Uganda: gorillas, chimps & the source of the Nile

International flights arrive at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 km from Kampala on the shore of Lake Victoria.

• Most safaris are by road in a 4x4 with a driver-guide — distances look short on a map but roads, traffic and rough tracks make journeys long (Kampala to Bwindi is a full day's drive). A private guided vehicle is the norm and the most comfortable way to travel.
• Light-aircraft transfers (Aerolink and charters) connect Entebbe with airstrips near Bwindi, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo — a big time-saver, light aircraft carriers (Aerolink, Eagle Air, Fly Uganda) enforce a strict 15 kg total allowance per person (which must include all hand luggage and camera gear combined), and bags must be 100% soft-sided and completely frameless (no rigid bottom structures or wheels) to fit inside Cessna Caravan fuselage pods. Confirm limits before you pack.
• Self-drive is not recommended for most visitors — driving is on the left, but signage, road conditions, night hazards and police checkpoints make a local driver-guide far safer and easier.
• In Kampala, use ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) rather than hailing on the street; avoid the boda-boda motorcycle taxis, a common cause of injury.

The local currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). The US dollar is widely used in tourism — park permits, lodges and many tours are priced and paid in USD.

• Bring clean, recent USD notes (typically series 2013 or newer, undamaged). Larger denominations (USD 50 and 100) usually get better exchange rates than small notes.
• Cards are accepted at upmarket hotels and lodges, but acceptance is patchy elsewhere and surcharges are common — don't rely on cards alone.
• ATMs are available in Kampala, Entebbe and larger towns; Visa is the most widely accepted card for withdrawals. Withdraw cash before heading to remote parks.
• Carry Ugandan Shillings for tips, markets, fuel, snacks and small purchases in rural areas.
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling so your cards aren't blocked, and keep some cash as backup.

See your GP or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you leave — some vaccines and anti-malarials need to be started in advance.

• Yellow fever — a vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry to Uganda for everyone aged one and over, and is checked on arrival. You must be vaccinated at an approved centre at least 10 days before you arrive; carry the official paper certificate (photos and photocopies are not accepted). Keep it with your passport.
• Malaria — Uganda is a high-risk malaria area, present year-round across most of the country, including the safari parks. Take anti-malarial medication as prescribed and prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves at dusk and a treated net. Risk is lower at the highest altitudes (e.g. parts of Bwindi and Mgahinga) but precautions still apply.
• Other vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations are current; travellers commonly add hepatitis A, typhoid and sometimes rabies, cholera or meningitis depending on the itinerary. Ask your doctor.
• Water & food — drink bottled, boiled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin; your lodge will advise.

Insurance: medical facilities are limited outside Kampala and serious cases are often evacuated to Nairobi — comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

Most visits to Uganda's tourist areas and national parks are trouble-free, but it is a destination that needs more care than southern Africa, and the official advice level is elevated.

• Check the advisory first. Australia's Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Uganda overall, with higher warnings (including 'do not travel') for districts near the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan — armed-group activity, cross-border attacks and a closed DRC border affect the far west and north. Reputable gorilla, chimp and safari areas (Bwindi, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo) sit away from these flashpoints, but advice can be raised quickly during security incidents or disease outbreaks. Always read the current Smartraveller page before you book and before you fly.
• In Kampala — keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking after dark, use Uber/Bolt rather than street taxis, and be alert to petty theft in crowds.
• Wildlife — never swim in lakes or rivers (hippos and crocodiles are deadly), and always follow your ranger's instructions on treks and game drives.
• LGBTQ+ travellers should be aware that same-sex relationships are criminalised under harsh local laws — review the Smartraveller advice carefully.

Emergencies: dial 999, or 112 from a mobile. Save your lodge's and operator's numbers, and the Australian contacts below.

English and Swahili are Uganda's official languages, and English is the language of business, signage and tourism — so you'll communicate easily almost everywhere. Luganda is the most widely spoken local language around Kampala, and dozens of others are spoken across the country. A few words of greeting are always warmly received.

Ugandans are famously friendly and hospitable, and the pace is relaxed. Dress modestly away from lodges — cover shoulders and knees at religious and rural sites, and smart-casual is fine for nicer restaurants. Always ask before photographing people, and avoid photographing government buildings, military or police. Greetings matter: a handshake and a little small talk go a long way. Note that Uganda has strict, conservative laws on some social matters — read the Smartraveller 'local laws' section before you go.

• Mobile coverage (4G) is good in Kampala, Entebbe and towns, and reaches many park areas, though it drops out in remote forest and valleys.
• Wi-Fi is available at most lodges and hotels, but can be slow or limited to common areas — a welcome chance to switch off in the forest.
• SIMs & eSIMs — local prepaid SIMs (MTN, Airtel) are cheap and give the best data; registration requires your passport. Travel eSIMs are a convenient alternative you can set up before you arrive.
• Power — supply can be intermittent in rural areas, but good lodges run generators or solar. Bring a power bank for long drives and treks.

Last verified: 16 July 2026. Confirm visa, health and permit rules immediately before travel.

Key sources:

• Uganda Immigration, East African Tourist Visa — immigration.go.ug
• Kenya eTA eligibility — etakenya.go.ke
• Smartraveller, Uganda — smartraveller.gov.au