Starting and Finishing your trip
We recommend arriving a couple of days before your trip starts in order to acclimatise and to explore the town or city your safari will start from. The same applies at the conclusion of your trip - it is wise to book a return flight ticket a day or two after the trip ends, leaving you ample time to make your flight.

Pre & Post Trip Accommodation
If necessary we can arrange accommodation for you the night before your safari begins and the night it finishes.  Most guest houses offer airport transfers if you are arriving into Entebbe.  Please be aware that any pre or post trip accommodation booked for you by Ku Tunza Travel is not covered in the trip price.

Passports and Visas
Most nationalities require visas for some of the countries we will be travelling through. Generally we can obtain most visas en-route, but we do suggest you check with the relevant embassies regarding your nationality entry requirements. Please ensure that you bring US dollars to pay for your visas. DO NOTE - Your passport must also be valid for at least nine months from the start date of your trip.

Health
Some GP’s are quite knowledgeable in tropical medicine, others are not. If you are not convinced with the information your doctor has provided please consult a reputable travel clinic in your area.  Upon arrival into many parts of Africa proof of immunisation against yellow fever is required.  Malaria is also a risk in certain areas of of the continent and there are certainly ways to avoid it - anti-malarial drugs combined with common sense, long trousers at night and spraying liberally with mosquito spray.

Local Customs
People in the countries we visit are incredibly friendly and helpful, but please do respect their customs and beliefs and do some research before you arrive (we recommend the Bradt Travel Guides as they're extremely informative & well written). Either sex should dress modestly when in small towns and villages and respect local peoples feelings of having their photograph taken, as not all appreciate it.  We also don't encourage the handing out of clothes, sweets or pens to children/adults in the areas where our trips run as this leads to begging.  However if you are keen to bring any items over with you we can advise on charities that will most benefit.

Spending Money
Credit cards can be difficult to use outside the main cities and towns of Uganda and Rwanda.  A VISA debit card often works at the ATMs but MasterCard is generally not accepted anywhere. Bring at least half your spending money in Cash $US Dollars & only notes issued from 2001 onwards & in large denominations of US$50 or more (the exchange rate for anything less is poor) or GBP Sterling and the other half in $US Dollar Travellers Cheques – again you may find a poor exchange rate for TC’s. PLEASE NOTE: Travellers Cheques attact a 10% surcharge for extra bank fees we incur. Personal spending varies on the individual, however you need to allow for visas, drinks, snacks, occasional meals out, curios, local crafts, internet, phone calls etc.

Insurance
At Ku Tunza Travel we believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. Therefore you must take out comprehensive travel insurance on all Ku Tunza Travel safaris. If at the start of your safari you cannot prove you have travel insurance you may not be allowed on the trip.

Climate
Being on the equator Uganda enjoys a tropical climate and uncomfortable extremes of heat are rare.  Mean annual temperatures range between 21°c and 26°c except in the higher altitudes where temperatures will be considerabley cooler.  The majority of the country experiences two rainy seasons - as a rough guide these are from April to May and from September to November.  The driest season across the whole country is from December to March.  Please don't let the rainy seasons reflect when you book your safari as it does rain throughout the year!

On safari with your family
Africa is a great place to bring your family on holiday to and they will be made to feel incredibly welcome.  Drive days can be long and uneventful for young children so remember to pack some good books and games.  Many of the lodges have swimming pools as well as menus that should appeal to them.  Snacks can be bought in towns and fruit from roadside stalls – why not let them have a go at haggling!  Loose cotton clothing is a must as well as the obligatory sunscreen and hat.  When game driving it’s a good idea for your children to have their own small set of binoculars as well as guide book.

Be Prepared:-
Roads
One thing to be aware of is that the roads in East Africa aren’t anywhere like the roads in the Western world.  Many of our itineraries have been put together with the condition of the roads in mind, because although places may look close to one another on a map, in reality it can take a full or a half days drive to get to your destination.  We cannot stress this enough but do be prepared for a few long drive days, for example a 250km journey can sometimes take around 7 hours – this is because the roads aren’t sealed, are badly potholed due to the rains, or road improvements are taking place. 

Electricity
Electricity can be erratic throughout East Africa, in particular Uganda and Rwanda, so a torch of some description is essential. 

Mobile Phones
An international mobile phone often works and local SIM cards can be purchasd cheaply, though the network is often erratic.   In some of the places you'll stay there may not always be power so charging your phone, or camera can be difficult.

Luggage
Soft durable bags are best for travelling on safari with as they pack easily into the vehicles.  A small day bag or rucksack is ideal if shopping in town, out walking or on boat trips.  A money belt is also a good idea when money changing at the forex bueru or in banks.

Food & Water
On safari western style menus and meals are usually available, though the opportunity of trying local cuisine is never far away!  If you're vegetarian you will be catered for accordingly - fruit and vegetables are plentiful.  We don’t advise you to drink the water from the taps, but bottled water can be purchased everywhere.

What to Bring when on Safari, as well as for Gorilla Trekking
In a tropical climate light cotton clothing is the most comfortable and can be worn throughout the year.  It can get cold in the evenings (particularly in the mountains if gorilla trekking) so a jumper or fleece is a must, as well as a lightweight rain jacket.

• A pair of walking boots (if gorilla/chimp trekking or climbing)
• Sturdy shoes or trainers
• Flipflops - sandals
• A pair of long, loose fitting trousers
• A pair of jeans
• Short/Long sleeved shirts
• Rain jacket
• Sun hat/cap
• Swimming Costume
• Sarong
• Shorts
• T-Shirts
• Skirt
• Fleece & jumper
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen
• Anti-Malaria medication
• Travel Insurance documentation
• Head torch - most important!
• Binoculars
• Cameras, rechargers, film etc
• Adaptor Plug
• If camping, a sleeping bag (1-2 season) pillow/air mattress
• US$Cash or Traveller's Cheques
• Passport and relevant visas if you need to get them beforehand
• Toiletries and personal items
• Personal 1st Aid Kit