WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO TRAVEL IN UGANDA?
Officially, Uganda’s dry seasons are from December/January through to mid March and from June through to mid-September. These dry months are the most popular with tourists, with July, August, Christmas and New Year being the peak seasons. However, Uganda has an equatorial climate, with daily temperatures varying between 20°c and 27°c and a minimum average temperature of 18°c, though the temperatures can sometimes dip to 12°c. The highest temperatures are usually in the north of the country while the lowest occur on the peaks of Mount Rwenzori. Most parts of Uganda receive an average annual rainfall of between 1,000mm and 2,000mm, with the North having some areas with the average annual rainfall as low as 100mm.
Nonetheless you can trust that after rain comes sunshine!
DO WE NEED VISAS TO ENTER UGANDA?
You are required to purchase a tourist visa before you enter Uganda. However citizens from the 33 countries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Uganda can visit Uganda without a visa for up to 3 months. Tourist visas can be bought in advance at one of the Ugandan Embassies abroad see contacts for Ugandan Embassies worldwide http://www.learn4good.com/travel/uganda_embassies.htm or simply purchased upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border. Photos are not required and a Uganda tourist visa costs US$ 50 per person for up to 90 days stay in Uganda. There is a planned introduction of a single entry visa for the East African Community member states.
HOW DO WE APPLY FOR VISAS ONLINE?
As a way to ease contact and long queues at the immigrations, all travelers are now mandated to make online visa applications and payments using this link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the email provided by the applicant, once approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the email provided. Print it out and present it together with a valid passport / travel document at the port of entry or Airport.
Information about documents required in the online visa application can be found at the folowing link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/help/visa
Some of the documents require for the tourist visa single entry include: Passport copy (bio-data page), Recent Passport-size Photograph, Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever) and Visa fees -$50 per person.
TIP
How much to tip in Uganda depends entirely on your level of satisfaction of course, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider $10 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in up market hotels and restaurants.
HOW MUCH DOES GORILLA PERMIT COST IN UGANDA AND RWANDA?
If you are interested in a mountain gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda you are required to buy a gorilla permit at $700 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda well in advance of your trip. As only eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day, the demand is high. Aamam Safaris is happy to book your gorilla trekking permits and organize your gorilla safari. To buy your gorilla permit, you will need to provide us with your full names, nationality, and passport number also a preferred date of trekking with gorilla permit fee.
HOW MUCH DOES CHIMP PERMIT COST IN UGANDA?
If you are interested in Chimp trekking in Uganda you are required to buy a chimp permit. These permits cost differently according to where the trekking is to be done. Kibale National Park is most popular for chimp trekking and a permit costs $150, in Kyambura located in Queen Elizabeth National Park a chimp permit will cost $50 and in Kaniyo $60. Chimp trekking can be done in the morning or afternoon. Chimp Permits quotes are usually included in our Tour Quotes.
Aamam Safaris’ Booking Terms & Conditions Reservations.
We require a 40% deposit of the total tour cost upon confirmation of the tour in the low season period and to secure gorilla permits where necessary.
In peak seasons from July to September, we require a deposit of 50% of the total tour cost for the clients to safeguard the reservations and permits where necessary.
The balance to be cleared in 2 weeks prior to the arrival.
For bookings coming one month before departure, we shall require the full payment of the tour costs.
The payment is made by international money transfer to the bank account in Uganda.
All cancellation penalty depends on the number of days before tour departure:
- Before 60 days: Full refund
- Between 60 days and 30 days: Refund of 70% of the deposit
- Between 29 days and 15 days: Refund of 30% of the deposit
- Less than 15 days:No refund
- There is no refund of any unused portion of your safari once commenced.
Please note that Gorilla Permits in Uganda are not refundable when already booked, as this is the policy of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
FARE INCREASES
Fare increases may occur due to any increase in airline tariffs, fuel costs, game reserve fees, or fluctuation of exchange rates. The company reserves the right to modify the fare and add a surcharge. Should any clients refuse to accept and pay such surcharge, the company reserves the right to cancel the tour and retain full payment.
Conditions in Africa are not the same as those in developed countries and standards of service, medical facilities, safety and security may often be lower than those in your home countries. Please note that it is the laws and regulations of the country in which services are provided which apply to your holiday arrangements and not those of your home country.
GORILLA PERMITS
Only when payment has been received can permits for gorilla trekking in the relevant National Park be purchased. Getting a gorilla permit is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla. Local conditions sometimes mean that access to the gorillas is made impossible at short notice. We are unable to accept liability for any circumstance that might lead to gorilla viewing being cancelled, whether it is closure of the National Park or borders; absence of the gorillas; security changes. Refunds are at the discretion of the relevant authority and we cannot accept liability for them. We shall use our maximum endeavors to obtain a refund and if a refund is paid by the relevant authority, we shall pass it on to the client.
DANGERS POSED BY WILD ANIMALS
You are advised that, even in the most serene settings, the animals are wild and can pose a threat to life and safety. You are cautioned to observe all local or park regulations and heed all instructions given by our tour guides.
ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
The descriptions, information and opinions given by Aamam Safaris in respect of national parks, animal sightings, accommodation, itineraries, gorilla permits and security are given in good faith, based on the latest information available to us. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. We cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions caused by matters beyond our control.
For a Child/Children accompanying adults
- Children of 3 years and below are not charged.
- Between 4 years and 12 years is charged 50% of the adult’s rate.
- 13 years and above are charged the same rate as adults.
Important Information for Booking Terms & Conditions
- Tour tariffs are based on all known costs and rates of exchange at the time of the transfer, any significant changes beyond our control will be immediately communicated to our clients.
- We also retain the right to alter any arrangements due to local conditions. We also retain the right to refuse any person from participating or continuing any tour if that person causes or is deemed to cause hazard or inconvenience to other clients and to our environment and ecosystems.
- Children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to track gorillas and chimpanzees.
- Please note that in Uganda US dollar banknotes series before the year 2006 are accepted only with a low exchange rate, therefore clients are advised to travel to Uganda with more recent banknotes series. Commercial banks and upcountry towns do not accept the above transactions. In most cases such transactions are only done by forex bureaus within Kampala therefore you are advised to travel to Uganda with more recent banknotes seriess.