Key takeaways
- Apply for visas online before travel; the East Africa Tourist Visa covers three countries.
- Get a yellow fever vaccination: no longer required for Uganda, but often checked in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
- Bring newer, undamaged US dollar notes.
- Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
- Pack layers: highland mornings are cold.
Visas and entry
- Uganda: most visitors apply online for an e-visa before travelling (single entry US$50). Allow a couple of weeks for processing.
- Rwanda: visa rules are generous; many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or online.
- Kenya: visitors apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure.
- Tanzania: most visitors apply online for an e-visa; Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and uses the same visa.
- East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100): one visa for Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, valid for 90 days with multiple entries between those three countries. Ideal for gorilla trekking combined with the Masai Mara.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive, with two blank pages. Rules change, so always check the official government portal for your nationality before travelling; we will remind you in your travel pack.
Health and vaccinations
- Yellow fever: Uganda no longer requires a yellow fever certificate for entry (announced by the immigration directorate in October 2026), but vaccination is still recommended, and Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar may ask for a certificate if you arrive from Uganda or Kenya. We recommend getting vaccinated and carrying the card.
- Malaria is present in most safari areas. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarial tablets, and use repellent and long sleeves at dusk.
- Routine vaccinations, plus those your clinic recommends (often hepatitis A and typhoid), should be up to date.
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water. Bottled water is provided in our safari vehicles.
- Altitude: gorilla treks take place at roughly 1,500–2,500 m. Take it slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Insurance: comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential and a condition of booking with us.
- Feeling unwell before a trek? Tell your guide. Rangers may refuse trekkers with colds or coughs to protect the gorillas.
Money, cards and tipping
- Currencies: Uganda shilling (UGX), Rwandan franc (RWF), Kenyan shilling (KES) and Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
- US dollars are widely accepted for tourism. Bring newer, clean, untorn notes; older or damaged notes are often refused or exchanged at poor rates.
- Cards work in most lodges and city hotels, sometimes with a surcharge. ATMs are found in towns but not in parks.
- Mobile money is used everywhere in East Africa, and our Pesapal payments accept it for your safari balance.
- Tipping guides, porters and lodge staff is customary but always at your discretion. We include guidance in your travel pack.
Phones, power and connectivity
- SIM cards: local SIMs (for example MTN or Airtel in Uganda) are cheap and give good coverage on main roads. You will need your passport to register one.
- Wi-Fi is available at most lodges but can be slow in remote parks.
- Plugs: Uganda and Kenya use the UK-style three-pin plug (type G). Rwanda and Tanzania use other types, so a universal adapter is the simplest option.
- Charging: many lodges run on solar power or generators with set charging times. A power bank is useful on long drives.
Local rules worth knowing
- Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, and may be confiscated on arrival. Pack in reusable bags.
- Drones are not allowed in national parks without special permission. Leave yours at home unless we have arranged a permit.
- Photography: always ask before photographing people, and never photograph military sites, police or government buildings.
- Dress: dress modestly in towns and villages, and especially in Zanzibar’s Stone Town.
- Umuganda: in Rwanda, the last Saturday morning of each month is community-work time, and travel can be restricted until about midday. We plan around it.
Safety on safari
East Africa’s safari circuits are visited by many thousands of travellers each year. Our guides drive only in daylight on long transfers, know the roads and stay in touch with our Kampala office. Common-sense precautions apply in cities: keep valuables out of sight, use the hotel safe and take a taxi at night. In the parks, always follow your guide’s instructions around wildlife, and never leave the vehicle on a game drive unless they say it is safe.
Safari packing list
Pack in a soft bag: vehicles have limited space, and light aircraft on domestic flights usually allow around 15 kg in soft luggage.
Clothing
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in neutral colours (avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies)
- A warm fleece or jacket: highland mornings and early game drives are cold
- A light waterproof jacket
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes for the vehicle, plus sandals
For gorilla and chimp trekking
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Gardening gloves and gaiters (or long socks)
- A small daypack with a rain cover and a two-litre water bottle
Health and documents
- Passport, visa confirmations and your yellow fever card (recommended)
- Antimalarials, repellent, sunscreen and personal medication
- A small first-aid kit and hand sanitiser
- Travel insurance details and emergency contacts
Gear
- Binoculars, ideally one pair each
- Camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards
- Universal plug adapter and power bank
- Head torch, reusable bags and a dry bag for boat trips
Time zone, daylight and language
- Time zone: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are on East Africa Time (GMT+3); Rwanda is on Central Africa Time (GMT+2).
- Daylight: close to the equator, days are about twelve hours long all year, with sunrise around 6:30–7am and sunset around 6:30–7pm.
- Language: English is widely spoken in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda; Swahili is the common language of Kenya and Tanzania. Rwanda also uses Kinyarwanda and French. A few words of greeting are always appreciated.
Food and dietary needs
Lodges serve a mix of international and local dishes, and most cater well for vegetarians. Vegan, gluten-free and allergy requirements are possible with notice. Tell us when you book and we will inform every lodge. Try local favourites along the way: matoke (steamed green bananas), Uganda’s rolex (an omelette rolled in chapati), and fresh tilapia from the lakes.
Roads and driving times
Distances are long and many roads are winding or unpaved in the final stretch to the parks, so journey times are longer than maps suggest. Entebbe to Bwindi, for example, is a full day by road. Our itineraries list realistic drive times for each day, break long drives with stops, and avoid driving after dark. Where time is short, a domestic flight can replace a long drive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Uganda?
Not for entry any more: in October 2026 Uganda’s immigration directorate confirmed the certificate is no longer required. Vaccination is still recommended, and Tanzania, Zanzibar and Rwanda may ask for a certificate if you arrive from Uganda or Kenya.
What is the East Africa Tourist Visa?
A single visa covering Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, valid for 90 days with multiple entries between the three. It is ideal for combining gorillas with the Masai Mara.
Can I use US dollars on safari?
Yes, US dollars are widely accepted for tourism. Bring newer, undamaged notes, as older or torn notes are often refused.
How much luggage can I bring on domestic flights?
Light aircraft usually allow around 15 kg per person in soft bags. We confirm the exact limit for your flights.
Is it safe to travel in Uganda?
Uganda’s safari circuit is visited by many travellers each year. We plan daylight driving, use experienced guides and follow current travel advice.
Written by our Kampala-based planners and guides, who arrange these trips every season. Prices and rules are checked before every quote.