• Uganda

Yes you can fly internally while on safari in Uganda, there are internal scheduled flights to some of the safari destinations and where unavailable there are charter flights to most of the safari destinations. Let us know you prefer flights instead of driving or a mix of both.

• Rwanda

Yes you can fly internally in Rwanda by charter flights to most of the safari destinations or helicopter with Akagera Aviation.

• Uganda

The main roads in Uganda are tarmacked but secondary roads vary in quality. Be prepared for long and sometimes bumpy car rides.

• Rwanda

The roads in Rwanda connecting the various tourist attractions are mostly tarmacked except a small stretch while connecting to Akagera national park.

Beyond Wild Adventures does not provide travel insurance to clients. It’s the responsibility of the Agent/Client – All clients must have an adequate insurance for the duration of the tour, which should include evacuation cover in case of an emergency

Please bring all personal medications required. Medical services and facilities are basic. You are advised to take malaria ‘prophylactics’ (prevention medication) in addition to carrying a mosquito repellent. Be sure to use the mosquito nets, which are provided at your place of accommodation. Consult your doctor before traveling for more information Clients must be fit and healthy to undertake adventurous activities such as mountaineering and hiking, gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, white-water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking may pose additional risks and should be undertaken with care and caution.

There are a number of vaccinations recommended and/or required. The government of Uganda and Rwanda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination as of 2016. Recommended immunizations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A, meningitis, tetanus and typhoid. Seek advice from your home country on vaccination and inoculation requirements

Tap water is not suitable for drinking, use bottled water, which is available in your safari car and at accommodations.

• Uganda

You are required to purchase a visa before you enter Uganda. Single entry tourist visas (usually three month) are available on arrival at Entebbe airport priced for USD $50 and at the land borders – please state clearly that you require three months or else you can be given two weeks but they should be applied for online before your travel.

A single East African visa has been introduced for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda costing $100. Your passport must have a minimum six months validity remaining. Contact the airline or your travel agent for more information. Uganda follows a policy of reciprocity (if your Country requires a Visa for Ugandans to enter, Uganda will impose the same). In case of any changes in Visa regulations, you will be informed.

• Rwanda

Foreign Nationals wishing to obtain a Rwandan Visa, submit their applications to Rwandan Diplomatic Missions of their Country of residence for processing.

In case where there is no Diplomatic Mission/ consulate, foreign nationals request for a visa acceptance letter online, which will be presented on arrival to obtain a visa upon payment of visa fee ($50) .

In view of bilateral agreements, nationals of the following Countries may visit Rwanda without a visa for a period up to 90 days: Hong Kong, Philippines, Mauritius, Singapore, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A single East African visa has been introduced for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda costing $100. Your passport must have a minimum six months validity remaining. Contact the airline or your travel agent for more information.

• Uganda You can use ATM and Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Uganda but there is a limit to how much you can withdraw per day. The banks are available in major towns but it may be difficult once you start your safari. You may wish to alert your bank before using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked.

Some establishments do not accept credit cards for payments and in cases where they are accepted, it may attract 5 – 10% additional charges.

Traveler’s cheques are no longer accepted in Uganda.

• Rwanda You can use ATM and Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Rwanda but there is a limit to how much you can withdraw per day. Most establishments accept credit cards for payments. You may wish to alert your bank before using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked.

Very few places in Uganda accept MasterCard. Consider bringing cash, which you can change, upon arrival. Banks and Forex bureaus will exchange cash. Please note: US dollars bills issued before 1999 are NOT accepted in Uganda and Rwanda. Bills below 2006 or small denomination dollar bills (anything less than a USD 50 bill) attracts a lower exchange rate. Poor quality foreign currency notes may be rejected. Please ensure you bring with you new or excellent condition notes with no stains or tears.

• Uganda The currency in Uganda is the Uganda Shilling, which is issued in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 Uganda Shillings notes. Coins are available for smaller denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings.
• Rwanda The currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Francs, which is issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 Rwandan Francs notes. Coins are available for smaller denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 francs.

Tipping in Uganda and Rwanda is usually according to level of service and there are no fixed rates. Salaries are generally low in both countries and tips are highly appreciated. On average tips are in the rage of: 5-10% in restaurants; USD 5-10 per day, per client for safari driver/guides and Ranger Guides; USD 5 per day for porters on mountaineering/hiking safaris and USD 3-5 for Forest Walk guides.

Remember that tips are very personal and ultimately you decide how much you want to tip.

Generally, the two countries are safe but occasional security issues may arise as in any other country therefore basic precautions should be taken. Do not leave bags or money unattended to – avoid displaying expensive jewelry.

  Uganda is not a safe country for gay and lesbian travelers.  

Yes and you are required to buy a gorilla permit in advance of your trip. Only eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day, the demand is high.

To buy your gorilla permit, you will need to provide us with your full names, nationality, birth-date, passport number, preferred date of trekking, your home address and gorilla permit fee. The minimum age for visiting the gorillas is 15 years. A certain level of fitness is required for the gorilla tracking, and you may not be allowed gorilla trekking if you are suffering from a communicable disease.

