Personal trip planner
Tell us a few things
Everything is computed locally in your browser, no signup, no email collection at this stage.
Trust and planning standards
- All trip essentials are shown in plain language before booking.
- Permit constraints, age rules, and cancellation realities are stated upfront.
- You receive written inclusions and exclusions before confirming any deposit.
Essentials reference
The unvarying details
Things that don’t depend on your itinerary, visa rules, vaccinations, currency, packing, transport.
40 countries currently enjoy visa-free entry to Uganda for stays up to 90 days. All other foreign nationals apply for a single-entry tourist e-visa online at visas.immigration.go.ug, USD 50, 3 to 5 business days. Passports must be valid for 6+ months beyond departure. The East African Tourist Visa (USD 100) is recommended for combined Uganda/Kenya/Rwanda trips.
A valid Yellow Fever certificate is mandatory for entry. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised year-round, consult your travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Hepatitis A, Typhoid and routine boosters are recommended. Tap water is not potable. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential.
The Uganda Shilling (UGX). USD (printed post-2013) is widely accepted at lodges and parks. ATMs (Visa, Mastercard) are reliable in Kampala, Entebbe and major towns. Carry small-denomination cash for tips and rural buys.
Scheduled domestic flights (Aerolink, Bar Aviation) reach Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo. On the ground, a private 4x4 with an experienced driver-guide is the standard. Self-driving is possible but discouraged for first-time visitors.
Clothing: Lightweight, neutral-toned, breathable. Long sleeves and trousers for insect protection. Thermal layers for high altitude. Footwear: Broken-in waterproof hiking boots; gaiters for dense brush. Gear: Binoculars (8x42), DEET-based repellent, personal medical kit, power bank. Documents: Physical copies of Yellow Fever certificate, passport, visa, insurance.
Booking with ExploUganda
FAQ
Start on the booking page with your dates, party size, interests, and rough budget. Within 48 hours we send a draft itinerary. We iterate until it’s right, then confirm with a 30% deposit. Balance is due 60 days before the trip.
Every itinerary lists this in writing. Generally included: accommodation, meals as specified, ground transport in private 4x4 with driver-guide, park entrance fees, gorilla/chimp permits where applicable, airport transfers. Generally excluded: international flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, personal expenses, gratuities.
For peak season (June, September, December, February): 6 to 12 months ahead. Permits cost $800/person (foreign non-resident), or $600 in UWA low season (April, May, November). They are strictly limited (8 per habituated family per day in Bwindi) and non-refundable once issued. Off-peak: 3 to 4 months is usually safe.
Full terms are in our booking conditions. Headlines: deposit forfeited if you cancel more than 60 days out, 50% if 30 to 60 days out, 75% if 15 to 29 days out, 100% if less. Gorilla permits are 100% non-refundable in all cases.
We site-inspect every lodge in our portfolio personally. Our driver-guides are full-time ExploUganda staff (not freelancers), trained in wildlife identification, first-aid, and the cultural protocols of every region we visit. We tend to favour community-owned lodges and Ugandan-run camps.
Yes to all three. We run solo, family (children 5+ on most itineraries, 15+ for gorilla trekking, UWA rule), and accessibility-adapted itineraries (some parks need adapted vehicles, advance notice helps). Tell us your party in the enquiry and we'll design around it.