​Safety & Security – Uganda

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

In our opinion, Uganda is generally safe to visit. People are friendly and happy to welcome visitors to their country. Several governments have advised against traveling to some remote areas, but tour operators will only take you to areas that are considered safe. For more info on these remote areas, please see the travel advisory links below. As with many countries, there is some crime in the cities, but most issues can be avoided by following basic safety precautions. Many tourists visit Uganda every year, and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free.

Below are tips on staying safe in Uganda.

Staying Safe on a Gorilla Trek

Gorilla trekking is a very safe activity. Mountain gorillas are gentle giants that either ignore people or show curiosity towards them. The gorilla groups are habituated, meaning they are used to the presence of humans. The guide, provided by the park authorities, will give you a briefing before your trek that outlines how to stay safe around the gorillas. Thousands of people go on a gorilla trek in Uganda every year and incidents are almost unheard of. For more detailed tips regarding gorilla trekking:

Staying Safe on a Chimp Trek

Chimp trekking is very safe. There are several parks offering chimpanzee trekking. The chimpanzees are habituated and thus used to people; they go on with their usual activities while ignoring any human presence. A park ranger will brief you on what to expect and how to ensure safety for yourself and the chimps. For more detailed tips regarding chimp trekking:

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guide will ensure your safety at all times – all you have to do is follow your guide’s instructions. Always remember that all animals in parks and reserves are wild. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so, and don’t drive too close to animals. For additional tips:

Staying Safe in Cities & Towns

Crime occurs in most cities in the world and Uganda is no exception. Most issues are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing. You are unlikely to encounter any trouble on guided activities. When venturing out in the city, you can easily avoid issues by following a few simple safety precautions. Seek advice from your hotel before taking a walk in the city; don’t wear valuables and only take the money you need with you; and don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Uganda and general travel safety precautions.

Governments' Travel Advice

Please use the links below for governments' travel advice on Uganda.

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