Travel advisory · UgandaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Uganda.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

50 km strip along the South Sudan border · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand
Border zone with the DR Congo · avoid all travel · Spain, France
Karamoja subregion · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
Semliki National Park · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France

Also named by one government: Bwera and surroundings (France), 20 km strip along the DR Congo border (Germany), 50 km strip along the DR Congo border (New Zealand), National parks near the DR Congo border (Spain), National parks near the South Sudan border (Spain)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against travel	Oct 8, 2026	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Level 4: Do Not Travel	Jun 4, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Avoid non-essential travel to Uganda	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Erhöhte Vorsicht im ganzen Land (Terror, Kriminalität) (regional advisories)	Oct 29, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Zone de vigilance renforcée (reste du pays) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Africa

Uganda

Travelers come to Uganda for mountain gorillas in Bwindi, the Rwenzori peaks and hippos in Murchison Falls National Park, in a landlocked country of lakes, volcanic hills and ten national parks.

Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, the DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Most of the south borders Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake, which Uganda shares with Kenya and Tanzania. Kampala, the capital and largest city, had about 1.8 million residents in 2024. Entebbe, a city on Lake Victoria near Kampala, has the country's main international airport.

Mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mount Stanley, the highest peak in Uganda, rises in the Rwenzori Mountains, and both parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Murchison Falls National Park has hippos. The drier months are January and February and June to August, while the rainy seasons run March to May and September to November. About 4% of the road network is paved, so a short trip works best in one region.

Five things to know before Uganda

Apply for the e-Visa before you fly
Uganda issues no visas on arrival. Apply on the official immigration portal and bring the approval letter; submit at least 10 days before travel. Uganda immigration notice
Carry your yellow fever certificate
UK government advice says you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Uganda. Bring the physical card, as immigration can ask to see it.
Book gorilla and chimp permits early
Permits for Bwindi and Mgahinga gorillas and Kibale chimps are limited each day. Book through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a licensed operator well ahead.
Don't photograph military or official sites
This includes the Owen Falls Dam at the source of the Nile near Jinja. Ask permission before photographing people. UK travel advice
Leave e-cigarettes at home
E-cigarettes are prohibited, and smoking is banned in public places, on transport and near public buildings.

Uganda travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Visas and entry

The e-Visa, the East Africa Tourist Visa and yellow fever.

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Getting data in Uganda from the day you land.

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.

Read the guide Getting around

Domestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Uganda

See all attractions in Uganda

Church · KampalaUganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica, Namugongo

Museum · KampalaUganda Museum

Sight · KampalaKasubi Tombs for Members of the Baganda royal family

Mosque · KampalaUganda National Mosque

Destinations in Uganda

CityKampalaExplore

What a day costs in Uganda

Per person, in UGX

Work out your trip

BudgetUGX 85,000a day≈ $20 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: UGX 30,000
Food: UGX 25,000
Transport: UGX 10,000
Sights: UGX 20,000

Mid-rangeUGX 330,000a day≈ $77 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: UGX 150,000
Food: UGX 90,000
Transport: UGX 40,000
Sights: UGX 50,000

ComfortUGX 840,000a day≈ $197 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: UGX 350,000
Food: UGX 220,000
Transport: UGX 120,000
Sights: UGX 150,000

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Amara NwosuA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Dry, warm
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry, warm
MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Long rains
AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Wettest
MayRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Rainy
JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Dry season
JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Dry, busy
AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Dry, busy
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Short rains
OctoberRain25 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Rainy
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Rainy
DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Drier

Average daily high and low in Kampala, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to UgandaPut the places you like in Uganda on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Uganda

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 23°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 82%

Kampala

11:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today28°19°82%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 82%.
Tue28°20°67%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 67%.
Wed27°20°59%Wednesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 59%.
Thu27°20°78%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 78%.
Fri26°20°78%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 78%.
Sat27°20°61%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 61%.
Sun27°18°64%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 64%.

Updated 09:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4,267 UGX

Amount

Converted to

UGX · Ugandan Shilling

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Uganda

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

a group of women standing next to each other

JanuaryTimkatJan 19, 2027

Before you go to Uganda

eSIM for UgandaData from the day you landRead the guide Travel insuranceMedical and evacuation coverRead the guide Money in UgandaCash, cards and ATMsRead the guide Visas and entryRules for your passportRead the guide

Rules for Uganda, checked

There are no visas on arrival; get an approved e-Visa or authorization letter before travelChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter UgandaChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Photographing military, official or diplomatic sites is forbidden, including the Owen Falls Dam near JinjaChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Uganda FAQ

Can I get a visa on arrival in Uganda?

No. Apply online before travel and bring the approval letter. The East Africa Tourist Visa also covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for 90 days.

When is the best time to see gorillas in Uganda?

June to August and December to February are drier, so forest trails are easier. Tracking runs all year, and permits go first in the dry months.

How many days do I need in Uganda?

Ten days covers Bwindi for gorillas, Queen Elizabeth or Kibale, and Murchison Falls. Road transfers are long, so domestic flights save time.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Uganda?

Yes. UK government advice says you need a yellow fever certificate to enter Uganda, and the official visa application asks for it for some travel categories.

Can I combine Uganda and Rwanda?

Yes. Southwest Uganda is a few hours from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers both.