Uganda is a beautiful country in Eastern Africa, and it is often referred to as the pearl of Africa. As a western tourist, you may find some of the things there frustrating, but you need to remember why you chose Uganda as your destination. For one, most people go there for the safaris. They are excellent opportunities to see and sometimes interact with the wildlife, which is something that you do not get to do in any other country. Of course, African countries are filled with almost everything the animal kingdom has to offer, which is why we recommend extreme caution. Also, always listen to your guide.
Whenever you travel to a destination you have never been, you need to do some reading about that particular location. That will ensure a successful and pleasant trip. Uganda does not have many rules for tourists. Nevertheless, there are a few things you need to be aware of before your departure. Below you will find some basic info about a trip to Uganda.
The best time to visit Uganda is whenever you want. There is no ideal time unless you cannot stand the heat. This is an African country we are talking about, after all. You need to keep in mind that the temperatures can go very high. Uganda has only two seasons, but they are not as related to temperature as they are to the level of precipitations. There is the dry season when the weather can be scorching hot, but bearable. Then there is the wet season. Most people who travel to Uganda in the wet season do it mostly for research purposes, so that leaves you in the scorching hot. Even so, as long as you keep yourself hydrated at all times and wear protective clothing, you should be fine. Just do not forget your sunscreen.
One of the most common reasons why people go to Uganda is the gorilla's safari. Yes, it sounds dreamy, and seeing gorillas in their natural habitat can be something that you will never forget. However, you need to be well-equipped for such a safari. You will go deep into nature, so do not forget your special clothing. Also, make sure that you pack a lot of sucks. The humidity can mess your feet like crazy.
The most important thing to remember when you go on a gorilla safari is to always listen to your tour guide. It may sound a bit bad, but people actually die when they do not. Gorillas are peaceful animals, and they do not usually express violence. However, if they feel threatened, you are in big trouble. One huge male gorilla will come out of from nowhere and will turn you into a poster. Tour guides know how to behave, what and what not to do. Plus, they can deal with stressful situations just in case anything goes wrong. So, treat your tour guide as if he is your mother and you are a two-year-old. As long as you do that, you will enjoy a unique experience.
Uganda is a cash-based society so it would be best if you brought cash on your trip. As you can imagine, big cities like Kampala and others have places where you can use your credit card, but that is far too little for an entire trip. ATMs exist in Uganda, but the withdrawal fee is about 5%. Instead of relying on your cards, you can bring US dollars and exchange them once you are in the country. It can save you the stress of running out of cash in inappropriate moments.
If looking for even more adventure, you can go trekking in the Mountains of the Moon. The scenery is gorgeous, and you will see a lot of nature’s wonders. However, there is such thing as the best time to do that. It is better if you explore the Mountains of the Moon in the wet season. The recommended moment is May when the weather is not that hot. The effort you need to exert plus the heat can be an uncomfortable combination. You cannot climb if you faint once a few hours from the heat, can you?
Leaving nature aside, you can also visit the urban areas as well. Kampala is a vibrant city with an exciting nightlife. You can have a lot of fun, drink, and maybe go dancing. Uganda is still developing this kind of tourism, so you should adjust your expectations. Even so, the people are welcoming, and you will not lack opportunities to have fun.
Uganda is not known for its cuisine. Even so, not every country needs to impress you with the ability to cook. You can eat some local specialties, but do not expect too much. Also, you should never drink tap water since your stomach may get upset. Bottled water, however, is widely available.
When you get to Uganda, it may be a bit difficult to communicate with the locals. Some know how to speak English, and all tourists seem a bit amused by the Uglish. It is not a real language, but more of English with a taste of Ugandan. You will be amused by it, but do not make fun of the people speaking it. The people of Uganda are really trying, and you should just appreciate the effort.
Lastly, you should keep in mind that during the dry season, all Ugandan cities are dusty pretty much all the time. You may not enjoy that, which is why we recommend that you explore the urban areas during the wet season. You can leave the dry season for all the natural wonders around the cities. Not that there are many of them.
Uganda may not be your first choice when it comes to an adventure, but it is a seriously underestimated destination. The fact that you can go on gorilla trekking is reason enough to put Uganda on your bucket list. And do not forget about all the other natural beauties in the African country.
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