Travel tips for your Uganda tours
A travel journal is a good way to record your adventures. If you are keen on seeing the pearl of Africa-Uganda, follow the following tips for Nature Adventure Tours and Safaris reliable travel agency in Uganda. Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania.
Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country including the capital Kampala. The people of Uganda were hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago, when Bantu-speaking populations migrated to the southern parts of the country. The area was ruled by the British beginning in the late 1800s. Uganda gained independence from Britain on 9 October 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermittent conflicts, most recently a civil war against the Lord’s Resistance Army.
The official languages are English and Swahili. Luganda, a southern language, is widely spoken across the country, although multiple other languages are spoken in the country.
Geography Uganda is located on the East African plateau, lying mostly between latitudes 4°N and 2°S (a small area is north of 4°), and longitudes 29° and 35°E. It averages about 1,100 meters (3,609 ft) above sea level, and this slopes very steadily downwards to the Sudanese Plain to the north. However, much of the south is poorly drained, while the centre is dominated by Lake Kyoga, which is also surrounded by extensive marshy areas. Uganda lies almost completely within the Nile basin. The Victoria Nile drains from the lake into Lake Kyoga and thence into Lake Albert on the Congolese border. It then runs northwards into South Sudan. One small area on the eastern edge of Uganda is drained by the Turkwel River, part of the internal drainage basin of Lake Turkana.
Lake Kyoga serves as a rough boundary between Bantu speakers in the south and Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north. Despite the division between north and south in political affairs, this linguistic boundary runs roughly from northwest to southeast, near the course of the Nile. However, many Ugandans live among people who speak different languages, especially in rural areas. Some sources describe regional variation in terms of physical characteristics, clothing, bodily adornment, and mannerisms, but others claim that those differences are disappearing.
Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. At Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, most rain falls from March to June and in the November/December period. Further to the north a dry season gradually emerges; at Gulu about 120 km from the South Sudanese border, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year.
1. Travel Itinerary
Make travel itinerary before hitting the road. It can be as rough or detailed as suits your trip, or your personality, but know the outline of where you want to go and what you want to see.
If you are organizing your own trip, start by checking how the professionals do it. Find out what itinerary travel agents and guidebooks recommend and then customize it to fit your needs.
Have a look at photos from the country you are planning to visit. Good photos can help you to find the places and sights that appeal most to you.
Sometimes you will find out about interesting things to do when you have arrived at your destination. You should therefore try to allow some flexibility in your itinerary, so you can do and see all the things you want to do and see. Let your itinerary enhance your travels, not limit it.
2. Booking trips
Do your homework and get better deals. Always shop around and compare prices. Never assume some company is cheaper or better because it is bigger or more widely known. Search for booking tips that work for your circumstances.
The more flexible you are with your dates, the better chance you have of getting the prices down. For example, find out which days of the week are cheapest to fly on and always check if you are eligible for any discounts. Chose few companies and compare their prices and what is included in them. It is important to compare apple to apple, so do not forget to add all taxes, fees and surcharges if they are not included in the price.
When you have made your booking forget about it. Do not get frustrated if the price goes down or you find better price later elsewhere. What is done is done. Put it behind you until the next time you are travelling then use what you learned to help you find even lower prices.
3. Travel clothes and travel gear
You of course do not need to wear special clothes and gear when travelling. However, there is a good reason why special travel wear and gear is so popular.
Travel clothes are designed for comfort and convenience, they are light, they dry quickly, they wrinkle less… they are just perfect for travelling. Special travel gear can make your journey so much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Actually, after you get used to travel clothes it is somewhat difficult to understand why not everyone is wearing them all the time. They are just so comfortable and practical. We use our travel clothes all the time, well not all the time but we use them a lot even when not travelling. For the Uganda gorilla trekking unforgettable experience move with the following, rain gear, walkable shoes, hut, insect repellent, sun screen.
