Uganda Safaris & Tour Packages

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Uganda Embassy to verify the information below is current.

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
• Passports must have a clean and full visa page for endorsement.
• All visitors traveling to Uganda must have a valid yellow fever certificate, which will be required as part of a visa application, and may also be required at the port of entry.
• Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don’t need a visa is available.
• Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal., but they can also be obtained through your local Uganda Embassy or high commission. At present visas on arrival are still being issued alongside the online application process, but this is meant to be phased out so enquire about this before opting to go this route.
• Tourist visas are available for Uganda only, or East Africa (which covers entry to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda) for the same cost.

Flights & Airlines to Uganda

The main entry point for flights into Uganda is Entebbe International Airport (EBB) located near the town Entebbe, about 46km/29mi from the capital, Kampala. Uganda is a relatively compact country and further transportation within the country is usually done by vehicle. In most cases, your local tour operator will collect you from the airport or hotel and will arrange further transportation as part of your safari-package.

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Uganda and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com
www.expedia.com

Domestic Airlines & Flights in Uganda

Fly Uganda and Aerolink run scheduled domestic flights to most parks. Alternatively, your tour operator can organize charter flights at a very high price. The only destination in Uganda, which is often reached by air, is the very remote Kidepo Valley National Park.

Best Time to Go

The best time for Uganda safaris to view wildlife is during the Dry Seasons from June to August and December to February. The dry season is also best for primate forest walks, including chimpanzees and gorilla tracking, which are a big part of any safari in Uganda. 

The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet, and one can’t avoid rain completely. However, the rains are short during day and after heavy rain, the skies often open up to bright sunshine.

• Best Time for a Uganda tour: June to August and December to February (All parks)
• High Season: June to September (It’s rarely crowded, but you’ll need to book your gorilla permits long in advance)
• Low Season: March, April, May, October, November (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down; roads and forest trails can be in poor condition)
• Best Weather: June-July and January-February (Little rainfall)
• Worst Weather: March, April and May (Peak of Wet season)