on a safari.

Things to Do

Dining & Entertainment

All hotels and restaurants serve Ugandan food and drink, which is worth a try. There are no restrictions on serving of alcohol. Restaurants and bars are plentiful in Kampala and range from luxury to budget. Elsewhere in Uganda, you may not have luxury options, but there will be plenty of eating places that serve good quality food. There are numerous bars, nightclubs and pubs in Uganda. There’s a pub that serves ale from around the world in Kampala! There’s no dearth of places to let your hair down in this city.

Shopping

Souvenirs that might interest you include bangles, bracelets, necklaces, woodcarvings, tea, coffee, ceramics and basketry. Shopping hours are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Activities

Gorilla safaris in the Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are Uganda’s highlights. Lately, these have been unsafe with reports of attacks from insurgent groups. Trekking adventures along the lush hills and high mountains of arid hills and wetlands or along the Sesa river trail are popular. Water rafting along the White Nile is another activity worth a shot. Driving around Uganda is a fascinating experience with unforgettable landscape and foliage at every turn.

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