Can I use US dollars in Uganda on my Safari? The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling. Therefore, when you visit Uganda, you will need Ugandan shillings to carry out money transactions. Travelers can obtain Uganda shillings using an ATM on arrival in Uganda. All you need is a Visa card,/master, or an American Express. Meanwhile, some of the cards are not accepted and are limited in some places. However, travelers can use Forex bureaus to buy Uganda shillings at an extra fee. These are at Entebbe International Airport and other towns like Kampala, Entebbe, and other town centers.

Although US dollars are common in Uganda, we advise you not to use them in public places. These include bars, restaurants, and gift shops. This is because people will cheat you. So, always carry Uganda shillings to make small purchases and transactions. In Uganda, most tourist services like Gorilla trekking permits, lodges, and activities have rates in dollars. Thus, you can use some dollars where necessary, but you ought to be careful with your money. Even when you are changing or buying shillings, be careful of the exchange rates that the Forex Bureaus give.

The unofficial currency of the US dollar

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: When travelers come for a safari in Uganda, we offer the price of the safari in US dollars. This is because most activities and services in the tourism industry are priced and paid for in US dollars. Such activities include chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permits and park entry fees. Others include white water rafting, among other activities and services. You will find that most of the lodges in the national parks price their rooms in dollars. Also, they have a low exchange rate; thus, they’ll cheat you if you try to buy Uganda shillings from them.

How many US dollars should I have with me?

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: For travelers to be on the safe side with their money, they ought to carry a small amount of money in their pockets. Alternatively, they should use their credit cards to carry out transactions, or if they need more local currency. We don’t advise travelers to use traveler’s cheques. This is because the process of getting money is a hassle and hard, though you might get it in the long run.

It is important to note that Uganda’s society is based on cash. Very few people use the banking system. Alternatively, mobile money is now the norm. Thus, many people find it easier to transfer money on the phone than in banks.

How Your Money Stretches Further in Uganda

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: It doesn’t matter which currency you are using, whether dollars or Uganda shillings, your money goes to Uganda. Wherever you go, the prices of services will welcome you. These services include accommodation and park activities like gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, among others. Travelers should carry newer dollar notes. They should not be below the year 2003 or have any damage anywhere.

Travelers should avoid money exchanges from anywhere, such as at the borders of Uganda. Those places usually have a lot of con men who will cheat and give you fake money. Ensure that you use official money agents like official Forex bureaus when buying or exchanging your money. Your money may be in dollars, UK pounds, or Euros. This will help to avoid losses and be alert to the exchange rates. Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari. Always use banks and Forex Bureaus for the best exchange rates and avoid unchangeable notes. This is because they will offer you little money in return.

Uganda Money Information Advice

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: When in Uganda, don’t carry less than 50 or 100 USD for exchange. Also, always remember that you need the latest dollar notes, which are from 2003. Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari. These should not cause any damage to them. Don’t forget to change your dollar money into Uganda shillings when you arrive at the airport. This is important, although the Forex bureaus might not have the best rates. However, don’t forget that you can also use your visa cards at the ATMs. Also, know about money security, and you can be safe and secure with your money.

Where Can You Use USD Directly?

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: You can use US dollars (and sometimes Euros) in the following places:

Safari lodges and high-end hotels: Many mid-range and luxury lodges accept USD for accommodation payments.

Tour operators and travel agencies: At Anthill Safaris, for instance, clients can pay for their safaris in USD.

National Park Fees: Park entry fees and gorilla/chimpanzee permits are usually quoted and paid in USD.

Some upscale restaurants: Especially in cities like Kampala, Entebbe, or Jinja, a few high-end restaurants may accept USD.

Note: However, when shopping in local markets, small restaurants, or paying for taxis (boda-bodas), you’ll need Ugandan Shillings.

Activities to Include on Your Uganda Safari Itinerary.

Activities to include on your Uganda safari itinerary: What should be on your Uganda safari itinerary/ bucket list? The question that everyone should ask himself/herself when planning a Uganda safari tour is this one, simply because the activities in your itinerary are all that determine whether you will have an unforgettable and enjoyable safari experience or not. If you don’t have a plan for what to do while in Uganda, it’s also possible that your safari vacation will be less exciting, underutilized, or even annoying.

Gorilla Trekking

A Uganda gorilla trekking trip involves exploring the bush while looking for the renowned mountain gorillas feeding their young or being their beautiful selves, among other things. The best gorilla trekking experiences may be had in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Remember to follow your ranger’s directions, get in shape for a lot of walking, and take part only if you’re healthy to avoid infecting the gorillas. Gorilla trekking is a heart-pounding adventure that is well worth your time.

Chimpanzee Trekking

With over 13 distinct primates, including chimpanzees, Uganda is a primate hotspot. There are several national parks where you can go chimpanzee trekking, including Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Tooro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, and Budongo Forest. You can sign up for the longer Chimp Habituation Experience rather than the shorter Chimp Trekking Trip if you want to spend more time with chimpanzees in the wild. You can see orphaned and rescued chimps at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, among other places. Enjoy watching chimpanzees go about their regular activities while eating fruit and grooming each other.

Bird Watching

With more than 1050 different bird species documented in Uganda, a safari there would be lacking without going birding. Many birds live in the savanna, wetlands, tropical rainforests, and lakeshores. A trip to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park would take you to the Albertine Rift Endemics, the Bigodi Wetlands, where you might see a Great Blue Turaco; the Murchison Falls National Park, where you might see endemics of the savanna-like the Denham’s Bustard; the Mabamba Swamp, where you might see the shoebill; and the Semuliki National Park, where you might see species from central Uganda.

