Hello all,
I have a few miscellaneous questions about my upcoming trip to Uganda.
1) I have read that tipping is appreciated on gorilla treks. What is an appropriate or "normal" amount to tip your guide on gorilla treks? I read that you are expected to tip the guide who in turn tips the trackers and guards. Do you tip the porters that carry your stuff as well? If so, what is an appropriate amount to tip porters? I would assume that the same tipping guidelines would apply to Rwanda treks as well.
2) Can I obtain a visa upon arrive at Entebbe? I am a US citizen but I will be flying to Entebbe on a Rwanda Air flight from Rwanda. I have read that I can obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport. Can anyone that has recently visited Uganda confirm that this is still the case?
3) What is a good way to get to Jinja from Entebbe if I don't take a shuttle with a rafting company or a mini bus? Are there shuttles or transfers offered by any other tour companies? I think I would prefer to travel to Jinja upon arrival to Entebbe so as to minimize travel days. Also in terms of returning from Jinja to Kampala is it possible to pay to get on the shuttles that the rafting companies have if I don't want to raft? I am a little hesitant about being on a crowded minibus.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Miscellaneous questions about Uganda
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1) Tipping anywhere in the world is appreciated, You should decide the value of your experience and determine the extent of the gratuity. Remember your permit cost a hard $500 for the experience too. You will need to pay your porter a fee of $15.
At the end of the trek you can leave a gratuity in an envelope and place it in a box at the wildlife centre. I don't know how that gets distributed, but am sure that those who deserve it will get it.
2) Yes you can purchase a visa on arrival. Just check nationalities on the website to be sure you are legible. If you are US, then no problem. I will advise though that it can take forever, so be prepared for a lengthy wait, line length dependent.
3) Yes, there are many operators between Kampala and Entebbe, so getting to Jinja from EBB shouldn't pose too many challenges, ditto for your return to to Kampala. I have seen the busses and wouldn't recommend them if you aren't into travelling in a crowded environment.
I agree with everything that mkhonzo said, with one caveat regarding the tipping method. If youi are gorilla trekking from Buhoma, there is a tip box in the area of the park where the trek beginds and ends, and you just put your tip in there. I had a superb experience with the Habinyanja Group and was feeling very generous, so I think I left a really big tip in that box.
However, if you are trekking from Nkuringo, there is no similar box like that and I just tipped our main guide directly and asked him to share it with the other UWA rangers that were with us.
Regarding visas, I do believe you can get one on arrival in Entebbe (check travel.state.gov to be sure), but we got ours in advance because not only were we going to be entering through Entebbe, but then we were also going to be making a land entry from Rwanda near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and we wanted to be sure we were covered for that. But from what I saw at the Entebbe airport, it looked like getting a visa on arrival was pretty easy and hassle-free.
Have a great time in Uganda.
Chris