Have you ever thought of having a unforgettable moment in life? Have you ever dreamed of going to Africa to see a real safari? Do you want to see over 352 out of 700 surviving mountain gorillas that live in Uganda plus other species of flora and fauna coupled with over 9 species of primates that live in Uganda such as chimpanzee? Taking a gorilla safari in Uganda is truly a once in a lifetime experience that you will enjoy and memorize through out your life. However, for every successful safari adventure, you need to make sure that you do it right.
Safari Planning:
1. What are your specific tastes and interests?
• Specific animal & plants interests
• Outdoor activities preferred
• Lodging Safari style
• Other personal interests
2. When do you plan on traveling?
3. How many people do you expect in your group and what is the composition?
4. What is your budget?
5. Contact your Tour Operator by e-mail or phone
Anybody looking for safaris to Uganda ought to look for a range of options on travel. However when you receive some of the options from different tour operators and travel agencies, you can easily get confused about which tour to take. In order to select the perfect holiday there are some of the things that you should know so that you can make a wise choice.
Trip Activities
Before taking the first step of contacting any tour operator or travel agency, you should keep in mind about the different adventure activities that you would like to be included in your trip itinerary. Remember Uganda has several things to do which include gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, mountain hiking, boat cruises, white water rafting, bungee jumping, game viewing in national parks and more.The different activities often determines the places to be visited as well as the route to be followed during your trip.
Personal Interests
Knowing your personal or group interests is part of the numerous factors and concepts prior to making your final choice. Knowing exactly where several things can be done can also help you create a perfect trip. You should also know what choices tom make, a few requirements in order to include that activity or even restrictions.
You will at first wish to choose or even take into account the entire holiday package that they’re looking for. Exactly where many people are pleased along with merely avoiding for any fast weekend break, other people may decide to escape not less than weeks time as well as lengthier.
Know Your Duration
Knowing the proposed length of a vacation is important to help you plan a safari in Uganda. A long a vacation could also rely on somebody’s time-table, which is the one other component that individuals will would like keep in mind whenever picking out the period of this particular vacation in Uganda. You will find usually kinds of vacation packages that individuals can pick. You will find all-inclusive deals as well as their normal deals.
The very first of those options are usually gorilla safaris to Bwindi that lead you deep into the jungles of the impenetrable forest for gorilla tracking, traditional Uganda Safaris and wildlife safaris in National parks. There are as well several special interest trips that include bird watching, rafting, cultural tours etc. The choice of these travel options usually mandates that somebody will pay a set amount at the start.
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
To organize a memorable safari in Africa, you will need to work with a company that plans safari vacations for people. There are several Uganda tour Companies that have experts in organizing trip vacations. These tour operation businesses commonly referred to as “tours and travel” specialize in various offering different safaris in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Each tour operator has their own unique and special discoveries for you to enjoy.From common safari trails to uniquely created new adventure trails, there are endless options to choose from.
Tour Offers
There are many safari options available for a traveler interested in discovering Uganda. These include the popular gorilla safaris, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee trekking tours, rafting adventures etc. You can also decide to create a tailor made trip that will include different interests.
Vehicle travellers
If you’re doing a vehicle trip through Uganda it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you. Two spare wheels and a couple of spare tubes are a must due to the condition of the roads. Spare jerry cans of fuel and water, a tow rope, compressor, winch and a spotlight are useful items to have. Many of the villages along the main routes offer tyre mending services at a very reasonable fee.
Camping
Uganda is a fascinating country to travel around by vehicle. Even though camping facilities are marginal, if you’re well prepared you can find some of the best, unexplored and remote places in the country and very often have them all to yourselves. Be fully equipped for spending the night with no facilities at all except perhaps a nearby river. Have a bucket for washing pots and clothes, all cooking gear and all the food you need for the whole journey apart from fresh vegetables. Meat is not always available in the remoter areas so bring substitutes. Most villages will sell onions, tomatoes, potatoes, bread, sugar, fruit, salt and oil. You can buy just about anything you need for your journey in Kampala, but tinned food is pricey. Always have at least twenty litres of drinking water in the vehicle at all times as well as spare jerry cans of petrol. It is best to boil all water before drinking it.
Be very careful in towns and villages not to leave your vehicle open and unattended. People with little are easily tempted. You should have no problem sleeping outdoors in designated camping areas or remote places along the way, but get into the habit of locking things away before you go to sleep. Go to Campsites Listing
Accommodation
Uganda has a wide range of standards when it comes to places to stay – from five star hotels and luxury lodges comparable to any in Africa, to cheap guesthouses and campsites. Foreigners must pay in hard currency or Ugandan SHilings. Not all of the cheaper / remote ones are equipped to take travellers cheques or credit cards. See Listings for Hotels or Game Lodges
Safety
As far as personal safety is concerned, one could easily travel or even hitchhike alone throughout the country without a problem. Theft however is rife in the bigger towns and cities. Don’t walk around with things you can’t do without, like your passport or airline tickets. Carry minimum amounts of cash and keep it hidden or in a money belt and if possible, don’t leave your car unattended. This is less of a problem in the rural areas.
Clothes
Uganda has a mild temperature throughout the year. Lightweight, preferably cotton, casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or jersey for early winter mornings and evenings. On safari keep clothes to a minimum and mostly of neutral colouring – khakis, browns and greens. A sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellant are a must.
Laundry
For low budget travellers consider drip dry clothing and be prepared for hand washing. In most places one could hire someone to do your washing.
Health
A yellow fever certificate is mandatory if you are travelling from an infected area. Vaccinations for cholera, tetanus and yellow fever are advised. Malaria is virulent in the low lying areas of the country which include most of the good wildlife destinations. Take prophylactics two weeks before arrival and continue two weeks after leaving. Your chemist or doctor can advise you of the most suitable drug available as certain drugs lose their effectiveness.
Tap water in the major towns is purified and perfectly safe to drink. In the more remote areas always boil it first, except if you’re staying at a lodge or hotel where drinking water is boiled already. Bottled water is readily available in the bigger towns.
Photography
Uganda is an extrememly photogenic country. From panoramic scenery, wildlife and birds to people and vibrant ceremonies. Rich colour and good low lighting conditions abound. It is considered rude to take pictures of people without asking them first. Always bring plenty of film but film can be bought in Kampala. Only print film and processing is available in Kampala, not slide. Keep your cameras in a dust resistant, padded case and out of the midday sun. A 200mm (or longer) telephoto lens will prove very useful.
On Safari
Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people they are still wild animals. Keep your distance. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close all windows and zippers when you leave your room or tent and spray it with insect repellant. Most of the hotels and lodges will spray your room for you each evening.
The best way to get the most out of your safari is to take an active interest in everything going on around you, not just the number of species you can see in the shortest possible time. Take reference books on not only wildlife but birds, insects and trees and read up about everything you see.
Borders
The main road border crossings are open at Malaba, Busia Mutukula, Kisoro, Arua and Lwakhakha. Drivers require a valid international driving license, and must carry their vehicle log books. Drivers will be expected to show adequate third party insurance, and pay a temporary road license
Visas
For details about visa requirements for all visitors, please click here to go to the updated infomation
Insurance
PTA insurance must be purchased either before leaving or at the border. Travel insurance and medical insurance should be taken out before leaving home. Have all your vehicle papers on hand for roadblocks.
Supplies
Most food supplies and second hand spares can be obtained in Uganda. Medical supplies however are not readily found outside the major cities.
Petrol
Both diesel and petrol are available in all towns and intermittently in small villages. Always take extra jerry cans of fuel if driving to the more remote regions.