Category: Top List Travel Uganda
Source: https://top-list.co/top-things-to-know-before-traveling-to-uganda-v8510.html
- The natural beauty of Uganda
- Traveling to Uganda is safe
- A visa to travel to Uganda
- The best time to visit Uganda
- Language and communication
- Getting around Uganda
- What to bring for a trip to Uganda
- Tipping in Uganda
- Ugandans are known for their hospitality
- Food Specialty
- Traditional Festivals
The natural beauty of Uganda
The beauty of nature in Uganda is absolutely the first thing that everyone should know before going to this beautiful country. Uganda’s landscape is unique, with lush rolling hills, forests, waterfalls, lakes, snowcapped mountains, rivers such as the Nile, and vast Savannah grasslands tracks (National Parks). Visiting all of these landscapes exposes you to a wide range of attractions.
The country is also home to many lakes, including Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake and the source of the Nile River. Three countries share it, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. It is home to a number of islands, including the Ssese Islands, Bugala Island, and Ngamba Island (which is home to orphaned chimps). There are also a number of wetlands that are excellent bird habitats. With the scenic landscapes mentioned above, Uganda still has more to offer, including many beautiful waterfalls, such as Sipi Falls in Eastern Uganda’s Kapchorwa district and the Ssezibwa Falls, among other sights.
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Photo: natureadventureuganda.com
Traveling to Uganda is safe
Despite what you may have heard about Uganda and Africa in general, it is a safe place to visit – in fact, it is one of the safest countries in Africa. Uganda is widely regarded as a secure country with low crime rates. However, just because Uganda is a safe place to visit does not mean you should not be cautious when walking at night or flashing your expensive valuables around.
To ensure that your trip to Uganda will be the best one, here are some suggestions for staying safe while traveling in this country. You should avoid walking alone late at night, particularly in villages and the city suburbs. In addition, you should not walk down the street flashing your phone or other valuables. To avoid being pickpocketed, you also need to carry your backpack from the front rather than the back. There are definitely things to know before traveling to Uganda that you need to remember!
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A visa to travel to Uganda
The visa is actually one of the things to know before traveling to Uganda that Toplist would like to share with you. If you are wondering, “Do I need to have a visa to travel to Uganda?”, the answer to this question is right here. Before entering Uganda, you will need a visa, just like any other country. The good news for you is that getting one is relatively simple, particularly if you have one of those “strong” passports. Therefore, don’t worry about this problem at all!
It can be obtained on arrival at any port of entry or processed online using the Uganda immigration website’s e-visa application system. The cost of a single-entry tourist visa is $50 for a period of up to three months. The information about a visa to travel to Uganda is absolutely an important thing that you should know before planning a trip to this beautiful country.
Photo: vietnamimmigration.com
The best time to visit Uganda
Uganda has two seasons, including wet and dry, or rainy and sunny, respectively. However, because the country straddles the Equator, you can expect pleasant weather all year, which is suitable for safaris. If you want to see wildlife without being bothered by heavy rains and mud, the best time to visit Uganda is during the drier months of June to September and December to February. However, keep in mind that this is Uganda’s peak season, which means prices will be slightly higher and there will be more tourists than in other months. But don’t let this put you off visiting; Uganda has never experienced mass tourism, so you won’t have to compete for space with other visitors even during peak season.
During the rainier months of March to May and October to November, which are the low season, the prices of accommodation and some activities such as gorilla trekking are reduced, making it a good time for those looking for a bargain. In short, the drier months of June to September or December to February are the best time to visit Uganda. This is due to the fact that you will not lose any time due to rain and wildlife viewing will be at its best.
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Language and communication
Language is absolutely one of the things that many people consider before traveling to any country. And traveling to Uganda is too. Uganda is one of, if not the most, diverse countries on the planet. Uganda is considered a multilingual country, with approximately 56 tribes and about 40 languages, and every tribe has its own dialect.
Although Uganda has many languages, Luganda from the Buganda tribe in Central Uganda, is the most widely spoken. However, as a former British colony, Uganda’s official language is English. You will not have any trouble communicating with the locals because many people in Uganda speak English (fluency varies depending on education level). Even in the most remote villages, you are likely to come across someone who speaks English. For example, it means that if you venture off the beaten path, you may encounter areas where English is not widely spoken, but you should have no trouble communicating with locals in general.
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Photo: traveltomtom.net
Getting around Uganda
As you plan your trip to Uganda, keep in mind that the country’s transportation, particularly public transportation, can be chaotic and confusing because there is no way of knowing where to look for which buses or taxis to take as there are no signs or anything. This means that, as a tourist, your best bet for finding a bus or taxi is to ask locals for directions, otherwise you will end up going in circles and becoming even more confused.
