|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Tips and Info (A to Z)
Accommodation The country offers a wide range of accommodation facilities catering for the high budget to the low budget traveller. There are hotels, guesthouses, game lodges, bed and breakfasts, backpackers and a range of camping sites with chalets and provision of tents. Accommodations of middle and luxury class are of international standards. In all these facilities hospitality is of the outmost importance - Uganda is known as Africa’s friendliest country, the warm welcoming smiles of its people will totally make you feel at home! Airport Taxes Area Arrival Capital City Climate Uganda lies within the equator and therefore experiences an equatorial climate all year round. It is therefore possible to travel to and in Uganda around the year. The best time for travelling is during the dry season which ranges between mid December to the end of February and also between June and September. Due to the un-tarmaced (murram) roads found extensively upcountry, some places are harder to reach in the rainy season. However, the culmination of tourism is reached during the rainy season and therefore the prices e.g. for accommodation are on the high side. Clothing Light airy summer clothes and light shoes are generally advised since Uganda does not experience winters. As there are weight restrictions with air travel, trousers and shirts with removable sleeves are recommended for travellers. Important: Please do in general consider the limitations of luggage when travelling by air. Some clothing advice is subjective to individual tours and destinations; particulars can be read in our tour descriptions. Communication Country code: + 256 Currency and Money The Ugandan currency is the Uganda-Shilling (UGS). However foreign currencies are accepted in many major hotels and business centres. Where there is need to change your foreign currency to the Ugandan shilling, you should not find any difficulty as there are many forex bureaus monitored and controlled by the central bank – Bank of Uganda. On the contrary, it may take you some considerable time of waiting when changing money in the smaller and less busy towns of the country. Bank machines are also available in all the major towns. Credit cards are accepted by some hotels and airlines services mostly in Kampala city. Big bank institutions can also debit local currency from credit cards. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in the bigger cities, but note that their rates are not always favourable. It is also advisable to carry smaller denominations of the local currency notes, since change for big notes is often a problem. Eco-Tips EWS’ main vision is to offer a memorable and fulfilling experience to our clients by offering a wide range of services; from adventure tours, special holiday packages, expeditions, nature conservation and animal protection programmes, ecotourism and much more. Consult your travel agent, travel magazines/books such as“Lonely Planet“ on guidelines on how to behave – the following should be addressed - local customs, traditions, religious beliefs, bargaining, taking photographs, indigenous rights, language, treatment of local officials, invasion of privacy, off-limit areas, responses to begging, alcoholic beverages, keeping promises, smoking, tipping Below, EWS offers you more guidelines and extra tips; - Please avoid damage and destruction of vegetation - picking of flowers, plants, trampling, careless use of fires, and garbage dumping,
The awareness of nature conservation and protection of environments is a phenomenon that is just catching up in many of the African countries, EWS invites you to partner with us and be ambassadors of our ideas – spread the word of a peaceful, clean, sustainable earth! Entry Regulations Citizens from the EU and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Uganda. Important: Please always check-in at least 2½ hours before departure since otherwise your luggage (limitations of luggage differ according to airline) might not reach at the same time as you do. Do not forget to display your home- and holiday-address on your luggage. Equipment Next to well chosen clothes and hygienic articles the following should be part of your equipment:
Further equipment is required for some tours. Please therefore read the additional travel information. Food/Drinks The cuisine is extensively traditional ugandan dishes; affordable, fresh and tasty. There are also a number of Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Lebanese restaurants, that offer delicious cuisine with affordable prices. Health The provision of medical treatment, clinics and doctors is given in almost all parts of the country. Big hospitals are located only in bigger cities. Necessary and basic drugs should however be part of every luggage, including e.g. mosquito repellent, bandage, pain killers… A first-aid-kid with basic pharmaceuticals and equipment is provided in every vehicle. Holiday Cancellation Insurance We advise you to acquire a full holiday cancellation insurance that includes the following: health-, luggage-, accident- and third party insurance as well as an emergency-insurance including additional expenses for urgent return in case of an accident or sickness. Independence Day Inhabitants The population of Uganda is composed out of different groups: Bantu: Baganda, Ankore, Basoga, Bakiga, Bagisu, Note: There are other dialects that trace their roots to Rwanda and Burundi. Non-Africans: Asians 0,82 %, Europeans 0,095 %, Arabs 0,066 %, others 8 %. Language The official language in Uganda is English although the lingua franca, especially in the central region, is Luganda, the language of the Baganda. Limitation of Luggage during the Journey with EWS In general 25 kg per traveller are permitted. Park Entry In general all entry fees for the National Parks and reserves are included in our prices. Photos A good photo-equipment is a must when travelling through East Africa. Bring sufficient amount of films and spare batteries for the cameras since quality and prices are not the same as abroad. Filmstrips are however easy to get in Uganda. Places where photos are not allowed to be taken are clearly marked. Just as in other countries seek the permission of locals before photographing them. The postal service in Uganda is reliable and cheap but not very fast. Stamps should be bought together with the post cards or envelops. The price of the stamps is dependant on the destination and the destination should be mentioned when buying stamps. Letterboxes can be found in many hotels and campsites. Religion Around 70 % of Uganda’s population are Christians. Two thirds are Anglicans and about 20% Catholics. 18% of the population believe in traditional African religions. A tenth of the population are Muslims. Minorities are the 2% Bahai’s and a small congregation of about 500 African Jews called Abayudaya, found near the Eastern town of Mbale. Time Difference The time shift between Uganda and the central European time (MEZ) is one hour in European winter and two hours in summer time. Traffic Ugandans drive on the left. The main roads are good and partly tarmac. Due to international projects the road conditions are continually improving. Many upcountry feeder roads are however un-tarmaced (murram). There are many filling stations in all the towns in the country. For a self-drive renting of a car, an international driver’s licence is required. Travel Time Due to the convenient warm temperatures throughout the year, Uganda is a good destination any time. Only during the rainy season will some limitations occur. However, since EWS has modern vehicles and experienced guides, those limitations are minimal and do not trouble our guests. Some peculiarities might come up for some special tours such as mountain climbing, therefore please read the individual tour descriptions as well. Weather Uganda’s climate is very pleasant. Thanks to the high altitude (on average 1.000 – 1.300 m above sea level). The temperatures range from an average of 21 to 25°C. However, especially in the mountainous areas the temperatures can drop at night, but not to unbearable conditions. Northern Uganda is hotter than the rest and Karamoja in the north-east is particularly hot. There are two rainy seasons per year of which the main rainy season is from March to May and the shorter one from October to November. Thanks once again for your interest in traveling with EQUATORIAL WILD SAFARIS. Yours- EWS Team
|
|||||
Terms & Conditions