The Ultimate Uganda Safari Pre-Departure Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION Passport Visas Money Tipping Special Diets Communications Electricity MEDICAL INFORMATION Inoculations International Health Card Malaria Prevention Staying Healthy Bot Fly Bites HELPFUL INFORMATION Photography Being a Considerate Traveler PACKING LIST The Essentials Luggage WT Gear Store Notes on Clothing Clothing Safari Equipment Personal First Aid Supplies Optional Items Welcome! We re delighted to welcome you on this adventure! This booklet is designed to guide you in the practical details for preparing for your trip. As you read, if any questions come to mind, feel free to give us a call or send us an email we re here to help. PLEASE SEND US Trip Application: Complete, sign, and return your Trip Application form as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Medical Form: Complete, sign, and return your Medical Form as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Air Schedule: Please forward a copy of your email confirmation, which shows your exact flight arrival and departure times. Refer to the Arrival & Departure section of the Detailed Trip Itinerary for instructions. Please feel free to review your proposed schedule with Wilderness Travel before purchasing your tickets if you have any questions about the timing of your arrival and departure flights or would like to confirm we have the required minimum number of participants to operate the trip. PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW Travel Documents & Medical Information: Carefully review the Travel Documents and Medical Information sections of this booklet to familiarize yourself with Passport and Visa entry requirements for your destination, as well as any recommended inoculations. Optional Travel Insurance: Review the Trip Cancellation & Transfer Fee Schedule included in the Detailed Itinerary. We recommend that all trip members purchase Travel Insurance. Extra Services: Request any Extra Services (hotel nights, transfers, extensions) with your WT office contact using the Extra Services Request Form sent with your confirmation packet. Final Documents: Approximately three weeks before your trip, we will send you final departure documents, including hotel and local contact information and rendezvous instructions. QUESTIONS? Call: 1-800-368-2794, go to our website: www.wildernesstravel.com, or e-mail us at: info@wildernesstravel.com
Travel Information PASSPORT A valid passport is required for your trip. Be sure to check the expiration date. For entry to Uganda, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure from Uganda and have a minimum of three blank pages available. It is very important that the blank pages say Visas at the top. The last few pages of your passport, which say Amendments and Endorsements, and the final page of your passport, which may not have a page number, are not considered to be legitimate passport pages.you can request a new passport through US Passport Services Office (the service of adding pages for visas was discontinued as of January 1, 2016) or use a visa service agency, which can take care of your passport renewal and expedite the process, if needed. We recommend Passport Visas Express. Be sure to allow sufficient time to acquire this before your trip. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of your passport s photo page and any acquired visa pages for your trip (if applicable) in case your passport is lost or as an additional piece of identification, as well as two extra passport photos.
VISAS Prior to arrival, all US citizens must obtain a visa approval letter for Uganda. (Current cost is $50, subject to change without notice). You must present this letter to the Ugandan officials at the Entebbe airport. They will then stamp the official visa into your passport. We recommend that you obtain this letter through the Uganda e-visa application system (https://visas.immigration.go.ug/), or Passport Visas Express (https://www.passportvisasexpress.com/). Per current regulations, the visa approval letter is valid for 90 days from its date of issue. Because of this, we recommend that you apply for your visa letter 1-1.5 months prior to arrival, so that it is valid during your entire trip dates. Please note that approval letters can take ~2-6 business days to be processed. Step 1: Choose the type of visa: Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa (single entry) Step 2: Fill out the requested personal and travel information. Our local partner's office address is required on the form: Classic Africa Safaris Plot Number M, 77 Erica Magala Road Entebbe, Uganda Tel: +256 784 332 501 or +256 772 642 527 Step 3: Upload clear copies of current passport, yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo. For an East Africa Tourist visa, (see below for more information), a travel itinerary and proof of return ticket must also be submitted. Step 4: Once the online application form is completed and submitted, the applicant will receive a barcoded email notification of approval. This can take ~2-6 business days. Once received, this bar-coded email should be printed and brought to Uganda for presentation upon arrival. Step 5: Upon arrival in Entebbe, the bar-coded email along with passport and original yellow fever certificate must be presented. The Immigration Officer will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints, and a photograph. Your visa will then be printed and pasted into the passport. If you are planning on extending your trip to Kenya or Rwanda, you will also need a Kenya or Rwanda visa. You can apply for an East Africa Tourist visa, valid for 90 days, which allows you to visit Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. (Current cost is $100, subject to change without notice). To apply for this visa, visit the relevant website of the country in which you will be starting your trip. If your trip originates in Uganda: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ If it originates in Rwanda: https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/web/dgie/east-africa-tourist-visa If you go to Kenya first, you can obtain this visa on arrival. The holder of the East Africa Tourist visa shall enter from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. If you are a citizen of any country other than the US, check with a local consulate for entry requirements.
