Travel Information
Travel Information: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania
Planning a safari across East Africa involves a number of practical considerations, from visa requirements to health precautions and currency matters. This overview brings together essential travel information for Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, to help visitors prepare with confidence for their journey.
- Passports
- Visas
- Healthy & Vaccinations
- Travel Insurance
Most visitors to East Africa will require a visa, though the process has been considerably simplified in recent years through the introduction of e-visa systems. Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya each offer online e-visa applications, allowing travellers to apply in advance and receive approval before departure, while Tanzania also offers an e-visa alongside the option to obtain a visa on arrival at major entry points.
Travellers planning to visit multiple countries within the region may wish to consider the East Africa Tourist Visa, a single visa valid for entry into Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, which can offer both cost savings and administrative convenience for those combining destinations. It is advisable to confirm current visa requirements and fees well in advance of travel, as regulations and pricing are subject to periodic revision.
Uganda has a required visa system for most nationalities. To date, the application process could be done via the airport. Upon arrival, or even on the aircraft, you would receive an application form to fill out, which you hand over to the immigration officer at the border together with the right amount for the visa. This has now changed.
From July 1st, 2015 these processes have changed to an electronic system. All persons intending to come to Uganda for holiday, tourism, business, study, visit or medical reasons are required to apply and obtain a visa online.
Applications can be filled at the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
When you reach the website you can simply follow the steps after clicking on ‘start new application’.
As a tourist entering the country, you choose ‘Visa’ under ’categories’.
As sub-category, you can further choose on the following options:
- East Africa Tourist Visa; which you can use to cross to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for the same USD $100.
- Multiple Entry visa; for if you’re in and out the country multiple times in 6 to 12 months.
- Diplomatic & official; if you want to give your visit a political twist.
- Ordinary; For tourists who ‘ordinarily’ come to Uganda for a holiday up to 3 months USD $50.
- Transit; if you are transiting, but want to exit the airport. This is not for people who are just changing flights.
You need to print your approved application, payment in USD will be done at the issuance location (boarder).
Prospective travellers are strongly encouraged to consult a travel health professional several weeks in advance of their trip. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is a mandatory entry requirement for Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, and is recommended for Kenya, particularly for travellers arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries.
Malaria is present across much of the region, and travellers are generally advised to take appropriate anti-malarial medication, alongside practical precautions such as insect repellent and mosquito nets where accommodation does not already provide them. It is also advisable to ensure that routine vaccinations, including tetanus and hepatitis A, are up to date, and to carry a basic personal first aid kit for the duration of the trip.
Comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical evacuation, is highly recommended given the sometimes remote nature of safari destinations and the physical demands of activities such as gorilla trekking and mountain hiking.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Although it has always been recommended for travellers, the government of Uganda has now made yellow fever vaccines mandatory for every person entering Uganda. We strongly recommend to get your yellow fever vaccination in your country of residence and obtain a proof of your vaccination (usually a yellow passport-sized booklet). You need to show this proof upon arrival at the airport.
A Yellow Fever Inoculation is good for a lifetime. You are protected. The East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda want to ensure the well-being of visitors. The situation was under control within weeks. 99 plus percent of visitors to either countries return home without any health problems, especially those that stay in better lodges and hotels. If you have any questions please contact us (bookings@terrain-safaris.com).
Each country maintains its own national currency: the Uganda Shilling, Rwandan Franc, Kenyan Shilling, and Tanzanian Shilling respectively. US dollars are widely accepted for larger transactions such as safari packages, gorilla trekking permits, and hotel bookings, though it is worth noting that many establishments require dollar notes to be relatively recent in issue and in good condition, as older or damaged notes are sometimes declined.
Credit cards are increasingly accepted at hotels, lodges, and larger establishments in urban centres, though it is prudent to carry sufficient local currency or US dollars for markets, small vendors, tipping, and more remote areas where card facilities may be unavailable. Automated teller machines are generally accessible in major towns and cities across all four countries.
Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania are all well-established, popular tourist destinations, each supported by tourism infrastructure that has been carefully developed to accommodate the needs and expectations of international visitors. As with travel to any part of the world, it is advisable for travellers to remain reasonably vigilant of their surroundings, to keep personal belongings and valuables secure at all times, and to follow the guidance provided by local guides and tour operators, whose experience and familiarity with current local conditions can prove invaluable throughout the journey.
It is further recommended that travellers take the time to consult current government travel advisories for each intended destination well in advance of departure, as conditions may vary considerably by region and can change over time. Where such services are available, registering with one’s embassy or consulate prior to travel is also a sensible precaution, as this can facilitate communication and assistance should any unforeseen circumstances arise during the trip.
Careful preparation goes a considerable way toward ensuring a smooth and enjoyable East African safari experience. By attending to visa requirements, health precautions, currency matters, and seasonal considerations well in advance, travellers can focus their attention on what matters most: the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences that make Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania such compelling and rewarding safari destinations. Consulting with a reputable local tour operator remains one of the most reliable ways to obtain current, destination-specific guidance tailored to individual travel plans.
