UBER LUXE SAFARIS PRE- TRAVEL INFORMATION RWANDA

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UBER LUXE SAFARIS PRE- TRAVEL INFORMATION RWANDA The Ultimate Bespoke Safari Experience Le Migo Hotel Office Blocks, Ground floor KG624 St. Kimihurura, Kigali, RWANDA Tel.

1 UBER LUXE SAFARIS PRE- TRAVEL INFORMATION RWANDA The Ultimate Bespoke Safari Experience Le Migo Hotel Office Blocks, Ground floor KG624 St. Kimihurura, Kigali, RWANDA Tel Info@uberluxesafaris.com GETTING TO RWANDA The main airport in Kigali is the Kanombe International Airport. It is located 10 km east of the Kigali centre. Kigali currently receives direct flights from Nairobi, Entebbe, Bujumbura, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dar es Salaam, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Juba, Lagos and Dubai via Mombasa. PASSPORT & VISAS Foreign Nationals wishing to obtain Rwandan visa submit their applications online or at the Rwandan Diplomatic Missions of their Country of residence. In view of bilateral agreements, nationals of the following Countries may visit Rwanda without a visa for a period up to 90 days: Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe and Singapore. EAC Partner states citizens shall be issued with 6 months visitors pass (renewable) upon arrival with no fee.

2 Effective from 01 January 2018, nationals of all countries will get visa upon arrival without prior application. There is an EAC single visa available for Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda, available only on arrival at any airport for a fee of US$ per passport. NB: there are exceptions and different prices for certain countries. Please refer to the immigration websites or the Embassy for specific information. LANGUAGE English is the official language in East Africa; though Kiswahili is considered the second official language. In Rwanda, French and Kinyarwanda are spoken widely. BAGGAGE CLAIM All bags arrive on the conveyor belt. Each person picks his/her bag, onto a trolley and then clear Customs - where he/she presents their passport. This is just a formality - nothing more than that. And immediately in front of them are the Exit doors to the Public Waiting Area/ rendezvous point. MEETING POINT ON ARRIVAL Once you clear immigration and customs - our representatives will meet you on outside the Arrival Halls. A meeting board will be used that indicates your names. We are however able to arrange for VIP Meet and Greet assistance at a fee. CLIMATE AND WEATHER Temperatures average around 24 C (75 F), except for in the higher mountain areas where it ranges from 10 C to 15 C (50 F to 60 F). Rwanda can be visited and enjoyed any time of the year. Dry Season: Mid-May to mid-october. This is the time that is easiest to track the gorillas, however, it is not as green as the wet season. July and August are peak season for visiting the gorillas, which means that travelling outside of these two months is easier to obtain a permit. Wet Season: Mid-October to mid-may The Northeast has a lot more rain due to the volcanoes being covered in rainforest. Karisimbi (the highest peak in Rwanda at 2,507 meters) is usually covered with snow. LATITUDE AND LONGTUDE Rwanda s latitude: 1 57'S, Longitude: 30 7'E SECURITY Basic precautions should be taken, as in all countries, and common sense used. Do not carry excessive jewelry and money or leave them lying around. Use safe deposit boxes to secure travel documents and valuables. If in doubt seek advice from your Uber Luxe Safaris guide. MONEY/CURRENCY Relative to other African countries, Rwanda is an expensive destination. Most costs are covered in the safari.

3 For personal expenditure cash is best; US$30-50 per day is a reasonable minimum. The currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc. One US Dollar is about 600 Rwandan Francs. US dollars are widely accepted in Rwanda. Please be aware that low denomination US Dollar bills (only post-2006) are usable. Bills should be in excellent condition with no stains or tears. Visa Credit cards will only be accepted at the main hotels or lodges as well as some upper-market restaurants, but it is best to confirm prior to ordering. The Rwandese Franc (RWF) is denominated in notes of RWF 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000, while coins are RWF 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. The Local Currency exchange rate is: 1US$ = Rwf 850 (Rwandan Franc) The most useful bank branch would be the Bank of Kigali, which offers cash advances on credit cards and also accepts traveller s cheques, which is not possible in the provinces. There are ATMs throughout Kigali which are accessible to visitors. All banks, and most forex bureau are closed on last Saturday of the month at the morning hours (up to 11:00 am) for the community work UMUGANDA and Sundays TIPPING/GRATUITIES Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. There are no set percentages for tips. Local culture believes the level of tips should be at the discretion of the client and any token of appreciation is gladly received. These are our suggestions: We recommend that you tip your guide direct at the end of your stay in camp; as a rough guideline you might want to tip from US$5-10 per day. About 3-5% in restaurants; at lodges/camps US$ $3-5 per guest for a stay of 1-3 days; for driver/guides US$ $5 - US$ 10 per day per client; for the Head Ranger when gorilla tracking $10 per day per client; porters at parks - $20-25 per day per person; Hotel/lodge baggage porters - $1 to $2 per client per stay. Forest walks - $5 per client. HEALTH AND IMMUNISATION A course of anti-malarial tablets is essential; please seek advice from a GP. A mosquito repellent is also advisable. Yellow Fever Vaccination is now obligatory for all visitors to Rwanda. For visitors from Asia and India, yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for re-entry purpose to their home countries. Swimming is not recommended except in hotel pools. If on medication, it is best to take a supply of medicines to last the entire trip. SAFETY OF FOOD AND DRINKING WATER At all the lodges you visit food is prepared by well-trained chefs and is all hygienic. Bottled water will be given to you at all the hotels. Drink bottled or boiled water only. Do not drink tap water. Uber Luxe Safaris provides bottled water for the clients on all the excursions. PHOTOGRAPHY

