Ultimate Guide to Uganda | Kandoo Adventures

Introduction

Coined ‘the pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill in his 1908 book, My African Journey, Uganda is a warm welcoming African country that is home to endless savannah, high mountains, big game and bigger water! Home to the source of the River Nile, Lake Victoria, Uganda is teeming with animals and wildlife and offers some of the best undiscovered trekking routes you can find. This guide will introduce you to this fascinating country and hopefully inspire you to pop Uganda on your adventure travel bucket list.

where is uganda?

Uganda is an equatorial country located in the East Africa region. It is completely landlocked and bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Rwanda to the southeast, Tanzania to the south, Kenya to the east and South Sudan to the north.

Lake Victoria sprawls across much of the southeast of Uganda, as well as northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya, which is the largest tropical lake in the world and the source of the River Nile.

What is the capital city of Uganda?

The capital city of Uganda is Kampala. Kampala sits on the northern shore of Lake Victoria and is around 1-3 hours drive, depending on traffic, or 40 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport which is the only international airport in Uganda.

What is Uganda known for?

Uganda is primarily best known for its plethora of wildlife. It is a fantastic place to go on an African safari and you can spot all the big 5 game here, although the rhinos are in a sanctuary where they are monitored 24/7. Birdwatchers will love Uganda for their birdlife and with over 1,000 species of bird here, including the elusive shoebill stork, fish eagles and blue turacos, the dawn chorus in Uganda is out of the world. The crested crane stands at over a metre tall and is the national bird of Uganda.

As well as the big 5 and prolific birdlife, Uganda is also home to over 20 species of primate. In addition to chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, colobus and baboons, Uganda has over half the world’s gorilla population living across the Virunga mountains. In the southwestern corner of Uganda sits Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and further north is Mgahinga National Park. You can visit the gorillas in both these locations which is often the highlight of trips to Uganda. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda blog for more information.

Aside from the incredible wildlife and birds, Uganda is also famously the source of the Nile. The White Nile flows out of Lake Victoria at Jinja and is an awesome place to try white water rafting, where there are exhilarating grade 5 rapids to paddle down. Jinja is known as the adventure capital of Uganda and offers plenty of opportunity to try water sports and explore Uganda from the water.

What language do they speak in Uganda?

There are over 70 languages spoken in Uganda! The most common of these are Luganda and English. Luganda is spoken by the Baganda people which is the largest ethnic group in Uganda. English is spoken widely though and is the official language of the government, businesses, the media and in education. The further away from the main cities of Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja you get the more ethnic languages you’ll hear.

Swahili is also widely spoken and understood, although is more prolific in the east as you get closer to the Kenyan border.

What is the currency of Uganda?

The main currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, UGX. This is a closed currency, so you’ll only be able to obtain it in East Africa, in Uganda itself and the neighbouring countries that border it.

US dollars are also accepted in the main cities and at visitor hubs such as guesthouses and hotels, restaurants and some shops but local currency is generally preferred

What time is it in Kampala, Uganda?

Kampala and the rest of Uganda operate on Eastern Africa Time or EAT, which is UTC or GMT + 3. There is a single time zone in Uganda, and they do not change their clocks for daylight saving as the UK and some of the US do.

How to get to Uganda?

Uganda has one international airport, Entebbe International Airport, that is around 6km southwest of the city of Entebbe and approximately 40km from the capital city of Kampala. The airport code of Entebbe Airport is EBB, and the national airline of Uganda is Uganda Airlines. They operate short flights within East Africa only.

Major international airlines fly into Entebbe via their own hubs, the most common of which are Ethiopian Airlines which fly via Addis Ababa, Turkish Airlines which fly via Istanbul, Emirates which fly via Dubai and Qatar Airways which transit through Doha. There are of course others that transit through Europe, but there are no direct flights to Uganda from the UK or US.

What to do in Uganda?

What can’t you do in Uganda!? As mentioned, Uganda is known for its incredible wildlife safaris, white water rafting and stunning national parks. You can take both walking safaris and game drives via 4x4, there are boat safaris across the Nile, Lake Albert and Lake Victoria and you can sleep in tented safari camps under endless starry skies. Trek Gorillas through the forest mists or track chimpanzees through treetops, you can even visit a rhino sanctuary and track rhinos in a vast park where they are discreetly guarded by rangers.

Mountains in Uganda

Kandoo adventures specialise in trekking adventures and visiting iconic destinations and most people don’t know that there are some serious mountains in Uganda – which is why we operate treks here! The Rwenzori Mountains, sometimes known as the Ruwenzori Mountains, are known as the 'mountains of the moon' and are home to the third highest peak in Africa, Mount Stanley. Mt Stanley sits at 5,109m which is certainly not to be sniffed at and is only slightly lower than Mount Kilimanjaro which sits at 5,895m and Mount Kenya which is 5,199m high.

Hiking through the mountains in Uganda is an experience like no other. From lush montane rainforest to high snow-capped summits, Rwenzori National Park is a true hidden gem.

