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Home FAQ Planning & logistics

Can I use cards in Uganda?

Direct answer

Visa and Mastercard work at upscale Entebbe and Kampala hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; ATMs are reliable in cities. Bwindi lodges, park headquarters, porter payments, and rural craft markets require cash (USD or UGX). Gorilla permits (USD 800) are paid to UWA through your operator in advance — not by card on trek morning.

Can I use cards in Uganda

Visa and Mastercard work at upscale Entebbe and Kampala hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; ATMs are reliable in cities. Bwindi lodges, park headquarters, porter payments, and rural craft markets require cash (USD or UGX).

Gorilla permits (USD 800) are paid to UWA through your operator in advance — not by card on trek morning.

Key Planning Points

These practical notes help you turn the direct answer above into a workable safari plan:

  • Visa and Mastercard work at upscale Entebbe and Kampala hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; ATMs are reliable in cities.
  • Bwindi lodges, park headquarters, porter payments, and rural craft markets require cash (USD or UGX).
  • Gorilla permits (USD 800) are paid to UWA through your operator in advance — not by card on trek morning.

Costs, Permits, and Logistics

Confirm current fees when you book — tariffs are set by national park authorities and can change by season or residency status.

  • Uganda gorilla permits are $800 per person (UWA); Rwanda Volcanoes permits are $1,500 (RDB).
  • Book gorilla permits before lodges — daily quotas are limited in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes.
  • Trekking starts with a morning briefing; porters ($15–$20) help on steep forest trails.
  • Permits and park fees are fixed; savings usually come from lodge tier, vehicle sharing, and season.
  • All-inclusive packages clarify what is bundled versus paid locally (tips, drinks, optional activities).
  • Queen Elizabeth NP entry is about $40/day; Murchison Falls about $45/day (foreign non-resident rates).

Sample Itinerary Shape

Most travellers anchor the trip around one flagship experience (gorilla trek, migration, or Big Five loop), then add supporting nights for chimps, boat safaris, or cultural stops. Avoid stacking long drives on the same day as a primate trek.

Booking With a Licensed Operator

Uganda Safari Tours coordinates permits, park entries, lodge blocks, and private 4x4 logistics so your itinerary matches the advice on this page. Share your travel month, group size, and comfort level for a quote with transparent inclusions.

Need expert help planning your trip? Share your dates and interests — we design gorilla, wildlife, and birding itineraries with transparent pricing.

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