MONEY The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. We recommend you bring most of your funds in US cash. US currency is accepted to pay for expenses at most, but NOT all accommodations. However, because you will generally receive a lower exchange rate using US dollars, and they are extremely difficult for locals to exchange, we highly recommend changing some of your money at the airport, upon arrival in Entebbe. Important: US bills must be clean, in good condition, and dated 2009 or newer. Old bills are not accepted. US cash in large bills ($50 and $100) gets a better rate than $20s. Small bills ($1) are not welcomed. You will always receive a better price for souvenirs purchased with shillings. Traveler s checks are not accepted. Only Visa credit cards are accepted at hotels and lodges (not widely accepted anywhere else) and there is often a 5% to 7% surcharge. While ATMs within Uganda are located at the international airport and in some of the larger cities such as Kampala and Entebbe, they are often out of service. Therefore, please do not rely on the use of ATMs to obtain cash while on your safari. ATMs will only accept Visa cards and cash will be given in Ugandan Shillings. Consult with your Trip Leader on how much cash to exchange. Any extra Uganda shillings can be exchanged at the airport upon departure. You will need to budget spending money for gratuities, for meals outside of the trip itinerary (if applicable), and for personal items such as souvenirs. Note: Laundry service fees can be expensive at hotels, but laundry is complimentary at Ndali Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp. TIPPING Tipping is completely discretionary, but over the years, clients have asked us for tipping guidelines to reward outstanding service. Tipping for the Trip Leader will not be formally organized. Should you wish to tip him, we suggest you do so toward the end of the trip. A range of reference would be $110-$140 USD per trip member. Tips can be given in US Dollars ($20 bills and smaller), though local currency is preferred. The Trip Leader takes care of gratuities for local guides who are with us for a short period of time, all trackers and porters, luggage handling, group meals at restaurants, and lodge tips. SPECIAL DIETS We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs, however, please keep in mind that certain cultural differences or limitations due to logistics can make it extremely difficult and at times impossible to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please inform us at least eight weeks before your trip if you have a restricted diet. It is important to bring a flexible attitude and supplemental snacks.
COMMUNICATIONS Time Zone Uganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT, or 8 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time in the US may affect these times. Telephone The international dialing code for Uganda is 256. Please contact your cell phone company for specific instructions for international use. Email & Internet Access Nearly all of the lodges have Wi-Fi available in the main areas, although note that speed and reliability may be different than what you are used to. The Entebbe Protea Hotel has Wi-Fi in the rooms as well. ELECTRICITY Uganda has the following electrical specifications: 240 volts 50 Hz Plug type G. Plugs usually have three rectangular prongs (as in the UK). Bring a plug adaptor kit for charging camera batteries, ipads or using small appliances. You will need plug adaptor(s) if you have USA plugs (type A, B). Note that if the electronic device(s)/charger(s) you wish to bring do not have universal voltage you may need a converter. You can find plugs and converters on-line or at stores with travel gear, such as REI. All lodges on this trip have electricity apart from Ndali Lodge, which uses solar power and a generator.
