Planning a trip to Uganda

Uganda packs a lot into a compact, green country: primate tracking, the source of the Nile, savannah safaris and one of East Africa’s friendliest capitals.

Arriving

International flights land at Entebbe, on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. Many travellers spend their first or last night lakeside in Entebbe — it is calmer than Kampala and close to the airport — before heading onward.

Kampala and Jinja

• Kampala, built over green hills about an hour from Entebbe, is the energetic hub — markets, music and cafés.
• Jinja, a couple of hours east, is where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria and Uganda’s adventure capital: rafting, kayaking and bungee.

Gorillas and wildlife

The headline is mountain-gorilla and chimpanzee tracking in the southwest (Bwindi and Kibale), with savannah parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls for classic safari. These are long drives from Kampala, so plan multi-day trips.

Getting around

Uganda is compact on the map but the roads are slow, so distances take longer than you expect. Most visitors travel the parks by private 4x4 with a driver-guide, which is far easier than self-driving. Domestic flights to airstrips near the main parks can save a long day on the road if time is short.

Visas and health

• Most visitors need a visa, arranged online in advance; the East Africa Tourist Visa also covers Rwanda and Kenya if you are combining countries.
• A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required for entry.
• This is a malaria area — take prophylaxis and pack repellent, especially for the lower savannah parks.

When to go

The drier spells (roughly December–February and June–August) suit trekking and game drives. Start in Kampala, Entebbe or Jinja — browse stays to base your trip.