On arrival
Visa - for those who require one - can be purchased in advance through the Ugandan or Rwandan embassy or consulate in your home country.
Visa can also be obtained upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Kigali International Airport or at any overland border.
When crossing the Rwandan border overland or when you arrive at Kigali International Airport, you must apply for an entry visa (single entry and valid for 15 days) through an online application form which can be found at www.migration.gov.rw/singleform.php
After sending this form you will get a response from the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
Receiving this response can take from 30 minutes to 4 days (and please check your SPAM folder).
We strongly advise you do this before your departure to Africa. If you are flying into Rwanda it is an absolute necessity! In the form you will be asked to mention your entry point. Normally we use entry point number 5 (Cyanika) when you are coming from South-Western Uganda. This is the border crossing near Volcanoes National Park.
When arriving in Kigali by plane you will use entry point number 1 (Kigali International Airport). It is your own responsibility to arrange your visa(s) correctly and in time, but if anything is unclear of course we will be glad to assist you!
Money
Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are very limited in Uganda and Rwanda (outside Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali). So we advise our clients to bring enough money with them for their trip (in US Dollars, Euros or Pound Sterling) and exchange it for local currency at banks or forex bureau's in large towns.
Traveler's Cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala and Kigali and it is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside Kampala and Kigali. Uganda's currency is the Ugandan Shilling. The currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc.
The US dollar is traditionally the preferred currency, but the Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Please check the latest exchange rates before you go to Uganda or Rwanda.
Health
A certificate proving that you have received a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory. Furthermore all required inoculations must be recorded by your health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate. You must carry this document with you throughout the tour.
All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. We also advise that you bring a mosquito repellent and a mosquito net with you. Most lodges do have mosquito nets, but not all. Uganda's/Rwanda's tap water is not suitable for consumption so please only drink bottled water. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for up to date requirements and personal recommendations!
AMREF Flying Doctors
We advise you to apply for a Flying Doctors membership. The membership provides a quick and reliable air evacuation and medical care if needed. The membership can be arranged for 2 weeks or for 2 months; for a radius of 500 or 1000 kilometers from Nairobi. For Uganda and Rwanda you need the 1000 kilometers radius. Please check out the AMREF Flying Doctors website for more information and to become a member: www.amref.org/flying-doctors/buy-flying-doctors-membership
Language
Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English, which is the official language in Uganda. Next to English there are about 30-plus different indigenous languages. The official language of Rwanda is French, but at the main tourist attractions many people will also speak English.
When to visit
Uganda and Rwanda can be visited at any time throughout the year. But please keep in mind that mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains (March - May and October - November). For birders the rainy season is considered to be the best time to visit Uganda and Rwanda.
What to wear
Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of sweaters too. Those who intend to do mountain hiking will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.
What to bring
A valid passport (including visa) is mandatory. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 more months after your tour with Kazinga Tours has ended. To make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks it is advisable to carry binoculars and field guides. Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or more). Please make sure to carry enough memory cards or films with you.
Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities. We advise you to take an international adapter with you for your electric equipment. The system used in Uganda and Rwanda is the British system. A flashlight can proof to be useful since the electricity can be cut off every now and then.
Driving
Driving in Uganda is on the left-hand side, while driving in Rwanda is on the right-hand side. Visitors without extensive experience with African roads are advised to travel with a 4x4 vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver/guide.
Facilities and accommodations
Bathroom facilities and accommodations can be very basic in Uganda and Rwanda when traveling on a medium to low budget.
Tipping
Tipping will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10%. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.
Further information
The Bradt Travel Guide is the most detailed guidebook for both countries. The Lonely Planet, Footprint Guides and Spectrum Guides produce other guidebooks. For wildlife, the best guidebook is 'Watching Wildlife East Africa' from the Lonely Planet.
On arrival
Visa - for those who require one - can be purchased in advance through the Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Visa can also be obtained upon arrival at Kilimanjaro / Dar es Salaam International Airport or at any overland border. Safari vehicles and small aircrafts provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might be difficult to be taken on board.
Money
In most of the cities it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but the Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted.
Health
A certificate proving that you have received a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory. Furthermore all required inoculations must be recorded by your health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate. You must carry this document with you throughout the tour. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. We also advise that you bring a mosquito repellent and a mosquito net with you. Most lodges do have mosquito nets, but not all. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for up to date requirements and personal recommendations! Lastly always drink bottled water instead of tap water.
AMREF Flying Doctors
We advise you to apply for a Flying Doctors membership. The membership provides a quick and reliable air evacuation and medical care if needed. The membership can be arranged for 2 weeks or for 2 months; for a radius of 500 or 1000 kilometers from Nairobi. For Tanzania, Northern Circuit, the 500 km membership is okay ($15 / $25). For the rest of Tanzania you need the 1000 km membership ($30 / $50). Please check out the AMREF Flying Doctors website for more information and to become a member: www.amref.org/flying-doctors/buy-flying-doctors-membership To see the exact map for the 500 or 1000 kilometers radius, please check out the Service Coverage Area (part of Buy Membership) on the Amref website.
Language
The national language is Kiswahili but English is widely spoken and is the main language in the tourist areas.
When to Visit
Tanzania can be visited at any time, though some places might be difficult to visit in the rainy season. The climate is tropical; the coastal areas are hot and humid with an average day temperature of 30 degrees centigrade. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights. In the area around Arusha and Ngorongoro in Tanzania, the climate is temperate and cooler (especially) between June and September. The long rains are from March to May, the short rains from November to half December.
What to wear
Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes (areas around Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Arusha), so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who intend to do mountain hiking will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.
What to bring
A valid passport is mandatory (passport must be valid for at least 3 months after re-entry) and visa requirements for all countries you are planning to visit should be checked before you travel. To make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks, we advise you to carry binoculars and field guides. Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or more). Please make sure to carry enough memory cards or films with you. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities. We advise you to take an international adapter with you for your electric equipment. The system used in Tanzania is the British system. A torch (flashlight) can proof to be very useful.
Driving
Driving in Tanzania is on the left-hand side. Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to organize a vehicle with a driver rather than self-drive.
Tipping
Tipping will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10%. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.
Further information
The Lonely Planet and Bradt Travel Guide are the most detailed guidebooks for Tanzania. For wildlife, the best guidebook is 'Watching Wildlife East Africa' from the Lonely Planet and The Bradt 'East African Wildlife'.
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