Uganda

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking: the two dry seasons, December to February and June to August, are generally easiest because trails are less muddy. Trekking is possible all year.

Savannah game viewing (Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo, Lake Mburo): animals gather near water in the dry months. February-March and July to early October are commonly named as the strongest times.

April and May are the wettest months, with some roads hard to use and fewer visitors.

Permits for peak months sell out early, so book well ahead.

These recommendations come from the Ugandan foreign ministry (season dates) and a safari-operator guide (activity advice), not from an official tourism authority.

Most visitors need a visa and must apply online before travelling, through Uganda's official e-visa portal (visas.immigration.go.ug). Rules and fees can change, so confirm on the official site (checked 8 October 2026).

- Single-entry tourist visa: USD 50. Fees are non-refundable and bank charges may apply.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: USD 100, multiple entries, valid 90 days. It covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only (not Tanzania), and the country that issues it must be your first point of entry.
- A tourist visa can be granted for up to 3 months; stays can be extended by 60 days in two steps.

You will need your passport photo page (6+ months validity), a tour plan or itinerary, a recent photo and a hotel booking or address, all in English. An official notice dated 14 October 2021 says applications are usually decided in 2-3 days and advises applying at least ten days before travel.

On arrival: that same notice says visas are not issued on arrival, but UK FCDO says you print the emailed approval letter and border officials issue the visa. Sources differ, so carry the printed letter.

Visa-free entry: Uganda's immigration department lists 40 countries and regions whose ordinary passport holders do not need a visa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ireland and Seychelles. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and most EU passport holders are not on the list, so they need a visa. The list shows no date or maximum stay, so check with the immigration office first.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date (UK FCDO). The official immigration pages also ask for a passport photo page with at least 6 months' validity when you apply for a visa.

You can be refused entry if your passport is damaged, invalid, or has been reported lost or stolen.

No official source we checked states how many blank pages you need. Ask your airline or the Ugandan embassy if you are unsure.

All documents for your visa application must be in English.

Rules can change, so check the official immigration website before you travel (checked 8 October 2026).

Yellow fever certificate (checked 8 October 2026): on 2 October 2026 Uganda's immigration authority published an official notice saying a yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer mandatory for entry into Uganda. However, other pages still said a certificate was needed when we checked, including the East Africa Tourist Visa page, the Australian Smartraveller page and TravelHealthPro's general wording. These may not have been updated yet. Please carry your certificate if you have one, and check the rules for any country you visit next, because some ask for it when you arrive from Uganda. Confirm with the Ugandan immigration office or your doctor before travel.

Vaccination is still advised for health reasons: TravelHealthPro says yellow fever risk exists throughout Uganda and lists the vaccine for travellers aged 9 months and over.

TravelHealthPro also lists these as recommended for most travellers: hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus (booster if your last dose was over 10 years ago). For some travellers it lists hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal ACWY, cholera and measles (MMR), depending on activities and length of stay. Keep routine vaccines (measles, tetanus, diphtheria, polio) up to date.

UK FCDO suggests checking vaccines at least 8 weeks before travel. See a doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria: TravelHealthPro rates the risk as high throughout Uganda. Use repellent, cover up, sleep under nets and take prescribed anti-malarial tablets chosen with a doctor or travel clinic. Get urgent care for a fever of 38 C or more, or malaria-like symptoms up to a year after returning.

Water and animals: drink boiled, filtered or bottled water. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present, so avoid wading or swimming in fresh water. Rabies is present in animals; avoid contact and seek urgent care after any bite or scratch.

Altitude: altitude illness can occur at 2,500 m and above (for example on Rwenzori treks). Climb gradually and descend if symptoms get worse.

Outbreaks (checked 8 October 2026): Uganda declared an Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak on 15 May 2026. The Ministry of Health declared it over on 28 July 2026 and WHO and Africa CDC on 27 August 2026. The outbreak in neighbouring DR Congo is continuing and Uganda keeps border precautions. One Marburg case was confirmed in Kyegegwa District on 30 June 2026; we saw no end-of-outbreak statement. Check TravelHealthPro and UKHSA for the latest.

