EnterUganda

. Kampala, Uganda.

Travel :

Travel by road:
Driving in Uganda is enjoyable and is really the best way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, vegetation and wildlife.
Ordinance maps that are good and updated can be got from the Department of the Surveyor General in Entebbe and the Uganda Tourist Board in Kampala. Finding your way around the country is no problem at all.
You can obtain country, regional, and street maps of major cities and towns.
Uganda Motorists association also provides excellent maps detailing all the major roads and distances between major centres.
Uganda boasts some of the longest tarmacked roads in East Africa about 6,230 kms (3870miles).
The 22,100kms (13,730miles) of the secondary and dirt roads are very motorable, although they become muddy and slippery during the rainy seasons (March-April and October-November). Only four-wheel vehicles can be trusted to make the journey with some ease.
Driving is on the left hand side like in the United Kingdom.

The Service Providers:

Post Bus:
Is operated by Uganda Post Ltd. It delivers mail and passengers. It is a scheduled service departing from Kampala Main post office daily at 8.00.am for major towns nationwide. Comparatively reliable service.

Country Buses "Coaches"
These are privately owned buses which connect Kampala with major towns and criss-cross the country. They operate from downtown Kampala. There are at least 4 buses on the major routes on a daily basis. The fares range from shs 10,000 to 20,000 depending on the destination.

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Commuter Taxi
These are 14 seater mini-buses locally called "Kamunye". They are marked with a blue checkered band and the letter "T" on both front doors.
They dominate the entire transport system in Kampala and countrywide. They normally operate from the two main taxi terminals, the old and new taxi parks. They are non-scheduled and depart when filled up. Fares in and around Kampala city range from sh300 -500 for a one-way trip but the operators hike the fares at peak hours regardless of distance.

For city services, it is advisable to tender the exact fee whenever possible to avoid inconveniences. Destinations are displayed on the front windscreens but the bystanders, conductors and guides dressed in overcoats can be useful. Otherwise touts shout out various destinations. For long distance or country travel, medium size buses are recommended on account of reasonable speed.

Motorcycle Taxis "Bodaboda"
These motorcycle taxis locally known as "Bodaboda" have gained importance in rural and urban travel. They are mostly common in areas where taxis do not operate. Their fares range between shillings 500-1000.

Cabs:
These in Uganda are generally called special hire taxis, special in short. In towns they are marked with black or white checkered bands with letter S on both front doors. In Kampala the fares range from sh3000 to 5000 depending on the distance, negotiating skill and waiting time. Wealthy, foreign appearances and women are usually charged higher fares. Trying out other taxis will help you establish a reasonable fare. Airport taxis with yellow bands charge sh25,000 for a one-way trip from Entebbe airport to Kampala.

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Car Rental Services:
These are available from specialised travel agents and international car rental firms like Hertz and Avis.

Mweya Safari Lodge:
Mweya Safari management offers direct transport from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park for US$50 return trip for those who want to explore Uganda's scenic beauty and wildlife.

Railway Services:
Uganda Railways suspended passenger services on its network including the marine service that once went to Mwanza in Tanzania and Kisumu in Kenya.

Air Travel Links: (International, Regional and Domestic)

International Air Travel:
A number of international scheduled airlines call at Entebbe International Airport easing communication with Europe, Middle East and the regional markets.
Weekly flights direct to Europe, Asia and other destinations are also available through Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi and Cairo.
There are also daily scheduled domestic flights by local airlines like United Airlines and Eagle Air Uganda.

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