Traveling to Uganda with my mom and friends is one of my dearest memories! We went to visit some dear friends we had and oh boy what an adventure it was! At this point, I have been to Uganda a handful of times and it never disappoints! I wanted to gather a list of things I wish I knew before traveling to Uganda and things I’ve picked up on in the aftermath.
a special Thanks to my friends who also have traveled to Uganda multiple times and helped me compile this list!
Let’s jump in
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What to pack
Traveling to Uganda can require a handful of items you may not need in other countries. Here is a list of the items you won’t want to forget!
- Baby wipes – While traveling along the dirt roads in Uganda you can get very dusty. You won’t even realize how dusty you are until you go to blow your nose and it is all red dirt. Depending on your activities you can find yourself without a shower before bed. Having baby wipes can be very helpful to at least wipe your feet or legs off before climbing into bed!
- Nasal Spray – To go along with the baby wipes, nasal spray can make sure you are still breathing easily while traveling throughout the country. Simple drug store nasal spray will do the trick, spraying. up your nose once in the morning and night will help fight off the red dirt up your nose!
- Toilet Paper – Make sure not to forget this one! Unless you are staying at some resort most restrooms will not have toilet paper. It is a smart idea to keep a little bit in your bag or at the very least a small package of tissues for emergencies.
- Chafing Wipes – This may sound funny but just hear me out. If you are traveling to villages you will need to dress more modestly. You will notice a lot of the women were skirts and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some on hand. These chafing wipes will be a lifesaver for your legs!
- Electrolytes – This is something I always have on hand while I’m traveling, especially to countries that can get quite hot. While on your adventure it can be common to not drink as much water as you need or to generally feel a bit off. These are the electrolyte packs I use, they go in your water and are a game changer! They can take me from feeling quite pitiful to tip-top shape again!
- Travel Adaptor – Uganda uses the plug type G (the one with three prongs.) If you are coming from a country with any other plug type you will want to bring an adaptor to charge your electronics. I like this one but you can also find them in many other places.
If you need more packing ideas or are in the market for some new travel items don’t forget to check out these 25 travel essentials!
Things to Consider
While above are things I would make sure to pack, these are things I would strongly consider. I am not a doctor, but these are basic things I would bring up with your doctor or strongly research.
- Anti-Diarrhea – I’m just going to level with you, if you have done any traveling, especially to countries where the food is very different than yours then you’ve probably experienced this. One wrong move from brushing your teeth with the sink water or eating something washed in the wrong water can turn into this less-than-desirable experience. Having plain drugstore anti-diarrhea meds on hand can save you time and pain.
- Charcoal Pills – No matter where I am this has become a travel staple for me. You can purchase these from any health food store or look into these here. If you are feeling really off, sluggish, or have an upset stomach taking charcoal pills can help get all the gunk out of your system and make you feel 10x better.
- Papaya Seed Pills – Along those same lines, if you find yourself needing. to get the gunk out of your system you can also try papaya seed pills. Also found at your local health food store or amazon. My friend who travels a lot suggested these as something she uses and would recommend.
- Motion Sickness – If you are someone who struggles with motion sickness you will want to bring something to help you. The roads can be very bumpy making for rougher rides. This is just something to be aware of if you plan on traveling any sort of distance.
- Yellow Fever. – Depending on what country you are coming from, make sure to check as it is mandatory for most international travelers to have the yellow fever vaccination before traveling to Uganda. Look into this earlier rather than later. We had to book our appointment farther out and there was only one place in our city where we could get it.
- Malaria – Definalty talk to your doctor about getting some Malaria medication before your trip. It is recommended for travelers to have some sort of malaria protection while traveling in Uganda. Make sure to talk to your doctor about which medication is right for you, there are different kinds with different side effects. It is important to be informed.
Again, I am not a doctor but everything on this list should be talked about with your doctor prior to leaving for Uganda.
Culture
Every culture is different, Uganda offers such a fun culture that is unique and vibrant! Here are some takeaways to be aware of before traveling to Uganda.
- Time – “Americans tell time, Ugandans have time.” This was the quote my friend had her good Ugandan friend tell her. It sums up the concept of time perfectly here! If you are coming from the west be prepared for a slower pace of life. It was a beautiful thing to experience as we would sit with our Ugandan friends under the mango tree and talk about life for hours with absolutely no rush!
- Modesty – I mentioned a bit about this above but the Ugandan culture is a more modest and traditional one. If you are in the city then you will find more women in pants and a more modern feel. But if you leave the city to explore the traditional way of life be prepared to find a modest culture.
- Tipping – If you are coming from the States where tipping is a common practice, you won’t be surprised to find tipping is common in Uganda as well. You can tip about 10% – 15% for restaurants or services. If you take a taxi you can just round up your fare.
- Friends – Uganda has one of the friendliest cultures I have ever seen! Be prepared to make lots of friends and don’t be surprised if everyone wants s to talk to you. Also, don’t be surprised if someone invites you for a meal!
- Respect – Ugandan culture is a very respectful one. They especially respect and honor their elders. If you are making friends and they want to introduce you to their family make sure to pay your respect to the elders of the family and be respectful overall.
Can’t Miss
Uganda is home to so many amazing hidden gems! They offer rolling green hills, lush green jungles, and the mighty Nile river! you can’t miss these spots!
- Lake Victoria – Bordering four different countries you can’t miss this opportunity to stick your feet in Lake Victoria! There are many ways to visit this lake. There are resorts on the coast, many little parks, or random sandy shores. We opted for a sunset stroll through a little park that bordered the lake. It was the perfect peaceful night!
- Nile River – Arguably the coolest thing to do in Uganda, visiting the start of the Nile River is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We visited a little park where we are able to stick our feet in and experience the rush of being along one of the greatest rivers in history! You can raft or kayak here as well, but. be prepared as it can get rough in some places.
- Murchison Falls – If you want to experience waterfalls you have to check out Murchison Falls National Park! Here you can get your hiking and nature fix. You can also see the Nile River here, take. a boat cruise and see lots of wildlife!
- Bwindi Impenetrable – If you traveled to Uganda to see the famous gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is where you want to be! Home to Uganda’s biggest gorilla population you are pretty much guaranteed to see wildlife here. It is a dense jungle so remember to bring your bug spray!
- Queen Elizabeth National Park – Most people travel to Africa to experience the one and only safari. If lions, elephants, and cheetahs are your goal then head straight to the Queen Elizabeth National Park! They offer the most diverse selection of animals to see. If you only have time to visit one park, this one should be at the top of your list to consider.
- The Equator – If you want something different and fast make sure to check out the equator line! They have a little monument for pictures and it’s just a fun little quip to be able to say you’ve been to the equator line. You can grab a bite to eat at the surrounding restaurants or the cute little coffee shop right next to the monument.
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