Medical Information The following recommendations should be used as a guideline only; consult your physician for medical advice. It is vital that you let Wilderness Travel know of any medical problems, allergies, or physical limitations you may have. Please fill out and return the personal medical questionnaire, and feel free to consult us if you have any questions about your ability to undertake this particular trip. Wilderness Travel is not a medical facility and has no expertise or responsibility regarding what medications or inoculations you and your physician decide are necessary for your safe participation in the trip. Traveler's health information is available from the Centers for Disease Control. Medical travel products are available from Travel Health Medicine and from Magellan's Travel Supplies.
INOCULATIONS Entry requirements are subject to change; check with the Centers for Disease Control for updates. All shots should be entered on your International Health Card (yellow card), which is provided by the facility giving the shots. Keep it with your passport while traveling. This provides an important personal record for you to refer to when making future travel plans. We recommend you discuss the following with your physician: Yellow Fever (Required) Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for Uganda. Travelers should be vaccinated at least 10 days before traveling. Uganda has adopted the WHO policy of lifetime validity for Yellow Fever vaccinations. For most travelers, a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and a booster dose of the vaccine is not needed. However, some travelers may require a booster dose; please discuss this with your doctor. Have proof of the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with your passport. Health officials at borders often (but not always) request proof of the shot. Visit the CDC Travelers Health link wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ for more information. Please note: According to the CDC, people 60 years or older may be at increased risk for serious adverse events following vaccination, compared with younger persons. This is particularly true if they are receiving their first yellow fever vaccination. If you are over 60, please discuss this with your physician. If you are advised to decline the vaccine for medical contraindications, please have your physician or travel clinic fill out and sign the "Medical Contraindications to Vaccination" section of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) form. Please visit wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever for more information. Polio People who have received the primary series of at least three doses of polio vaccine are considered fully immunized. People who are unsure of their status should receive the vaccine (three doses spaced at intervals). Hepatitis The vaccines HAVRIX and VAQTA (two injections, six to 18 months apart) give long-term protection against Hepatitis A and are worthwhile if you travel regularly to developing countries. Tetanus Booster A booster is strongly recommended (effective for 10 years). Typhoid The CDC recommends the injection or the oral vaccine, Vivotif Berna. You may not be able to take the oral vaccine simultaneously with mefloquine (for malaria prevention).
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARD Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for the following countries: Uganda, Rwanda (if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country), and Tanzania (if traveling to Zanzibar or from Kenya). Have the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with your passport as proof. The vaccination is good for your lifetime. For more information, refer to the CDC website. MALARIA PREVENTION All travelers to Uganda are urged to take antimalarial medications. Malaria is a serious but preventable disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Please discuss antimalarial medication with your doctor, who will explain various antimalarials and their side effects and recommend a regimen for you. In addition to medication, a further precaution against malaria is to wear long sleeves and long pants at dusk. Thin clothing should be sprayed with insect repellent, especially around the elbows and ankles. Use repellent containing DEET. If, after returning from your trip, you have a persistent fever, fever with chills, muscle aches, and headache, report to your doctor the possibility of exposure to malaria. For further malaria information, consult your doctor or the CDC Malaria Hotline: 888-232-3228. STAYING HEALTHY Consider all tap water unsafe. Do not drink it or brush your teeth with it; use bottled water, available everywhere. Don t use ice in your drinks unless you are sure it was made with treated water. When in doubt, ask your Trip Leader for guidelines. BOT FLY BITES Bot flies bites are a rare occurrence for travelers in the tropics and rarely cause serious health problems but we want you to be aware of the possibility. (Bot flies are called mango flies in Uganda.) We recommend making sure any laundry you have done during your stay in Uganda is properly ironed or tumble dried. If you wear hats during the trip, please make sure they are washed, ironed, or tumble dried if they get sweaty. We also recommend you do not sit directly on the ground or on cushions outside if they are damp or have been left outside overnight. If you have a mosquito bite that seems extremely itchy, is swollen or raised, looks like a spider bite or a boil, or has a small hole in the center, ask your local guide or Trip Leader how to treat it. If you have already returned home, see your doctor and be sure to tell him or her that you have been in a tropical area. Try to find a doctor who knows about tropical medicine, as few US doctors are knowledgeable about bot fly bites. In general, judicious use of mosquito repellent with DEET is the best way to avoid bites.
