Frequently asked questions about travelling in Uganda with Riftvoya
How Riftvoya works
What is Riftvoya?
Riftvoya is a Kampala-based marketplace for tailor-made trips in Uganda. We match your request with two vetted, licensed local agencies. Both quote for a private trip around you, and the one you choose designs and runs it.
How does it work?
Send one short request with your dates, group size, budget and interests. We match it with two Riftvoya Verified agencies, you compare their quotes side by side in My trips, and nothing is booked until you choose one and pay the deposit.
Is it free to send a trip request?
Yes. Sending a request is free and there is no obligation.
Who runs my trip?
A licensed Ugandan tour company, with local guides and drivers. Riftvoya checks every agency, you choose between two of them, and we follow up after you travel.
How do you check the agencies?
Our team checks each agency against strict criteria: a Uganda Tourism Board licence, membership of a recognised tour operators’ association, strong reviews, an office visit, and clear prices, contracts and refund terms. See Verified agencies.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes. Every trip is 100% customisable: dates, pace, comfort level, parks and activities. Ask for changes before you confirm.
Gorillas and chimpanzees
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s published tariff lists the gorilla trekking permit at US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents and US$500 for other African passport holders. Your agency confirms the current price when it books. Read our guide to gorilla permits.
How old do you need to be?
Gorilla trekkers must be 15 or older. For chimpanzee tracking the minimum age is 12.
How long do you spend with the gorillas?
One hour, once you find the family. A maximum of eight visitors can visit each gorilla family per day.
What is the gorilla habituation experience?
A longer visit with a gorilla family that is still getting used to people, alongside researchers and rangers. The published price is US$1,500 per person.
How much is chimpanzee tracking in Kibale?
The published price is US$250 per person for foreign non-residents, or US$300 for the chimpanzee habituation experience. Read what to expect in Kibale.
Should I trek in Uganda or Rwanda?
Uganda permits cost about half as much and combine easily with a wider safari, while Rwanda is quicker to reach from Kigali. Compare them in Uganda or Rwanda.
Visas, health and safety
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online through the official Uganda e-visa portal and print the approval letter. If you are also visiting Rwanda or Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three for 90 days for US$100.
How long must my passport be valid?
At least six months after you arrive, with at least one blank page.
Which vaccines do I need?
Visit a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go. Malaria is present across Uganda, so take anti-malaria tablets as prescribed, and ask about yellow fever and routine vaccines for your itinerary.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Choose a policy that covers medical evacuation, because parks are remote and the best hospitals are in Kampala.
Money and payments
How do I pay for my trip?
You pay a deposit online to Riftvoya to confirm your trip, then the balance before you travel. Riftvoya pays the licensed local agency that runs your trip.
Does my agency know when I have paid?
Yes. Your agency receives a confirmation every time you make a payment, so everyone sees the same picture.
Should I bring US dollars?
Yes. The local currency is the Uganda shilling (UGX), but US dollars are widely accepted. Bring clean, newer notes, because old or torn notes are often refused. ATMs are in towns, not in national parks.
Getting around and planning
Which airport do I fly into?
Almost every visitor lands at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) on Lake Victoria, about 40 km from Kampala.
How do I get around Uganda?
Most travellers use a private driver-guide in a 4x4 safari vehicle. You can also fly between some parks. Read Getting around.
When is the best time to visit?
June to September and December to February are the driest months. You can trek gorillas all year. See the best time to visit Uganda.
What should I pack for gorilla trekking?
Waterproof boots, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, long sleeves and trousers, and a small daypack. Here is our full packing list.