Enomax Safaris

This is a compilation of the many commonly asked questions about destinations and Enomax NK Safaris

Enomax NK Safaris has the answers to Uganda travel Frequently Asked Questions. Let us help you with all elements of your trip to Uganda! Everything you need is online, and just a click away.
A lot of people have misconceptions and unfounded fears about traveling to Uganda. We hope that the answers below, to some of Uganda, Frequently Asked Questions, answered, on Enomax NK Safaris will make everything clear.

Is Uganda safe?, Is it safe to travel to Uganda?

It is generally safe to travel to Uganda especially if you are on a well-organized Uganda tour adventure. Uganda has the friendliest people in the world, who are ready and happy to welcome visitors to their country.

 

At Enomax NK Safaris, our number one concern is your safety. If we felt that travelling to Uganda was unsafe we would not arrange tours to Uganda

In general petty theft is common in Uganda’s major cities and towns. Visitors should take the same care as they would normally take in any other destination worldwide. Keep a close watch on handbags, wallets, and cameras when walking in crowded places. Avoid walking at night and place valuables in safe deposit boxes at hotels.

While at safari lodges and tented camps, you are typically far removed from human settlement and crime is virtually non-existent. We still advise that valuables be locked away in a room safe or kept under the supervision of the camp or lodge manager while on safari.

When planning a Uganda safari or tour, it is best to work with a company that has intimate knowledge of each destination – not just its wildlife and attractions but also its unique cultures, economy and government as safety issues often stem from these areas. We are based in Uganda and local knowledge is our strength

Why Visit Uganda?, Is Uganda a good place to visit?

Uganda has a unique combination of safari attractions not available anywhere else that makes Uganda a special African safari destination worth visiting. Whether it’s your first safari in Uganda or a return trip, Uganda will always offer you a unique special adventure.

Why Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa?

Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa for its magnificence, variety of form and color, a profusion of brilliant life−bird, insects, reptiles, beasts 9 Gorillas & Chimps), and vast scale according to Sir Winston Leonard Churchill in his book “My African Journey” published in 1908.  As witnessed by many Uganda visitors, Uganda also has the happiest and most loving people in the whole world.

Do i need a visa to visit Uganda?

Uganda like any other sovereign country requires one to have her visa if he/she is to enter into her boundaries except for the nationals of the Visa-exempt countries. If you are coming for Uganda safaris, you can have either a Uganda visa or an East African Tourist Visa.

Looking for top things to do in Uganda on safari? please note the best popular Uganda tourist activities include:- gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Big 5 game viewing, gorilla & chimpanzee habituation, bird watching, mountain climbing, etc. Uganda offers a variety of adventure and fun tourist activities.

Which languages are mostly spoken in Uganda?

Uganda’s official languge is English, which is spoken by most educated Ugandans. The three major indigenous language families are Bantu, Central Sudanic, and Nilotic. Swahili and Luganda are also widely spoken.

What is the best currency to take to Uganda for safari, Can I use US dollars in Uganda

The currency of choice, for trade, and tourism in Uganda is US Dollars (US$/USD). Many Uganda safari hotels, safari companies, Airlines, and Uganda Wildlife Authority for gorilla permits, and park fees are paid in US Dollars.

How do I exchange cash in Uganda on safari, Where can I exchange money in Uganda?

Getting Uganda Shillings while on a safari in Uganda can be done at Entebbe International Airport or at a border post if you are entering via land or you can convert at any of the foreign exchange (forex) bureaus in Kampala city and other major towns in Uganda.

What is the best way to send money to Uganda for safari?

To book your Uganda safaris, transferring money between banks in Europe, North America, or Asia to Uganda remains the safest mode, banks although are a little slow, and take some days. It is quicker to send money using Western Union or MoneyGram but at times there are some loopholes.

Can I use my Visa debit card or Credit card in Uganda during my safari?

During your Uganda safari holidays, you can use your Visa debit or credit card. All large towns and many smaller ones have at least one 24-hour ATM where local currency can be drawn against any international PIN-protected credit/debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo.

Which countries are Visa-free to Uganda?

