Uganda Itinerary
Uganda is nicknamed the “pearl of Africa” thanks to its mountain ranges, lush forests, teeming wildlife, waterfalls, volcanic lakes and fantastic landscapes. This country, still little beaten by mass tourism, can offer many surprises, including the unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. We have visited Uganda twice because it is a wonderful country; its nature and breathtaking landscapes have truly enchanted us. We must say that, unlike other countries such as Kenya or Tanzania, we have seen far fewer animals in the parks, but the gorilla tracking in the deep forest is undoubtedly worth the trip.
Itinerary
1° Day: KAMPALA
2° Day: KAMPALA – RHINO SANCTUARY – MURCHINSON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
3° Day: MURCHINSON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
4° Day: MURCHINSON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – BUTIABA (fishermen village) – FORT PORTAL
5° Day: FORT PORTAL – CRATERS LAKES – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
6° Day: QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. (KALINZU FOREST – KAZINGA CHANNEL CRUISE)
7° Day: QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. (ISHASA SECTOR) – LAKE BUNYONYI
8° Day: LAKE BUNYONYI – KISORO
9° Day: KISORO – BWINDI FOREST (gorilla trek) – KISORO
10° Day: KISORO – LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
11° Day: LAKE MBURO – KAMPALA
INFORMATION ABOUT UGANDA
January, February, June and July are the best months to visit Uganda. April, May and August to October are the wettest months and not recommended because the rain could interfere with your activities. We visited Uganda twice always in January, and in the northwest area of the parks, we found warm during the day (30°–35°C) and temperatures around 20°C at night. Lake Bunyonyi, Fort Portal and Kisoro was hot during the day and chilly at night and early morning (even cold).
Before booking the flight, you must check if you are entitled to a Visa exemption, a Visa on arrival or if you need to apply in person at the Uganda Embassy/Consulate in your country. Also, check out the official website of the Uganda Government.
We have not had any problem, but, a bit like all African countries, the security situation in Uganda is also unstable. Also, be careful when you visit the area near the border because it is the least safe in the country with dangerous rebel groups operating in these areas among Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Malaria is endemic so take precautions to avoid bites and sleep inside a mosquito net. Furthermore, to enter Uganda, it is mandatory to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Drink only bottled water, and don’t eat raw foods to avoid intestinal sickness. In the main cities, you will find a public hospital, but obviously, health standards are far from Western ones, and it is always better to go to private clinics. For serious injuries or illnesses, you will need to go back to Kampala. For more information about safety and the health situation, always check the official site of your Foreigner Ministry. In addition, it is always advisable to contact your local health authority – traveller’s diseases section – to find out in detail any vaccinations to get to visit Uganda and hear the opinion of a specialist doctor. Click here for general information about health threats in Uganda.
We rented a 4wd vehicle with a hatch rooftop and driver/guide through a local agency; If you drive yourself, be careful and don’t drive at night because it could be hazardous. The best thing to arrange a trip through the country is always to rely on a local tour operator, especially if you want to track the mountain gorilla. You can find some good local tour operators suggested by the Bwindi National Forest website by clicking here. Alternatively, have a look through reliable web platforms such as Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com, which offer great deals for tours and activities always managed by the local operators. Last but not least, check several tours using the website safaribookings.com.
We slept in medium-range accommodations; the average expense for a double room 50 USD. You can save money sleeping in your own tent. We booked part of our accommodations through the local agency and others with Booking.com. Alternatively, you can try with Agoda or Hotels.com;
We ate in the restaurant of our accommodations; In case you’ll find restaurants in the main cities like Kampala/Entebbe, Kisoro and Fort Portal.
The local currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). 1 USD is approximately 3700 UGX (September 2020). At the airport, only change the essentials. You will find excellent currency exchange at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala; we didn’t see any currency exchanger in the other places we visited. Local tour operators prefer to be paid in dollars because the prices for admission to the parks and the gorilla/chimp trekking are in USD. Remember that US dollars must be issued from 2009 onwards and absolutely must not have tears, pen stains, scotch tape. The same goes for the euro.
It’s always recommended to take out travel insurance during a trip, even if you’re only going for a few days. Especially to cover the medical expenses because, in case you need, they could be very high. We always get our travel insurance with Worldnomad.com. Remember to read the terms and conditions to make sure that the policy covers your needs. Getting an estimate from World Nomads.com is easy; click the image “Get a quote” below and fill out the necessary info!
Are you looking for the best websites and platforms to save money with? Check out our travel resources for arranging your trip. |