Helpful Information PHOTOGRAPHY For most people, a compact digital camera or even a cell phone with a fixed zoom lens works well, and newer point-and-shoots and phones can produce excellent quality pictures. For higher quality images, especially for printing, and the ability to use longer telephoto lenses for closer wildlife pictures, a digital SLR is well worthwhile, though heavier. Lenses of 200mm or 300mm, with image stabilization, allow you to hand-hold the camera with minimal camera shake. A polarizing filter is useful, especially to reduce reflection on water surfaces and to deepen the blue of the sky. Pack your equipment well and use plastic bags to protect it from dust or moisture. Bring wipes and a dust blower to keep your lenses clean. Most digital cameras and phones now have video options, and you may even want to consider bringing a GoPro. Always practice ahead of time with new equipment and bring your manual with you. You may want to consider insuring your equipment. Camera equipment is available for rent from Borrow Lenses with a 10% discount offered to Wilderness Travel clients. We recommend bringing at least two large capacity memory cards. If you take a lot of pictures and save them at a high resolution, it can be helpful to bring a digital storage unit or laptop so you can download your pictures and free up your memory cards for reuse on a regular basis. Bring a backup battery or set of batteries so one is always charged and ready to use, and bring your battery charger (and appropriate plug adapter). If your camera uses replaceable batteries, bring spares with you. Note: for trips where you may be away from power sources for multiple days, consider looking into a solar-powered battery charger. When taking pictures of local people, be aware of cultural considerations. Heed your Trip Leader s guidelines for what is appropriate, and always use gestures or simple phrases to ask permission. If people do not wish to be photographed, please honor their requests. We urge travelers to avoid giving money in exchange for photo opportunities, which only makes it harder for other travelers to take pictures and to have a meaningful personal interaction with local people. We find that our clients create wonderful images that really define the unique aspects of our adventures. We would love to make use of your images in our marketing materials and our photoblog, and request that you send us a small sample of your best images and a simple email giving us permission to use the photos. Please email your photos to wtphotoblog@gmail.com. We look forward to receiving them! BEING A CONSIDERATE TRAVELER Please show respect for the cultures we are visiting by observing local customs concerning appropriate dress, particularly in sacred places. Your Trip Leader is always available to answer any questions that you may have regarding this. If it is necessary to use a cell phone during the trip, please do so privately. Smoking is rarely an issue these days, but if you do smoke, please do so only away from the group.
Packing List THE ESSENTIALS Air tickets (or E-tickets) Passport One other picture ID, such as driver s license Bar-coded Uganda e-visa International Health Card ( Yellow Card ) with proof of Yellow Fever inoculation Expense money LUGGAGE Please note that your bush flight from Bwindi to Entebbe on Aerolink Uganda has a strict weight limit of no more than 33 lbs, including your carry-on bag. Soft-sided bag with small padlock (must be unlocked for travel). Due to limited space on safari vehicles and charter flights, all your clothing and gear must fit into this one bag. Daypack for camera gear, binoculars, water bottle, and personal items needed during the day. You must bring a daypack for gorilla tracking, as you will use it to carry your lunch and extra clothing in addition to your other gear. WT GEAR STORE To help you prepare for your next WT adventure, we've put together a great collection of top brands including Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Eagle Creek, and more at our WT Gear Store. NOTES ON CLOTHING During gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, we highly recommend long, comfortable, breathable pants and shirts. During game drives, bring a warm layer for early morning and sunset game drives. Your daytime clothing should be neutral colors such as khaki, bush green, and darker colors to blend in with the surroundings (absolutely no camouflage clothing). White and bright colors tend to scare away the animals. For city and hotel attire, we suggest long pants for men and women. No jackets are required for men. Laundry service is available at all the lodges along the way, (it is complimentary at Ndali Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, and Gorilla Forest Camp), which will help you pack light.
