| ACCOMMODATION:
Q. WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION DO I EXPECT
TO FIND IN KAMPALA AND ON SAFARI?
A. In Kampala, there is a wide range
of hotels to choose from depending on your budget.
There are world class Five Star hotels such as the
Kampala Serena Hotel and the Kampala Sheraton Hotel
to modest but clean and comfortable inns and lodges
such as Olympia Hotel on the outskirts of the city.
Elsewhere across the country and in the national parks,
camping grounds, hotels, lodges, bandas and inns are
generally available, but quality of service and quantity
of rooms greatly vary.
AIRPORT:
Q. HOW DO I GET TO
UGANDA?
A. Most guests
to Uganda arrive by air, landing at Entebbe International
Airport; approximately 45 minutes drive from the capital
city Kampala. Transfers to and from the airport are
available for any size group.
Please request transfers before hand by calling or
emailing us in time, or you can request the same at
the time of booking your safari.
AIRLINES:
Q. WHAT MAJOR AIRLINES
SERVICE UGANDA?
A. Several airlines service Uganda
regularly including British Airways, Kenya Airways,
Royal Dutch Airlines KLM, Brussels Airlines, Emirates,
South African Airways, Ethiopian, Air Tanzania, Precision
Air, Egypt Air, Rwandair Express, Royal Daisy, Airlines,
Eagle Air. You can connect through Nairobi on:-
Virgin Atlantic
Qater Airways
All these airlines have international
interline agreements with others for purposes of easing
connections from, to and from far off destinations.
While in Uganda, internal flights are serviced by:-
Royal Daisy Airlines
Eagle Air
Internal flight destinations:-
Arua
Moyo
Gulu
Kitgum
Pader
Kidepo
Q. CAN I CHARTER AN AIRCRFT FOR PRIVATE BUSINESS?
A. I-Travel Ltd. organises charters
to all serviceable airfields in Uganda as well as
internationally
Q. HOW DO I GET FROM
THE AIRPORT TO MY HOTEL?
A. If you require
airport transfers to and from Entebbe, please contact
us so that we can make arrangements for you. Reservations
should be made in advance.
BANKING:
Q.WHAT BANKING OPTIONS
ARE AVAILABLE IN UGANDA?
A. Several
international banks operate in Uganda including; Barclays
Bank, Standard chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank, Cairo
International Bank, Allied Bank, and Citi Bank. Many
local banks and forex bureaus also operate across
the country.
Generally, the banking hours
are 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Some institutions
are open longer hours and on Saturdays. Uganda is
still a cash economy. There are no legal restrictions
on foreign exchange transactions and currency is easily
convertible. Use only United States Dollar notes dated
after 2000.
Q. WHERE CAN I GET THE BEST DEALS ON FOREX
RATES?
A. You get the best exchange rates
on large bills (50s and 100 bills).The big hotels
in Kampala offer good rates for exchange and their
services are available every day, even on the weekend.
The rates vary from time to time but are posted at
all banks and forex bureaus.
CLIMATE:
Q. WHAT IS THE CLIMATE
LIKE IN UGANDA AND WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?
A. Uganda
enjoys ideal weather conditions ranging from the warmth
of lowlands to the coolness of highlands. Mean temperatures
are between 21°C and 31°C all year round.
The wet seasons are March-May, October-November though
there is no bad time to visit Uganda.
CLOTHING:
Q. WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES
SHOULD I BRING WHEN COMING TO UGANDA?
A. Light summer
clothing supplemented by a sweater or jacket should
be sufficient all year round. Usually dressing is
informal. Cotton slacks and flat-heeled comfortable
walking shoes are recommended on safari.
Don’t forget to bring
a hat for sun protection and a swimsuit. For mountain
climbers, you will need hiking boots. Umbrella and
windbreakers are recommended in the wet seasons. For
gorilla and chimpanzee tracking safaris, we recommend
that you carry some insect repellents and torches.
If you are planning to visit church services or official
functions, it isrecommended to bring some smart clothes.
CREDIT CARDS:
Q. CAN I USE MY CREDIT
CARD WHILE IN UGANDA?
