Travel Info

A useful guide to travelling in Uganda and Rwanda

It’s always important to be well-informed before travelling anywhere for the first time. Here at Tribes Africa Safaris, we aim to keep you up to date with the latest information both before you travel with us and while you are on safari. We have pulled together this information guide as a good introduction to what to expect on the ground in Uganda and Rwanda. When you book your safari with us, you will be receiving more detailed information for every destination featured in your itinerary.

INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Plugs and electrical

For Rwanda there are two associated plug types, types C and J. Plug type C has two round pins and plug type J has three round pins. Rwanda operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

For Uganda the associated plug type is G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern, as in the UK. Uganda operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Please bring international plug adaptors with you.

Cellphones

When travelling, it is much better to have an unlocked international quad cellphone that is not locked to one network or bandwidth and can be used with any SIM card. You can either buy an international bundle with your usual network provider or purchase a local SIM card on arrival. We also offer portable MiFis at an extra cost. Network coverage is good in both Rwanda and Uganda.

Airtime and data bundles can be purchased at various outlets, including street vendors, kiosks, mobile network provider shops or via app on your phone.

Medication

Please bring any chronic or regular medication you take with you, as well as copies of the prescriptions for these, just in case you need them. We also recommend you bringing a broad-spectrum antibiotic with you, as well as loperamide (Imodium, Diamode, etc.) for an upset tummy and a good, non-drowsy antihistamine.

We also recommend you take anti-malaria medicine, so please consult your doctor before leaving home. Bring insect repellent with you as well, whether in spray, cream or roll-on format.

Bring a friend

It is cost-effective to bring a friend or friends on safari with you. Solo safaris can be expensive because of surcharges, whereas if you travel with a friend or group of friends expenses can be shared as well as experiences and laughter.

Primate trekking permits

If you plan to go gorilla trekking, you’ll need to obtain a gorilla trekking permit. These permits have limited availability, so it’s advisable to book well in advance. The permit allows you to spend a limited time in the presence of a gorilla family. For chimpanzee tracking and golden monkey tracking, you’ll also need permits. Make sure to secure these permits in advance to ensure availability.

The minimum age for visiting the gorillas is 15 years, whereas for chimp trekking it is 12 years. Some national parks offer alternative activities for children below the age of 12 years to keep them busy as their parents go for chimp trekking.

You can get a gorilla permit at $700 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. The cost for chimp trekking lies between $50-$200, depending on the national park.

Physical fitness

Gorilla trekking and other primate tracking activities can involve hiking through dense forests and uneven terrain. It’s essential to be in good physical condition. Consider your fitness level and choose a trek that suits your abilities. If you have a cold or are feeling under the weather, you will not be allowed to take part in gorilla and chimp trekking to prevent any illness being passed to the gorillas and chimps.

Cultural sensitivity

Respect local customs and traditions. Ask for permission before taking photographs of local people, and be aware of and adhere to any cultural guidelines provided by your guides.

Travel insurance

Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and any unexpected situations.

Internet connectivity

Hotels, lodges, and guesthouses in urban areas and tourist destinations typically offer wi-fi connectivity. The quality of the connection may vary, but it is generally available for guests.

While connectivity is generally good in urban areas, it may be more limited in remote or rural areas. In some national parks, you may experience weaker or no signal, so it’s advisable to check with us regarding internet access in such locations.

Visas

You are most likely required to get a tourist visa for Uganda or Rwanda. Depending on which country you will travel to, you must apply for a Uganda tourist visa online with Uganda Immigration, since a visa on arrival is no longer possible. For Rwanda, you can obtain a tourist visa on arrival. If you are visiting both Uganda and Rwanda or going on to Kenya, you will need an East African tourist visa that allows you to visit all three countries.

Debit and credit cards

While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in bigger cities, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in Uganda. Most restaurants and lodges also accept payment by card (Visa, MasterCard or Amex). Visa cards are the most accepted wherever card payments can be made. It’s always advisable to bring some cash as sometimes transactions can be delayed due to poor network since some lodges are located in remote areas of the country. Kampala and Entebbe have foreign currency shops (Forex bureaux) in case you need to acquire some local currency.Speke Holidays accepts payments by credit card.

Tipping

How much to tip in Uganda and Rwanda depends entirely on your level of satisfaction of course, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider $10 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in up-market hotels and restaurants.

Vaccinations

A number of different vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering Uganda or Rwanda. We recommend to have a travel medicine consultation in your home country before visiting. A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda. It is not required for Rwanda if you haven’t visited any country with a risk for yellow fever transmissions. Immunisations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended as well. Besides bringing mosquito repellent, we also advise you to take malaria prophylactics (prevention medication).

Safety and security

Uganda is a very safe country to visit. You will be warmly welcomed wherever you go by the friendly smiles from the country’s residents. The most popular national parks are situated in the south (west) of Uganda and are safe to visit. The border area with Rwanda and DRC remains stable and all national parks and wildlife reserves are well protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s rangers. Tourism is hugely important for Uganda’s economy and a Tourism Police Force has been created to protect visitors.

Rwanda is considered one of the safest African destinations for tourists. The country has made significant strides in terms of stability and security since the tragic events of the 1994 genocide. Known for its cleanliness and orderliness, Rwanda has become a popular choice for travellers, especially those interested in wildlife experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking.

Your safety is Tribes Africa Safaris’ absolute priority and you can be rest assured that we will always give you the best travel advice as well as keep you updated should you have security concerns.

Groups

We offer tailor-made safaris for any number of participants. We offer fixed departure tours with a minimum of 4 pax. The larger the group, the more attractive the price will be.

Inclusions

Tribes Africa Safaris prices are inclusive of:

Overnight stays and meals in the lodge on the client’s preferred meal plan
In cases where warm lunches cannot be provided (e.g. long transfer routes), clients will have packed lunch
A professional and experienced English/German/Spanish-speaking guide
Transportation in 4×4 vehicle with pop-up roof
Fuel for the entire tour
All activities as indicated in the programmes with exception of “optional” listed activities
All entrance fees and game drive fees
All relevant government tax
Drinking water while on the tour

Our fleet of vehicles

We provide 4WD safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for all our tours. Our comfortable Land Cruisers seat two to six people. To ensure that everybody has a window seat to enjoy the best views of Uganda, we usually limit the number of people to six per vehicle.

The challenging condition of the roads means that safari vehicles are well serviced at our own Tribes Africa Safaris workshop by our mechanics after every trip.