Furthermore, major cities such as Kampala are plagued by heavy traffic jams, particularly during rush hours. You are recommended to take the bus instead of a taxi for long journeys because buses are more comfortable and do not make as many unnecessary stops as taxis do. Besides, you can also hire a private taxi if you want to travel more comfortably. Of course, private taxis are more expensive than public taxis. You can get one almost anywhere in Uganda, but if you are in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, you can simply request one through Uber.
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What to bring for a trip to Uganda
There are a few travel essentials you should bring with you to Uganda, just as you would to any other African country. The following are the travel essentials that should be on your Uganda packing list. For your chimp or gorilla treks, bring good hiking shoes. Some sections are muddy and slippery. Gaiters, gloves, a rain jacket/poncho, and a hat are also recommended. Wear long trousers and thin long-sleeved shirts to protect your arms and legs from scratches, even if it is hot outside.
Because game drives and wildlife viewing are so popular in Uganda, it is a good idea to bring these binoculars. You should bring sunscreen with you to Uganda. In addition, since this country is so close to the Equator, the sun can be extremely hot at times, and because they are so expensive in Uganda, you should buy them before your trip. Besides, mosquito repellant, flashlight, power bank, and travel pouch,… are also some items that you need to prepare for your trip to Uganda.
Photo: safaris-uganda.com
Photo: safarisrwandasafari.com
Tipping in Uganda
One of the things to know before traveling to Uganda that Toplist would like to share with you is tipping. Tipping is common practice in Uganda. Although the tip is not required, it is greatly appreciated, as it is in most parts of the world. After a tour, game drive, or nature walk, most guides expect a small tip. The amount you tip is largely determined by the value of the service you received and your level of satisfaction with the person who served you. Because locals have limited access to exchanging tips in foreign currencies, tipping them in Ugandan Shilling is the best option.
Uganda’s average monthly income varies across the country, ranging from 500.000 UGX ($140 USD) to 1.000.000 UGX ($280 USD). Tipping someone a few dollars will bring you a lot of smiles on your Uganda trip. Ugandans are extremely friendly, particularly those in the tourism industry and those who speak English.
Photo: achieveglobalsafaris.com
Ugandans are known for their hospitality
One thing to keep in mind before visiting Uganda is that the people are extremely friendly. If you are a tourist, you can expect to see people smile at you from time to time. Expect some stares as you walk around, and if you are from a western country, you will be referred to as a “mzungu”, which means “white person”. You should remember that only saying “Hi!” is impolite. You can use “How are you?” instead. “How are you?” even children will ask.
If you are willing, some may even strike up a conversation with you. If you require assistance, Ugandans will most likely be willing to assist you. As they say, some people are more friendly to tourists than their fellow citizens – Toplist strongly believes this is true in most countries, and Uganda is no exception. Therefore, do not forget this interesting thing on the list of the things to know before traveling to Uganda!
Photo: gorillasafaris-uganda.com
Photo: bwindiugandagorillatrekking.com
Food Specialty
You should not be concerned about what to eat in Uganda. There are several restaurants serving various cuisines, giving you a wide range of food specialties. There are a variety of foods to eat while in the pearl of Africa, ranging from Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Pizzas, Intercontinental, French, and local. Matooke, Uganda’s “official” food, sweet potatoes, cassava, posho, and other local foods should all be tried while in Uganda, and all of these are served with a variety of stews including chicken, beef, beans, peas, and many others. Another outstanding feature of Ugandan cuisine is the abundance of fresh fruits. You can easily find it on the streets, and it is cheap!
When traveling to a new country, one of the favorite things to do is sample the local cuisine. That is why you are advised to sample the local cuisine in Uganda. It may taste a little different from other foods you have tried, but you will enjoy it for sure.
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Traditional Festivals
The popular festivals of Uganda, a country with a fusion of forty different ethnic groups and a mix of cultures and traditions, are marked by cultural diversity. Toplist has compiled some of the most famous festivals in Uganda, including Royal Ascot Goat Races, Twins Festival, Nyege Nyege Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Pizza Festival,…
For some detailed information about these festivals, Toplist will bring some useful ones to you now. Since 1993, the Royal Ascot Goat Races have been an annual Kampala tradition, held at the Speke Resort on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is arguably the most important social event in Uganda. The Twins Festival, organized by Vision Group, is one of the most popular annual events, possibly due to the large crowds that attend each year. It is held at Namboole Stadium and recently held its sixth edition, which was also a huge success. Moreover, the Nyege Nyege festival is possibly the most important music festival in East Africa. This festival is a four-day music festival that attracts revelers from all over Africa.
Royal Ascot Goat Races. Photo: guide2uganda.ug
Nyege Nyege festival. Photo: groove.de