4 Photography is not allowed near military buildings or soldiers. Before photographing people it is polite to ask. Bring sufficient films, including fast film ( ASA) for gorilla tracking and batteries. Flash photography is not allowed, so fast film is useful ( ASA). Personal DVD recorders are allowed. Professional filmmakers require permission and need to purchase filming permits. Those interested in photographing gorillas should note that photography is often easier when the weather is not sunny. ELECTRICITY Rwanda: 230/240 volts at 50 Hz. 2-pin (round) sockets. It is best to travel with your own adaptor. These can be provided by the hotel/ lodge on request. Consult your guide. FLYING DOCTORS The temporary membership cost is US$ 20.- per person and is valid for a 3 months visit in East Africa. It entitles the subscriber to one free 'evacuation' flight from a radius of 1000 kilometers within East Africa. The areas we are traveling to fall within this range of mileage. The evacuation flight consists of, depending on the emergency, a nurse, a doctor, flight attendant and of course the crew. The aircrafts are equipped with Blood, Oxygen, etc. So, if we had an accident or somebody fell ill, we could call upon the Flying Doctors and within a turn-around time of a maximum of 40 minutes to one hour, they would be at the nearest airstrip to our location. BEGGING/DONATIONS We recommend clients do not give money to beggars or children; it is better to give donations to established charities that help the homeless or street children or schools. Exercise books, pens and pencils are useful gifts but not money or sweets as they create a dependency culture. We can make arrangements to visit schools and orphanages on request. TELEPHONE/INTERNET International telephone communication is very good in Kigali but more difficult from some up-country areas. The mobile telephone network is good and rapidly expanding. Most American mobile phones with an international roaming agreement work in and Rwanda. Local SIM cards can also be purchased in many outlets. Internet facilities are available in Kigali and in most major towns in Rwanda although the quality and speed of the connection varies. Our guides have cell phones which can be used for incoming calls. (Country telephone code is +250) WHAT TO CARRY Baggage: the mantra is TRAVEL LIGHT! Clients should be encouraged to carry soft sided duffle bags as opposed to hard or roller cases such as samsonite, etc. This saves time and space during the loading and offloading of the safari vehicles. Other Personal Items. Don t forget the camera, camcorder and a plentiful supply of film and spare batteries. A pair of binoculars will greatly enhance game viewing while a torch to find your way around camp after dark is a good idea. Books, pencils, crayons and crackers are very welcome as gifts to the children of local villages that you would pass (or visit) whilst on safari. WHAT TO WEAR

5 Summer clothing is worn throughout the year, although at times a jacket and light raincoat may be necessary. Early morning and evening temperatures at altitude (most national parks are located 1000m plus asl) are cool. So we recommend a sweater to keep you warm especially during your dawn and dusk safaris. On safari, wear neutral colors, such as brown, beige and khaki - bright colors may alarm the animals. Sensible walking shoes are also recommended. Casual wear is the norm during the day, a short-sleeved shirt for men, light cotton dresses, or a skirt and top for women. Sunglasses and a hat for protection against the sun are recommended and swimsuits should be packed for the swimming pool or beach. Topless sunbathing is not permitted. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Rwanda : 1 January,1 February (National Heroes Day), 7 April (Genocide Memorial Day) 1 May (Labour Day),1 July (Independence Day),4 July (National Liberation Day) 15 August (Assumption Day),1 October (Patriotism Day), 26 December(Boxing Day), Religious Holidays: Easter & Christmas Day EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Bonita Mutoni, Founder Tel: Mwaka Utanje, Travel Manager Tel: Peter Ndungu, Senior Travel Consultant Tel:

UBER LUXE SAFARIS PRE-TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR UGANDA The Ultimate Bespoke Safari Experience 43 KG 599 AV. Remera Kigali Rwanda Tel.+ 250 786559109 +250 782 500 598 Email : Info@uberluxesafaris.com www.

