Top Uganda Travel Tips for 2025

15 Things You Should Know Before You Travel To Uganda

Welcome to Uganda the “Pearl of Africa”, home to half (50%) of the remaining populations of Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park, best birding destination with over 1056 bird species, diverse wildlife including the Big Five of the savannahs in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, the stunning landscapes and the vibrant cultures with over 56 cultures.

With affordable Uganda gorilla safaris, wildlife tours, accommodations and local cuisines makes Uganda top the bucket list for travelers in 2025.

Whether you are planning your tour to Uganda to see Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park or see Tree climbing Lions in Ishasha sector Queen Elizabeth National Park, these Uganda Travel Tips for 2025 will make your navigate Uganda like a Pro.

1. How to Apply for Uganda tourist visa for Uganda Gorilla Safari in 2025?

Uganda Tourist Visa.

This visa is a single entry visa. It is granted to  travelers coming to Uganda for tourism, medical treatment, family visits. It can be granted upto 3 months(90 days) at a fee of $50.

You can apply and pay for a tourist visa via the online immigration portal click here and once you arrive in Uganda you can present proof and they grant you Uganda Tourist Visa. Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity, Tour plan, Travel itinerary / booking, Recent Passport-size Photograph, Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever), Hotel booking or reservation (if any other accommodation, provide an address) are the requirements to apply for Uganda tourist visa.

Alternatively you can apply for a Uganda Tourist Visa on arrival at Immigrations at Entebbe International Airport and the border entry points to Uganda.

East African Tourist Visa

This is a Joint Tourist Visa and it allows the traveler to travel to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda ONLY. It can be used multiple times for tourism purposes. The visa prohibits employment and is issued only for tourism purposes. The visa is valid for 90 days and is not renewable upon expiry or upon exit from the block (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda).

The visas are available online through the immigrations portal 

NB: The issuing country should be your first entry point and it costs $100

Copy of the passport (Bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity, Copy of recent Passport size Photograph, Vaccination Certificate (Yellow fever), Return Ticket, Travel Itinerary are the requirements to be granted the East African Tourist Visa.

2. What health requirements do I need to travel to Uganda on wildlife safari?

Yellow fever vaccination cirtificate

You will not be allowed in Uganda without certificate for yellow fever vaccination. Like other vaccines, go for the vaccination of yellow fever at least 2 weeks before travelling such that the body can generate antibodies to protect your body. Visit your personal doctors for more informed guidance.

Anti-Malaria Tablets

Uganda is one of the African countries with challenges of malaria and mosquito bites. It is a must for you to get enough anti-malaria tablets for the time you will be in Uganda besides the insect repellants and sleeping under treated mosquito nets.

Incase you realize that its not enough inform your tourist guide who will take you the pharmacy where you can get them.

Typhoid Vaccine

It is not required to get this vaccine but it is possible to get typhoid from eating and drinking inappropriate things. Though there are some tablets you can take but the vaccine is easier and lasts longer.

Hepatitis A&B. You can also get vaccinated against Hepatitis A&B.

3. Is it safe to drink tap water while in Uganda?

It is advised to treat all tap water contaminated unless boiled or treated. Instead you can drink mineral bottled water or boiled water at the Hotels and Lodges since it is purified and treated. It can be bought from all the shops and supper markets around the country.

4. Do I need a travel insurance to travel to Uganda?

Yes, Trips to Uganda like any African countries where the chances of falling sick or anything happening to you are a high risk, you need to purchase travel insurance to cover for any uncertainty along the Uganda Gorilla safari. You find a reliable insurance company to purchase it.

5. What is the best time to visit Uganda for Gorilla Tracking tour and Wildlife safari?

Dry seasons (June-September & December-February)

The best time to visit Uganda for Uganda Gorilla tracking safaris are the two peak season months of June-September and December-February. This is because they align with Uganda’s dry seasons. It offers the best opportunity to track the Mountain Gorillas and spot other wildlife in other national parks like lions, elephants, hyenas in Murchison Falls National Park , Tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

March-May and October- November are wet season months that make the trails, roads slippery  and challenging to navigate thus requiring extra preparations for the muddy conditions. These are good months for travelers who do not like congestions in the peak seasons.

