How to conserve Uganda's National Parks through responsible Tourism

Obey Park Rules at all times. In many places, fresh water is in short supply, so keep showers short, avoid leaving taps running and reuse towels and linen. In places with solar panels, be aware of your electricity use- turn of lights and all electrical appliances when not is use. Never buy crafts or products made from protected or endangered animals, such as ivory, fur or feathers. Do not buy bush meats such as hippo, bushbuck and buffalo. These are obtained only though illegal poaching, which poses one of the greatest threats to Uganda’s wildlife today. Recycling facilities are limited in Uganda, but many lodges have bins to collect plastic bottles, and all glass bottles should be returned to the place you bought them to be reused. Take all batteries home with you- they cannot be safely disposed of in Uganda. If possible, use rechargeable batteries to reduce toxic waste. Respect the Communities Respect the local people- don’t take photos of them without asking. Dress respectfully and learn how to say please and thank you in the local language (take a look at this basic Luganda language guide) politeness is always appreciated. Tip guides, porter, drivers and waiting staff as you would back home. Haggling over a price is fine – as long as you are prepared to pay a fair amount. Think about the time and craftsmanship that has gone into what you want buy to buy, and remember the seller is trying to make a living. Use local guides in Uganda Safaris where possible, eat at local restaurants, shop at community craft shops and consider spending part of your trip in community- run accommodation-it will be an exciting, authentic experience for you, and worthwhile for the local village. AS where the crafts came from before you buy- in some cases they are imported, and will not support local craftspeople. Do not give sweets or money to children as this encourages begging. If you want to give gift (such as pens or pencils) during a community tour, give them to your guide to distribute afterwards. Give something Back Many communities offer short or long term volunteer placements- in a school, nursery, clinic, reforestation project, or even helping the community work on their tourism business .If you have some time to spare, why not take a look at the latest volunteer opportunities? You are sure to get as much out of it as the people you are there to help! Become a wildlife researcher for a day! Get up close to the wildlife and enter parts of the parks not open to tourists when you join a group of researchers to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior. The activity fees will support the important research projects, and the date you collect will be used as part of the monitoring process.

Safety Precautions to undertake as you Travel to Uganda

What Vaccinations Do I Need? A yellow fever vaccine is essential- bring your certificate with you Hepatitis And B, meningitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations are also recommended A rabies vaccination is recommended for anyone who expects to be in close contact with animals, or in a very remote area Be aware that some of these require a course of injections, and others take several days to take effect, so you should visit your doctor or travel clinic as soon as possible before you travel. Should I Bring Any Other Medications? Anti-malarial tablets are recommended throughout Uganda –visit your local travel clinic to determine which type is best for you .Note; chloroquine does Not protect against malaria in Uganda. Bring all prescription medications with you-they not be readily available in Uganda. Be sure to purchase travel insurance before e you begin your trip, including medical evacuation in case of an emergency. What Other Health Risks Are There? Even if you taking anti-malarials, you should still wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and closed shoes, this will also help protect you from other diseases carried by mosquitoes, and other insects such as tsetse flies. All accommodation in high-risk areas will have mosquito nets-be sure to use them. Avoid swimming in Uganda’s lakes-they carry a high risk of bilharzias. Tap water is not suitable for drinking, though bottled water is readily available throughout the county. Who Safe Is Uganda For Tourists? Uganda is generally considered to be a safe, stable county with low crime rates. The Sudan border regions are the karamoja in the north should be avoided (with the exception to Kidepo Valley National Park. Over a million visitor enter Uganda to enjoy Uganda Safaris each year. Use common sense in the cities-do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables, and keep money and credit cards in an inside pocket. Do I Need A plug Adaptor? Uganda uses a 240 volts Ac 50 Hz square-pin plug, the same as the UK and Ireland. Is There Electricity In the whole Country? Few areas outside the towns and cities have electricity, Lodges in rural areas will usally have solar panels or generators. This may mean that there is only power at certain times of day, or that plug sockets are limited. Throughout the county, there are regular “load shedding ‘’blackouts to keep up with the demand for electricity. These may occur several times a day , and vary in duration. These will not affect the lodges with solar panels or generators. What Language Is Spoken In Uganda? English is widely spoken, especially in tourism, of over 50 local languages, Luganda is most common, Swahili is also spoken by many people as a second language. How Can I Make Phone Calls In Uganda? If your cell phone is compatible, you may be able to purchase an inexpensive SIM card, widely available throughout the county. The international dialling code for Uganda is +256 Where Can I Use Internet? Internet cafes are common in Kampala and all major towns, though the connection is likely to be very slow. Some hotels and restaurants also offer wifi