Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

Uganda's main international airport is Entebbe International Airport (EBB), located on the shores of Lake Victoria, approximately 40 kilometres from Kampala.

A visa must be obtained before travelling to Uganda. Applications are made online through Uganda's official immigration portal. Among other documents, you will need a passport valid for at least six months, a passport-sized photograph, your international vaccination certificate, travel details, and a local address (Jinja) or contact telephone number (+256 773 242003). We recommend applying well in advance and carrying a printed copy of your visa approval to present when required during your journey. Uganda visa →

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to travel to Uganda. We recommend consulting an international travel health clinic before your trip for personalised advice on malaria prevention and other health precautions. Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is also essential.

The official currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). ATMs and forex bureaux are available in major towns, cities and tourist areas, where you can exchange euros and US dollars for local currency. If your safari starts directly from the airport, we recommend exchanging a small amount of money for drinks, tips and other personal expenses not included in the itinerary. Card payments are becoming increasingly common, particularly in hotels and tourist establishments, although they are not accepted everywhere, so we recommend always carrying some cash.

More than 50 languages are spoken in Uganda, although English is an official language and is widely used for communication between the country's different regions. We offer English-speaking guides and, on selected trips, Spanish-speaking tour leaders.

For gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, we recommend wearing long trousers, a long-sleeved top, sturdy trekking shoes and clothing in neutral colours. Gardening gloves are also very useful for protecting your hands from the vegetation, as is a lightweight waterproof jacket. During primate encounters, wearing a face mask is compulsory to reduce the risk of disease transmission. For savannah safaris, we recommend bringing a neck gaiter or scarf to protect yourself from dust. Uganda enjoys pleasant temperatures for much of the year, although the climate varies considerably depending on altitude and region. In mountainous and forested areas, particularly early in the morning and at night, temperatures can drop noticeably. We recommend bringing some warm and waterproof clothing, as activities such as gorilla and chimpanzee tracking take place even when it rains.

The use of drones is strictly regulated in Uganda and requires specific permits. For this reason, we recommend not travelling with a drone unless all the necessary authorisations have been arranged in advance.

Uganda has a well-established tourism industry and welcomes international travellers throughout the year. We always travel with experienced local guides and professionals who know the areas well, and we closely monitor health and security conditions in the regions included in our itineraries. If you have any specific concerns before travelling, we will be happy to discuss them with you before you book.

The permits required for the gorilla and chimpanzee tracking experiences included in the itinerary are covered in the price of the trip. These permits allow you to take part in the activity accompanied by specialised rangers and, once the habituated family or community has been located, spend a limited amount of time observing the primates in their natural habitat. Permits are very limited and can sell out several months in advance, so we recommend booking your trip well ahead of time.

Uganda has a tropical climate influenced by altitude and the country's different regions, with periods of rainfall throughout the year. April, May and November are usually among the wettest months, although rain is possible at any time of year. Rainfall often alternates with periods of sunshine and contributes to the lush green landscapes that characterise the country. During the low season, we offer special discounts on selected itineraries.