Hidden Dangers of Booking Hotels and Lodges Online
In most cases, tourists book for Hotels or Safari Lodges on the day of visiting the destination which sometimes can be disappointing. However, the trend has changed because tourists are now opting for Online Hotel bookings for accommodation facilities in Uganda which is faster but also challenging in some other ways. In this country, booking for Hotel or Lodge Rooms is done directly at the front desk or use of online services of platforms such as Jumia House, Trip Advisor, Travelocity and Expedia among others and what we all look for is the best deal with better prices.
However, the challenges of these online booking services is that sometimes the pictures online do not match with what you might find on-ground. Not only that, the websites of these Online Booking services mentioned do not give details on the Hotel that you might want to know such as details on services, general cleanliness and ambience, quality, food offered, offer wrong hotel location in-line with the activities you wish to participate in hence lack the right location depending on your needs.
There are some hidden dangers or pitfalls to expect when booking for hotels or safari Lodges online and these include;
What you may see online will not be the exact detail on ground. This is a common incident for tourists who visit East African countries especially Uganda and Rwanda. Most of the pictures put online are either photo-shopped. Worst of all, even the reviews online about the Hotel are written by the employees of the Hotel themselves, friends or some people paid to write good reviews about the establishment. This is very common in Trip Advisor which has not been able to weed-out the problem.
Not only that, these Hotels can be in wrong location with the tourist activities you intend to participate in. For instance, you might do a mistake of booking a Lodge within Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park yet you intend to track the mountain gorillas from Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors or vice versa. Imagine booking a Lodge in Ishasha sector (Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park) yet you intend to participate in a launch cruise within the Kazinga Channel (Northern sector). Trip Advisor or Expedia will not tell you that you have booked for the wrong location of a Hotel or safari Lodge.
It is also common for good Hotels or safari Lodges not to appear Online. The numbers of Hotels or Lodges you see online are not the only ones in Uganda because there are those that don’t appear online or don’t even have Facebook accounts especially the smaller ones yet they provide quality services at affordable rates.
The rates that appear online are always not the actual prices. In most instances, you will see discounted prices yet in actual sense it is just bed and breakfast. When you then add lunch and dinner, you will end up with a higher price that it appeared on the websites. Therefore, don’t allow to be deceived unless if it is half board or full board rate.
Conclusively, Online booking for lodge or Hotel rooms is faster yet has a lot of hidden dangers such as the difference in the actual appearance of the Hotel and how it appears on the websites and possibility of booking the Hotel or Lodge at a wrong location with the tourist activities.
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Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking in Africa
Are you wondering exactly where to go for chimp and gorilla trekking in Africa? Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo have the best chimp and gorilla trekking tours with high primate population concentration that you can never imagine. Trekking gorillas and chimpanzees is one of the most amazing adventures in Africa and top on most travelers list to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. For many years now chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are the prime attractions of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo attracting thousands across the globe for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris. The three countries have also done a great job to keep and protect primates though several conservation programs hence maintaining gorilla and chimpanzee tourism in the region. Sensitization has been done to surrounding park communities for gorillas and chimpanzees that today all value the life and survival of primates including the Batwa people of Bwindi forest who sacrificed their ancestral home for mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Africa
The silverback eyes look bright than the camera flash light in Bwindi forest national park, Virunga national park, Volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park and Kahuzi beiga national park the only gorilla trekking parks in East Africa. The biggest primate species on earth and the most impressive –the gorillas can be trekked and seen in just a day and seeing them in their natural parks is a grantee of about 98%.
All tourists who go gorilla tracking are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas for observation and photography after enjoying the forest beauty and other forest habitat encounter during the search of the silverback and its family members.
Gorillas are only tracked by adults above 15 years of age due to challenging hikes during the trekking process. Somehow it’s for the fit not those with healthy problems since the trek is estimated to last between 2-6 hours. One is also allowed to track gorillas twice provided he or she has two free days around the park since treks are done one a day.
