Author Topic: Uganda Master Thread  (Read 3454 times)

Offline Emkay

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Uganda Master Thread
« on: December 05, 2018, 07:29:41 AM »
Has anyone here ever spent time in Uganda? Or been there for Shabbos?

Offline gsquared

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2018, 12:49:26 PM »
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.   

Offline Emkay

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2018, 03:50:19 PM »
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?

Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2021, 02:14:29 PM »
Any updated information on this? Anyone been more recently that can provide more information?
@Something Fishy  I'm looking at you...

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2021, 02:19:22 PM »
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?
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2021, 06:16:46 PM »
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!

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2021, 07:22:35 PM »
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.
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2021, 10:20:15 AM »
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!!

Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2021, 10:22:20 AM »
Appreciate it!!

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

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2021, 11:33:38 AM »
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.
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2021, 11:51:25 AM »
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!

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2021, 11:56:52 AM »
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.
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2021, 12:00:35 PM »
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!

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2022, 09:55:18 AM »
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

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2022, 10:04:23 AM »
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.
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Offline yitzyul

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2022, 10:27:05 AM »
Not possible. Bwindi only has early morning flights due to wind patterns, so you need at least 2 nights if you're doing gorillas.


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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2022, 10:39:27 AM »
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.
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Offline yitzyul

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2022, 10:40:34 AM »
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 ;D) or should I just skip Uganda?

Ugh ....I guess its back to the drawing board
« Last Edit: January 14, 2022, 10:45:03 AM by yitzyul »

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2022, 10:47:50 AM »
Thank You
Is there much to do there for 2 days (I do things quickly ;D) 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.
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Offline yitzyul

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Re: Uganda Master Thread
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2022, 09:56:32 PM »
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.