On the other side of the country is Mount Elgon, close to Sipi Falls. Whilst not as high as Mount Stanley, the volcanic Mt Elgon is still 4,321m high and offers a wildly different trekking experience. Here the crater is 5 miles wide and is one of the largest and oldest volcanic craters in the world. This lush, green wilderness takes you on a fascinating journey as you trek across the fertile, equatorial plains to the crater rim and her many peaks.

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Uganda Safari

As mentioned just once or twice already, Uganda is well known for its varied and prolific wildlife. No visit to Uganda, trek or otherwise, would be complete without venturing into a game park in Uganda and there are a ton to choose from. Check out the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park or trek gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Track chimpanzees and visit the incredible falls in Murchison Falls National Park or surround yourself with zebra in Mburo National Park.

What is the weather like in Uganda?

The average temperature in Uganda is fairly consistent all year round due to is location across the equator, which runs latitudinally through Entebbe, north of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo. Uganda enjoys average temperatures of around 22-24 °C or 71-75°F, but it can get as hot at 40°C or 104°F during the dry seasons. The temperature variances throughout the year are minimal but are determined by the altitude, topography and region and can differ from one place to another. The sun goes down at more or less the same time each night, between 7-7.30pm and rises around 7-7.30am, and there is a notable difference between the daytime and nighttime temperatures.

Uganda sits across the tropical belt for the most part and has two main wet seasons, March to May and September to November, but it can rain at any time. Outside of these months, the temperatures are hot and dry, but the rain brings humidity and flash monsoons. These don’t last long but are sudden and often come with thunderstorms which are a sight to behold.

What to wear in Uganda?

As with any tropical country, wearing layers is recommended. Long, loose clothing will keep skin covered from the harsh sun but keep you cool. Bring a wide brimmed hat or buy one in Uganda to keep your face shaded. Sandals or trainers are appropriate footwear for downtime but if you’re trekking then walking boots are required. Sunglasses are a must as the sun is high and bright during the day and a small backpack will ensure you can carry enough bottled water to stay hydrated, as well as suncream, insect repellent and any valuables you have with you.

How safe is Uganda?

Ugandans are generally some of the most welcoming and warm people you’re ever likely to meet. They are open and friendly and inevitably want to tell you about their country or find out about yours. Saying that, as with many third world countries there are things to be aware of when visiting.

There is a large Muslim population in Uganda, and it is important to respect their religion and values whilst you are in public. You do not need to cover your head, but wearing clothes that cover your chest, arms and legs is a good idea. Modest behaviour will be appreciated, and it is important to understand that homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. Avoid public displays of affection with people of the same sex which are prosecutable.

Cities all over the world have less savoury corners, so avoid walking anywhere by yourself after dark in urban settings, keep any money or valuables out of sight and avoid using local public transport which is rickety and potentially unsafe! A boda boda (moped taxi) may look fun to try but it is not a good idea.

Uganda is a malarial country which is carried and transmitted by mosquitos, therefore taking a prophylactic is recommended and will help to prevent infection. You will always sleep under a mosquito net, wherever you stay, and treatment is available in most pharmacies over the counter.

Travelling to Uganda with a reputable travel company such as Kandoo Adventures is a responsible and safe way to explore. You will be met at the airport, escorted by local guides through national parks and stay in good quality accommodation throughout your adventure. Your safety is our utmost priority at all times. Solo travellers will enjoy the camaraderie of group travel, and the optimised itineraries will help you make the most of your time in this exciting and vibrant African country.

For more information on staying safe in Uganda, you can read our blog.

Guide looking at the forest canopy in Uganda

What vaccinations do I need for Uganda?

There are no vaccination requirements for entering Uganda unless you are travelling from a country with endemic Yellow Fever, in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination is required. In some cases, if you transit through a country that has Yellow Fever you may be required to show proof of vaccination too.

It is however recommended that the following are up to date:

Hepatitis A & B

Diphtheria

Poliomyelitis

Tetanus

You might also want to consider the following:

Meningococcal Meningitis

Typhoid

Rabies

Always practice good personal and food hygiene, washing hands before eating, use hand gel after visiting bathrooms, drinking bottled water and avoiding ice, wearing insect repellent and sunscreen. Following this advice will help prevent contracting infectious diseases, wherever you go.

Most importantly for Uganda is ensuring you bring and take a malaria prophylactic. There are a number of different types, and most will require you to start taking it before you travel so consult your GP or health practitioner well in advance of your trip.

Did you know …. ?

Uganda was a protectorate of the British Empire from 1894 – 1962 which is why English is spoken, the three pin type G plug is still used and many people have colonial British names.

Trek in Uganda with Kandoo

The Kandoo team share a soft spot for Uganda, with her friendly people, lush landscapes, indescribable wildlife and awesome trekking peaks. Whilst she may not be the first place you think of when planning an adventure travel trip, Uganda should not be overlooked. Take this opportunity to enjoy the hospitality, warmth and wonder that Uganda offers and we are sure you won’t be disappointed. To learn more about Uganda and find inspiration for your next trip, read our blog reviewing books about Uganda for fascinating insights into this vibrant East African country.