Uganda
Uganda packs nearly half the world's mountain gorillas, Kibale's chimpanzees, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions and Murchison Falls into a green, lake-studded country roughly the size of the UK. Gorilla permits cost around half Rwanda's, Jinja's Nile rapids add white-water rafting, and the Rwenzori Mountains offer serious high-altitude trekking.
Overview
Most Uganda itineraries loop through the west from Entebbe. Murchison Falls lies in the north-west, where the Nile bursts through a narrow gorge; the road then runs south past the crater lakes around Fort Portal to Kibale's chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth's Kazinga Channel and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, ending in the steep forested hills of Bwindi for the gorillas and the terraced shores of Lake Bunyonyi. Ten to fourteen days covers it. Jinja, east of Kampala, adds rafting and kayaking where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria; Kidepo, in the remote north-east, rewards those with extra time.
Uganda feels greener and more rural than its neighbours, with roadside matoke stalls, tea estates and quick smiles. Driving distances are long and roads slow, so expect several full travel days. Costs depend more on park fees and permits than on hotels, which range from simple bandas to luxury lodges; a gorilla trek is often the single biggest expense. Game drives are less crowded than in Kenya or Tanzania, though big-cat sightings are less reliable. It suits active travellers who want primates and walking as much as a classic safari. Many are surprised by the cool, misty mornings in the south-west highlands.
Map of Uganda
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to nearly half the world's mountain gorillas, this UNESCO-listed rainforest offers treks from four sectors — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo; an hour with a habituated family is the highlight of most trips.
- 2Nature
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda's largest park, where the entire Nile forces itself through a gap about seven metres wide. Combine a boat trip to the foot of the falls with game drives for giraffes, elephants and lions on the northern bank.
- 3Wildlife
Kibale National Park
Dense tropical forest with 13 primate species and East Africa's best chimpanzee tracking from Kanyanchu; habituation experiences let you spend a full day with a chimp community, and Bigodi swamp walks add birds.
- 4Wildlife
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, where boat trips pass hippos, buffalo and elephants at close range; in the southern Ishasha sector, lions are famously found resting in fig trees.
- 5Adventure
Source of the Nile, Jinja
Where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria, Jinja is East Africa's adventure hub, with full-day rafting on big rapids, kayaking and paddleboarding, and a boat ride to the outflow Speke identified in 1862.
Biggest cities
Kampala
A hilly, energetic capital worth a day or two: the Uganda Museum, the Kabaka's Palace and the National Mosque's minaret views, then nightlife in Kololo and Kabalagala.
Mbale
An eastern city beneath Mount Elgon, used mainly as a base for Sipi Falls, Bugisu coffee farms and hikes on Elgon's slopes; lively but with few sights of its own.
Jinja
Uganda's adventure town where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria: white-water rafting, kayaking and boat trips to the source, plus faded colonial and Indian-era architecture in the centre.
Populations are UN urban-area estimates; Kampala's includes contiguous suburbs such as Nansana, Kira and Mukono. Rankings below Kampala vary widely by source and boundary, and Mbarara, Gulu, Arua and Masaka are also cited as the second city.
When to go to Uganda
Best time: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb.
Average climate in Kampala
Festivals & events
- JunUganda Martyrs' Day
Each 3 June, huge crowds of pilgrims, many having walked from Kenya and Tanzania, gather at the Namugongo shrine near Kampala to honour Christian converts killed in 1885–87.
- AugImbalu
In even-numbered years, Bagisu communities around Mbale hold Imbalu, the public circumcision ceremonies marking young men's passage to adulthood, with days of drumming, dancing and processions from August.
- NovNyege Nyege
An internationally known festival of electronic and East African music held over several days beside the Nile in Jinja; recent editions have run in November, though dates and venue have moved over the years.
How much does Uganda cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Matoke
Green cooking bananas steamed in their leaves and mashed, the staple of central and western Uganda, served with groundnut sauce, beans or meat stew.
Rolex
Kampala's street-food icon: an omelette with tomato, onion and cabbage rolled inside a chapati — the name is a play on 'rolled eggs'.
Luwombo
A Buganda celebration dish of chicken, beef or groundnut stew steamed in banana-leaf parcels, once reserved for the Kabaka's court.
Getting around
Most visitors tour with a driver-guide in a 4x4 or pop-top safari vehicle, as parks are far apart and the roads to Bwindi and Kidepo are rough. Aerolink flies from Entebbe to airstrips serving Bwindi, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo. Long-distance buses and matatu minibuses connect towns cheaply but slowly. In Kampala, Uber, Bolt and SafeBoda work; if you use a boda-boda, insist on a helmet.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +256
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tip safari driver-guides around US$10–20 a day and trackers and porters a few dollars each; 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated but not expected.
- Etiquette
- Greetings matter, so ask how someone is before any request. Dress modestly away from lodges, ask before photographing people, and be aware that same-sex relations are criminalised under Ugandan law.
- Main airports
- Entebbe International Airport (EBB), Entebbe
Visas & entry for Uganda
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Uganda. Check which visa best fits your needs.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Uganda: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Uganda
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 26 Jan 2027 | NRM Liberation Day |
| Tue 16 Feb 2027 | Archbishop Janani Luwum Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 3 Jun 2027 | Uganda Martyrs' Day |
| Wed 9 Jun 2027 | National Heroes' Day |
| Sat 9 Oct 2027 | Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Luganda
| English | Luganda | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Oli otya? | OH-lee OH-tyah |
| Thank you | Webale | weh-BAH-leh |
| Please | Mwattu | MWAH-too |
| Excuse me | Owange | oh-WAHN-geh |
| How much is this? | Kino kibeera kya ssente mmeka? | CHEE-noh chee-BEH-rah chah SEN-teh MEH-kah |
Know before you go
- Book gorilla permits through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or an operator months ahead for June–September and December–February; treks can take most of a day on steep, muddy slopes.
- A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival, and malaria is present across the country; bring antimalarials, repellent and long sleeves for the evenings.
- Bring clean, recent US dollar notes for park fees and tips, as older or damaged bills fetch poor rates, and use bank ATMs in Kampala and Entebbe for shillings.
Uganda travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Uganda?
The best time to visit Uganda is generally Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Peak months are January, February, June, July, August and December. Average highs in Kampala range from 25°C to 28°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Uganda cost per day?
Roughly £40 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £300+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Uganda?
Ugandan shilling (UGX).
What plug type does Uganda use?
Type G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Uganda?
Traffic drives on the left in Uganda — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Uganda?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Uganda. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Uganda before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Uganda?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
