Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the general security situation in Uganda?
After more than a decade of stability, Uganda has
become a relatively safe travel destination. In fact,
you can consider Uganda to be much safer than many
more popular travel destinations. Naturally, general
precautions are to be taken and visitors should
exercise the same care as they normally would in any
other destination world-wide.
Nonetheless, some parts of Uganda are unsafe due to
the instability of neighboring countries, such as
certain areas in the north-western part of Uganda.
These localized areas are not included in our programme. Uganda People's Defence Forces and Uganda Wildlife Authority have reinforced security and there is awide communication network set up in all the protected areas.
2. How is safety organized on safari?
Tropical Vacations does not want you to "take risks". Safety
is our number one concern. With Tropical Vacations one has the assurance of comfort
and safety for the participants while traveling and
exploring nature and wildlife. We have explored each
part of your trip ourselves. We work as a team. This
experience and our total commitment are the most
important conditions for our Clients' safety during
the safari.
The key person on your safari is your Driver Guide. He
will drive you safely, look after you and help you to
discover this country. He has the experience and is
well trained on safety customer care and health
issues. He will ensure that the highest standards of
service and safety are upheld. He will escort the
groups and luxury camping safaris.
The selected camping sites are within the parks and
wildlife reserves. They have been designated by park
authorities. The park authorities are also very
concerned with the security of their visitors, so it
is very unlikely that they would admit tourists when
there is a security problem.
To make your safari more interesting, we will be
assisted by specialized professional guides. Guided
nature walks in the parks are exclusively conducted by
authorized rangers.
The participants ought to respect the health and
safety guidelines provided by the driver and or the
tour leader during the safari.
3. How safe are the roads?
Most of the roads leading to these destinations are of
Good standard and others are truly passable. The
drivers are experienced with an extensive knowledge of
the country. They have been trained in defensive
driving and attended a 4WD course in Low Range, High
Range and Self Recovery. Security is our concern and
that's why the Team is highly trained.
4. Are the wild animals dangerous?
While viewing wildlife, there is a degree of danger as
the behavior of wild animals cannot be guaranteed or
predicted. However, most animals are frightened by
the sight and or smell of humans and, rather than
attack, they will flee unless cornered or provoked.
In the camp wildlife wander through, as the camps and
lodges are not fenced off. An attack on a sleeping
traveler would be highly unusual, occurring only
rarely when an animal has been frightened or provoked.
Different safety rules are to be respected: follow
your field guide or tour leader's guidelines strictly,
never venture outside your accommodations at night
without your guide, and don't feed the animals,
however interesting they may be.
Can one plan a camping safari with one's family?
For families, it is always a lifetime experience that
they will never forget one can go for a standardized
safari at one of the tented campsites in any of the
Choice Destination. For children, it's the ultimate
adventure. Our tents can be extended with a separate
bedroom especially to accommodate families.
How many participants can we expect?
In general, we think that wildlife observation and
exploration goes better with small groups. The ideal
group size when on safaris for a couple of weeks is 6
to maximum 10 participants. We believe that quality
should come first and yet not compromising safety and
conservation.
5. What type of vehicle is used on the trip?
There are a range of Vehicles and it is in most cases
to the Clients' discretion. As a company we will
always opt for the best and that is exactly what we
shall offer to our clients.
For the individuals, we have opted for the comfortable
Toyota Land cruiser GX (4 + 1 occupants) as our
standard vehicle. You will experience the difference
in comfort with other four-wheel-drive vehicles. For
larger groups, we will use our Toyota Station Wagon
with open roof, designed in Kenya (7 + 1 persons).
Both types are four-wheel-drive and equipped with air
conditioning. Everything is done to assure your
comfort while traveling! Special logistical
requirements and cooler boxes for cold drinks are part
of our standard equipment.
6. What equipment is used to ensure exclusive safaris
comfort?
• Camping trailer: Packing is always a problem when on
safari since there is never enough space for all the
necessities that have to go along to assure an
exclusive camping comfort. The answer is our specially
designed and fully equipped 4x4 trailer, equipped with
field kitchen, freezer, water tank, and other
facilities.
Everything is there to assure you an
exclusive outdoor safari that is different from
anything you have probably ever known before! It's
simply the experience of a lifetime!
• Tents are specially equipped to accommodate
families with children. For each participant, we
provide a self-inflating mattress (6 cm), sleeping bag
with sheet, a camping chair and a dining set with cup,
plates and cutlery. All the necessary cooking and
camping utensils are provided to assure your camping
comfort. Your Igloo tent is mosquito protected, and we
provide one tent for every two participants!
• Cooler boxes and Freezer: We carry cooler boxes with
fresh drinks when on safari. And we have minus 40 °C
freezers to carry our frozen food and other Kitchenneeds.