CLOTHING This list is meant as a guideline only; we encourage you to pack as lightly as possible. Breathable rain jacket (such as Gore-Tex) with hood. Ponchos can be used to cover your day pack, but should not be your primary from of rain gear. Fleece jacket for cool evenings Light cotton, quick-drying synthetic pants, or khaki pants Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts. Quickdrying fabrics are best. Sleepwear (or lightweight long underwear) Shade hat with wide brim, preferably with chin strap Warm fleece hat and lightweight fleece gloves for early morning and evening game drives Lightweight polypro gloves to protect your hands as you trek through dense, thorny bush at Bwindi Hiking boots with ankle support and good traction. You will need these for gorilla tracking. Gaiters either ankle- or calf-length. These protect your pant legs from moisture in the brushy undergrowth. Comfortable walking or running shoes for vehicle travel and touring Teva-type sandals or flip flops for wearing in camp Hiking socks. For gorilla tracking, please bring at least two pairs of socks that are long enough to tuck your pants inside (they keep the ants out!). Sports bra for women (for bumpy game drives) Swimsuit City/hotel attire Shorts are optimal for downtime at the lodges, but should never be worn during gorilla and chimpanzee tracking SAFARI EQUIPMENT Strong flashlight or headlamp, with spare batteries Binoculars Camera, spare batteries, spare flash cards Field guides Good quality sunglasses with case Plastic bags to organize items within duffel and protect them against dust/rain Personal toiletries
PERSONAL FIRST AID SUPPLIES Every trip member must bring a small kit for personal use. Your own experience will influence your choices. Sunscreen of SPF #30 or higher. We recommend mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they do not contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Brands such as All Good, Honest Company, Badger, and Alba Botanica are found in most sporting goods stores and drugstores. Lip balm with sunscreen Aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, Tylenol PM for sleeping Insect repellent. Repellents with DEET are recommended. DEET content of about 30-35 percent is ideal (higher DEET content is not recommended). Wipe DEET off your hands before touching plastic surfaces (such as binoculars) because it can damage plastic. Blister kit. Look for the long-lasting gel-type bandages that you can apply directly on blisters, such as Band-Aid Advanced Healing Bandages or Curad Gel Multi-Day Bandages. Liquid band-aids, such as New-Skin, are useful because they dry rapidly to form a tough protective cover over a blister. Dramamine (for motion sickness) for long drives Anti-bacterial gel for hand washing Post-insect bite cream (antihistamine) Antihistamine such as Benadryl and cold remedy such as Sudafed Imodium for diarrhea. If you wish to bring an antibiotic for diarrhea prophylaxis, please consult your physician. Prescription medications properly labeled and in appropriate packaging Spare contact lenses or spare prescription glasses OPTIONAL ITEMS Reusable water bottle (sealed plastic water bottles are available on the trip) Extra sweater or fleece if you really feel the cold Plug adaptor kit for appliance use at hotels/ camera/ ipad charging. Uganda has 240-volt current; plugs usually have three rectangular prongs or three round pins. Reading/writing material Bandanna to protect neck from sun or to cover your nose and mouth as conditions can sometimes be dusty while driving Gatorade-type powdered drink mixes or rehydration salts to combat dehydration, especially when gorilla tracking (bring 1 packet per travel day). It is also a good idea to drink rehydration fluids after a long international flight. There is plenty of food on the trip, but for variety and snacks, feel free to bring a small supply of your own favorite snacks, such as raisins, hard candies, M&Ms, dried fruits, chocolate bars, granola bars, trail mix, power bars, etc. Travel clock Money belt or neck pouch. Always carry your passport, credit cards, and cash with you in a money belt or neck pouch tucked down inside your shirt or blouse. Eye drops/nasal spray if sensitive to dust Revised: November 07, 2018