FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS.
1. What is AFRICA ADVENTURE SAFARIS about?
Africa Adventure Safaris is a Ugandan based Tour Company offering the best tours in Uganda and Rwanda, but also extends services to Kenya, Tanzania, Eastern DR Congo and Burundi. We provide an unrivaled choice of quality discounted tour packages that include exciting daily sightseeing trips, gorilla tours, wildlife Tours, chimpanzee tracking tours, bird watching safaris, Mountaineering safaris etc.
Our tours are quite affordable and tailor made it to suit clients’ needs. We are committed to providing the best tour services give value of your money.

 

2. What is the best time to take a tour?
Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo all has a lovely climate, which is favorable throughout the year. There is only two seasons, dry and wet seasons which cannot deter anyone from enjoying the tour into any of the Countries.


3. What is the best way to travel around Uganda?
Uganda has relatively good infrastructure with road network leading to all destinations. There are also chatter planes that fly to certain destinations with in the country. The most common way of travel is by private safari vehicles which can access any part of the country.


4. What are the passport and visa requirements into Uganda?
If travelling to Uganda, then you must ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your entry date and that you have a minimum of 2 blank pages in your passport.


To enter the country, you will need to pay for the Visa, which costs $50 for 90days, and can be paid at any entry point into the country. However, there are exceptions of people who do not require paying for the visa entry and these include people from Angola, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Also all individuals who are American or British citizens as well as almost all commonwealth nations and Europe do need a visa to get to Uganda.


5. Can I use my credit card or master card?
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in a few big hotels and stores. It is advisable to carry some little cash to pay in some areas where they cannot accept credit cards. Also note that credit cards and master cards carry a hefty surcharge of 5-10%.


6. What currency must I bring with?
US Dollars are most acceptable, though Euros and pound sterling are acceptable as well and can be exchanged at any Forex bureau or bank into the Ugandan Shillings at the exchange rate at the time. The Dollar series must be of 2001 series and above, lower than that series are not accepted. Also, the small bills carry of 50 notes and below attract small exchange rate.


7. What are Uganda’s banks opening hours?
Most banks are open Monday to Friday 08h30 to 15h30 and Saturday from 08h30 to 12h00.
Most banks offer foreign exchange services, but there is also a variety of Forex Bureaus in the city.

 

8. Can I use my electric hairdryer and shaver while in Uganda?
In Uganda, the voltage used is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you have a device that does not accept 240 Volts at 50 Hertz, a voltage converter will be needed. British-style plugs with three pins are used. Special adapters for video cameras, chargers and hairdryers are needed. Various safari camps and lodges may not have 240 volts and may operate on solar powered 12-volt electricity. Remember to bring spare batteries to have charged at the lodge while out on safari.

 

9. Are there any health precautions I need to be aware of ?
Medical facilities in the city are of international standard. There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. Malaria within Uganda is prevalent, so ensure that you sleep in the mosquito net provided, and use insect repellant if necessary to avoid mosquito bites. You may also carry some tablets for malaria from your country, though you can acquire some in the many clinics and drug stores in the country.
Bilharzia which is a waterborne disease is also prevalent, but can only be got from lake water. So you can avoid lake water as all other water sources are Bilharzia free.


10. Do the local people speak English in Uganda?
There are about 45 languages in Uganda, but the official language is English. Swahili and Luganda are also widely used especially in urban areas. While in the capital city Kampala, Luganda is the mostly used language especially in the business community.


11. What can I look out for when shopping?
A variety of shopping centres, local handicrafts markets and roadside stalls are found. Leather goods, wooden carvings, sculptures, paintings and local handicrafts including pottery, beadwork and woven articles are also available for purchase.


12. How much should can I offer for a 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: 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 - 10 per day per client, for the Head Ranger when gorilla tracking $10 per day per client who shares it out, porters at parks - $10 per day per person, Hotel/lodge baggage porters - $1 to $2 per client per stay, Forest walks - $3 per client.


13. Do you have a list of Uganda’s public holidays ?
New Years Day: 01 January.
NRM Liberation Day: 26 January.
Women’s day: 08th March.
Labor Day: 01 May
Martyrs Day: 03 June.
Heroes Day: 09 June.
Independence Day: 9th October.
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December
Please note that there is also Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Idd Fitil, Idd Adhuh, Idd Mbarak which are religious days determined by the date of the calendar each year. Also, the government announces public holidays from time to time depending on the event in the country.
On public Holidays, most shops, Banks, government offices will not open, save for private companies who may not be affected by the events.


14. Are petrol stations open all day?
Gas stations are conveniently situated throughout the country. Unleaded petrol is available. Most filling stations are open 24 hours a day. Please bear in mind that you are only able to pay for petrol with cash money.

 

15. What telephone code do I use for dialing out?
The country code when calling Uganda from outside the country is +256. Where as in the country, it will start with a zero, but you may omit the zero and replace it with the code +256 followed by the other numbers.

 

16. Do you have any safety tips for me?
It's sensible to take the same precautions in major cities as you would in any of the world's metropolitan areas.
-Never leave luggage unattended in front of the hotel or in the lobby.
-Deposit your valuables in the hotel's safety deposit box.
-Don't stroll around the streets after dark.
- Always lock your car doors and keep the windows closed.
-Do not walk around the city looking like a tourist and keep your camera concealed.
- Do not walk around with large amounts of cash and with cameras around your neck.
- Please carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets and travelers cheques.

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