However, Uganda has opportunities for mountain gorilla habituation so one can spend more time with the gorillas just like researchers. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 year round, $800 in Uganda and $450 for Congo, the same price that goes down to only$200 in Congo from mid march to mid May and $450 in Uganda for April, May and November. All gorilla trekking destinations are open year round for those looking forward to trek gorillas in their natural habitats.
Chimpanzee Trekking & Habituation
Looking at first moving primates in their conserved home is a great experience in Africa especially if done in Nyungwe forest, Virunga national park, Kibale forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest the best chimpanzee viewing spots in East Africa.
The sight of a populated chimpanzee family as they play and jump across tree branches is a greatest primate display on earth found only in Africa. The chimpanzee trekking, viewing and habituation experience can be enjoyed year round depending on the availability of chimpanzee permits in your favorite location.
However, chimpanzee permits for Virunga and Nyungwe forest cost $100 per a trek,$150 in Kibale forest in Uganda.$80 for Budongo low season,$110 Budongo high season and $50 in Kyambura gorge plus Kalinzu forest.
Chimpanzee habituation goes for all day from the time chimp’s wake up to the time they retire while trekking lasts between 2-4 hours. Those interested in Chimpanzee feeding and viewing at Ngamba Island, make sure you get the necessary vaccinations before heading to the island to spend time with the beautiful amazing primates. To sum it up chimpanzee and gorilla trekking go hand in hand when it comes to primate safaris in Africa.
Read MoreGuided Self Drive in Uganda
Uganda is a pearl of Africa, endowed with many tourist attractions. The country is among the list of the most visited countries in Africa because of what it offers to visitors. Uganda is rich in wildlife, birds, culture, water bodies, mountains, and not forgetting the primates. Self-driving and Renting 4×4 cars are not uncommon. Some visitors find it easy to hire cars and self drive Uganda on their own. themselves with a lot of freedom. There are many destinations in Uganda where different attractions can be seen on car hire and self-drive basis.
Primates.
These involves many categories including the great primates ie, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Places where these primates can be seen in Uganda include, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga national park, kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest reserve and Ngamba island for chimpanzee orphanage. Visitors rent cars and drive to these places to witness human cousins. Primate destinations are not wildlife parks where game drives are conducted. They are explored on foot. Cars are left parked at the park headquarters.
For Ngamba Island, the place is accessed by boat, its located in Lake Victoria. Visitors Park their cars at safe place near the beach and get into the boat to the Island.
In Uganda here, to track primates especially for gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, and also chimpanzees in kibale and Kyambura, it is necessary to book permits in advance because they are subject to availability, car rental company can purchase the permits on behalf of the clients.
Wildlife
Uganda is endowed with many wild life destinations where game drives are conducted. Some of them include, Queen Elizabeth, lake Mburo, Murchison falls, semiliki and kidepo national parks. The big five can be seen is such destinations which include, lions, leopard, buffaloes, and elephant. driving in national parks is easy, visitors can hire park guides at the headquarters to give them explanations and tracks as they do the safari.
Different bird species can also be spotted in the mentioned destinations, birders rent cars and explore both migratory and resident birds. Birding guides are available who can explain types of birds and also identify track known for different species of birds.
Most self-drive clients who are not on camping, prefer a car with pop up roof which gives a wider view of attractions in the national park. Cars with pop roof include, land cruisers, vans, and others.
Mountains
Uganda harbors the third highest mountain in Africa that is mountain Rwenzori with its highest peak margarita, among other mountains include, Mount Elgon, Mt Moroto and many others, hikers tend to visit these mountains to explore different peaks. It’s possible to drive a car and hike a mountain. Cars are left parked at accommodations near the starting points or at park headquarters. Visitors find the cars after the hiking and continue to other different destinations.
Water bodies
Water sport activities are available in Uganda on water bodies like River Nile, Lake Victoria, kazinga channel and many more. Self-drive clients either start with such activities or end with them on their itineraries, for instance jinja is known to have the source of the Nile the longest in the world, Lake Victoria and activities like white water Rafting, bungee jumping, boat cruises and many more are done.
There are national parks with water bodies and activities like boat cruises are conducted to view different attractions and wildlife, some include, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, River Nile in Murchison falls, Lake Mburo and others.