Medical care is limited outside Kampala and near many tourist sites; serious cases may need an air ambulance. Dial 999 for an ambulance, but expect limited help outside Kampala.

We found no official Ugandan rule requiring tourists to have travel insurance (checked 8 October 2026). It is still strongly advisable.

UK FCDO advises insurance that covers local medical treatment and medical evacuation, because serious illness or injury may need an air ambulance. Make sure you can access funds for treatment and repatriation, and contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility. The US State Department also advises medical evacuation cover and notes that care in Uganda needs upfront payment, and that US Medicare and most US health plans do not cover care abroad.

Look for a policy with:
- emergency medical and medical evacuation cover
- trip cancellation or interruption cover, as permits and lodges are often non-refundable close to the date
- no exclusion for trekking at altitude or wildlife activities

No official body gave rules on cover for gorilla trekking, so check your policy wording with your insurer before you buy.

The currency is the Ugandan shilling (UGX).

US dollars are widely used by tourism businesses. Safari operators advise bringing crisp, undamaged dollar notes issued after 2009, as older notes may be refused. This is operator guidance, not an official rule.

ATMs are common in Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja and other large towns but scarce near national parks, so withdraw cash beforehand. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger hotels, upmarket restaurants and many lodges, but Uganda is still largely cash-based. Confirm card acceptance and fees in advance.

UK FCDO advises avoiding large amounts of cash and using indoor ATMs.

Large amounts of cash must be declared to customs when you arrive or leave. Sources give different limits, so check with the Uganda Revenue Authority before you travel.

English and Swahili are the official languages of Uganda. English is used in government, tourism and by safari guides, so visitors can usually get by in English.

Luganda is the most widely spoken local language, especially around Kampala. Many other local languages are spoken in different regions.

Uganda has a tropical climate that is moderated by altitude: cooler in the highlands, hotter in lower areas such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and the north.

The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes two dry seasons (December to February and June to August) and two wet seasons (March to May and September to November). A safari operator's monthly data show April as the wettest month, and suggest rain in October and November is less predictable.

Rain falls all year in the western forests, so trekking trails can be muddy at any time. Mountain areas (Rwenzori, Mgahinga and the Bwindi highlands) are cooler and wetter than the savannah parks, so bring warm layers for early mornings.

Safari operators commonly recommend this for gorilla and chimp trekking (we found no official Uganda Wildlife Authority packing list):
- waterproof hiking boots with ankle support
- long-sleeved top and long trousers in neutral colours
- light rain jacket and a warm layer
- tall socks or gaiters, and gardening gloves (vegetation can sting)
- hat and sunscreen
- 15-25 litre daypack with rain cover, about 2 litres of water and a packed lunch
- insect repellent
- camera (flash must be off)
- passport or ID and your permit

Also pack personal medicines (including malaria tablets), a plug adapter (type G) and small notes for tips. Highland mornings are cold.

Do not pack or wear camouflage or military-style clothing. UK FCDO says it is illegal for anyone, including children, to wear military-style clothing, camouflage or red berets, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Plastic bags: we could not confirm the current rule, so reusable dry bags or cloth bags are a safe choice.

Entebbe International Airport (code EBB) is Uganda's only international airport. It is on Lake Victoria, about 40 km by road from central Kampala.

Only ticketed passengers may enter the terminal; people meeting arrivals must wait outside (UK FCDO).

The US State Department says night travel on the Entebbe-Kampala road can be dangerous, while UK FCDO treats that road as an exception to its night-driving warning. Either way, arrange your transfer in advance.

Small airstrips used for safari flights include Kajjansi (near Kampala), Kisoro (for Bwindi and Mgahinga), Kihihi (Bwindi and Ishasha), Kasese (Rwenzori, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale), Mweya (Queen Elizabeth), Pakuba and Chobe (Murchison Falls) and Kidepo.