We recommend: lightweight rain jacket, a warm jacket for overcast days and evening, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, waterproof walking boots, leather gardening type gloves, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, comfortable day pack for carrying water and minimum amount of personal items. In case of sighting Gorillas, no flash photography is allowed and fast film is therefore recommended.

General: Antiseptic hand wash, Comfortable day Pack for carrying water and some personal items, Sunscreen, Flashlight, Insect repellent, Water proof bags to protect equipment, Electric plug adapters for 240 volts AC 50 Hz – UK style square-pin in plugs are used

Clothing: It is preferable for you to use soft luggage as space in vehicles is limited. Good walking shoes / boots, Sun hat or cap, Sandals or other light shoes, Waterproof jacket, Lighter clothing with layers for evening, Warm clothing for mountainous regions, waterproof walking boots, Sunglasses, Swimsuit.

Equipment: Binoculars(water proof ones), Cameras, changes of batteries, several 1GB cards instead of one large one to avoid losing all your photos in case something goes wrong.

No photographs of, or near, military buildings or soldiers are allowed. It is polite to ask people before taking their photographs.

If your safari includes gorilla and chimpanzee trekking consider booking as far in advance as possible – recommended is 3 months. The gorilla and chimpanzee permits are booked and paid for at the same time.

Most of our clients pay by wire transfers or credit card. Bank details are available upon request. Credit card payments can be made after approval, but will incur a 5-8% surcharge.

Note that availability of accommodation and permits is not guaranteed until Beyond Wild Adventures officially confirm the safari. Accommodation, permit, and activity reservations will be made as soon as payment has been received on our account. Please note that all bank charges are at the expense of the client.

We will work towards finding the perfect accommodation for your needs. The majority of safari lodges and hotels are small-scale, offering a unique experience with few rooms. The three categories are mainly; budget, mid-range or Up market.

Budget accommodation may be simple and basic rooms, Bandas or tents, with double/twin beds and mosquito nets when necessary. You may have to share bathroom facilities, as private bathrooms are not always available. Electricity and piped/mains water supply may not always be available. Some remote locations may have ‘long-drop’ or compost (Eco) toilets.

Mid-range or Up market accommodation offer comfortable rooms or furnished safari tents with a private bathroom. Flush toilets and hot and cold running water are available.

Beyond Wild Adventures provides ‘pop-up roof’ 4WD safari vehicles for game viewing. The 4WD are either minibuses or Land cruisers where we ensure that everybody has a window seat to enjoy the best views. We limit the number in minibus to seven while for land cruiser some carry seven, five, and three depending on size, to allow plenty of legroom and luggage storage. Groups of twelve and more people who would like to travel in one vehicle use the 25-29 seat Coaster buses that have approximately 16 window seats.

Solo travelers are welcome but please note that the cost of the safari will generally be higher than if you joined a group. We shall advise in case of scheduled safaris but group dynamics will be at play.

We offer tailor-made safaris for any number of participants. Considering the sitting arrangement concerning the cars – the maximum is 9 people for minibus but for everyone to have a window seat we recommend 7. For Land cruisers they range from 3 – 7 individuals.

Unless otherwise stated, tour prices quoted include; airport/hotel transfers, transport with fuel and driver/guide, accommodation, drinking water in safari vehicle, National Park and activity fees associated with your itinerary.

The quoted price does not include; airfare to/from Uganda, Visa fees if applicable, optional activities not included in the itinerary, refreshments and beverages (between meal snacks, alcohol, other refreshments), personal items (porterage, telephone calls and souvenirs), tips and gratuities. In most cases, we will specify the extra charge of optional activities in your itinerary. If it is not clear to you, please contact us so we can confirm any additional fee(s).

Our scheduled safaris are published on our web site in the “Group safaris” section.

We take care of your dietary needs as far as the hotels cooperate which is usually positive when you let us know in advance so we make the necessary arrangements with the different lodges in your itinerary. Make sure that your driver-guide contacts the reception on arrival at the lodge.

There is no bad time of year to visit Uganda or Rwanda. Even during the rainy seasons (April-May and October – November) it may rain for a short while before the sun shines again.

Yes but if you require drivers or guides who speak other international languages, we can organize for German, Spanish, Chinese speaking guide or translator, but you are required to inform us at the time of inquiry.

• Uganda The longest day of travel is for a three-day gorilla tour and this can be up to eight hours in a vehicle. During this journey several stops will be made, including a visit to the Equator, a stop for lunch, and other stops for other facilities. Most itineraries will not require any more than five hours in a vehicle in one day – various stops are made to ensure your comfort.
• Rwanda The longest day of travel is for a three-day chimpanzee tour and this can be up to 6 hours in a vehicle. During this journey, several stops will be made, including a stop for lunch, national museum, and or Kings Palace. Most itineraries will not require any more than three hours in a vehicle in one day.

• International telephone calls are made from most areas in Uganda and Rwanda and local SIM cards can be purchased. International roaming facilities are available. Internet services are widely available at internet cafes, although the quality and speed of the connection varies. Some lodges have Wi-Fi. All our drivers/guides have cell phones and maintain contact with the Office throughout safari