6. What are the Must Visit destinations in Uganda?

Uganda is gifted by nature from the beautiful landscapes, Mountain Gorillas, diverse wildlife , birdlife, culture. While in Uganda these are must visit destinations you should not miss out.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park– The Ultimate Gorilla Experience

Its famous for being home to half (50%) for the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas and Gorilla Tracking is the popular activity carried out.

The park boasts of the rich birdlife with over 350 species of birds with 22 species of the Albertine Rift Endemics like Red Throated Alethe.

You can also visit the Batwa people the true guardians of the forest and learn about their way of life and how they are adapting to the new life after being evicted from the forest they called home.

Murchison Falls National Park- The world’s Most powerful Waterfalls

The largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 3893sqkm and is famous for the spectacular Murchison falls an iconic attraction where the Nile squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of 8 meters wide. The top of falls experience is a rewarding experience and you can spot a rainbow.

Its is home to 76 mammal species, 451 bird species that make it an ideal tourist destination for the game drives to spot wildlife like lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes ,, leopards, hyenas among others.

Boat cruises can be conducted to spot abundant aquatic life like the hippos, Nile crocodiles, bird species like African darter, Giant Kingfishers, African skimmers and viewing the falls from the bottom.

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo is a rewarding experience for tracking the chimpanzees in the forest and learn about their way of life, social structures among others.

Queen Elizabeth National Park- The Medley Of Wonders

Is the most popular national park in Uganda covering an area pf 1978sqkm. It is home to 95 mammal species, 612 bird species.

A game drive in the Kasenyi plains offers you with opportunities to spot wildlife like elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs  among others.

Then going on a boat cruise along Kazinga channel that is a 40km stretch connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Aquatic life like Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos, bird species like Great White Pelicans, Cormorants can be spotted on a boat cruise.

Tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector are captivating behavior to witness on the branches of the fig trees.

Salt extraction experience at Lake Katwe and Lake Kasenyi are among the experiences you enjoy as you learn about the traditional methods used to mine salt like the construction of the salt pans.

Kibale National Park The Primate Capital of The World

It is home to over 13 primate species including the common chimpanzees, therefore chimpanzee tracking is the most done activity done in this park at Kanyanchu.

Birding can be conducted in the forest to look out for unique bird species like Green Breasted Pitta.

Bigodi community and swamp

Bigodi community is local community neighboring Kibale Forest which took a community initiative to protect and preserve the Bigodi swamp due to its ecological and tourism importance it serves.

You can take a swamp walk to spot primate species like Red tailed Monkeys, Lhoest Monkeys, birds like Great Blue Turaco.

Also go for a community walk to have experience like African homestead, traditional healers, bucket weaving, Robusta coffee experience, local juice and alcohol from the bananas. It enables you to connect with the culture of the local community and appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of Ugandan culture.

Lake Bunyonyi place of little birds

This is the deepest lake in Uganda and beautiful with over 40 islands.

A boat ride to each of the islands is a rewarding moment for relaxation and reflecting on personal life.

The Punishment Island story where girls who got pregnant before marriage would be thrown to that island to die or be saved by the fishermen, this story tells us how conservative and strict Bakiga parents were towards raising girlchild.

Kampala city

A city tour around Kampala city to its unique historical and cultural sites like Gaddafi Mosque, Kasubi Tombs, Bahai Temple.

City’s Nightlife is some thing spectacular where by you can visit different clubs, bars and different hung out places to experience the music of Ugandan and international artists.

7. How do I travel to and enter in Uganda?

Entebbe International Airport

You can fly to and out of Uganda through Entebbe International Airport using aero planes like Fly Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Uganda Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Brussels, Turkish Airlines, Rwanda Air among others.

Border Entry points

If you enter by road, you can cross using some of the recognized entry points like Busia and Malaba from Kenya, Mutukula from Tanzania, Gatuna from Rwanda, Elegu from South Sudan. For those doing only Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park flying to Kigali International Airport and using Gatuna Border is near compared to Entebbe.

