Book cheap flights to Uganda

Uganda experiences a tropical climate, with considerable sunshine throughout the year and no distinct seasons. Temperatures range from 40 degrees Celsius in summer to 16 degrees Celsius in winter. The rainy season lasts from March to May and October to November. The best time to visit Uganda is between December and February or June and September. These months offer the best weather and excellent conditions for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing and encounters. For cheap flights to Uganda, the best time to visit is from January to early March.

South African passport holders do not require a visa to travel to Uganda. Tourist visas are issued on arrival. You will need to ensure your passport has a validity of at least six months and three blank pages available for entry stamps.

The South African High Commission is located in Kampala.

Address: 15A Nakasero Road, P.O. Box 22667

Phone: ( 256) 41 770 2100

There are risks when travelling to Uganda. It is recommended that you do research on which areas to avoid and stay up to date with travel advisories and warnings when travelling anywhere in East Africa. Travel insurance to cover theft and medical expenses is also recommended.

Avoid all travel to the Karamoja region and areas near the South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo borders. Steer clear of public demonstrations and political rallies. Familiarise yourself with the local laws and customs before arriving. Avoid travelling at night and venturing into isolated or rural areas. Pick-pocketing and robberies do happen, so avoid carrying large sums of cash and valuables.

Uganda is at risk for Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika virus, so precautions should be taken to avoid bites. Immunisation against hepatitis A & B, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera and rabies is recommended. Other vaccinations include MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, meningitis, varicella, polio and influenza. Stick to bottled water. Swimming in lakes and rivers is not recommended.

Uganda’s accommodation ranges from five-star city hotels in Kampala to some of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness lodges, with the country’s exceptional wildlife and primate-tracking experiences driving a strong culture of intimate, well-run safari camps and eco-lodges. In Kampala, the top addresses are the Kampala Serena Hotel — a five-star property set in 17 acres of water gardens near the Central Business District, and a member of Leading Hotels of the World — the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, the Speke Resort Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa near Entebbe Airport. Mid-range guesthouses, serviced apartments, and budget lodges are widely available throughout the capital and in Entebbe, which many visitors use as a quieter base given its proximity to the international airport.

Outside Kampala, accommodation is dominated by safari lodges and tented camps priced in US dollars and typically all-inclusive. For gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — Uganda’s most visited destination — a wide range of lodges surrounds the park’s four trekking hubs of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo, from luxury properties such as Gorilla Forest Lodge (A&K Sanctuary), Bwindi Lodge (Volcanoes Safaris), and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (andBeyond) to well-run mid-range and budget options. Because Bwindi is a full-day’s drive or a short charter flight from Kampala, it is essential to book accommodation in the same trekking sector as your gorilla permit. For chimpanzee tracking at Kibale Forest and wildlife viewing at Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls, similarly priced lodge and camp options are available at each destination. Book all safari accommodation and gorilla trekking permits well in advance — peak season runs June to August and December to February, when demand significantly exceeds supply.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury Kampala hotel, a gorilla trekking lodge, or a mid-range safari camp, you can find and book a wide variety of accommodation across Uganda at Travelstart Accommodation.

Uganda drives on the left-hand side of the road in right-hand drive vehicles. Road conditions are good by East African standards — the main highways radiating from Kampala to Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja, and Gulu are paved asphalt — though expect frequent speed bumps, village crossings, and the occasional pothole. The final approach to most national parks and lodges involves gravel or dirt roads, for which a 4×4 vehicle is essential. You can compare and book car hire across Uganda with Travelstart Car Hire, with reputable local operators including 4×4 Uganda and Car Rental Uganda offering both self-drive and chauffeur-driven options.

A valid home country driving licence is accepted; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-English licences and required by most hire companies. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open highways, and 40 km/h in national parks. The minimum hire age is 21. A chauffeur-driver is strongly recommended over self-drive for most visitors — Uganda’s roads involve heavy boda boda (motorcycle taxi) traffic, unmarked speed bumps, and long driving times that are easily underestimated: Bwindi, for example, is a 7–9 hour drive from Kampala. Many visitors fly between destinations on Uganda’s domestic charter network, with airstrips at Kihihi (Bwindi), Kasese (Queen Elizabeth), and Pakuba (Murchison Falls) saving significant overland time. Night driving is not recommended outside major urban areas due to poor road lighting and unmarked hazards.