Uganda Travel Guide

Gorilla trekking

Anyone who has faced an overgrown gorilla will never forget this encounter! Because these magnificent creatures are almost extinct, the experience is not only impressive and bound to create a memory of a lifetime, but also most unique.

Fear is a natural feeling when you face an overgrown gorilla – after all, the animals are twice as big as an adult. However, the fear is unjustified, because gorillas are usually peace-loving and tolerant to humans. Unfortunately, this was not always reciprocal. Gorillas were almost extinct and are among the most endangered animal species. Today they are only found in the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

The world’s rarest gorilla species live in Bwindi National Park, an authentic equatorial jungle. A total of four mountain gorilla families – and thus almost half of the world’s population – have their home here. A gorilla trekking is not a simple walk. For up to four hours, you will rise up through steep slopes and rough gorge to track these primate families in their natural habitat. An experienced guide will accompany you. On the way you will also meet other monkey species and enjoy a wonderful view of the surroundings.

Gorilla trekking is a highlight of a Uganda tour for those who are active and physically fit.

Language and religion

There are around 49 languages spoken in Uganda, but English and Swahili are the official languages and Luganda is also commonly used. Uganda is a predominantly Christian country and has a significant Muslim minority (about 14%). Iganga District in the east of the country has the highest percentage of Muslims. About 1% of the population follows indigenous beliefs and a lot of Ugandans practice their traditional belief together with Islam or Christianity.

Currency and cards

Uganda uses the Ugandan Shilling (UGX) as national currency. US dollars are accepted in most tourist destinations but only notes that were printed in 2013 or later. While exchanging money, it is best to use higher denomination notes such as 50 or 100. ATMs are abundantly available in Uganda however, to ensure that you are not a victim of fraud, it is best to withdraw money only from ATMs that are attached to a bank. Visa and Mastercards are accepted in larger establishments however an Amex card may be refused.

Tipping is not widely accepted however, as Uganda is a developing nation with wage rates lower than most western nations, tipping is appreciated.

Health information

If you are traveling to Uganda, you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Do make sure that you have all the routine vaccinations in place, e.g. chickenpox, polio, MMR, typhoid, Hepatitis A and yearly flu shot. Since most parts of Uganda are prone to malaria, it’s best to carry any-malaria medication and mosquito repellent. Pregnant women need to be especially careful while traveling in rural areas owing to the prevalence of the Zika virus. It is important to avoid drinking tap water in Uganda – make sure you only drink bottled or filtered water.