Travel Information
Visas
You are most likely required to get a tourist visa for Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya or Rwanda. Depending on which country you will travel to, you must apply for a Uganda tourist visa online with Uganda Immigration, since a visa on arrival is no longer possible. For Rwanda & Tanzania, you can obtain a tourist visa on arrival. If you are visiting both Uganda and Rwanda or going on to Kenya, you will need an East African tourist visa that allows you to visit all three countries.
Debit and Credit Cards
While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in bigger cities, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in East Africa. Most restaurants and lodges also accept payment by card (Visa, MasterCard or Amex).
Visa cards are the most accepted wherever card payments can be made. It’s always advisable to bring some cash as sometimes transactions can be delayed due to poor network since some lodges are in remote areas of the country. Cities and Airports have foreign currency shops (Forex bureaux) in case you need to acquire some local currency.
Tipping
How much to tip on safaris depends entirely on your level of satisfaction of course, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider $10 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in up-market hotels and restaurants.
Vaccinations
Several different vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering African countries. We recommend having a travel medicine consultation in your home country before visiting. A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya. It is not required for Rwanda if you haven’t visited any country with a risk for yellow fever transmissions. Immunisations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended as well. Besides bringing mosquito repellent, we also advise you to take malaria prophylactics (prevention medication).
Safety and Security
East Africa is a very safe region to always visit. You will be warmly welcomed wherever you go by the friendly smiles from Uganda’s residents. The border area with Rwanda and DRC remains stable and all national parks and wildlife reserves are well protected by the different Wildlife Authority’s rangers of each country as per the government constitution. Tourism is hugely important for every country’s economy and a Tourism Police Force has been created to protect visitors.
Rwanda is considered one of the safest African destinations for tourists. The country has made significant strides in terms of stability and security since the tragic events of the 1994 genocide. Known for its cleanliness and orderliness, Rwanda has become a popular choice for travelers, especially those interested in wildlife experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking.
Your safety is Maddie Travels’ absolute priority, and you can be rest assured that we will always give you the best travel advice as well as keep you updated should you have security concerns.
Groups
We offer tailor-made safaris for any number of participants. We offer fixed departure tours with a minimum of 4 pax. The larger the group, the more attractive the price will be.
Inclusions
Maddie Travels’ prices are inclusive of:
- Accommodation and meals in the lodge on the client’s preferred meal plan
- In cases where warm lunches cannot be provided (e.g. long transfer routes), clients will have packed lunch.
- A professional and experienced English/German/Spanish/French/Russian-speaking guide
- Transportation in 4×4 vehicle with pop-up roof
- Fuel for the entire safaris.
- All activities as indicated in the programmes with exception of “optional” listed activities.
- All entrance fees and game drive fees
- All relevant government taxes.
- Drinking water while on the tour
Our fleet of vehicles
We provide 4WD safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for all our safaris are either land cruisers or vans. To ensure that everybody has a window seat to enjoy the best views of safari, we usually limit the number of people to six per vehicle. The challenging condition of the roads means that safari vehicles are well maintained mechanically.
Primate Trekking Permits
If you plan to go gorilla trekking, you’ll need to obtain a gorilla trekking permit. These permits have limited availability, so it’s advisable to book well in advance. The permit allows you to spend a limited time in the presence of a gorilla family. For chimpanzee tracking and golden monkey tracking, you’ll also need permits. Make sure to secure these permits in advance to ensure availability. The minimum age for visiting the gorillas is 15 years, whereas for chimp trekking it is 12 years. Some national parks offer alternative activities for children below the age of 12 years to keep them busy as their parents go for chimp trekking.
You can get a gorilla permit at $800 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. The cost for chimp trekking lies between $50-$300, depending on the national park.
Physical Fitness
Gorilla trekking and other primate tracking activities can involve hiking through dense forests and uneven terrain. It’s essential to be in good physical condition. Consider your fitness level and choose a trek that suits your abilities. If you have a cold or are feeling under the weather, you will not be allowed to take part in gorilla and chimp trekking to prevent any illness being passed to the gorillas and chimps.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respect local customs and traditions. Ask for permission before taking photographs of local people and be aware of and adhere to any cultural guidelines provided by your guides.
Travel Insurance
Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and any unexpected situations.
Internet Connectivity
Hotels, lodges, and guesthouses in urban areas and tourist destinations typically offer wi-fi connectivity. The quality of the connection may vary, but it is generally available for guests. While connectivity is generally good in urban areas, it may be more limited in remote or rural areas. In some national parks, you may experience weaker or no signal, so it’s advisable to check with us regarding internet access in such locations.
Safari Clothing For Every Occasion
We always recommend packing comfortable clothing that is not too tight or heavy, as East African countries are in the tropics and the weather is generally hot and humid.
Choose neutral and earth colours like khaki, beige, green, brown and grey. Pastels are also good. Stay away from dark blues and black as they tend to attract tsetse flies, especially when you are out on boat rides or game drives. White is lovely and cool but not practical, especially on game drives. Include long-sleeved shirts and pants as they will protect you from the sun and insect bites.
Some parts of Uganda and Rwanda can be cold like in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park, so do pack some light jackets or sweaters but avoid camouflage because it is reserved for military personnel and banned as everyday wear.
Closed walking shoes are a must, but you can also bring flip-flops (thongs) and sandals with you, as well as a swimsuit. And don’t forget a good sunhat and sunglasses!
One more essential item is a backpack to carry all your valuables, water and snacks, especially when trekking.
Trekking Essentials
When it comes to trekking, here are a few more packing tips:
Include some garden gloves! These will help you when having to push away tree branches and grab hold of tree roots to pull yourself up. They also keep your hands clean for taking photos! Long, waterproof socks and/or gaiters are ideal for preventing cuts and scratches and for warding off ants.
It tends to rain in the rainforest so a lightweight waterproof jacket is a must. Water resistant long pants are also a good idea to protect from stinging plants and foliage, and for those times when you need to slide downhill on your backside!
You’ll need proper hiking boots with excellent ankle support and good tread.
Gadgets
Good binoculars and a good camera are safari musts. We recommend 8 x 42 or 10 x 50 focal length and magnification for game viewing and birding. Perfect for safaris and searching for wildlife, the wide lens gives you a wider field of view and a broad, magnified landscape.
While you don’t have to be a professional photographer thanks to the advent of exceptional digital cameras, a good digital SLR or mirrorless camera with both a wide-angle and telephoto lens enhances the experience, especially where game viewing and birding are concerned. Make sure to bring lots of SD cards or your laptop to download images to in between activities.
An iPad or similar tablet and a smartphone are also great safari accessories, with today’s state-of-the-art cell phones able to shoot incredible video content and exceptional images.