6 UBER LUXE SAFARIS PRE-TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR UGANDA The Ultimate Bespoke Safari Experience 43 KG 599 AV. Remera Kigali Rwanda Tel Info@uberluxesafaris.com Do I need a visa to enter Uganda? You are required to purchase a tourist visa before you enter Uganda. Tourist visas can be bought in advance via the embassy or consulate in your country or simply purchased upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border. Photos are not required and a single entry tourist visa costs US$ 100 per person for up to 90 days stay in Uganda. If you are planning to combine Uganda with a visit to Rwanda or Kenya it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa instead of a single entry visa. This special visa costs US$100 per person and allows a 90-days multiple entry to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Regretfully, Tanzania is not (yet) a member of the East African community and therefore not part of this special visa arrangement. Can I use my ATM card or credit card in Uganda? Only a few banks accept ATM cards or Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Uganda. While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in Kampala, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in Uganda. Payment by credit card in Uganda can attract additional charges of between 5 10%, occasionally more. Do check with lodges and restaurants in advance, if you plan to pay by credit card. We therefore advise you to bring cash and have money changed upon arrival in Kampala. US dollars, British pounds and Euros are easy to change. However, for some expenses, like the payment of a tourist visa at the airport/border, it is easier to have dollars available. It is often possible to pay for tourist activities with US dollars. Please note: US dollars bills issued before 1999 are NOT accepted in Uganda. Exchanging low denomination dollar bills (anything less than a USD100 bill) attracts a lower exchange rate. Are travelers cheques accepted in Uganda? Travelers cheques are no longer accepted in Uganda.

7 Is MasterCard accepted in Uganda? Very few places in Uganda accept MasterCard. In addition to cash, we suggest you bring a Visa debit card. What should I tip in Uganda? 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 USD10 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in upmarket hotels, Uganda lodges and restaurants. What is the best time 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 and August and Christmas and New Year being the peak seasons. Most rain falls in October-November and April-May. However, this doesn t mean that it rains all day, nor does it mean it will rain every day. Usually there s a tropical shower at night or a shorter shower during the day, but in Uganda you can trust that after rain comes sunshine! The weather is no reason to avoid travelling in the wet season you might even consider it because of the easy availability of gorilla permits. As in the rest of the world, the East African climate is changing, making it more difficult for us to predict the weather during your safari. However, in Uganda the temperature is very stable and pleasant, with sunshine almost 365 days a year. During the day, the temperature averages between 23 and 27 C, although in some places it can be quite cool at night. One remarkable aspect about Uganda safaris is: whether you travel in the dry, dusty months or in the wet season, you will never find the crowded tourism like in Kenya or Tanzania. If you spot a lion or leopard, it is very likely that you will be the only one to see it even in peak season! Uganda travel advice: health information for Travelers to Uganda Are vaccinations required for my Uganda safari? A number of different vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering Uganda. A certificate proving you have had the Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda. Immunizations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended as well. Besides bringing mosquito repellent, we also advise you to take malaria prophylactics (prevention medication). Will I get sick when I m in Uganda? You are unlikely to fall sick while you are in Uganda but do take all recommended preventive measures. If you take any regular medication, please bring it with you. Take your Malaria medication as directed before, during and possibly after your visit to Uganda (depending on the Malaria prophylactic you take). Although HIV/AIDS infection rates are lower than many countries in Africa, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is certainly higher than in most Western countries. Tourists and visitors to Uganda sometimes engage in risky behavior that they wouldn t engage in back home. Play safe. Please take your sexual health seriously. Uganda travel advice: safety information for travelers to Uganda Is Uganda a safe country for tourists? Uganda is a very safe country to visit. Although Uganda has lived through a turbulent history, the country is safe, stable and welcoming. Ugandans hospitable nature is legendary! You will be warmly welcomed wherever you go by the country s friendly residents. The most popular National Parks are situated in the south (west) of Uganda and are safe to visit. The border area with Rwanda and DRC remains stable and all National Parks and wildlife reserves are well protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority s rangers. Tourism is hugely important for Uganda s economy and a Tourism Police force has been created to protect visitors. Your travel insurance company or foreign office may offer information about travel to Uganda. However, in our experience, these bodies all err on the side of caution and do not necessarily know what is happening on the ground in Uganda at the time. For example, May 2013, some still advise against travel to Kidepo Valley National Park in Northern Uganda, although it is now safe to travel there by road, or by air. Your safety is our absolute priority and you can rest assured that we will always give you the best Uganda travel advice.

Uber Luxe Safaris. Karibu - Welcome to East Africa!

Uber Luxe Safaris. Karibu - Welcome to East Africa! Uber Luxe Safaris Karibu - Welcome to East Africa! GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION EAST AFRICA (Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar) * LANGUAGE English is the official language in East Africa; though