Uganda visa-exempt countries/Uganda visa-free countries include; Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Lesotho Sierra Leone, Gambia, Comoros, Mauritius, Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, and St. Vincent-Tonga.
If you coming for a Uganda safari tour and are from any of those countries listed here, you don’t have to worry about a visa cause you will have it at the Airport or any entry border point

Where to stay when visiting Uganda

Uganda has Upmarket safari lodges, tented camps and hotels all providing world-class accommodations. There are a number of the world’s highest-rated and most awarded hotels found in Uganda too. Rooms have proper beds with mattresses and duvets, en suite (attached, in-room) flush toilets, basins and showers with hot and cold running water. Other amenities include mosquito netting, lamps, purified water, insect repellent, flashlights, wardrobes, and ethnic furnishings. For those looking for the ultimate luxury in Uganda, there are numerous properties where each presidential-sized suite has its swimming pool.
Our Adventurous travellers are interested in walking, Gorilla trekking, canoeing, white water rafting or camping safaris and tours where facilities are more limited. In some cases, guests sleep on cots in dome tents and the camp toilet and shower are shared by group members. In other cases, guests may overnight under the stars.

Do I need any special kind of vaccination to travel to Uganda?

Some Immunization vaccinations are required. Vaccination for yellow fever and Covid 19 is mandatory. The yellow fever shots last for ten years but only take effect 10 days after inoculation, so plan. Malaria is spread by mosquito bites; when travelling in Uganda, one should take proper precautions by bringing mosquito repellent containing DEET and by wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts, especially after sunset. You may wish to take antimalarial tablets; consult your doctor for suitable tablets and the proper dosage. It is not recommended to drink tap water in Uganda.
If you have special medical conditions or take prescription drugs, it is strongly advised to bring copies of medical documentation with you in case of emergency.

Are there opportunities to meet with local people or visit real Ugandan villages?

There are many opportunities for cultural interaction. We arrange tours to local Ugandan schools, markets, and villages. Village visits may last a few hours or overnight with your guide may be arranged. In some cases, guests may participate in daily chores such as planting crops, brewing beer, or carrying water. From carrying firewood to sitting for hours around a smoky fire listening to stories many people feel that their lives are forever changed by this experience. Please note many safari camps and lodges are located in wildlife-rich areas in Uganda far from human settlement and offer no cultural interaction with locals.

Is there electricity?

Electricity in Uganda and East Africa is 220/240 volts. Some safari lodges and camps in Uganda are not connected to a mains electrical supply. Solar lighting (backed up by batteries) is common, with many lodges having a generator which runs part of the day (morning and late evening while guests are partaking in activities). Lanterns also provide light at night. In most areas, you will not be able to use a hairdryer or electric shaver.

Will I be able to recharge my camera and video camera batteries?

Yes – at nearly all hotels, lodges, and permanent tented camps you will be able to recharge your camera and video batteries either in the room or in the main area. Many camps and lodges have the correct adapter plugs however we recommend that you bring your plugs – plugs C and H for Uganda. Please make sure your electronic equipment switches automatically from 110 to 220 electricity (most do – it will say on the plug or in the manual). If they do not switch automatically a converter will be needed.

Is there internet access while on safari in Uganda?

Internet access is available at most large city hotels, typically for a small fee. The majority of safari lodges and camps in Uganda do not have internet access (but some do).

What types of vehicles are used on safari for wildlife viewing?

In Uganda, most safaris are conducted in 4×4 vehicles to sit 4 or 5 passengers all with window seats with a guide and roof hatches for game viewing. We also use open-sided 4×4 vehicles for game viewing. Big groups will use minibuses but still with high windows for good viewing.
Wildlife may also be viewed from a powerboat river boat depending upon the National park we go to.

How much should we tip? Who do we tip? How do we tip?

Tipping at restaurants (at your discretion) is 10%. Tipping at lodges and camps is always welcomed but the amount varies greatly. As a rough estimate, you can tip US $15 (US $10 for your guide and US $5 for camp staff) for each traveller per day at each lodge/camp.

When is the best time to travel to Uganda to view wildlife?

The best wildlife viewing is during the dry season periods.
Wildlife viewing is, in part, predicated on the amount of surface water available. During the rains, wildlife is scattered as there is abundant surface water (puddles, perennial rivers) to drink. Once the rains end wildlife congregates around remaining surface water supplies (pools, lakes, and large rivers).

Why should I go on Safari or tour to Uganda?

Uganda is one of Africa’s last outposts of raw adventure; a refuge from the modern world. From the splendour of Wildlife in parks to endangered mountain Gorillas and other primates, Uganda and its people offer a travel experience truly unlike any other.
I hope our answers to  Frequently Asked Questions help. If you have any other questions, please contact us.

We hope to look forward to showing you Uganda.

 

Are you a travel agency or a tour operator?