Cultural Experiences

Not only is Uganda famous for Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, but the presence of diverse cultures also makes it one of the best safari destinations in Africa to go for cultural tours. The Ugandan culture is a colorful, gustatory, visual, and auditory concoction. You can find unique food, traditional dress, or sense of style, language, traditional music, and dance in each tribe and neighborhood. While learning about Uganda’s culture and traditional foods, try the well-known Luwombo from Buganda, Eshabwe from Ankole, Atapa from the area of Teso, Malakwang from Acholi, and Maleewa from the Bagisu in the east. You can get a sense of Ugandan culture by taking part in the Batwa Trail, visiting the museum, the Igongo Cultural Center, the Ndere Center, and the national theater, visiting a family while in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and shopping at souvenir stores in and around Kampala city.

White Water Rafting

While on your Uganda safari tour, white water rafting should be on your bucket list because of the River Nile’s powerful current, electrifying breeze, and adrenaline-inducing waves. Along the 25 kilometers of the River Nile, this exhilarating trip lasts roughly 6 hours. Not for the weak of heart, water rafting is for those with wild hearts who yearn for a breathtaking tour of the Nile, one swift immersion at a time. The alternatives include Grade 3 Full Day Rafting, Grade 5 Extreme Rafting, Raft River Board, and 2-day Water Rafting. After this thrilling experience has quenched your hunger for adventure, local music, bonfires, barbecue, and dancing are waiting for you on the banks of the Nile.

Canoeing On Lake Bunyonyi

29 islands dot the scenery as Lake Bunyonyi curves and turns, all of which are encircled by neatly terraced food gardens. While canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, you can listen to the local legends about the lake and observe the birds as your eyes stroll along the hills and as far down into the waters as they can go. As you travel from island to island, your mode of transportation will be a traditional dugout boat. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi is something you should put on your bucket list because of the peace it delivers and how far it takes you into the Bunyonyi Region.

Game Drives

A game drive includes 4X4 wheels, an open roof, binoculars, a good camera, your eyes, the forest breeze, and wildlife. It is the most practical method of watching wildlife. Your compass will be the tour or ranger guide who will know where to take you to see animals like lions that can climb trees, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, herds of buffalo, ostriches, hyenas, zebras, and birds. Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park are among the Savannah parks that provide this activity.

Volcano Hiking

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: Uganda is a country of mountains, valleys, scenic plains, and volcanoes. Mount Elgon, which has the world’s largest caldera and is located to the east of Uganda, is 4,321 meters high. Mount Mgahinga, Muhavura, and Sabinyo, which stand at 3,474 meters, 4,127 meters, and 3,645 meters, respectively, in the west of Uganda, are part of the powerful Virunga Ranges and call to those who are daring. Top 10 activities to include on your Uganda safari itinerary

The ascent of a volcano involves more than just a steep ascent; it also involves a stroll through the thick woods that grow on the fertile slopes of the volcanoes, a glimpse of the gorillas who roam the Virunga Ranges, and a visit to the rare birds that have made these highlands their home. A trek up a volcano is a test of willpower and stamina, and it culminates in an accomplishment that makes you feel more confident in your abilities than you did before the hike.

Boat Safaris

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: Tourists on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, one of the best places for a boat safari in Uganda, are entertained by the swish-swash of light waves. When you go on a boat safari at the Murchison Falls, you might see water birds, hippos drenching themselves in fresh water in the middle of the day, and wild animals ambling to the shoreline to satisfy their thirst.

Kampala City Tour

Using Dollars in Uganda on my Safari: Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is currently perched atop 22 hills. It would be unfair to your Uganda safari to explore Uganda without visiting Kampala, whether you opt for a bicycle trip, a car ride, or a walking tour. The Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine at Namugongo, Rubaga Cathedral, Namirembe Cathedral, the Baha’i Temple, the Hindu Temple, the Independence Monument, and the Kasubi Tombs are just a few of Kampala’s architectural and historic landmarks. Remember to eat a Rolex while on your tour of Kampala, one of the most loved local foods by Ugandans.

Dos and don’ts during the Uganda safari

Follow the guidelines given by the ranger guides during a briefing if you are doing gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, or golden monkey trekking.

Do not enter any national park without a ranger guide, especially if you have to walk. The wilderness has other occupants that may be harmful to you.
Dumping garbage is an offense while in the wilderness. This is because plastic wraps can alter the nature of the habitats where wild animals thrive.
Shouting or making noise while in the wilderness is illegal, as this scares the wild animals.
You should not feed wild animals. They must depend on the supplies from their habitats and not on human provision.
When traveling with children, let them be in the company of a guardian or parent at all times.
Do not drive off track during the game drive unless you seek permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Drive on the speed limit that the park authorities advised.
Open your mind to the park’s different features, animals, and scenery, and expect to see only some of the animals in the pack. These wild animals move freely, so enjoy your Uganda safari and do not focus on spotting particular animals.

What to Pack for a Uganda Safari

Packing right makes your safari smooth and enjoyable. Wear sturdy safari boots, stockings, and gloves to protect yourself while trekking. Bring warm layers, as mornings and afternoons can get cold. Carry insect repellent, a safari hat, and sunglasses to guard against insects. A waterproof backpack, duffel bag, and flip flops are useful for moving around. Do not forget a camera, torch, cash, and a travel adapter. Pack a first aid kit, toiletries, and light shoe bags. Always pack light.