Say what? If you’re surprised to hear this news from me, here’s a little backstory. 

Recently my boyfriend and I have added some new destinations to our travel itinerary. Christian got a job as a global health coordinator working with teams in Indianapolis Indiana where we currently live and Uganda. In his role, he travels back and forth several times spending about half of the year between Kampala and Jinja, and half of the year in Indiana. I get to join him on his next trip to Uganda (and hopefully many others). We will be there from October through December, what is considered the rainy season there. 

Anyway, I’m sharing what I’m packing and hope to provide updates and modifications after my trip ends. 

Important Documents

Medications/Health

Uganda is a country that has malaria infected mosquitos and you’ll need to prepare accordingly. Make an appointment with your doctor or a local travel clinic to get an anti-malaria prescription. If you’ll be there for a while, or want to dive in to the local food scene and frequent restaurants off the beaten path, I’d also recommend getting some anti-diarrheal medications for the inevitable.

If you live in the US, prescriptions can come with quite a price tag – but they’re really always worth it. Download the app Good RX and see if there are any coupons for the meds you need – I was able to save literally hundreds of dollars on the meds I purchased which meant I could afford a much better type of malarial medication than I otherwise could pay for out of pocket.

I’ve gotten Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) before while traveling and they’re incredible uncomfortable. If your stay is more than a week or two and you know you’re prone to them, ask your gynecologist to write you a prescription so you have antibiotics on hand should you need them.

Entertainment

There are several studios in Kampala and it’s always nice to have a mat for working out, yoga or otherwise!

Hygiene

What to wear in Uganda

If you’ve never been to Uganda you might be at a loss for what clothes to pack or what’s appropriate to wear. The women here dress somewhat similarly to the United States (at least in the city) on an average day, though most are a bit dressier than I might typically be.

At the Bushpig hostel where we’re staying, the female staff wear jeans and the Bushpig t-shirt to work or jeans/slacks and a blouse, sometimes with a leather jacket or a blazer. Sandals, slip on shoes, or ballet flats are common. At work it’s more formal, with most women wearing skirts and a blouse, or a work dress. The women tend to be on the curvier side so while the skirts are always knee-length or longer, it’s not uncommon for the skirts and dresses to be very form fitted. This is especially so with night-wear when going out to clubs or for nice dinners.

During the morning and evening hours mosquitos can be a major nuisance so most people wear long sleeves or long pants even though it’s typically quite warm. Short sleeve shirts and tanks are fine to wear though – just make sure you cover up with bug spray! In areas like Jinja or Tororo where the malaria rates are higher and mosquitos are worse you might want to keep more covered to avoid any bites.

On the whole, fabrics are a bit more colorful and bright patterned dressed, skirts, or blouses are popular (a bit of a change from my daily black attire). You don’t see many people with messy hair or makeup though, and bright lipstick is a popular accessory.

What clothes you choose to pack for Uganda will depend on where you’re staying and what you plan to be doing. If you’re working, or going out to fancier places often, consider bringing some more formal attire to blend in. However, if you’re living at the hostel like myself or doing a lot of adventure hiking, joggers and tshirts will be fine.

Note that while wearing tight fitting pants isn’t hugely inappropriate, you may attract a lot more attention from the males in leggings, especially if you’re a solo female traveler, or walking after dark. Plan accordingly.

Clothing

Technology

The extra flash drives prevent you from running out of room for photos and videos. There are also places in the city where you can download tv shows and movies to your flash-drive in lieu of streaming Netflix or Youtube.

Miscellaneous

BAGS

ECO-FRIENDLY GEAR

Uganda Packing List – Special Notes

• Extra tote bags are easy to roll up, take up virtually no space, and are SO useful upon arrival! They also helps you be more a sustainable traveler by reducing your plastic intake when shopping.
• My day bag is my personal item on the plane. It’s a smaller day backpack which I wear on the front with my valuables, so I can rest my arms on it and keep it in sight at all times.
• I bring a small bag for medicine, makeup, and my tech supplies. The more you separate your items into (logical) compartments the easier it is to pull something specific out of your backpack without making a complete mess.
• I have an IUD and no longer get my period, so I don’t have to include menstrual products. However, you should absolutely add this to your list if you get your period.
• I packed a lot more shoes than I normally would because we’re staying for so long and we’re in the same hostel for nearly the entire time. If I was moving around more often or visiting for a shorter time I wouldn’t have so many duplicates (like hiking shoes and tennis shoes, or sandals, flip flops, AND slip on shoes).
• It’s rainy season this visit so I wanted to bring both rain jackets, especially because my lightweight one can easily fold up into my purse or day bag taking up very little space.