We found no official figure for any airport departure charge. Check with your airline or tour provider whether it is included in your ticket.

Gorilla trekking permits (Bwindi and Mgahinga) and chimpanzee tracking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). According to the UWA Conservation Tariff 2024-2026, permits for foreign non-residents can only be booked through licensed tour operators; they are not sold to foreign visitors through a public online form. UWA's online system (BARCS) needs a registered account.

Rules from the UWA tariff and park pages:
- minimum age is 15 for gorillas and 12 for chimpanzees
- a gorilla group is limited to 8 visitors per day
- you spend one hour with the gorillas once they are found
- flash photography is not allowed
- anyone with an illness such as flu, a cough or another contagious disease may not take part

Safari operators advise that a permit is tied to one park sector and date, that the name must match your passport exactly, and that peak-season permits (June-October and December-February) are best booked 6-10 months ahead. A UWA warden can refuse a sick visitor on the day. Refund and reschedule rules are set in the UWA tariff and by your operator, so ask before you pay.

The tariff we checked covers July 2024 to June 2026 and fees can change without notice, so confirm current rules with UWA or your operator.

Fee	Unit	Rate
Chimpanzee Permit Kibale	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 300.00
Queen elizabeth national park entrance Queen elizabeth national park	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 45.00
Vehicle entry fees mburo lake mburo national park	Per vehicle	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 13.00
Vehicle entry fees murchison murchison falls national patk	Per vehicle	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 13.00
Vehicle entry fees queen Queen elizabeth national park	Per vehicle	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 13.00
lake bunyonyi boat cruise lake bunyonyi	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 50.00
lake mburo national park entry fees lake mburo national park	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 40.00
murchison falls entrance murchison falls national park	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 45.00
top of falls hike murchison falls national patk	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: Euro 15.00
walking safari mburo lake mburo national park	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: USD 25.00
ziwa rhino tracking. ziwa rhino sanctuary	Per person	Foreign Non-Resident: euro 60.00

National emergency numbers published by Uganda Police and the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (10 March 2026; we saw this via a news report, not the police website):
- Emergency (accidents, crime, medical): 999 or 112
- Police operations centre: 0800 199 699, 0776 999 136 or 0707 600 773
- Traffic Police: 0800 199 099
- Criminal Investigations Directorate: 0800 200 093
- Fire and rescue: 0800 121 222, 0783 738 496 or 0709 010 820

UK FCDO says to dial 999 for an ambulance, and warns that help at accident scenes is likely to be limited outside Kampala. Australia's Smartraveller also lists 999 for police, fire and medical.

Immigration Public Relations Office: 0417 102 600 (from the official immigration notice).

Save your own embassy's emergency number and your insurer's 24-hour number before you travel.

Government travel advice (checked 8 October 2026; levels change, so check the official pages before booking):
- The US State Department listed Uganda at Level 4 (Do not travel), reissued 4 June 2026, citing Ebola, crime, terrorism and unrest. The US CDC notice is Level 2 (enhanced precautions). US citizens who were in Uganda in the last 21 days face designated-airport screening on return.
- UK FCDO says terrorist attacks are very likely, including in national parks. Two tourists and their driver were killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park in October 2023. Take care near the DR Congo border.

Safety and law:
- Elections were held in January 2026. Avoid protests and rallies; internet and social media disruption has happened.
- Avoid walking after dark and showing valuables, use indoor ATMs and avoid boda-bodas (motorbike taxis). Drink spiking has been reported.
- Driving standards are poor; avoid driving outside main towns after dark. UK licences are valid for up to 3 months.
- Do not photograph military or official sites. Ask before photographing people.
- Same-sex activity is illegal under the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, with long prison sentences; FCDO and the US State Department warn of harassment and violence.
- Do not bring a drone without checking the rules first; the information we found says permits are needed.

Basics: time zone UTC+3, country code +256. A travel guide lists 240 V, 50 Hz and type G plugs.