Uganda Safari

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Popularly referred to as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda casts a spell of wonder and amazement as soon as you land at the airport. With picturesque landscapes, breathtaking lakes, abundant wildlife, and very hospitable people, it is simply the best of Africa combined into one stunning destination. Thinking of a safari adventure in Uganda? Here’s everything you need to know:

Where is Uganda?

Uganda is an East African country covering 197,100 square kilometers of land and 43,938 square kilometers of water. It shares its borders with Kenya to the east, Congo DRC to the west, Tanzania to the south, and South Sudan to the north. With a total area of 241,038 square kilometers, Uganda is the 81st largest country in the world and has an estimated population of 35,873,253. Its currency is the Uganda Shilling (UGX), while its people are referred to as Ugandans.

HOW TO GET THERE?

All international flights coming into Uganda will arrive at the Entebbe International Airport about 46km from Kampala, the capital city. Travel to the safaris and lakes are done by road and in most cases, will be handled by your local tour operator as part of your safari-package.

Direct flights are available from most European countries:

  • The UK via British Airways
  • Belgium via Brussels Airlines
  • Turkey via Turkish Airlines
  • The Netherlands via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

There are also direct flights from Qatar by Qatar Airways and the UAE via Emirates Airlines. At the moment, there are no direct flights from North America, but there are connections through codesharing airlines from Europe and South Africa.

Passport, visa and other entry requirements

Note that entry requirements are subject to change at any time, so make sure to contact the Uganda embassy in your country to verify the following information:

  • A valid passport for at least 6 months
  • Passports must have a clean and full visa page for endorsement
  • A valid yellow fever certificate

Visa, which can be obtained on arrival or in advance through your local Uganda embassy or high commission or the official online visa-application portal

WHY UGANDA OVER THE OTHER SAFARI DESTINATIONS?

It’s simple – Uganda offers a unique and more intimate experience! Other countries may have more popular safaris, but this actually works to Uganda’s favor, since it means there are fewer crowds and more accommodation options. Safari packages are also customizable and relatively more affordable so you can enjoy its many wonderful sights and sounds without necessarily exceeding your budget.

Moreover, there’s no better place in Africa to experience gorilla and chimpanzee tracking activities, which is essentially the equivalent of the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. Warm, welcoming people, unforgettable scenes, and a ton of new memories to make – what’s not to love? Book your Ugandan safari adventure today!

POSSIBLE TOURISM BARRIERS

  • Primates trekking and white water rafting can be expensive
  • Transportation around Uganda is not very good so it’s best to rent a car. However, this can be quite costly, especially for budget travelers.

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