Quetions Asked When Preparing For A uganda Safari

What’s the weather like? Uganda enjoys a tropical climate, though the heat is tempered by the altitude, as much of the country is more than 1000m above sea level. Rainy seasons are from march to may, and September. Dry seasons are from December to February and mid August Average temperature range from about 16c(61f)in the southwestern highland to 25c(77f)in the northwest; but in the northeast, temperatures exceed 30c(86f). What Should I Bring ? -Day pack. -High SPF Sunscreen (Uganda is not equator). -Flashlight. -Insect repellent. -Spare of rechargeable batteries (these are difficult to find once you are in the pack) -Water proof bags to protect equipment. -Electric plug adapters for 240 volts AC 50 HZ.UK-style square-pin plugs are used. -Some people find contact lenses uncomfortable in Uganda because of dust-you may find it more comfortable to wear glasses while on the road. -Antiseptic hand wash. -An international Driving license if you are thinking of hiring a vehicle. Clothing -Good walking boots/shoes. -Sandals or other light shoes -Water pool jacket or rain poncho. -Lighter clothing for Kampala and the savannah, with layer for the cooler evenings -Warm clothing for mountainous region, including thermal layers and a fleece. -Sun hat/cap. -Uganda is a conservative county, and visitors should dress respectfully. Avoid shit skirts and short shorts. Should I Bring any Specialist Equipment? -This depends on your interests- for photography, birding and wildlife enthusiasts we recommend the following. -Binoculars; The better ones start at about $250 you get what you pay for! Water proof binoculars are great in Uganda as they also dust proof. For most travelers stick with 8 or 10 magnification and 32 objective. These will be lighter than the 42 objectives which are heavy to carry all day and also during Uganda Safaris. -Cameras: choose something which you know you can handle-a heavy camera with many settings will be off-putting for some people to use .For good wildlife shots,get at least 8x optical zoom. Six to eight megapixels is fine unless you what poster-size photos ,Bring a lens cloth to remove dust, several changes of batteries (even if you use rechargeable-not all sites have power points) and take several 1GB memory cards instead of one large one, to avoid losing all your photos if something goes wrong. Do I Need a visa to Enter Uganda? For most nationalities including the USA.UK Canada, Australia, and Ireland,90- day tourist visas can be purchased on arrival at Entebbe airport for $50, or at the Uganda Embassy in your home county prior to departure. Your passport must be valid for at least six months following the date of entry. As visa regulations change frequently, please check with the Ugandan Embassy in your county before departure. What is the Currency? The Ugandan shilling is the official currency of Uganda and cannot be purchased out of the country. How do I Exchange Cash? US dollars, UK pounds and Euros are accepted by UWA for gorilla/chimp tracking permits and park entry fees. Many larger hotels will also accept US dollars and Euros-though you should check in advance. Note; All US Dollars must be printed post-2003, and should not be damaged in any way. Higher exchange rates are given on larger value notes Banks and Forex bureaus will exchange cash alternatively you can use ATM machines-common in the major towns. They should accept visa debit and credit cards. Can I use Credit o debit Cards? Visa is more widely accepted in city hotels and stores, followed by Master cards. Other credit cards are unlikely to work.Alert your bank before using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. Can I Bargain When Shopping? Prices are fixed in shops, but food and craft markets will be more flexible. You stand a better chance of getting a reduced price if you purchase several items from the some seller. Prices are generally very low-so do consider if what you are asking for is fair.Agree on changes for minibuses (matatus) or motorbike taxi (boda-bodas) with your driver beforehand. What Vaccinations Do I Need? A yellow fever vaccine is essential- bring your certificate with you.Hepatitis And B, meningitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations are also recommended A rabies vaccination is recommended for anyone who expects to be in close contact with animals, or in a very remote area. Be aware that some of these require a course of injections, and others take several days to take effect, so you should visit your doctor or travel clinic as soon as possible before you travel. By Martin Isiko