HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND UGANDA

 By Matata Mercy

Are you new in Uganda? If you are, then this article is for you. 

Or you are a Ugandan but you have not been travelling a lot but now you want to start travelling more often.

 Today I will share with you some tips on how to travel around  Uganda. 

The means of transportation and where to find them.

 If you are foreigner and you are new in Uganda, you might find that our transport sector looks abit complex, I understand what you are going through. 

May be you are tourist who has come to visit Uganda or you are just on a vacation. All those reasons are valid.

1.For the tourist who  is in Uganda.

If you are a tourist who is new in Uganda and you would like to  visit some tourist destinations around Uganda. 

For example, the national parks, the source of the Nile, Uganda museum and other cultural sites around the country. This is for you.

 As a tourist, you can seek the services of tour companies in Uganda. 

These tour companies will provide you with accomodation and transport to your destination of choice.

 You will be assigned with a tourist agent who will take you around. 

These people have vans that they use to take their clients, the tourists around the country.

 You are able to visit the national parks in Uganda like Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park and many other destinations. 

Companies like Great Lakes Safaris limited will help you meet your travelling needs in Uganda.

 The interesting thing right now is that Uganda Tourism Board has embarked on registering tour guides around country and these tour guides will be provided with licenses so that the wrong characters in tourism industry who are pausing as tour guides can easily be kicked out. 

There was a time  where an American  citizen went missing in Lake Mburo national park and the search for this young lady has been fruitless up to today.

 It is believed that she was killed by the so called tourguide who took her to visit the national park.

 But with the registration of the tour guides, it will be easy to get yourself professionally trained tour guides to take you around as you explore the beauty in Uganda.

2. Motor bikes (boda boda).

The motor bikes commonly known as boda boda are most commonly used form of transport in the cities around Uganda.

 These motor bikes normally have stages where they are parked as the riders wait for the customers. 

If you are in Kampala city, you can download the safeboda app which is actually a ride hailing app for hailing motorbikes. 

If you are in a hurry and you would like to reach your destination quickly boda bodas will take you there quickly.

3.  Taxi(Uber)

In Uganda,especially in Kampala city taxis are a common form of transport that you can use for transportation. 

These taxis have stages where they are found and you can board one. 

But just standing by the road side you will easily be able to stop  a taxi and board. 

If that is too much for you, you can just download the Uber app from Google play store or  Applestore.

4.Buses

If you want to travel outside  Kampala to other parts of Uganda, you can use buses so that you can reach your destination.

 If you want to go to places like Arua city, Gulu city,Mbarara, Mbale and others, you will need to board a bus.

 These buses have their stations around Kampala where you can board from.

 It is a matter of asking where they are located and you are taken there. 

Ugandans are by nature friendly people who will easily help out when another person is in need.

5.Aeroplanes.

The last form of transport that you can use while in Uganda are the small planes. 

These planes are available at the Entebbe international airport where you can purchase an air ticket and travel. 

You can take on of these planes from Entebbe up to Arua city and in less than an hour you will be in Arua. I hope these tips help you travel around Uganda.

 Wish you a nice stay if you are a tourist or a visitor in Uganda. Good luck.