Tips and Tricks For Traveling to Uganda

Bring lots of insect repellent with high concentrations of deet and a mosquito net for sleeping! I brought spray bottles and wipes of Ben’s 30% deet insect repellent to apply every morning and night. When we went to heavily wooded areas I applied repellent even more than that! Each night I slept under a mosquito net as well to prevent bites. I brought my own, but did not use it because the hotel provided some that were already set up over the beds.
Use extreme caution when walking around and crossing roads. As you will quickly find out, drivers in Uganda see any surface as a road. Just because it is dirt and meant for pedestrians only, does not mean you can let your guard down. Very frequently I was passed by taxis and boda bodas sharing part of my sidewalk! In addition, when crossing roads and entrances double check for traffic. There are not many distinct sidewalks and lots of traffic, so you really have to pay attention and use your best judgement. Those bodas can come out of nowhere!
Always travel in small groups or pairs. Even though you may not agree, the locals see Mzungus/Americans as extremely wealthy and knowledgeable. Therefore, they will try to ask for money, rip you off, and get you to ride in their taxi or come in their store. None of the locals were forceful towards anyone, but we did experience some tricky situations when finding taxis that caused individuals to get separated from the group. So always be aware and do your research about your destination and how to get there! In addition, be very careful who you give your contact information out to because most people are looking for financial assistance in getting to the United States.
Be prepared for some living conditions that are less luxurious than those you’d find in the U.S. We had to adapt to things like cold showers, hand washing laundry, toilets that only flush every 20 minutes, and some bathrooms that had no toilets at all (squatables as on group member calls them). It wasn’t a fancy month, but it worked just fine for all of us with a little adjusting!
While being safe and careful at all times is a priority, don’t let that get in the way of your experience! Take time to interact with as many locals as you can. Listen to their personal stories and their opinions on Uganda and the U.S. (they will have lots to say!). Try to learn some of the local language, such as phrases like thank you, good morning, how are you. Lastly, venture out of your comfort zone and try something new; attend a local market, try a new food, or raft on the Nile!