Entry & Exit Requirements
U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Uganda. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry and have at least two full blank pages available for the entry/visa stamps.
A tourist visa is also required for entry. Visas are not available at the airport upon arrival; travelers must apply for a visa online at least two weeks prior to travel by completing the e-visa application form and making payment online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug. (The earliest you can apply is 3 months prior to arrival.)
To apply, you will need your passport, a recent passport-size photo, and a yellow fever certificate (see below for more information). The fee for a single-entry visa is USD $55 (subject to change), payable by Visa or MasterCard.
Please be aware that the online system will ask you to input your requested duration of stay. Be aware the count begins not from your date of entry, but from the date of visa approval. For this reason, we recommend applying for a 3-month visa, the maximum allowed, as this gives you 90 days from the date of visa approval to enter the country. (Please verify that this timeframe corresponds with your travel plans. If you do not enter the country within the specified number of days, you will forfeit your visa and any fees paid and must apply again.)
Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Ugandan Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.
Health Information
IMMUNIZATIONS
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required for all travelers (age 1 year or older) entering Uganda. Please note: Yellow fever vaccine availability is currently limited in the US. To receive the vaccine, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance. You will need to show your yellow fever certificate to apply for your visa, and your visa application must be submitted at least two weeks before departure; for this reason, we strongly recommend making arrangements for your yellow fever vaccine well in advance of your departure.
Though not required, the CDC recommends hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccines for most unvaccinated travelers visiting Uganda. The CDC also recommends the polio vaccine for unvaccinated travelers, or a single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) for adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series as children.
Additional vaccines may be recommended for some travelers. Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
MALARIA
The CDC warns that travelers to Uganda may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of mosquito bites. To protect against mosquito bites, cover exposed skin with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, consider treating clothes with permethrin, and use an insect repellent containing an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin. Apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later).If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription.
OTHER VECTOR-BORNE ILLNESSES
Other vector-borne illnesses are known to occur in Uganda, including dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika virus, African tick-bite fever, and others. Travelers should protect themselves against insect and tick bites using the measures described above.
After spending time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas, the CDC recommends showering and conducting a full-body check for ticks. If you find a tick attached to your skin, safely remove it as soon as possible.
As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
WILDLIFE
Follow all instructions from your guides regarding wildlife. Animals may become aggressive to protect themselves, their young or their mates, or to guard a food supply. Do not make sudden movements either toward or away from them, as this may be interpreted as threatening or territorial. Avoid stray dogs, as they may carry rabies. In the unlikely event of being bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal, clean the wound and control bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately.
SUN EXPOSURE
The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.
Black-and-white colobusPhoto by Duncan
Jackson's HartebeestPhoto by Rod Waddington
Shoebill StorkPhoto by Hjalmar Gislason
Queen Elizabeth National Park
HippopotamusPhoto by Pelin Karaca
Tree-climbing lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Red-throated Bee-eaterPhoto by Pelin Karaca
Harvested tea leaves
Chimpanzee in Kibale forest
