Uganda Visa RequirementsFor United States passport holders
American citizens need an eVisa to visit Uganda, obtained online before travel at evisa.immigration.go.ug. The Uganda eVisa costs $50 USD, allows a single or multiple-entry stay of up to 90 days, and is typically processed within 2-3 business days. Uganda is the "Pearl of Africa," the best destination in East Africa for mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee habituating, and big game safaris in the savannah.
United States passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Uganda.
Apply for a Uganda eVisa online at evisa.immigration.go.ug before your trip. The fee is $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa. Multiple-entry visas are also available at higher cost. Required: valid US passport (minimum 6 months validity), passport photo, passport scan, travel dates, accommodation details, and payment. Processing takes 2-3 business days. Print your approved eVisa and carry it with your passport. For gorilla trekking in Bwindi, book gorilla permits well in advance ($700 per person, bookable through the Uganda Wildlife Authority); permits sell out months ahead.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid US passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Digital passport photo
Scanned passport bio page
Travel dates and accommodation details
Required at Entry
Valid US Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date with at least one blank page
Printed Uganda eVisa approval
Digital Passport Photo
Recent color photo in JPEG format meeting specific size requirements (usually 35x45mm, 600x600 pixels)
Valid US passport
Completed Online Application
Fill out the official eVisa application form on the government portal
Travel Itinerary
Detailed travel plans including dates and places you intend to visit
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel bookings, Airbnb reservations, or host invitation letter
Return or Onward Flight
Confirmed flight booking showing departure from the country
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Bank statements or credit card showing adequate funds for your stay
Travel Insurance Recommended
Recommended coverage for medical emergencies and trip cancellation
Travel Essentials
Health & Safety
Safety Rating
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies, malaria prophylaxis.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended
Safety Tips
Uganda is generally safe for tourists. Avoid areas near DRC and South Sudan borders. Kampala has normal urban crime. Gorilla treks are well-organized and secure.
Money & Costs
Currency
USh Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
Daily Budget (USD)
Budget: $40 · Mid: $100 · Luxury: $300+
Tipping
Tip guides and porters $10-20.
Practical Info
Power
Type G, 240V
Driving
Left side
Emergency
999 (police), 112 (all)
Getting There
Main Airports
Entebbe (EBB)
Culture & Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
Uganda has a tropical climate moderated by altitude, with two wet and two dry seasons. The dry seasons (December-February and June-August) are best for gorilla trekking, as forest trails are less muddy and animals more predictable. Gorilla permits are available year-round but should be booked months in advance. The wet seasons bring greener landscapes, fewer tourists, and sometimes discounted permits. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is good year-round. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls parks are best in the dry seasons for wildlife concentration at water sources. Temperatures remain fairly constant year-round due to altitude, though evenings can be cool.
Cultural Notes
Uganda is one of Africas most ethnically diverse countries, with the Baganda kingdom being the largest of several traditional kingdoms that still have cultural significance. The country has endured tremendous hardship - Idi Amins brutal dictatorship (1971-1979) and civil conflicts including the LRA insurgency in the north. Despite this history, Ugandans are remarkably welcoming and resilient. Christianity predominates (Catholic and Protestant), with a significant Muslim minority. Traditional beliefs often blend with religious practice. Music and dance are vibrant, with kadongo kamu folk songs and energetic traditional dances. The Baganda have elaborate court traditions still performed. Wildlife conservation is increasingly valued, with communities benefiting from gorilla tourism revenues.
Insider Tips
Uganda is the "Pearl of Africa," offering some of the continents best gorilla and chimpanzee trekking at more affordable prices than Rwanda. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga host mountain gorillas - encounters are unforgettable but physically demanding (steep terrain, high altitude). Book permits through UWA months ahead. Kibale Forest has excellent chimpanzee tracking. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers traditional safari with tree-climbing lions and boat cruises. Murchison Falls thunders dramatically on the Nile. Jinja is Africas adventure capital with Nile rafting. Internal flights save long drives on challenging roads. The Uganda shilling is the currency. English is widely spoken. Ugandan food includes matoke (cooked banana), posho, and rolex (chapati with egg).
Current Travel Situation
United States to Uganda: What You Need to Know
Uganda was famously called the "Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill for its extraordinary natural beauty, and the description remains apt. Uganda is home to half the world's remaining mountain gorillas, accessible at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda also has the highest concentration of primate species in the world, including chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, the dramatic Murchison Falls (the world's most powerful waterfall by volume per unit width), and big game in Queen Elizabeth National Park. For Americans, Uganda offers Africa's most accessible gorilla trekking experience; Bwindi is 8-10 hours from Kampala by road. American citizens need an eVisa, which replaced the visa-on-arrival system for most nationalities.
How to Get There
No direct US-Uganda flights exist. Connect from Entebbe (EBB) via Nairobi (KQ, Kenya Airways, good connections from New York, London), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines from New York/Washington), Amsterdam (KLM), London (British Airways/Virgin Atlantic), or Brussels (Brussels Airlines, excellent African network). Total journey from New York to Entebbe is approximately 16-20 hours with one connection.
Money & Banking
Uganda uses the Ugandan shilling (UGX). Uganda is affordable by African safari standards: budget $80-150 USD per day for independent travel. Gorilla trekking permits are $700 per person (the main cost), but accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses ($20/night) to luxury lodges ($400+/night) near Bwindi. Kigali (Rwanda) or Nairobi are common additions to a Uganda itinerary as part of an East African multi-country trip.
Practical Tips
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: gorilla trekking with one of Bwindi's habituated gorilla families ($700 permit, 1-4 hours with the gorillas). Kibale National Park: chimpanzee tracking (permit $200) and forest walks, highest concentration of primates in Africa. Murchison Falls National Park: game drives for lions, elephants, and buffaloes, plus a boat cruise to the base of the falls where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gap. Queen Elizabeth National Park: tree-climbing lions (a unique behavior in Uganda and Tanzania), hippos in the Kazinga Channel, and boat cruises. Lake Bunyonyi: high-altitude lake with beautiful terraced hill scenery in southwest Uganda near the Rwanda border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Uganda?
Yes. Americans need a Uganda eVisa, applied online at evisa.immigration.go.ug. The fee is $50 USD and processing takes 2-3 business days. Apply at least a week before travel.
How do I book gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking permits cost $700 per person (per trek) and must be booked in advance through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (ugandawildlife.org). Permits sell out months ahead for peak seasons (June-August and December-January). Most visitors book through a licensed safari operator who handles permits, transport, and accommodation near Bwindi.
Is Uganda safe for American tourists?
Uganda is generally safe for tourists in national parks and Kampala's tourist areas. The major travel advisory concerns areas near the Democratic Republic of Congo border (avoid Bwindi's DRC-adjacent trails) and the North Uganda border areas. National parks have dedicated tourism police. Check US State Department travel advisories before travel.