UGANDA

Some general travel tips

When arriving in Entebbe and you haven't got a VISA, don't bother standing in the immigration queue, go straight to the VISA office in the corner on your right, past the immigration officers. Remember to fill in a landing card. Also they might ask you for a valid Yellow Fever certificate. Click the icon for VISA information from the United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office

If you want to go to Kampala, get on the Sheraton shuttle, they never check if you book into the hotel. The shuttle will drop you at the front door, walk to the counter and turn left. Walk right down the hall, that will take you back to the parking area. Make your escape from there. The drive to Kampala takes about an hour.

When checking into the Sheraton hotel (Tel +256-41-344-590), ask for a room facing away from the Rock Garden, otherwise you will NOT sleep on  a Friday and Saturday night, the music from the Rock Garden is REALLY LOUD and sounds like it's in your room. Click the icon for more info.

If you want to rent a 4X4, go to Hertz and speak to Riyad, or call him on +256-77-450-460, they can either meet you at the airport or drop the car at the hotel.

Alternative place to stay than the Sheraton, try the Dolphin Suites, self contained suites with kitchen. PLOT 36, PRINCESS ANNE DRIVE, BUGOLOBI, KAMPALA. PO BOX 3927, KAMPALA. Tel +256-41-223-756/9

Or, try the Golf Course Apartments, Plot 5, Makindu Close, Windsor Crescent, Tel +256-41-255-465. The cost is about US$2047-00 (April 2001) per month for a single apartment, fully furnished. Facilities include a gym, swimming pool, sauna, squash and tennis courts.

Mamba Point - Italian - Owners Guido and Fiona - outstanding food - 22a Akii Bua Road, Nakasero, +256-77-343-225, email [email protected]

Haandi - Indian - The best Indian food in Kampala - Try no 35 on the menu - the Goa Vindaloo - excellent - Hotel Equatoria - Tel +256-41-346-284 or +256-41-250-780/9

China Palace - Chinese - Good food, behind the Speke Hotel on Nile Avenue, on the 1st floor.

Andy the Greek - Greek - Not to bad, Plot 19, Acacia Avenue, on your way to the Golf Apartments, Tel +256-41-231-428

Krua Thai Restaurant - Thai - Nice setting, good food, next to Andy the Greek, on Acacia Avenue

Khana Khazana - Indian - Very nice setting, don't get a table next to the waterfall / pond, the frogs will drive you mad, No 20 Acacia Avenue, Tel +256-41-233-049

Rhino Terrace, Sheraton Hotel - The best Pizza in Kampala - +256-41-344-590

7 Cooper Road Cocktail Bar and Cafe - Try their home made burgers - Tel +256-41-235-134

ALs Bar - The most famous bar of them all - LOADS of hookers and excellent music - Go upstairs past the pooltable for something to smoke. ANY taxi worth his salt, will be able to take you there, +- UGS 5000-00 for the taxi. ALs is on Ggaba Road Tel +256-41-266-795

The Rock Garden - Good music on Fri and Sat nights, nice to relax and play some pool during day time.Speke Hotel, behind the Sheraton, on Nile Avenue, Tel +256-41-235-332

Rhino Bar, Sheraton Hotel - Rocking on a Fri and Sat night - Pool table and live music (normally a Filipino in house band) and loads of BA air hostesses. Tel +256-41-344-590

Just Kicking - Good sports bar, big expat hangout - Al major sports events are on big screen TV - Click the logo for their website, Kisementi Tel +256-41-235-134

White Water Rafting.

You can go for half day, full day or 2 days trips. Phone +256-41-534-696 or +256-75-707-668, speak to Joyce or Stinger. Its US$95-00 (April 2001) for the full day, that include transport to Jinga and lunch. They will pick you up anywhere in Kampala. Be quick as they are busy building a dam up river and the rafting will not be possible in a couple of month time.

Chimpanzee Viewing

Take a day trip to Ngamba Island. This is a 100 acre island   in lake Victoria, home to 26 orphaned chimpanzees. You can stay overnight as well. The cost for the day trip is US$50-00 (April 2001). You meet at Entebbe Zoo. Bookings +256-77-502-155 or +256-41-321-479, speak to Jane (really that's her name).

Giant Turtles

Go check this out, the story goes that some King of Uganda, caught these giant turtles on the Seychelles and they are 250 years old!. They are kept in the garden of some hostel in Bulange close to the CBS (Central Broadcasting Station). You will have to buy some food for them (+- UGS 2000-00) and they (the keepers) charge you UGS 1000-00 per photo (50 American cents).

Click icon for Chimpanzee Viewing photos

Click icon for Giant Turtles photos