Uganda sits squarely on the equator with an average altitude of around 1,000m, which tempers the heat and means this really is a year-round destination. March-May and Oct-Nov see the highest rainfall, but gorillas are still lurking in the mist – although trekking to find them will be slippery and slower. However, accommodation and even gorilla permits can be much cheaper at this time. The best time to visit Uganda is June-Sep, which is the peak season – but Uganda remains happily oblivious to mass tourism and you won’t need to worry about crowds.

March, April and May see the heaviest rainfall in Uganda, with shorter rains in October to November. This doesn’t affect your chances of spotting gorillas, although be prepared for a soggy, slippery trek! Waterproofs, and waterproof boots, are essential. It’s also believed that the gorillas linger on the warmer, lower slopes during wetter weather, so your trek may be shorter.

The wildlife is not migratory in Uganda so you can still see plenty of game in parks such as Queen Elizabeth, although thicker vegetation makes spotting the animals a little harder. Do be aware that the already appalling roads will become even more bone shaking.

Murchison Falls in the northeast has a drier climate, so is a good place to head during the wetter months. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, which issues gorilla tracking permits, offers discounts of up to 25 percent in April, May and November – well worth it if you’re on a budget. June, July, August and September are the peak months as they are generally dry (though rain can fall at any time), and coincide with school holidays. This is the best time to visit Uganda, but book well in advance, especially if tracking gorillas – as permits will sell out months in advance.

December, January and February are also great months to visit. Generally dry (though rains can linger into December), the wildlife will be lured to waterholes, making this a great time for boat safaris. Migratory birds are also present. Throughout the country, the temperature drops quite considerably at night – you’ll need a jumper or cardi. This makes it much easier to sleep. But it never reaches the chilly extremes of places such as Kruger of the Kalahari.

Who is it for?

Uganda is the dream destination for those in search of the absolute pinnacle of primate safaris. Chimpanzees roam in numbers in Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park, as do colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, de Brazza monkeys and a host of other species. The last mountain gorillas are carefully protected in the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi. There is absolutely no exaggeration in gorilla trekking as life-altering. The destination is just as much sought after by birders, as Uganda boasts over a thousand species among its varied habitats. A keen birder can hope to encounter the handsome francolin, dwarf honeyguide and purple-breasted sunbird, among many other species that are very difficult to see anywhere else. And, like the gorilla, there is the highlight of seeing the unforgettable shoebill. Uganda outshines all other safari destinations in these two areas, but, in addition, it remains a superb destination for traditional safari by vehicle or by boat, thanks to its lush habitats and variety of species. For those in search of something fresh and vibrant, Uganda is the perfect choice.

How long to stay?

The length of a typical Uganda safari will vary. Those seeking to track gorillas will fly into Entebbe and often overnight on the shores of Lake Victoria before flying out to the south western parks the following morning. Experts recommend tracking the gorillas twice, as the first time is often a little overwhelming and guests don’t take it all in. After the gorilla experience, visitors usually fly back to Entebbe to continue their safari elsewhere or to head out onto the Ugandan safari circuit with visits to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls. Further north, at the very tip of the country, travellers can explore the untouched open spaces of lesser-known parks like Kidepo. On average, however, stays range between four to six days.

When should I go?

Uganda is a good year-round destination, but the rainy seasons (March to May and November to December) can make logistics a little tricky. Rain also increases the difficulty of tracking in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale, rendering the mountain slopes muddy. Uganda has a major advantage in terms of temperature – although its location is equatorial, the high altitude eases the heat, meaning that the weather remains temperate all year round. The high season for Uganda safari falls in line with other East African destinations, which means during the winter months in the southern hemisphere, from June to October.

Where to go on safari in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park 

Kidepo Valley National Park