• Toilet and shower facilities: Since the toilet and
shower facilities are rather basic on most camping
sites, we carry our own portable toilet and shower
facilities with us.
• Hiking, Birding and Wildlife Safaris tracking equipment: Each vehicle has one pair of binoculars, birding and game books, and route maps.
• Canoe: We use canoes for your bird watching trips in
the swamps or other activities.
What about the Health concerns?
The question of health raises a number of issues for
most travelers to Africa. Just as with any other
holiday, you need to prepare your journey and respect
certain guidelines during your safari. By doing so,
most travelers will return from their safaris happy
and healthy!
In general, we recommend the following:
• Prepare yourself and check your physical condition.
Visit your travel health specialist for further
details. All childhood vaccinations should be
up-to-date or otherwise under taken.
For East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania),
health requirements are the same as those for travel
to South America or East Asia: Visitors need a valid
International Certificate of Vaccination with
certification of yellow fever vaccination.
However, it is also advised that all travelers be
vaccinated against meningitis, typhoid and hepatitis.
Most health specialists will give you all these shots
at the same time, along with yellow fever.
• Our safaris require a normal, good physical
condition. Bring with you any special medication you
may need. Take out medical insurance if possible.
• Uganda is in a malaria zone, visitors are advised to
take prophylactics against malaria, although our
experience is that the best way to avoid catching
malaria is to avoid bites by using mosquito repellent
and sleeping under a treated mosquito net.
• It is advisable to drink only boiled or bottled
water. When on safari, we cook with safe water and you
can be assured that there will be sufficient bottled
water for everybody! Bottled mineral water is usually
for sale everywhere in Uganda.
• Avoid swimming in non designated areas: Bilharzias
is present in most rivers and lakes all over Africa.
Swimming is not recommended, except in designated
areas. The Driver /Guide will indicate the areas where
swimming is allowed when on safari.
• Should you feel unwell after or on your safari, be
sure to tell your doctor about your time in on Safari.
7. What about water and food when on safari?
Most camping sites provide water that we only use for
washing. For cooking, we carry our own tanks with
purified water, and we have sufficient mineral water
and other drinks with us. You can find bottled mineral
water almost everywhere in Uganda!
Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the all-inclusive
daily rate. Local beer, wine and spirits are at your
own expense and can be ordered.
When on safari with our luxury formula, food will be
prepared.
8. What about special dietary needs?
Special diets are not a problem, as long as we know
your needs in advance help us include this in the
Questionnaires to enable us plan better for you. .
What other types of accommodation are available?
Different types of accommodation are possible and can
be combined with your camping safari.
In Uganda you will find "Bandas" these are basic
rooms, luxury tented camps (fixed canvas tents),
hotels in the big towns and cities and lodges in the
parks.
We specially recommend planning one or two
nights in the superb lodges that can be found in Queen
Elizabeth or in Murchison Falls National Parks.
For those seeking exclusive lodges, we specially
recommend long Haul East African safari.
What is the weather like in Uganda?
People are sometimes concerned about the weather
conditions on the equator. In fact, Uganda enjoys
ideal weather conditions, ranging from the warmth of
the lowland areas and lakeshores to the coolness of
the highlands... Temperatures range between 21°C and
25°C. (The hottest month is February.)The rains are
mainly between March and May, and October and
November. The rainy season starts progressively,
moving to a peak month, after which the rain showers
disappear progressively. The peak months are April and
mid-October to mid-November.
Evenings and mornings are often chilly, with cold
night-time temperatures in the highlands. Weather
conditions are indicated in our programme.
Finally, consider that climates are changing all over
the world, including slight and unpredictable changes
even on the equator!
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When is the best time to travel and to view game?
Most people travel in July and August, during the dry
season, but this is not necessarily the best season
for wildlife safaris in East Africa. Wildlife safaris
depend in part on water. During the rains, the game is
scattered as there is abundant surface water to drink.
Once the rains end (July and August), the wildlife
congregates around the remaining surface water
supplies (pools, lakes and large rivers). Generally,
we prefer the green season and recommend avoiding the
heavy rain months of April and November.
What do you recommend one to take with on safari?
Your safari is the experience of a lifetime. Apart
from the usual things, we recommend that you bring a
few items with that will make your journey even more
enjoyable:
• Outfit with adapted colors (Green, Brown, Grey or
other ways) for wildlife observation.
• Good walking shoes. Gum boots. Avoid new shoes that
you never used!
• Rain gear, gloves, a few long-sleeve shirts, gum
boots.
• Sweater for the cool evenings. Camera, a 200 mm or
longer telephoto lens will be useful, reserve battery,
films.
• Binoculars, if you can are highly recommended and or
any other sight enhancing tool.
• Sun protection: please carry a hat, sunglasses, sun
cream or a hand fan.
• Mosquito repellent.