Traveling To Uganda Tips And Tricks
There are few tips and tricks you need to know if you are traveling to Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa.
Firstly there is a wide regional variation in the climate you will encounter in the country. The equatorial climate here is also affected by the high altitude. For instance in the dry north where there are few tourist attractions, the average annual rainfall can be as low as 1000mm while in Western Uganda and around lake Victoria which is fairly close to the capital of Kampala it can rain almost at any time of the year. It is therefore a smart move to check weather forecasts to avoid having your holiday plans ruined.
If you speak English you have little to worry about when visiting the country as this is the administrative language and most people speak and understand it fairly well. Other languages spoken are Swahili and Luganda.
When is the best time to visit Uganda? Actually the beauty of it is that you can visit a any time of the year although you will need to note that mountain hikes and tracking Gorillas will naturally be less fun when it is raining. Rains are at their highest mid September to November and from March to May.
Light summer wear is the most appropriate wear to bring with you to Uganda because the weather is fairly warm and even hot at times. However mountain hikes are a totally different story and you will need to come with warm clothing for this as the temperatures can get very low depending on high up you go.
It is advisable to check visa requirements before you travel.
Road traffic in Uganda drives on the left side which seems to have been inherited from the British who colonized the country before independence.
Unlike in many countries of the west, tipping is not standard practice although the situation is different with guides and drivers who should always be tipped. Tourists also tend to give tips of between 5 and 10 per cent at most tourist restaurants.
When it comes to food visitors to Uganda can expect excellent western style dishes in most big hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists.
The transport system in Uganda is fairly reliable with buses on long distance routes. Bus companies are fairly strict about departure times. The story is totally different with informal taxis (called kamunyes by the local people which means eagles). These are mainly mini buses and mini vans. These will only depart from the terminus when they are completely full. When there are a few travelers going to certain destination this could take quite some time. Taxis are also widely available but always make sure that you agree on the fare before departure.
The capital of Uganda is Kampala and the second biggest town is Jinja which is the source of the River Nile. Uganda has always been commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa and is the home of well over half of the remaining mountain Gorillas of the world.
These are just a few of the vital tips and tricks you should know about before traveling to Uganda.
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