8. What accommodation types does Uganda have?

Uganda has all types of accommodation from Luxury, Mid range and Budget level. You can access them in all key tourist attractions like national parks, cities and major towns in Uganda at affordable prices. Inquire from Exclusive Gorilla Vacations to find better hotels.

9. What are the transportation means while I am in Uganda?

Domestic flights

You can fly with in Uganda using aero link services among others especially to connect to National parks for those who don’t want to use roads.

Private means

Driving yourself around Uganda is posible if you have the requirements to do so. The highways are tarmac and easy to drive on. Though it is highly encouraged to hire a tourist guide to drive you around Uganda since they have local knowledge about Uganda. Exclusive Gorilla Vacations can get for you a 4×4 wheel drive tourist Vehicle an experienced driver at affordable prices.

Public transport

You can use public means like Buses like Link buses, Global Coaches to connect to other districts and cities of Uganda from Kampala, Taxis especially within Kampala. Boda Bodas(Motor cycles) in areas around the urban centers like Entebbe and Kampala. The name was the derived from how these motor cycles where used to transport goods border to border.

Don’t trust anyone in the public transport means like Buses with your bags instead keep with your bags at all time even if you are going to the washrooms to avoid losing it to thieves.

10. What should I pack for my Safari in Uganda?

Pack lightly with waterproof hiking boots, rain jackets, sun screen. Also carry a good pair of binoculars and camera for wildlife. A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Click here to read out detailed packing checklist.

11. Is Uganda safe for solo female and white travelers?

Yes, generally Uganda is a safe country  for solo female and white travelers. There are petty crimes like pick pocketers and thieves. You need to be very careful as you walk through the crowded urban centers and avoid walking alone at night in these areas. You can hire a tourist guide to walk with you around in those areas. Also keep your valuable items like necklaces, phones, cameras, wallets and money from being seen by these people. This will help you from attracting attention from people. Using your phones in the vehicles should be when your windows are closed and doors locked.

12. Are LGBTQ members allowed in Uganda?

LGBTQ is illegal in Uganda and is punishable by law. Uganda culture and society does not support same sex relationships . Uganda is a welcoming country to all tourists form the world who adhere  to cultural customs of Uganda. Avoid any suspicious behaviors like flirting with people of same sex.

Currency used in Uganda?

Ugandan shilling is the official currency you can use while in Uganda. On arrival you can withdraw enough money from ATM Machines at Entebbe International Airport and Victoria Mall Entebbe and exchange it to Ugandan shillings you can use in Uganda. You can also use US Dollars from 2010 series and above since they are the only ones allowed to buy souvenirs, pay for services at the lodges and tipping.

13. What is the official language for Ugandans?

English is the official language for Uganda and it is widely spoken in all parts of the country. Luganda is the second widely spoken language in Uganda, ask your tourist guides to teach you some basic luganda words like “Webale nyo” for thank you.

14. Additional travel tips for a memorable trip in Uganda?

Respect Wildlife: you should adhere to the wildlife viewing guidelines and keep a safe distance to avoid the animals from charging at you.

Support the local communities: Purchase the souvenirs made by the local communities while on your safari. Some of the money they get is used to support the education of their children.

Travel Responsibly: minimize your negative environmental impacts by reducing use of plastics, respecting the local customs.

Hire local tour operator / tourist guide: Exclusive Gorilla Vacations is a trusted and reliable tour operator in Uganda and they can help you on everything from designing the itinerary, buying gorilla and chimp permits, finding right accommodation and tourist guides at affordable prices.

Uganda remains the best travel destination for travelers in 2025. whether you want to go on Uganda Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Big Five Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison falls National Park or Hike mountain Rwenzori Mountain, Uganda is the perfect travel destination for you in 2025. our comprehensive Uganda Travel Tips 2025 will help you prepare adequately for your Uganda Gorilla safari, East Africa Safari.

Don’t just dream but make it a reality with Exclusive Gorilla Vacations. Let us help you plan your unforgettable journey today. Our tailormade and custom made itineraries of Gorilla tracking safaris, Wildlife safaris Uganda.  Send us an inquiry now.