How to locate destination on self-drive.
– Destinations in Uganda can be located using Uganda travel maps
– They can be located using google map.
– Also, some clients use Maps. Me app on phone where Ugandan map is downloaded on phone.
– GPS can also act as a navigation system
How to book accommodation on self-drive basis.
– In Ugandan destinations there are different types of accommodation ranging from camping, budget (basic), midrange (standard) and luxury (upmarket).
– it is possible to rent a car and also book accommodation directly or there is also an option of using a car hire company to reserve the accommodation.
– visitors on camping safaris look for accommodation types with camping grounds, with wash rooms and clean toilets and not forgetting security.
– some of the accommodations in Ugandan destinations include, Gorilla most camp, 4 gorillas, Buhoma lodge, Bush lodges, Mweya safari lodge, Paraa, Nile safari lodges and many more.
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Obote Swearing in as President
Apollo Milton Obote ruled Uganda twice as the president of the Republic of Uganda. He became the president of Uganda in 1966 and he was overthrown in 1972 by Idi Amin Dada.
Obote got a chance to gain power in 1980 from a highly contested election that the opposition termed as rigged!
On 10th December, 1980, Apollo Milton Obote was sworn in as Uganda’s president, becoming the first African president ousted in a military coup to recapture the presidency.
Milton Obote took the oath of office Monday as president of Uganda nine years after he was ousted by Idi Amin and called on his countrymen to unite in building ‘a new future’ for the African nation.
Obote, 55, whose election was disputed by the opposition party, drove in his white Mercedes Benz to the steps of Parliament where the country’s new chief justice, George Masika — attired in red robes and a white wig — administered the oath.
‘In my life I have faced challenges and intimidating tasks,’ said Obote, who led Uganda from independence until overthrown by Amin in 1971. ‘But never have I been faced with formidable challenges such as we now face.’
Hundreds of cheering Ugandans waved posters of Obote and sang and danced as the government and military bands played the national anthem and the theme of the Uganda People’s Congress, Obote’s party.
‘We have problems, we have friends, we have the ability to do a number of things, we have natural resources,’ said Obote, who has promised to abandon past socialist views to rescue the country’s economy from the chaos of the Amin years.
‘It may be difficult but together it should be possible for all of us to rebuild Uganda.’
In Washington, the State Department declined comment on Obote’s election, saying it would rather await a report by a British Commonwealth observer team on alleged irregularities in the election.
Obote called upon the Democratic Party to accept last week’s national elections. But party leader Paul Ssemogerere stayed away from the inauguration and called a strategy meeting of the party’s national leadership.
The Democratic Party has charged that widespread intimidation and tampering with election returns helped Obote’s party win 69 seats in the 126-seat Parliament. The Democratic Party won 55 seats and two seats went to a smaller party.
Obote told the Democratic Party its ‘role as the opposition party is as challenging as the role of the UPC and the government. Our destiny is the same. We either rise or sink together.’
The new president, who spent nine years exiled in Tanzania during the Amin regime, said ‘We shall work for reconciliation, we shall insist on no revenge. The past is gone, we start a new future.’
Obote’s party won 17 seats — more than the margin of victory — after Democratic Party candidates were disqualified. While the disqualifications were based on flimsy legal grounds, the opposition party is expected to have little success in changing the results in court.
The army ousted him for the second time in 1985.
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20 Basic Facts About Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country found on the Eastern side of Africa. The country attained its independence in 1962 from the British. Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. Uganda’s current president is Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Currently the country has an estimated population of over 40 million people. We have compiled 20 basic facts about Uganda that you need to know.
1. Uganda is called the pearl of Africa, a name bestowed by former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
2. The Grey-crowned Crested Crane is Uganda’s official Bird.
3. Very good hospitality. Ugandans are very known for hospitality and the style of welcoming there guests
4. Uganda is ethnically and culturally a diverse country. It has over 56 tribes.
5. Agriculture is an important part of the country’s economy as it employs the majority of the Ugandans (almost 1/3rd).
6. Uganda has plenty of lakes and rivers.
Facts about Uganda Rolex
7. A Rolex isn’t a watch in Uganda – it’s a type of street food. A Rolex is egg wrapped in chapati with ingredients like vegetables.
The Uganda Rolex looks like this, get a bite if you are in Uganda
8. Ugandan women have one of the world’s highest fertility rates. The average fertility rate is 5.8 children per woman.
9. Home of gorillas. Uganda has over the half of the population of the world’s gorillas. Mountain gorillas are mainly found in Bwindi impenetrable forest.
10. Uganda is a landlocked country. The landscape is made up of savannas, mountains, and lakes. It is surrounded by Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
More facts about Uganda
11. Uganda is the size of the State of Oregon. The Population of the country is almost 10 times that of Oregon.
12. It is not uncommon for Ugandans to be late-punctuality is not very important. A person may arrive 30 minutes late, or sometimes even up to two hours after they were supposed to be there.
13. Uganda is the second largest producer of bananas in the world, falling second only to India. The country produces an estimated 11 million tons annually.
14. Uganda is the Tropical Fruit Basket of Africa.
15. Uganda’s official languages are English and Swahili. Luganda, a central language, is widely spoken across the country
16. As of 2018, Uganda is divided into 121 districts. Rural areas of districts are subdivided into sub-counties, parishes, and villages. Municipal and town councils are designated in urban areas of districts.
17. Boda – Boda Motorcycles are the fastest and most dangerous form of people Transport in Uganda.
Boda Boda rider with a passenger on one of Kampala’s roads
18. Mobile Money is the way most Ugandans send money to family, pay bills.
19. Uganda is the Youngest Country in the World with half of its population under the age of 14 years. The life expectancy for the average Ugandan is only early 50 years.
20. Ugandan ladies never call. They only beep if they want to tell you something.
The Mountain Gorilla Highlands
Uganda’s Gorilla Highlands stretch from Kabale area, Kisoro, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park to Kanungu area conveying most of Uganda’s beautiful scenic views.
Uganda is a haven for many natural attractions like the lakes from where one can enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of various bird species such as Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Kayumbu and Lake Chahafi, Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe. It’s also park for mountain gorillas found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s also a home to many primate species like the chimpanzees, golden monkeys which can all be tracked with the help of a well-trained tour guide.
Recently-developed trails offer some of East Africa’s most spectacular hikes across rural Africa, safe to explore per pedes apostolorum, by dugout canoe across the lakes or by mountain bike cross country.
Only a few parts of Uganda have been documented with trail descriptions, maps, and video maps, the latest tool available for wannabe visitors to this part of Uganda. Accommodation is now available from basic camping over home stays to luxurious lodges.
According to Miha, the head behind the gorilla highland project “The Gorilla Highlands initiative” was started in 2011 by Edirisa, a social enterprise based at Lake Bunyonyi. It is open to anybody interested in branding and promoting southwestern Uganda for the sake of rural development. It has established the ‘Gorilla Highlands’ brand as a flag to unify the region, connect local companies of all sizes into a network, and expand tourist expectations of what the area can offer. We are focused on innovative solutions to tell the world an engaging story about our part of Africa. The Gorilla Highlands initiative offer travelers, tour operators, the media, and development organizations a centralized and consistent service built on extensive local knowledge.”
He further noted, “We are tapping into a world-class web of professionals passionate about this region whose very first product, the Gorilla Highlands Interactive eBook, won a United Nations award in 2013. While the eBook showcases our deep knowledge of our home area, Gorilla Highlands is much more than that. We are about rural development empowered by culture. Our belief is that economic transformation in southwestern Uganda is only possible when we have respect for our cultural heritage, and when we properly utilize tourism as a tool to uplift the poor.”
In his notes, Miha Logar stated that “Our current biggest project is the Gorilla Highlands Video Map. It challenges tourists’ potentially negative preconceptions by giving video tours of places, lodges, and activities, revealing beautiful, comfortable, and safe environments. On the other hand, we don’t just do multimedia products. We tell our story of southwestern Uganda through tourism experiences as well – Gorilla Highlands Trails is a system of guided trips, taking from 5 hours to a week or more, including camping with rural families and with a special stress on the Batwa.
“Our tour itineraries already utilize Kigali as the airport hub; expansion of the Gorilla Highlands concept into Rwanda is planned for 2015.”
By using Kigali as the entrance airport helps to lessen / cut short the distance covered to reach the south western part of Uganda. It is also suggested to use due to the existence of the common tourist visa that entails visitors easy passage through Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya and it can be obtained at 100 USD.
In addition, this gives tourists a chance to enjoy the beautiful sights of “Land of a Thousand Hills” before crossing over to Kisoro / Katuna and Kabale via Cyanika border for the amazing spotlights of the South Western part of Uganda.
Uganda is now connected to the rest of the world by the top African, European, and Gulf /*8airlines daily and apparently known among Africa’s number one adventurous destinations since it’s a peaceful and Ebola Free State.
Gorilla Highlands offers pocket guides and last year launched the award winning e-book available from the Apple Store.
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Uganda’s Attorneys General
The attorney general of Uganda is the principal legal advisor of Uganda’s government. The office of the attorney general is a cabinet level position. Here is the list of the different attorney generals that have served Uganda since independence.
P.J. Wilkinson, 1954-1961
C.G.F.F Dreschfield, 1961-1962
Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa, 1962-1967
Lameck Lubowa, 1967-1971
P.J. Nkambo Mugerwa, 1971-1974
Godfrey S. Lule, 1974-1977
Matthew B. Matovu, 1977-1979
Dani Nabudere Wadada, 1979
George W. Kanyeihamba, 1979-1980
Stephen Omoding Ariko, 1980-1985
Samuel K. Kutesa, 1985-1986
Joseph N. Mulenga, 1986-1988
George W. Kanyeihamba, 1988-1991
Abubakar Kakyama Mayanja, 1991-1994
Joseph Kalias Ekemu, 1994-1996
Bert Magunda Katureebe, 1996-2000
Francis Joash Ayume, 2000-2004
John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, 2004-2005
Edward Khiddu Makubuya, 2005-2011
Peter Nyombi: 2011 until 2015
Fred Ruhindi: 2015 until 2016
William Byaruhanga: 2016 – 2021
Kiryowa Kiwanuka: 2021 – to date
The Expansive Old Kampala Mosque
Though it boasts of a 200-year-lifespan, this will be a brief one, albeit a must-read. See, the Old Kampala Mosque is one of the places you must visit whilst out here in the City. For most adventurers in pursuit of religious tourism, it is just right— offering a sophisticated taste of elegance, architecture, and brilliant artistic inscriptions from all the six continents of the world
It should have been up and proud by the time the current Museveni-led government came into power, but the construction of the mosque stalled after Idi Amin Dada fled Uganda following the overthrow of his government in 1979. The politics of it all would be that the president then, Apolo Milton Obote who more Christine-inclined didn’t think this pertinent whilst Idi Dada Amin put it on his radar. Historians tell of how fast it was erected whilst Amin was on the throne and how quickly the construction came to a screeching halt under the Obote government and the others that followed.
But its savior, the fallen Muammar Gaddafi was decades away and would come to its rescue. Aside from offering an impressive history and culture, the house of worship which was named after fallen Libyan President Muammar Gadaffi has a distinctive Minaret that stands at over 100 feet atop old Kampala Hill and 1,210M above sea level. From here, adventurers can get some much-needed fresh air from the hot day plus the most breathtaking 360 degrees of Kampala and the seven Hills of Kampala. No other hill in Kampala offers such.
And yes, today, it is one of the largest mosques in the world and seats up to 15,000 worshipers and can hold another 1,100 in the gallery and over 2,000 in its lower terrace. Its lighting is a beauty to partake in the night, adding to a glorious scene that makes for Kampala’s hills by the night.
Travel Tip
Women need to be prepared to wear a dress and cover all their hair if visiting the Mosque (provided). While exploring the holy sanctuary is free for Ugandans, it comes at a fee of shs10,000 for non-citizens.
