Uganda travel advice

Visit your GP or travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure to ensure you are up to date with all necessary vaccinations. Malaria is present throughout Uganda, so you will need to bring anti malarial medication.

Bring insect repellent, long sleeves and trousers as well as closed walking shoes to avoid bites and stings. This is a good idea anyway to protect you from the equatorial sun; using a high SPF cream is recommended at all times.

Keep well hydrated and don’t over exert yourself in the heat of the day. Bring a wide brimmed hat to shade yourself.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Uganda. Bottled water is available everywhere, although this does mean you’ll be contributing to the unrecyclable plastic waste – so buy the largest bottles you can and refill reusable smaller drinking bottles or CamelBaks from the larger container.

Food is generally of good quality and you are unlikely to experience problems. Exercise the usual precautions – avoiding salads, unpeeled fruit and ice in drinks. However, in mid to high end lodges and restaurants (particularly in Kampala) these should not cause a problem.

Do not swim in lakes in Uganda as they contain a parasite which causes bilharzia (schistosomiasis). The exception is Lake Bunyonyi, which is safe to swim in. If you do feel ill after you have arrived back home – with a fever, stomach ache, rash or any other symptoms, consult your GP and mention that you have been to Uganda, as some infections can take a while for symptoms to show.

Tsetse flies carry sleeping sickness and are found in localised areas near to Murchison Falls National Park. As before, cover up to prevent bites and avoid wearing blue – it attracts the tsetse flies.

The best medical facilities in Uganda are located in Kampala, but even these are limited. Be sure to take out comprehensive travel insurance, which covers any activities which you may be participating in (such as rafting), and includes emergency evacuation or repatriation.

Uganda is generally a safe and incredibly welcoming country – in the cities as well as in rural areas. It is unlikely you will experience any trouble. Just exercise the usual precautions, avoiding carrying large amounts of cash or having valuables on display. There have also been reports of motorcycle drivers snatching bags; wear shoulder bags on the side away from the road, or stick to backpacks/cross body bags which are harder to remove.

Possibly the most dangerous thing you can do in Uganda is ride a boda boda – the ubiquitous motorbikes taxis. They may drive down the middle of or even on the wrong side of the road to beat the chaotic traffic. Additionally, there is no street lighting, the boda bodas themselves rarely have lights, and you won’t have a helmet. For many Ugandans they are a necessity, but travelers should spend a bit longer – and pay a bit more – for a regular taxi.

Always listen to your guide when around wildlife. The superb national park rangers can read animal behavior and know how near you can get on foot, when an animal is distressed or hungry, or if it is likely to charge. This really is life saving advice – heed it!

If staying in, or close to, a national park, animals may wander through your accommodation grounds – particularly at night, so heed warnings, and always carry a torch. In tented camps, it may be dangerous to leave food in your tent as animals such as baboons and warthogs can smell it and tear through the tent. If this is the case, there is usually a safe, sealed storage area available for food and drink; your guide or accommodation owner will advise.

If traveling by boat or going on a rafting trip, always make sure you are wearing a lifejacket. If you are traveling with children, ensure they have lifejackets too – and that they fit properly. Accidents are rare, but they have happened.

If you are taking photographs from your boat, wrap the camera strap around your wrist or neck. Hippos have been known to appear from nowhere and surprise tourists – who then drop their cameras…

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, and will result in arrest and possibly imprisonment. Same sex couples should act extremely discretely in public.

“Combine seeing Mountain Gorillas with Safari in Uganda. Why waste time flying around?” – Liz Green

“Apart from the extra clothing required for trekking (boots, waterproofs etc), travel light, some [accommodations] (not all) offer laundry services and they are very efficient.” – Darren Winslow

“Always take the option of a porter when trekking the gorillas. After paying 100's of dollars for the permit, $15 for the use of a porter is peanuts. The trek is really tiring and the porter not only carries your bag but pushes, pulls and generally helps get you into the best spots to photograph the gorillas!” – Kathy Hammond

“Expect the unexpected! Don’t get hung up on itineraries, when something doesn’t work out the way YOU are expecting it to.” – Helen Rankmore

“Bring more money than you expect to use as it is easy to get carried away when buying gifts, also traveler cheques are not easy to change and there are not many opportunities to access ATM's or banks.” – Joanne Halpin

“Bring insect repellent (though it's not as bad as we had thought beforehand), a torch and travel sickness pills (in case you get sick easily - the roads are 'African style'). Vegetarian options available everywhere.” – Sabine Mosch

“By prepared for some hours driving between locations depending on your personalized itinerary but understand the time is rewarded with fantastic experiences upon arrival to each location of the customized itinerary. Also, be prepared for any weather changes by bringing all weather kit. Finally, you will be received by the most friendly people everywhere in Uganda.” – Robert Roberto