Top Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris
Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris: As a local tour operator and in collaboration with other tourism or safari partners in Africa, we receive a lot of concerns and questions from our visitors, and we know these will be useful as you plan your next safari to Uganda, Rwanda, or Africa. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions about Uganda safaris.
When is the ideal time to go on a Uganda safari? Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris
This is one of the most popular frequently asked questions about Uganda safaris. The climate and terrain in Uganda make it feasible to travel all year, although the greatest times to go are between June and October and December and February. However, these periods are also marked by a higher number of visitors. This raises the cost of accommodation and transportation, making the safari quite expensive. November, March to June would be excellent for the greatest prices due to the low season.
What should I wear or bring with me on my Uganda safari? Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris
Another one of the frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris, is what to wear. Shorts, light tops, and sandals for travel days; decent hiking boots, a sun hat, a sweat band, and gloves (for gorilla tracking). Safaris with chimp tracking/habituation require light rain clothing, a long-sleeved shirt and pants (for any form of walking safari), a light rucksack, sunscreen, and sun glasses. Most upscale lodges feature swimming pools, so bring your swimsuit! Khaki-colored clothing is recommended since it repels mosquitoes and keeps you cool. Evenings may become cool or cold, particularly in mountainous locations such as Bwindi and Mgahinga. So carry a jacket and/or sweater. Remember to bring insect repellant, especially if you intend on wandering in the woods. Favorite foods, memory cards, rechargeable batteries, and a diary are all recommended. Trackers are required to wear long pants. Rain gear should also be brought because the weather might be unexpected at times.
What are the requirements for a Gorilla tracking safari or a wildlife safari?
This is another of the frequently asked questions about Uganda Safaris. Although no training is required, some level of fitness is essential. Walking is required for gorilla tracking, which may include trudging up and down slopes, traversing muddy sections or small streams, and occasionally deviating from the path through dense forests. Porters can be contracted to carry your backpacks and assist you up and down hillier regions for clients who are gorilla tracking. All backpacks must be left behind with the porters or escorting Park officials once the Gorillas have been found. Stretching your arms, back, and legs before and after tracking are recommended. Keep any valuables, money, camera film, or anything else that you don’t want to lose in your pockets! Gorilla tracking could take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours. Time is determined by the location of the gorilla family as well as the fitness of the people in the trekking party. However, in our experience, anyone of any age may safely walk or track the gorillas and have an unforgettable experience.
Is there an age restriction for gorilla tracking or wildlife safaris?
Age brings about complications when it comes to Uganda safari, thus beinf among the frequently asked questions about Uganda Safaris. There is no age limit for wildlife safaris, but there is one for gorilla and chimp tracking, which is 15 years. It is difficult for children to participate in these two activities due to the time and distance involved and their reaction to these primates. Chimpanzee tracking might last anywhere from 1 to 5 hours. As time passes, chimps become more accustomed and simpler to locate, and less time is spent tracking. The same is true for gorilla tracking. However lengthier distances must normally be traveled to locate the distinct Gorilla family groups. The length of your hike may be determined by the distance the chimps/gorillas are from you or by the other members of your tour group. The youngsters, on the other hand, have additional optional activities in the national parks that they might perform during this time, as indicated by the travel agent.
What will I do with the kids while I go gorilla or chimp tracking?
Most lodges and parks include games and activities to keep children entertained while their parents go gorilla or chimp tracking. Most lodges can provide a babysitter to supervise children while their parents are away. Ugandans in general adore children and are excellent caregivers. You will discover that they will form a positive bond with your children! They could take youngsters on short, easy guided walks, or they could stay with them in the van or Lodge (whatever you want) while you go on longer adventures. check out our guide to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
What medical measures should I take before embarking on my Safari or traveling?
Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris: If you have had prior health conditions, get a medical evaluation before going on safari, especially if you are trekking gorillas. Bring a copy of your prescription if you use prescription glasses or contacts. Carry any necessary prescriptions and documentation in your hand luggage, and please notify us of any medical issues for proper planning and service. The good news is that medical services are available in major cities and communities surrounding tourist attractions. Yellow fever vaccine and card are also required for Uganda. So, before you travel, we recommend that you contact your insurance carrier to ensure that you are fully protected. Also worth mentioning are the malaria medicines prescribed by your doctor prior to vacation. We don’t provide travel insurance. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before departing. All of our safari cars have full insurance coverage. Check out how to travel to Rwanda safely
How are the roads to gorilla and wildlife tracking in Uganda?
The majority of the roads are paved, particularly the highways leading to the majority of the national parks. In Uganda, major and secondary highways are often well maintained. Roads do deteriorate with heavy rains, which are common throughout the region. There may be sections of roads that are in between maintenance and might be better. Just be prepared for such occurrences and accept them as part of your African safari experience! A 4X4 vehicle is recommended at all times for maximum comfort and experience, and we exclusively use 4X4 safari cars to avoid delays and inconveniences.
What modes of transportation does Laba Africa Expeditons provide?
We transport our visitors in private 4WD Customized Land-cruisers (3, 5, and 7 seats), as well as Safari 4X4 Vans (9 seats) with pop-up safari roofs for improved game viewing. It means you won’t be sharing a vehicle, and coaster buses can be booked for larger parties. Our vehicles are all fully adapted safari vehicles, ready for any tough expedition. Our driving guides are superb drivers who are very experienced on our roads.
