Uganda Travel Advice

Uganda Travel Tips:Thinking of heading to Uganda for a gorilla trekking adventure and safari holiday? Wondering what vaccinations you might need and what you can expect of the local food? Look no further than our Top Uganda Travel Tips and /or Uganda Travel Advice which provide a wealth of information on all the essential need-to-knows.

Uganda Travel Tips

What vaccinations do I need for Uganda?

Uganda Travel tips:You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Uganda and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B and Tetanus are strongly recommended. Rabies and Meningitis are also recommended.

Following an outbreak of yellow fever in April 2016, the Ugandan Ministry of Health now requires all travellers provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Do I need anti-malaria tablets for Uganda?

 

There is a high risk of malaria in Uganda so it is very important to check with your doctor before you go, to see whether malarial medication is required for the areas you are visiting. Generally, it is good practice to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved, light coloured clothes and wearing a mosquito repellent that contains at least 50% DEET. For more information on the malaria risk in Uganda visit the NHS.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Uganda?

All tap water in Uganda should be treated as if contaminated and avoided at all costs unless it has been purified or boiled before consuming. Bottled mineral water is widely available and cheap so be sure to stock up on this.

What’s the food like in Uganda?

Ugandan food tends to consist of a meat-based stews or sauce dishes accompanied by ugali, a thick doughy paste made from maize, or matoke, cooked and mashed green banana. Aside from meat and vegetables, beans and ground nuts are also added to stews for texture and cassava, yams and sweet potato all make regular appearances on the dinner table. Thanks to its many rivers, Ugandans also eat a lot of fish, particularly tiger fish and tilapia. Uganda is largely considered Africa’s fruit bowl with a variety of fruits available, including the popular Jackfruit.

For something a little different, why not try a handful of deep fried grasshoppers? If you can’t stomach these insects then there are plenty of Indian influenced dishes that are served with chapattis. For dessert, many locals eat mandazi, deep fried dough covered in cinnamon or sugar. To go with your meal, grab yourself a glass of pombe, a fermented beer made with millet or banana.

Safe eating while travelling in Uganda

Be wary when eating outside of high-end lodges as sometimes the quality of the meat and the way in which it has been prepared might not be suitable for a sensitive western stomach. Also be aware that food hygiene in Uganda is much more basic than you will be used to so if something looks unclean, old or badly cooked, it is best to avoid it altogether. It is also a good idea to avoid ice in your drink and eating salad as these might have come into contact with unhygienic water.

Is it standard to tip in Uganda?

There is no minimum wage in Uganda, which means that many workers in the service industry earn very little and have to make it stretch a long way. Safari guides should be tipped the equivalent of USD $10-15 per person per day and a few dollars should be put in a communal tip jar for the driver, cook and porters. If you eat in a restaurant then 10% on top of the bill is a suitable amount to leave. When it comes to taxis, rounding up the fare is a nice way to show your appreciation.

What is the currency in Uganda?

The official currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling.

Euros, British Pounds, US Dollars, South African Rand and other major currencies can be exchanged locally or in advance of departure. Additionally, exchange facilities are available at various bureaus de change and banks in major towns have ATMs. It’s advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.

Traveler’s Cheques are not recommended as they’re often difficult to exchange and incur high fees.

What sort of plugs do I need for Uganda and what is the voltage?

Standard voltage is 230 – 240 volts. Primary sockets generally require the three square-pin variety, similar to the United Kingdom sockets. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Is WiFi widely available in Uganda?

You will be sure to find a WiFi connection in the majority of hotels, restaurants and cafes in Kampala but more rural areas are much less connected. Be aware that frequent power outages can disrupt connectivity and surges may damage electronics.

What time zone is Uganda on?

Uganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings.