Uganda Master Thread

[Emkay]

Has anyone here ever spent time in Uganda? Or been there for Shabbos?

[gsquared]

I've been.  Did the Gorilla trek, whitewater rafting on the Nile, Shabbat with the Abayudaya.  A chabad opened in Kampala opened recently.  Good trip but very 3rd world obviously.   

[Emkay]

I've been.  Did the Gorilla trek, whitewater rafting on the Nile, Shabbat with the Abayudaya.  A chabad opened in Kampala opened recently.  Good trip but very 3rd world obviously.

How long ago? Did you get a yellow fever vaccine?

[ponash123]

Any updated information on this? Anyone been more recently that can provide more information?
@Something Fishy  I'm looking at you...

[Something Fishy]

Any updated information on this? Anyone been more recently that can provide more information?
@Something Fishy  I'm looking at you...

What info are you looking for?

[ponash123]

Anything would be helpful.
I really want Rwanda, but seems to have stricter COVID travel restrictions.
Did you do research into the difference? Info on gorilla trekking? TR perhaps?

Thanks!

[Something Fishy]

Anything would be helpful.
I really want Rwanda, but seems to have stricter COVID travel restrictions.
Did you do research into the difference? Info on gorilla trekking? TR perhaps?

Thanks!

Short version is that Uganda permits are cheaper, everything is less developed, and you have less fancy lodging options. But the experience is otherworldly and I can't recommend it enough. Definitely do Bwindi over Mgahinga.

Unless something changed in the last two months, Uganda has the strange rule that you must have a negative PCR test to leave the country. I got my test in Zanzibar on Friday, had it processed and dated on Sunday, got to Uganda on Monday, and left Wednesday - all within the same 72 hour window. So if you time things right you can get a single test to cover your Uganda entry and exit + reentry to the US.

A Yellow fever cert is required, but no one asked me for mine.

Entebbe airport is a giant pain in the neck, so give yourself a good 3-4 hours, even for connections. And make sure to catch a glimpse of the bullet-riddled old terminal building (you can often see it when taxiing) as it's scheduled for demolition in the next few months.

[ponash123]

Short version is that Uganda permits are cheaper, everything is less developed, and you have less fancy lodging options. But the experience is otherworldly and I can't recommend it enough. Definitely do Bwindi over Mgahinga.

Unless something changed in the last two months, Uganda has the strange rule that you must have a negative PCR test to leave the country. I got my test in Zanzibar on Friday, had it processed and dated on Sunday, got to Uganda on Monday, and left Wednesday - all within the same 72 hour window. So if you time things right you can get a single test to cover your Uganda entry and exit + reentry to the US.

A Yellow fever cert is required, but no one asked me for mine.

Entebbe airport is a giant pain in the neck, so give yourself a good 3-4 hours, even for connections. And make sure to catch a glimpse of the bullet-riddled old terminal building (you can often see it when taxiing) as it's scheduled for demolition in the next few months.

Appreciate it!!

[ponash123]

Appreciate it!!

Do you think 2 days in Uganda is enough? I would perhaps combine with Kenya or Tanzania

[Something Fishy]

Do you think 2 days in Uganda is enough? I would perhaps combine with Kenya or Tanzania

For gorilla trekking? Sure. Just make sure with your lodge that the flight timing meshes well.

And absolutely, combine with Kenya or Tanzania. No question.

[ponash123]

For gorilla trekking? Sure. Just make sure with your lodge that the flight timing meshes well.

And absolutely, combine with Kenya or Tanzania. No question.

I mean is 2 days in Uganda overall good (i.e are there other things to do/see there).
But I haven't done basic research yet, so I'll be back in a bit once I do some reading.

Thank you!

[Something Fishy]

I mean is 2 days in Uganda overall good (i.e are there other things to do/see there).
But I haven't done basic research yet, so I'll be back in a bit once I do some reading.

Thank you!

Unless you want to track chimps (not as interesting as gorillas and somewhat redundant) or are a serious birder, there's no real reason to stick around in Uganda too long.

[ponash123]

Unless you want to track chimps (not as interesting as gorillas and somewhat redundant) or are a serious birder, there's no real reason to stick around in Uganda too long.

Thank you!

[yitzyul]

Does this sound doable?

Arrive Monday late afternoon EBB
Tues AM- Bwindi
Wed noon-NBO
Fri-Zanzbar or Tanzania safari (depends on Shabbos availability/plans) Then eventually on to Zanzibar
Wed leave Zanzibar back to US

Alternatively I can skip EBB and just fly straight to NBO

[Something Fishy]

Does this sound doable?

Arrive Monday late afternoon EBB
Tues AM- Bwindi
Wed noon-NBO

Not possible. Bwindi only has early morning flights due to wind patterns, so you need at least 2 nights if you're doing gorillas.

[yitzyul]

Not possible. Bwindi only has early morning flights due to wind patterns, so you need at least 2 nights if you're doing gorillas.

[Something Fishy]

Most people fly into Kisoro, but I guess Kihihi can work if you're going to the north side of Bwindi. Make sure you choose an operator on the correct side, because you can't really get from one side to the other easily.

All that being said, landing at 11:25 means you'll get into the jungle very late and may not have enough time to trek and/or get washed out by afternoon thunderstorms. You'll be hard pressed to find an operator who'd suggest you do gorilla trekking with just one night - you're taking a very expensive chance here.

So regardless of flights, my point of really needing 2 nights stands.

[yitzyul]

Most people fly into Kisoro, but I guess Kihihi can work if you're going to the north side of Bwindi. Make sure you choose an operator on the correct side, because you can't really get from one side to the other easily.

All that being said, landing at 11:25 means you'll get into the jungle very late and may not have enough time to trek and/or get washed out by afternoon thunderstorms. You'll be hard pressed to find an operator who'd suggest you do gorilla trekking with just one night - you're taking a very expensive chance here.

So regardless of flights, my point of really needing 2 nights stands.

Thank You
Is there much to do there for 2 days (I do things quickly ) or should I just skip Uganda?

Ugh ....I guess its back to the drawing board

[Something Fishy]

Thank You
Is there much to do there for 2 days (I do things quickly ) or should I just skip Uganda?

Ugh ....I guess its back to the drawing board

Incredible landscapes, incredible people, lots of outdoor and wildlife activities. You can spend a week there easily.

[yitzyul]

The World Health Organization announced that as of 11 July 2016, countries can no longer require travellers to show proof of re-vaccination or a booster dose as a condition of entry.