Is it possible to fly to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking? Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris
Yes. We have regular domestic flights as well as chartered flights for our wildlife and gorilla-tracking flying safaris to fulfill the needs of our luxury clientele who would like to go on gorilla-tracking safaris in Uganda. Each of the national parks has an airfield, which reduces the amount of time spent on the road. These safaris are typically customized to the needs of busy and adventurous travelers. The good news is that there are now scheduled domestic flights available, particularly in Uganda, with customized packages based on flight timetables, so please request this option for the best recommendations.
Is electricity and internet available at the various lodges and tented camps?
Some of our safari cars are equipped with inverters and charging systems, as well as Wi-Fi on demand while on the road. Most lodges are powered by hydroelectric electricity, generators, or solar energy. If you are staying within the National Park, rules normally do not allow generators to run all night due to noise pollution. Bring a flashlight and batteries. If you need to replenish the batteries, do it when the generator first starts up. Lighting at some tented camps and hotels is limited to lanterns and candles. However, you will have plenty of light when you go into Uganda. Because of technological advancements, most lodges and hotels now have hotspots where you may connect with your loved ones back home via the internet while traveling.
What is included in the price of the wildlife and gorilla tracking tour?
We make every effort as a safari company to specify all price includes and exclusions on any itinerary we give out to any Agent or customer. Some of the inclusions are; transportation as requested, full-board accommodation unless otherwise specified, all activities as specified in the program, and an English-speaking driver guide. You will also have an experienced ranger with you for most of the excursions in the national parks you explore, as well as bottled drinking water while on safari and meals on transit.
Check our car rent Uganda page or self drive in Africa
What is the best method, and when do I have to pay for my safari?
Gorilla and chimp permits, specifically for Uganda and Rwanda, are paid in advance upon safari confirmation. Due to strong demand, especially during peak season, lodges need a deposit upon booking, and it is recommended to pay in advance to get the best lodgings. To improve service, Laba Africa has implemented Visa and Master card transactions, where you can pay with your credit card on a secure link that we email you with the invoice rather than going to the bank. When it comes to payment, we are quite flexible; normally, a request for payment of gorilla permits and a partial deposit for accommodation is necessary. The rest of the money can be paid at least three weeks before the safari or on arrival. This can be accomplished through electronic transfers, which are less expensive than going to the bank, or by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, which are easier and more convenient but incur a 4.5% fee.
What is it like to live in Uganda? Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris
We have the most welcoming and cheerful people in the area. You will be able to acquire assistance simply since others smile, wave, and pay attention to you. Children will occasionally say terms like ‘Mzungu,’ which is a term they use to describe a white person and is not meant to upset you as a guest. You can even stop by towns and local markets on the recommendation of a driving Guide to interact with the locals.
Is it customary to tip the Guide and service providers and how much should you give?
As with any other human being, it is crucial to express gratitude to your driver guide and waiters and waitresses, especially if they have provided excellent service. It further inspires them to achieve better. The average amount is $10 – $15 per person per day for driver guides and $5 – $10 per person per night for hotels and restaurants. These tips are usually placed in a tip box provided so that all hotel personnel can split them equally. The quantity, on the other hand, is and should be set by you as a person based on how you have enjoyed or been served. However, this does not prevent the guide or any other service provider from doing their full duties in accordance with your expectations.
How much cash should I carry and where can I exchange it?
Because money can be a deal breaker on your Uganda safari, it is on the frequently asked questions about Uganda Safaris. Since most of our vacations are all-inclusive, it is not suggested to travel with huge sums of money. We always recommend some extra cash for payments based on personal expenses, purchasing at souvenir shops. It is also worth noting that credit cards are accepted in many of the accommodations and tourist sites. Large cities such as Kampala are perfect for obtaining favorable foreign currency rates. Torn banknotes with writing on them are usually difficult to accept, even if they are legal money outside of Africa. Bills issued prior to 2009 are not admissible or will be exchanged as small bills, particularly for the US Dollar, thus it is best to carry bills issued in 2009 or later. Small bills range from $1 to $20, while big bills range from $50 to $100. When traveling, bring the big bills ($50-100), as they will repay you with a good rate when converting currency. Currencies such as the Pound Sterling and Euro are not as accepted as the USD. You can still transact in USD or other currencies in tourist regions because many people use USD or Euros.
You might also be interested in the cost of a uganda safari or How much does African safari cost
Is it possible to find delicious cuisine outside of major cities, and how safe is it?
Food is a delicate subject that might derail your safari. We always ask our visitors to notify us ahead of time of any food allergies, specifications, or preferences. Having said that, all of the hotels we utilize have expert in-house chefs, and the majority of our food and fruits are organic and healthy, with less chemical content because they grow in a natural environment. They often include vegetarian, Indian, Chinese, and continental dishes, as well as local delicacies, as recommended by your guide. When ordering meals, especially when in transportation, there are fixed buffets where food is already prepared, which is convenient and saves time, or using the menu to order food of preference. This may take a long or short time to be served, particularly in tourist locations far from town. The delivery time here is slower than in industrialized countries.
As recommended by your guide, try smashed bananas (matooke) with sauce and other varieties of fresh fruits and meals, not to mention roasted meat. It is worth the experience, but it must be hot from the cooking location, as recommended by your guide. I hope that we have answered all the Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Safaris.
