Updated
Uganda is a straightforward trip from the UK for gorilla trekking: one long flight to Entebbe, a time difference of just two or three hours, English as an official language, cars on the left and even the same three-pin plugs. The main planning points for British travellers are flights, the e-visa, a yellow fever vaccination that the NHS does not provide for free, and choosing the right season. Here is a practical guide.
Flights from the UK
Uganda Airlines has flown non-stop between London Gatwick and Entebbe, a journey of around nine hours, so check whether it is operating on your dates. Otherwise most travellers take one-stop flights via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Brussels, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, with total journey times of roughly 13 to 18 hours from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh. Overnight flights that land in the morning work well, because you can rest in Entebbe and drive or fly towards Bwindi the next day. Read our Entebbe Airport guide for arrival.
Visa and entry for British passport holders
British citizens need a visa, applied for online before travel: the single-entry tourist visa costs US$50, or the East Africa Tourist Visa US$100 if you will also visit Rwanda or Kenya. Your passport needs six months’ validity. See why you need an e-visa rather than a visa on arrival. Check the FCDO’s travel advice for Uganda before booking and again before you fly; it explains any areas it advises against visiting and why.
Health: what your GP and travel clinic cover
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. In the UK it is given only at registered yellow fever centres and is not free on the NHS, so book a travel clinic appointment at least ten days before departure. Your GP surgery may provide some routine travel vaccines free of charge. Antimalarial tablets need a prescription; see vaccinations for Uganda and malaria prevention.
When to go from the UK
The drier months of June to September and December to February are the most popular, and they coincide with British summer and Christmas holidays, so permits and lodges book up early. April, May and November are wetter but quieter, and the permit drops to US$600. Read our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.
Costs, money and insurance
The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. A mid-range three-to-five-day gorilla trip typically costs a few thousand pounds per person including flights; see what a gorilla safari costs. Bring some US dollars in clean, recent notes for tips and extras; pounds can be exchanged in Kampala and Entebbe, and cards work at most lodges. Because permits are non-refundable, choose travel insurance with cancellation cover that includes the permit and medical evacuation.
Little things that feel familiar
Uganda uses the same Type G three-pin plugs as the UK at 230 volts, drives on the left, and English is widely spoken. Uganda is on East Africa Time, three hours ahead of GMT and two ahead of British Summer Time, so jet lag is minimal.
Frequently asked questions
Uganda Airlines has operated non-stop Gatwick to Entebbe flights; check current schedules. Most other routes have one stop.
Yes. Apply online for an e-visa before travel: US$50 single entry or US$100 for the East Africa Tourist Visa.
No. It is given at registered yellow fever centres for a fee, and a certificate is required to enter Uganda.
The same Type G three-pin plugs as the UK, at 230 volts.