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Guide to Self Drive in Uganda
Uganda has a relatively efficient air transport system among the East African countries. It also has the virtue of being a small country, and relatively cheap, which allows even budget travelers the option of an occasional internal flight. Entebbe international airport is about 30km from the city center of Kampala. This airport is regularly serviced by mostly airport taxis. The main domestic airline is Air Uganda, though there are other international airlines and charter planes available which include; Fly Emirates, KLM, KQ, BBA and many others. All flights in this country either begin or end in Entebbe.
The moment you step on the Ugandan soil, you will automatically need a car on standby to pick you up to your destination especially your hotel of stay. This service is provided by various companies in the country of which the most striking one is Self Drive Uganda. From Entebbe international airport, we provide car service to your hotels all around the country since 2005.
There are a number of car rental agencies which offer good car services for Hire Company in the East African region. We already welcomed thousands of clients for their ride and airport transfers to Entebbe, Kampala, and the surrounding towns. Chauffeur service is what we do best so don’t forget. Easy driver’s car service became successful by providing luxury car service for taxi prices. Rav4s, 4×4 Land cruisers or luxury vans and elegant drivers are our signature, from 50 USD for Entebbe airport transfer to Kampala city center so where is your quotiency to wait for a cab at Entebbe airport?
Once your ride for either chauffeur drive or self drive in Uganda is booked, your driver will meet and greet you in the lobby of the Entebbe airport terminal arrival. A bilingual and elegant driver is at your service for your airport transfers. If more than 3 passengers, then book a 3 -seater car like Prado or TX
From your hotel, transportation to Entebbe airport has never been so easy, luxury and cheap. Taxi prices for Entebbe airport transfers solution and luxury car service is our main objective. You can book a private driver by the hour “as directed chauffeur” for only 30 USD per day to discover the wonderful villages of the country. Just book a driver for a number of days and discover the undiscovered.
If you find a cheaper Entebbe airport transportation for the same chauffeur service to Kampala, we will give you 10 % discount on your booking. Don’t be fooled by Entebbe airport taxis or Entebbe airport shuttle, they all will charge you hidden fees, extra charge while self drive Uganda will give you a full all inclusive rates. Never forget this simple fact: if you book elsewhere then you will pay too much! We proudly drive you since 2005 in Uganda
We provide also as directed by the hour chauffeur service from 50USDper day
Our English speaking drivers will be happy to show you the best spot of this pearl of Africa.
MONEY MATTER
Since time immemorial, the main currency being used in the country is the Ug.shillings.It is in denominations of 1000,2000,5000,10000,20000 and 50000 notes and 50,100,200 and 500 coins. However, the country boasts of several forex bureaus that help in exchanging the different kinds of currencies that enter into the country courtesy of the foreigners. These currencies include; dollars, pounds, Euros and any other currency. Currently the exchange rate of a dollar to the shillings is 1$=2500 Ug shs.There is no restriction as to how much cash or traveler cheques you are allowed to bring into the country.
While we recommend that you bring most of your money in the form of traveler’s cheques so you can replace them if stolen or lost, you should also carry some cash, especially in out-of-the-way places such as the central business district. Carry mostly $1, $5, and $10 bills, and make sure they are in good condition or you could have trouble using them as everybody checks for fraud bills if it’s a 5 or higher
Local Taxes and Tipping
With each purchase, you pay an indirect tax which is not known and visible since it’s included in the price so you don’t think that there is a tax. For hotels and restaurants services you pay another 10% service tax, kind of as an automatic tip. Tipping is completely to your discretion, but because of the 10% service tax in restaurants and hotels most people don’t feel the need to tip, but if you are pleased with the service, feel free to leave a tip.
Banks and Business
Office hours are generally from 8:30 am to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, a few offices stay open until 8pm in the city centers but these are mostly private but not government offices. A few banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Shopping centers are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. There are limited bank machines which dispense a limited amount of cash.
Changing Money & Cheques
As a result of dollarization, we recommend more than ever that you carry both US bills and traveler’s cheques while in Uganda. Other foreign currencies can be difficult and in most cases are impossible to change outside of Kampala. There is quite a range of banks, ATMs and foreign exchange bureaus.