Enomax NK Safaris is a travel agency that specializes in eco and experiential tourism and travel packages within East Africa with high-quality service and competitive prices. Our strength is selling tailor-made tour packages to groups and individuals.

What are the steps to book a tour with you? Can I book my trip on the Internet?

The first step is to find the right tour for you. Once you decide which tour, there are two possibilities:

1) Choose a tour for us to tailor make
2) Book online on our website or by email

The advantages of a group tour are that costs are low.

You will be escorted by a Enomax NK Safaris tour guide at all times and certain meals and entrance fees to attractions are included in the package.
When you decide to book a tour individually (FIT) the price structure depends on a variety of factors such as date, type of transportation, hotels, transfers and tours etc.

I would like to cancel my Uganda trip, can I get a refund?

Unless otherwise specified for a specific trip or fare, you may cancel your trip and receive a refund. As we have to make non-refundable deposits with hotels and service providers to reserve space, we are obligated to charge cancellation fees for cancellations closer to the departure date. The schedule for cancellation penalties is as follows, subject to change:

Domestic flights:
20% refund

Ground-arrangements:
Up to 60 days before departure – £100,00 p/p
60 – 30 days before departure – 25 % penalty
30 – 15 days before departure – 50 % penalty
15 days to departure date – 100% penalty (non-refundable)

If you foresee the chance of having to cancel your Uganda trip, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. If purchasing an extension, make sure that the insurance covers the dates of the extension.

Can I change my travel dates? How far in advance may I do this? Are there any penalties?

Yes, unless otherwise specified for a specific trip or fare (such as set group departures), changes may be made without penalty 31 days or more before departure, depending on availability. Within 30 days, changes are subject to a £50 per person fee. Within 14 days, they are subject to a £100 per person fee. Changes or cancellations made within this period may also be subject to fees resulting from changes in hotel reservations.

Can I extend my tour?

Yes, you may! Check with our Msafiri tours office for advice and options. Our UGANDA tours may be fully customized, subject to logistics and availability. Two things should be taken into consideration before we set up your extension.

  1. Flight availability
    2. Hotel availability
    As a rule, if you plan your extension ahead of time, you can easily find flights and hotels available at a standard price. The extra hotel days are simply added to your package price, as well as any required transfers (if necessary). Don´t wait until the last minute — last-minute bookings cost considerably more.
I don´t like to travel by bus. Can I arrange a tour by plane?

Yes, you can. Just make sure to specify your preferences in Enomax NK Safaris´s booking form before sending. Our specialist will give you a quote for any kind of request you may need. Just keep in mind that If you decide to book an individual package, it will be more expensive than the set group departure.

Are the attractions included in the tours?

All of Enomax NK Safaris’s tours are designed to share the most exciting and rewarding attractions in Uganda with you. Many attractions, activities and entrance fees are included in the tours, and these are specified in the description of each tour package. Others are completely optional and have been paid for in advance or on-site. Our representatives will do their best to make available the widest array of tour options while you are in Uganda. Note: we cannot make refunds for any included features of the itineraries not used by participants during the tour operation.

I can´t find the answer to my question on Uganda Frequently Asked Questions or anywhere else. Should I call you?

Enomax NK Safaris is improving the item FAQ regularly and with your help, we´d like to build a complete information center for questions and answers. We appreciate your input, so if you can´t find the answer to your question on this page, please get in touch using the contact form. We appreciate your help and promise to respond to your question promptly.

How well-trained are your tour guides? What language(s) do they speak?

Our qualified tour guides, licensed, are carefully chosen by the company owners. We test their communication skills, character, knowledge of history and geography as well as their psychological conditioning, which is vital in managing Enomax safari tour groups and especially adventure trips. As a minimum requirement, all of our tour guides are required to speak, English and one or two local Ugandan languages fluently.

Will we be “roughing it” if we stay in a luxury tent

Not! While staying at a luxury tented camp in Uganda you will enjoy the comfort of a proper room with the sights and sounds of camping – the best of both worlds. Most tented camp rooms consist of a very large walk-in tent with entry doors. The walls are a canvas with large roll-up viewing sections. Inside you will enjoy a bed (usually 2 twin beds or a king) with pillows and duvets, bedside tables, a dressing table, a mirror, a wardrobe, throw rugs or full carpeting, battery-powered (solar) lighting, an en suite shower with hot and cold running water, flush toilet, and basin. Some tents include baths, air conditioning and private plunge pools

Are children allowed on safari in Uganda?

Most of the safari lodges and camps in Uganda have a minimum age limit of 12 years of age. There are however several great lodges and camps that allow children under the age of 12. Please when filling out the form for bookings, indicate the number of children for proper preparations. 

