Uganda travel guide

Getting there

Entebbe International Airport, near Kampala, is the main international gateway. Land borders connect with Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, with frequent buses from Nairobi and Kigali.

Best time to visit: Jun–Aug and Dec–Feb – the drier seasons for trekking.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – but April to May and October bring the heaviest rains, which can make forest trails muddy and roads slow.

Weather by month in Kampala

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Kampala. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 40 of 198 other passports can enter Uganda without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 158 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Uganda (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-06-04). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Uganda are based around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$35–55 for a backpacker and US$100–200 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: G. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +256.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Southwest · gorillas): A UNESCO-listed rainforest that is home to a large share of the world's mountain gorillas.
• Murchison Falls National Park (Northwest · safari): Uganda's largest park, with classic savannah wildlife and the dramatic Murchison Falls.
• Queen Elizabeth National Park (West · safari): Crater lakes, the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions in a scenic setting.
• Kibale National Park (West · chimpanzees): The best place in East Africa for chimpanzee tracking, with many other primates.
• Jinja (East · adventure): The source of the Nile and Uganda's adventure capital for rafting, kayaking and bungee jumping.
• Lake Bunyonyi (Southwest · lake): A peaceful, island-dotted lake perfect for relaxing after gorilla trekking.
• Rwenzori Mountains National Park (West · trekking): Snow-capped peaks on the equator and challenging multi-day treks for serious hikers.
• Kidepo Valley National Park (Far northeast · wilderness): A remote park of wide valleys and mountains, with lions, cheetahs and few other visitors.

Things to do

• Trek with mountain gorillas. Hike through the dense rainforest of Bwindi for an unforgettable hour with a gorilla family.
• Track chimpanzees in Kibale. Follow the hoots and calls of chimps through one of Africa's richest primate forests.
• Raft the White Nile. Tackle big rapids near Jinja, close to where the Nile begins its journey north.
• Cruise to Murchison Falls. Sail past hippos, crocodiles and elephants to the foot of the falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge.
• Boat on the Kazinga Channel. Drift along the channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, crowded with buffalo, hippos and birds.
• Look for tree-climbing lions. Search the fig trees of the Ishasha sector, where lions often lounge in the branches.
• Canoe on Lake Bunyonyi. Paddle among terraced hills and tiny islands on one of Uganda's loveliest lakes.
• Hike the Rwenzori Mountains. Trek through giant lobelias and glaciers in the misty 'Mountains of the Moon'.

Eat and drink

• Rolex – chapati rolled with an omelette, a street favourite
• Matoke – steamed and mashed green bananas
• Luwombo – stew steamed in banana leaves
• Groundnut sauce – peanut stew served with staples

Money and safety

Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Appreciated – around 10% in restaurants and tips for guides, porters and drivers.

Emergency numbers: 999 · 112.

• The currency is the Ugandan shilling; ATMs are common in towns but scarce near national parks, so carry cash.
• US dollars are often used for permits and tours, and newer, undamaged notes get better exchange rates.
• Most tourist areas are safe, but check your government's latest travel advice, especially for border regions with the DR Congo and South Sudan and parts of the northeast.
• Boda boda motorbike taxis are involved in many accidents; insist on a helmet or use a car where possible.