4. Packing for a trip
Whatever you prefer or have to pack light or not always pack smartly. Divide your luggage into what you must take with you and what you would like to take. Start with packing the most items and then pack the rest if you have enough space left.
Be careful not to exceed the luggage allowance, it can be costly. Airlines are getting increasingly strict about their luggage allowances so always check them prior to travelling. There is though no obligation not to use your luggage allowance – packing light is not for everyone, or every trip.
Use the space you have wisely. Use the bundle wrapping method or the rolling method rather than the folding method when packing your clothes. Consider using packing organization systems, like packing cubes and folders. They save space and keep your luggage organized.
5. Open Mind
Be open minded, People travel for different reasons. Some just want to enjoy themselves while others want to learn new things and expand their horizon. Whatever your reason, you should always travel with an open mind and pack lot of patience.
Some things will be different from what you are used to. Not necessarily better or worse – just different. Instead of letting it bother you, try to embrace the difference. It would not be much point in travelling if everything was just like home.
Show common sense around strangers, be alert and do not take any unnecessary risks. However, do not assume all strangers are dangerous or you will lose out. Meeting and talking to local people adds important flavour to any trip. Most local people enjoy talking to visitors of their country I am sure you do too.
6. Make travel budget and follow it in principle
We tend to concentrate on the cost of getting to our travel destinations and staying there like flight and accommodation. Sometimes we overlook how much we spend during our travels, or even before we go anywhere (like car parking at the airport).
Making a travel budget will save you money that is if you follow it. Keep track of what you are spending while travelling and make sure you do not exceed your overall budget. Follow your budget in principle, not too strictly, that will spoil your enjoyment. Make sure your budget has enough contingency for unforeseen fun things to do or see.
7. Keep Travel Journal
Most people tend to forget things quickly, so keeping a travel journal is a good idea. You will enjoy reading it in the years to come. You can of course use pen and paper but modern technology can make keeping travel journal easier and more fun than ever. You can add photos and share your experience with your family and friends, or even with like-minded strangers.
Travel blogs are growing in popularity, both in writing and reading them. We love to travel usually love to follow other people travelling.
8. Bring a good camera
Always take a good camera with you. You cannot buy memories, but good photos will help you to store those you have.
If you are concerned about your camera being stolen, then make sure it is adequately insured and use discreet camera bag for it but do not leave it at home. The likelihood is you will always regret doing so.
9. Check Passport and Visa
For any visitor to enter Uganda, a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry is required by all nationals. Entry may be refused to passengers not holding sufficient funds, return or onward tickets, and other necessary travel documents.
Visa requirements
Requirements for Uganda visas and entry into Uganda differ from country to country, are subject to change, and each Uganda visa application is treated as an individual case. Always make visa inquiries before travelling to Uganda.
A Uganda visa is a clearance permitting an individual to proceed to visit Uganda. Uganda visas are issued at Missions/Embassies abroad and also at the entry and exit points of Uganda like Entebbe airport, Busia border, Malaba border.
In 1999 Uganda introduced visa requirements for all visitors and people entering Uganda except nationals of a few countries. There are different types of visas needed depending on what you are going to do in Uganda: Student Visas, Single Entry visas, Multiple Entry 6 month’s visas, Multiple Entry 1 year visas, or Inland Transit visas.
If you arrive or enter Uganda without a valid travel visa, you may be fined and immediately deported at your own expense. You must obtain a Uganda Government VISA before entry into Uganda. To obtain a Uganda Government VISA the following are required:-
Fill out both sides of Visa Application Form “J”. Submit your passport and two (2) passport-size photographs.
A passport issued by your government valid for at least six months. Your passport must also be valid past the date of your expected departure from Uganda. (Passport must be signed.)
One completed Uganda visa application form, Two passport-size photo taken within the past six months, International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever and Letter from applicant’s company if travelling for business (on company letterhead and signed by someone other than the applicant).