Who looks after us while on safari in Uganda?

A very important element of travelling to a largely unknown destination is the peace of mind to know that you will be properly taken care of before, during and after your trip
While in Africa-Uganda you will be met at each location and transferred from airports to hotels to lodges and camps by Enomax NK Safaris representatives. Our representatives are on call 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have or to handle any eventuality – from medical emergencies to retrieving a bag that may have been left behind and having it delivered to your next destination. In this way, it is possible to travel with all the security of a packaged tour, but all the flexibility and privacy of an individual traveler.

Do cell phones or Mobile work on safari in Uganda?

Tri-band and quad-band cell phones work in most major Ugandan cities and towns however you must check to ensure your service provider has an agreement with the local provider. Keep in mind most lodges and camps require guests to keep satellite phones turned off and use them only for outgoing calls so as not to disturb other guests. Also, keep in the high per-minute call rates.

What if a family member has to get hold of us about an emergency back home?

The vast majority of hotels in Uganda have telephones and can be easily reached. Smaller safari lodges and tented camps can send and receive messages via radio. In an emergency, we suggest the client’s friends and family contact our office so we may assist.

What do airlines fly to Uganda?

Many of the ma, SN Brussels, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airways fly into Uganda several times a week.

Aren’t wild animals dangerous?

While viewing wildlife there is a degree of danger as the behaviour of wild animals cannot be guaranteed. However, most animals are frightened by the sight/smell of humans and rather than attack will flee (unless cornered or provoked). Attacks on humans are rare.
While on safari in Uganda you will be accompanied by licensed guides who are well-trained and armed with an amazing understanding of the wildlife with which they share their lives daily. In addition, many guides carry firearms for your safety in Uganda.
At your tented camp or lodge, it is not uncommon for wildlife to wander through as camps and lodges are typically not fenced. An attack on sleeping travellers in Uganda would be highly unusual. Never venture outside your accommodations at night without your guide. Always consult with your Enomax NK Safaris guide/s when in doubt.

What foods should we avoid in Uganda? What about drinking water?

In the vast majority of cases, it is safe to eat ALL of the foods offered by lodges and camps as they take great care to ensure that food is prepared healthily. If you are worried about contracting a “stomach bug” don’t eat salads, avoid ice cubes in drinks (many places use purified water for ice cubes – simply ask if you are concerned), and eat only fruits that have thick skins which are peeled (oranges, bananas).
It is wise to drink only bottled drinks which are readily available (ask that water is opened in front of you as they may try to reuse the container at some of the larger, lower quality, hotels). In addition, don’t swallow water during a shower and use purified water for brushing your teeth. Don’t worry – bottled water is readily available.

Can we have our clothes washed while on tour?

The majority of safari lodges and camps we use in Uganda and other destinations offer complimentary laundry service (some charge a small fee) weather permitting, however, please note that undergarments are often excluded. You may wish to bring a small supply of liquid laundry soap (a small plastic travel bottle filled with Woolite works well for hand washing).

What type of baggage/luggage should we take?

Luggage should be kept to a minimum. Most Uganda safaris limit you to 20 kg / 44 pounds per person packed in a soft duffel bag. In East Africa, the limit is typically 15 kg / 33 pounds per person. The number of bags is not as important as the total weight of your bags. It is OK to have a duffel and a small carry-on bag. Hard-sided suitcases and soft-sided internal frame carry-on luggage (the type with a handle and wheels) are not acceptable as they will not fit in the baggage compartment on small aircraft which are often used for transfers between lodges and camps. On safaris that have no small aircraft transfers the weight and size allowance is not as important however you should still strive to bring as little as possible. Remember – a complimentary laundry service is offered at most safari camps and lodges.

What types of clothes should we take on safari in Uganda?

When on safari it is best to wear grey, brown or khaki-coloured clothing from June through October, and green clothing from November through May so as not to alert wildlife of your presence. White (which gets dirty very fast) and other bright colours are not recommended (blue attracts tsetse flies – but not enough to worry about). Camouflage clothing is not allowed.
Bring cool, comfortable clothes, but that can layer to keep you warm at night or on game drives. It is also advisable to bring a pair of sandals, comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes), a swimsuit, and a hat to block the sun. There is no need for heavy boots.

Are park fees included on my safari in Uganda?

Park fees are almost always included in the overall trip cost. Your consultant will advise you if any park fees must be paid direct.

Have more questions? Talk to our travel consultants

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