Africa
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Travel note: I applied for and entered with an eVisa before travel.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | Visa & Documents | — | — | — | — | 50.00 |
| 2 | — | ~80000/night | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 160,000.00 |
| 3 | — | ~40000/day | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 80,000.00 |
| 4 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 20,000.00 |
| 5 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 30,000.00 |
| 6 | — | Long drive | Transport | — | — | — | — | 200,000.00 |
| 7 | — | UWA foreign rate | Activities | — | — | — | — | 700.00 |
| 8 | — | ~125000/night | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 250,000.00 |
| 9 | — | — | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 80,000.00 |
| 10 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 50,000.00 |
| 11 | — | — | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 60,000.00 |
| 12 | — | — | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 35,000.00 |
| 13 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 15,000.00 |
| 14 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 125.00 |
| 15 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 150,000.00 |
| 16 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 60.00 |
| 17 | — | — | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 120,000.00 |
| 18 | — | — | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 40,000.00 |
| 19 | — | — | Connectivity | — | — | — | — | 15,000.00 |
| 20 | — | — | Insurance | — | — | — | — | 40.00 |
| 21 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 50,000.00 |
| 22 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 40,000.00 |
| 23 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 60,000.00 |
| 24 | — | — | USD 975 + UGX 1,455,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 1,455,975.00 |
Last updated 5 days ago
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the destination for gorilla trekking. Jinja is the source of the Nile River - white-water rafting available. Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kazinga Channel offer safari experiences. Kampala is the vibrant capital city. Locals greet with 'You're most welcome' - embrace the warm Ugandan hospitality.
A visa is required and must be applied for online in advance through Uganda's Electronic Visa system. Uganda no longer offers visas on arrival for most nationalities. The e-visa costs around USD 50. Processing takes several days, so apply well before your trip.
A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Uganda. You will be asked to show it at immigration. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. The certificate is valid for life under current WHO guidelines.
The Ugandan Shilling (UGX) is the official currency. Exchange USD at Forex offices in towns for the best rates; airport rates are significantly lower. Many ATMs only work for local bank customers, so carry sufficient cash. US dollars are widely accepted for tourism services.
Buses and shared minivans (matatus) are the main transport between cities. Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are common but considered dangerous due to reckless driving. Uber is available in Kampala and is a safer option. For gorilla trekking, a 4x4 vehicle is essential for the rough roads to Bwindi.
MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda are the main providers. SIM cards cost UGX 2,000-5,000 with data plans starting from UGX 1,000 for smaller bundles. Registration requires a passport. Having a local SIM makes navigation and booking transport much easier.
Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi cost USD 700 per person for foreign non-residents and must be booked well in advance through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The trek can last 2-8 hours depending on gorilla location. Bring sturdy waterproof boots, rain gear, and long pants. You spend one hour with the gorillas once found.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Kampala
Explore Uganda's capital starting with the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial ground of Buganda kings. Walk through the bustling Owino Market for local fabric and craft shopping, then visit the Uganda National Mosque for panoramic city views from the minaret. End the day with a Rolex (chapati-egg wrap) from a street vendor in the Wandegeya area.
📍 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Fly or drive southwest toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the lush green hills of western Uganda. Stop at the Equator crossing point in Kayabwe for photos and a demonstration of the Coriolis effect. Arrive at your lodge near Bwindi and attend the evening briefing from park rangers about gorilla trekking protocols.
📍 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Begin the once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek at 8 AM, hiking through dense rainforest with experienced trackers who locate the habituated gorilla families. Spend one hour observing mountain gorillas up close -- watching silverbacks, mothers, and juveniles interact in their natural habitat. The trek can last 2 to 8 hours depending on gorilla location, so bring sturdy boots and rain gear.
📍 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive north to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, spotting lions, Uganda kob, and elephants. Take an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George, where hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species gather at the water's edge.
📍 Jinja
Travel to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa, and visit the Source of the Nile where Lake Victoria feeds into the world's longest river. Try white-water rafting on the Nile's Grade 5 rapids with experienced guides, or opt for a calmer boat cruise to the source monument. Enjoy a riverside lunch at one of Jinja's waterfront restaurants before heading back to Kampala.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Rolled chapati filled with eggs, vegetables, and sometimes meat, Uganda's most popular street food.
Steamed and mashed green bananas cooked in a savory sauce with meat or groundnut paste.
Chicken, beef, or groundnut stew slow-steamed in banana leaves for rich, smoky flavor.
Firm cornmeal porridge served alongside stews and sauces, a staple carbohydrate.
Torn pieces of chapati mixed with stewed beans in a rich tomato and onion sauce, a filling street meal.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Kampala is Uganda's capital and transport hub, with active markets, cultural institutions, and onward links to national parks and border routes.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Bwindi is a UNESCO-listed montane forest famed for mountain gorilla trekking and high biodiversity, and is a top highlight of Uganda travel.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Jinja sits near the Nile source region and is known for rafting, river-based adventure sports, and relaxed waterfront lodging.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Queen Elizabeth National Park offers savannah, crater lakes, and Kazinga Channel boat safaris with strong chances of elephant, hippo, and bird sightings.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
