Trekking gorillas in Uganda

Uganda Travel Guide

Trustpilot
  1. Homepage
  2. Africa & the Middle East
  3. Uganda

Practical information

11:40:43
Language(s)
Luganda, English
Currency
Ugandan Shilling
Time zone
GMT +3

Ugandan history and culture

There is evidence that humans have been living in Uganda for the last 50,000 years. With early inhabitants being tribes and small cultivators, similar to it's East African neighbours. The people of this time organised themselves into separate clans split by the river Nile. North of the Nile they split into kingdoms of Bunyoro and Buganda, with the largest being Bunyoro-Kitara. Bunyoro ruled over a larger population until the end of the 18th century, when their size became too big and it's rule began to decline. During this time Buganda's influence grew and the first Swahili-speaking traders from the east coast of Africa arrived in the country. In 1879, representatives of the Roman Catholic White Fathers Mission also reached Uganda and quickly became entwined in the politics of the country. By 1894, the British established laws and regulations in the region and declared the region a British Protectorate. The British relations with Uganda continued for the next 50 years under the rule of the 'Kabaka' - the Buganda's leader. Set borders were put in place and Uganda's wealth increased due to production of cotton. In 1962, after a few African political parties stated their plan to achieve self-government, Uganda became officially independent under the rule of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC).  After initial growing pains and many changes in power, Yoweri Museveni became president of Uganda in 1996 and has ruled since then. 
Uganda is now home to over 56 ethnic groups. The Buganda and Bunyoro still retain some autonomy along with three other kingdoms: Toro, Busoga, and Rwenzururu.  The majority of Uganda's population is Christian, with it's secondary religion being Muslim. It has a rich culture in the arts; hardwood carving, ironwork, ceramics and batik are all worldwide collectors items, whilst Acholi and Congolese music are a favourite amongst the population. 

Time Zone

The time zone in Uganda is GMT + 3

Languages

Luganda, English

The official language in Uganda is KiSwahili but English is also widely spoken in towns and cities. 

Useful Phrases

  • Weebale - Thank you
  • Weebale Nnyo - Thank you very much
  • Mwattu yingira - Please come in
  • Nkusaba/Nsonyuwa-(mu) - Excuse me
  • Mwattu tuula wansi - Please sit down
  • Wangi - Pardon me
  • Ogamby Ki? - What did you say? 
  • Habari Gani - How are you? 
  • Karibu - Welcome
  • Weeraba - Goodbye (1 person)
  • Mweraba - Goodbye (lots of people)

Currency

Ugandan Shilling

The Ugandan Shilling is a closed currency so you will not be able to buy these at home before you arrive. It is advisable to travel with US Dollars, as these are widely accepted and can be easily exchanged. It is very important that US bills be new (no more than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. If you need to take out more local currency whilst in Entebbe then we can take you to an ATM or bank.  If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it. 

Please Note that not all hotels can accept card payments so you may need to use an ATM to access funds.
GBP
UGX

Electricity

Uganda use type G plugs which are the same as those in the UK. Uganda operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz. You should be OK just relying on the UK plugs, or you could pick up a worldwide adaptor just to be on the safe side. 

When to go

The short answer is to either go between June to August or December and February.

Uganda has two wet seasons, one between September and November and another from March to May. During these periods there is a high probability of rain every day. Outside these periods, from December to February showers are still common, but much less frequent and light fall. In June to August the weather is mainly dry and clear. In Uganda, the rain brings lush, green rainforest and the abundance of wildlife that comes with it. Travellers should travel with waterproofs at all times of year but the warm temperatures mean the rain doesn't put off visitors. 

There are also differences between travel to the North, above the equator, and the South that sits below it. For example, the Northern region has one long wet season as it lies outside of the tropics; this is from March to November. 

Safety and Security

Your safety and well-being is always the number one priority at Kandoo Adventures.


We operate all our travel destinations in accordance with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice, which publishes travel advisory notices for British nationals. We also closely follow the advice of ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents) which provides support to UK tour operators.  


In addition to this, our extensive, directly-managed operations in each of our destinations, provide us with detailed knowledge and up-to-date information, which enables us to make informed decisions and operate our trips safely.

We always recommend that you regularly check the FCDO's travel advice, in order to keep up to date about the country you are planning to visit.


If you are not a UK resident, we would recommend that you visit your government's travel advisory website for further information:


Alternatively, you may wish to visit our Travel Updates page or seek further information from the World Health Organisation.

Lost or delayed luggage

Our procedure for lost or delayed luggage is as follows:

  • Establish what items are missing and a contingency plan for each critical item
  • If it reaches 6pm on the evening before starting the trip and your luggage has not arrived we recommend buying and/or hiring items immediately as a precaution
  • We will arrange sleeping bags and climbing equipment (where applicable) for you from our local team. All gear must be returned to the Lead Guide at the end of the trip.  A small nominal charge for cleaning items will be made, to be payable locally
  • We can also help you to source wet weather gear, t-shirts and fleeces and toiletries from local shops
  • Any luggage that arrives after you have started your trip will be brought to you by a porter


We will do everything we can to help if your luggage is lost or delayed but all additional out of pocket costs have to be paid locally and should be charged back to the airline or your insurers. This includes the cost of taxis for shopping, repeat trips to the airport to collect bags and transporting your bag to you.

Alcohol

Uganda allows the consumption of alcohol and you can buy beer, wine and spirits in licensed hotels, bars and supermarkets. Beer is probably the most widely available alcoholic drink across the country, with many different local variations available, one of the most popular being the locally made fermented banana beer - Pombe. 

What to wear

Uganda has areas that are used to tourists however it is predominantly a conservative country and it is always a good idea to be respectful of the local customs. We would advise all traveller, both male and female, to keep their knees, shoulders and stomachs covered while out in public to avoid any unwanted attention.  You need to balance this conservative style of dress with the excessive heat that you may experience in Tanzania. A long sleeved maxi dress will keep you covered while providing some airflow to keep you cool. Long sleeve breezy button up shirts, harem trousers or jeans are also good options. Make sure clothes aren't tight fitting, you will find the local women will all be wearing skirts. If you really want to dress like a local then buy a kanga – a colourfully printed wrap.
Fields with Mount Elgon in the background

Uganda Geography

Uganda sit on the equator line, with the country's climate differing between the areas that sit in the tropics and those that lie outside of it. It is a land locked country bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan. The south of the country is covered by Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. To the west lie the Rwenzori Mountains or "Mountains of the Moon" in which can be found the peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Speke and Mount Baker - this is one of few places on earth where you can find glaciers on the equator. The east is much flatter, with smaller escarpments such as Mount Elgon breaking up the low profile of the land. 

Uganda is known for it's widely diverse ecosystems, living in 10 national parks and protected by 12 wildlife reserves. From the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, to the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha region, the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable to the dazzles of zebra in Lake Mburo, the moist climate and warm temperatures provide the perfect conditions for these animals to thrive. 

Our blog

All articles