A. VISA,
AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS AND MASTERCARD are only acceptable
at a few choice establishments in Kampala and some
up-country lodges. Most transactions are carried out
on cash basis. "At I-Travel Ltd. we accept Vis,
Visa Electron, Mastercard and American Express".
CURRENCY:
Q. WHAT IS THE CURRENCY
OF UGANDA?
A. The Uganda
Shilling is the currency used. It is issued in denominations
of coins of 50, 100, 200 and 500 and paper notes of
1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 Uganda Shillings.FOOD
AND WATER:
Q. IS THE TAP WATER
SAFE FOR DRINKING?
A. We recommend that you DO NOT at any time
drink tap water. Most hotels and restaurants provide
safe drinking water, or you can opt from several brands
of mineral water. Mineral water is sold in allparts
of the country and can be bought on safari at different
stop points.
Q. WHAT IS THE LOCAL
CUISINE LIKE?
A. Fresh tropical fruits and vegetables abound
throughout the country. A wide range of both traditional
and international dishes are served in the hotels
and restaurants. Don’t miss to try the typical
Ugandan food, like Matooke with ground nut sauce Posho,
Cassava, and sweet potatoes.
HEALTH:
Q. ARE
THERE ANY HEALTH RISKS AND REQUIREMENTS IN UGANDA
THAT I SHOULD BE AWARE OF?
A. Malaria
risk is general, and a prophylaxis should be taken.
It is advisable to start anti malaria medication 10-14
days prior to arrival and continue the same for 14
days after leaving East Africa. Talk about this issue
with your doctor at home and ask him about his recommendations
depending on your itinerary and duration of stay.
LANGUAGE:
Q. WHAT
IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN UGANDA?
A. The official
language in Uganda is English. Kiswahili and Luganda
are widely spoken throughout the country. We actually
have over 40 languages in Uganda. However, majority
of Ugandans speak English well. There are over 33
tribes and over 40 dialects.
LUGGAGE:
Q. HOW MUCH LUGGAGE
SHOULD I CARRY?
A. Buggage
allowannce on most airlines is 20Kgs. Some airlines
offer upto 40Kgs on certain routes. It is standard
for most arilines to offer two piece concept on transatlantic
flights. It is preferable for you to use soft luggage,
as space in safari vehicles is limited.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Q. IS IT OK TO COME
ALONG WITH MY CAMERA?
A. A camera
is a must. Though some types of film are available
in many of the lodges, but it is advisable to bring
film and batteries with you or a digital camera with
some spare batteries.
A pair of binoculars will prove
extremely useful for keen game viewers or birders.
There is no charge for photography cameras and personal
video recorders, but there may be a charge for commercial
cameras in some places. Clients are responsible for
any such fee. Please always ask people before taking
their pictures.
SECURITY:
Q. IS KAMPALA SAFE?
A. Even though
Kampala is relatively safe, precautions should be
taken as in any major city. Lock up your valuables
in your hotel room. We recommend that you do not walk
alone in the late hours of the night but instead take
a taxi.
SPORTS FACILITIES:
Q. WHAT SPORTS OPTIONS
ARE AVAILABLE IN UGANDA?
A. There are
a variety of sports facilities available in Kampala,
Entebbe and Jinja city centres-squash, golf, tennis,
the Hash House harriers every Monday etc. Fishing
on lake Victoria and River Nile is popular. White
Water rafting and flat water canoeing is also available
on the River Nile.
White Water rafting is available
on the River Nile from Jinja and it is considered
by many to be the best one day trip in the world.
Mountain climbing and hiking are popular in the Rwenzori
Mountains and on Mount Elgon.
Avid climbers will want to
check out the Virunga Volcanoes. For special interest
itineraries, please request.
TRANSPORT:
Q. WHAT ARE THE GENERAL
ROAD AND TRANSPORT CONDITIONS LIKE?
A. The roads
are generally in good condition. 4WD vehicles are
required for upcountry use, especially in the national
parks during the rainy seasons. We maintain our 4WD
vehicles and they are available on chauffeur driven
basis. Please inquire for further details and tariffs.
VISA:
Q. DO I NEED A VISA TO COME TO UGANDA?
A. Visas are
available at all entry points including Entebbe airport.
The cost is $30 for single entry. You are welcome
to check at the time of booking to avoid confusion.
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