Traveler’s Cheques
Traveler’s checks are a great way to keep track of your funds while away from home. Best of all, if they end up lost or stolen they are relatively easy to replace, though some companies reimburse you faster than others. American Express usually replaces checks within 24 hours, while lesser-known companies can take well over a week.
You should be aware that checks can sometimes be difficult to change outside of big cities. In small towns, unless highly touristic, traveler’s checks will be met with blank looks. So it’s a real good idea to get them cashed before you go on a side trip outside of the big city.
Credit Cards
VISA, Master card, American Express, and local banks’ cards are the most widely recognized cards in Uganda. Credit cards are useful for purchases in hotels, shops, restaurants, and for cash advances from Automated Teller Machines or banks. Also, the emergency services offered by your credit card may be a saving grace if you fall ill or encounter some other serious problem. American Express has excellent emergency services for cardholders on the road, especially if you purchase your plane ticket with your card. Check with the card services division of the company handling your account to see the type of coverage they offer in emergency situations. You may also want to raise the limit on your cards before getting on the plane, so you have extra funds in the event of an emergency.
Money Transfers
Most of Uganda’s urban areas have international money transfer offices where you can pick up money sent from abroad, there’s practically a Western Union, money gram or DHL in almost all urban centers mostly located in local banks’ branches and no lack of them in the rest of the country. Your credit card company may also be able to make an emergency advance against your account to one of these money transfer offices.
Read MoreKey Things to Check on Car Hire Before Driving Off
Things to check on a car hire before you drive away: Hiring a car in Uganda is incredible only if it is done right. Before setting off for your holiday to any destination, first, cross-check on key things to ensure that you have a safe and secure self drive tour in the Pearl of Africa.
Fluids
Before you set off for a self drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park, first, check the car’s fluid levels, oil, hydraulic, brake fluid and coolant. Low coolant levels and oil fluids can be indicators of leakage.
Lights
Your vehicle must have fully functioning lights to ensure that you safely drive even if it is at night or in case of mist. The brake lights should be fine and they are essentials in alerting the rest of the drivers in case you plan to braking. All the indicators must be properly functioning to help other drivers get notified when you need to turn left or right when perhaps overtaking.
Inspect the interior
When hiring a car in Uganda or any part of the world, it is essential to always exercise patience and carryout adequate inspection on the vehicle. Check, find every damages, scratches on the car and make your car rental service provider notified.
Wipers
Prior setting off for your Uganda road trip, make sure that your car’s wipers function well. Find out if they can clear the water from the windscreen. Use the windscreen washers, spray through the windscreen and find out if the wipers perform their work.
Wheels & tyres
The wheels and tyres of the car you plan to use must be in better shape-check if they are worn out or requires to be replaced. Cross check the tyres surface if they have any damages, bubbles or inflections. The tyres’ air pressure is the other essential thing you must be checked before you hit the road to your dream destination.
Brake pads
The brake pad wear is another significant component that must be cross-checked. If the brake pads wears below 5mm then it may require to be replaced. The hand brake must be functioning well to ensure that you have a smooth road trip in Uganda.
Drive belts
Conduct thorough examination on the drive belts in case of any cracks. In case of any damages/worn out, there are higher chances for the engine to shutdown.
Brakes & clutch
It is also important to ascertain how the car can react when braking while you are on the road trip in Uganda. Note, driving a car that can’t be controlled under braking isn’t safe to hit the road while on a Uganda safari.
Familiarize yourself with car’s dashboard
Check the dashboard, find out which gauge is for speed, fuel etc. Check if the temperature gauge does display any warning lights.
Test the GPS/navigation system
In case the rental car you plan to use for a Uganda self drive has a GPS, make sure that you are familiar with its operations. Where you have no GPS, make the best use of the Maps.
Valid & right insurance
Take time and cross-check your car hire contract, find out if the car is insured or not. Interestingly, when you rent a car in Uganda with us, you are covered because our cars are comprehensively insured.
Start the engine before
Before heading off for your road trip, make sure that you test the car engine if it functions. Keenly monitor the car engine’s sound if it has issues or not and you can be in position to ascertain whether to use the rental car or not.
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