Uganda FAQs

No. the water straight from the taps in Uganda is not clean so we would advise you drink bottled water at all times.

This includes ice in your drinks, and the water you use to brush your teeth. Bottled water will be provided in lodges and on safaris for your consumption.

Not all camps/lodges in Uganda have mosquito nets. It all depends on their individual location, i.e. altitude, near open water, etc.

Also, much of the accommodations are tented camps. These tents tend to be tightly sealed and zipped tight avoiding the need for mosquito netting. Furthermore, at most camps/lodges, while you enjoy dinner, housekeeping will complete a turn-down service and spray the rooms with mosquito repellent. Regardless of mosquito netting, you should always bring insect repellent with DEET, trousers/slacks, sports/long sleeved shirt and/or blouse and dress/skirt for ladies.

Despite common misconceptions, both Uganda and Rwanda have had stable, progressive and democratic governments for over ten years.

The drive times from lodge to lodge will vary but most of the lodges in  Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania are between 5 and 8 hours’ drive.

There are, however, a number of lodges that are only an approximate 3 hours’ drive from one another. You may only be travelling 200kms to your next lodge but road conditions, especially during the wet seasons, lengthen the journeys. Also, in many locations you will be game driving and participating in other activities en-route to your next lodge meaning that you may check into your next lodge at sunset.

There are many things to see and do in this outstanding destination, aside from tracking the mountain gorillas.

Tracking the mountain gorillas is a huge highlight of Uganda and we would never recommend you go there and miss the opportunity. However, you can track the golden monkeys, a completely different experience to tracking the gorillas, or trek to the grave of Dian Fossey and her favourite gorilla, Digit. The birdlife is outstanding in Uganda and if you are very lucky, you can spot unique wildlife such as the shoebill. You can also climb a volcano, visit the local villages and orphanages or go on a 4 wheel drive safari in search of Uganda’s game. Uganda is also home to tree-climbing lion!

If you fancy something even more adrenaline fuelled, you can try white river rafting down the Nile River!

You will find that English is widely spoken throughout Uganda, especially in Kigali and by those working in the hospitality industry.

The official languages in Uganda are English and Swahili, but there are many other local languages as well.

With land rich in primates, reptiles, birds, plants and other wildlife, there is lots to watch out for, not just Gorillas and Chimpanzees. More details on what you could find here...

Current evidence indicates that the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park are one of the most diverse forests in East Africa having some of the richest populations of trees, primates, small mammals, butterflies, reptiles and moths. Primates include the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, black & white Colobus monkey, and the olive baboon. Nocturnal primates include the potto, Demidoffs Galago, and the Needle-clawed Galago. Carnivores such as golden cat, genets, civets and side-striped jackals also exist but are rare. These national parks have some of the richest and finest montane forest birding in Africa. 

With over 350 species of birds, Bwindi is believed to be among the parks with one of the largest number of bird species in all of East Africa. A staggering 23 of the 24 Albertine Endemic species are only found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The Albertine Endemics species that are found in Bwindi include the globally threatened species such as African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing and Chaplin’s flycatcher, and others such as Archer’s robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush, red-throated alethe, strange weaver, Oberlaender’s ground-thrush, and dwarf honeyguide. Other bird species found in Bwindi include the Fraser's eagle owl, the Western bronze-naped pigeon, the Willcock's honeyguide, and the rare black bee-eater.