Uganda - Essential Info
Health and Safety - Uganda Essential Information - printer friendly version
As in other East African countries, yellow fever can occur in Uganda and malaria occurs throughout the country. Take precautions against these serious diseases. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. Schistosomiasis is widespread in freshwater rivers, lakes and dams. Avoid bites from all insects, especially mosquitoes, sandflies, flies and ticks as they can carry diseases, including sleeping sickness, which mainly occurs in the northwest.
We strongly recommend you visit your GP at least six weeks prior to departure to ensure all of your inoculations are up to date and you are properly prepared to visit Uganda.
Food and waterborne diseases, including dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera occur in Uganda, so pay particular attention to basic food and water hygiene. Take care of what you eat and drink. Bottled water should be used for drinking, filtered water is usually available on safari and is perfectly safe to drink, all the precautions that you would normally take when traveling in less developed countries are a must, do not buy food from street vendors and avoid ice made from unpurified water in your drinks.
The major and most underestimated health risk is the heat. Sun block is essential, with sun glasses and a wide brimmed hat recommended, especially during the early part of your holiday to avoid sunburn. Dehydration is also a very real risk, so drink plenty of fluids when on safari.
As in any major city of the world when traveling, reasonable precautions are required, do not show off expensive camera equipment or jewelry, or display large amounts of currency.
For the very latest up to date travel information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office please click on www.fco.gov.uk - The Travel section of this website contains a wealth of information for anyone planning a trip overseas. Their Country Advice is based on the best and most up-to-date information available to them. The advice is designed to help British travelers and citizens to take their own decisions about their travel plans. It deliberately focuses on the potential risks and problems involved in travel overseas. But the overwhelming majority of visits are of course trouble-free.
Visas
You require a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return, plus a tourist visa to enter Uganda. You can either get the tourist visa prior to departure from the Ugandan Consulate or at the airport on your arrival. A tourist visa currently costs US$50. We will give you full details for obtaining a visa at the time of booking.
Money
The currency is the Ugandan Schilling. The Uganda Schilling can be difficult to get hold of in the UK, so we recommend that you get US dollars (widely accepted in East Africa) and travelers cheque's before you depart, and then transfer some of your dollars into Uganda Schillings at the airport on arrival. Having some local currency is very useful, particularly if you want to buy art and crafts from local traders. Credit Cards are accepted at some hotels and lodges, but not all and there is often a considerable surcharge of over 5% per transaction.
Electricity
220V most sockets take plugs with three square pins, as in the UK, although some older buildings may have round-pin sockets.
