Local Tips
- A permit to see the gorillas is USD $600. Contact Eco specialists tours Uganda limited on www.ecotoursuganda.com.
- Local currency is the Uganda Shilling (Ush). The exchange rate of USD:Ush is approximately 1:2,700.
- You can change money at the Barclays and Stanbic Banks in Lugazi Town, bring your passport
- The Adrift and Nile River Explorers (NRE) camps are great weekend getaways in Jinja
- If you are a foreigner, you are a "mzungu"
- Mass transit is a white mini-van called a "taxi". A private car for hire is called a "special hire"
- The forest department camp at Najjembe is a partner of ours and is good for forest hikes, cycling and picnics.
- There is no day light savings. In summer the time zone is GMT+2. In winter it is GMT+3
- The capital city is Kampala 54 kilometres, Jinja the former industrial town is nearer 26 kilometres from Najjembe centre.
- Local beer costs less than $1 and comes in half litre bottles
- Don't drink the water.
- An hour of internet costs less than $1 (1,800 shillings) and is a bit slow.
- Anopheles (malaria carrying) mosquitoes are active from midnight to 5am & they don't make a sound
- The 2 major English language newspapers are "The New Vision" and "The Daily Monitor"
- The most common ailment suffered by travelers is dehydration. Be sure to bring electrolytes or oral rehydration salts
- Try the roasted chicken pinned on sticks at the najjembe road side market
- You don't say "hi" here, always say "how are you"
- There's a gym, pool, shower, and good food at the rain forest lodge in Mabira, Najjembe trading centre.
- Lunch time is 1pm or later. Supper might be served after 8pm
- If you have to pee, it's called "making a short call"
- Constantly collect small bills and coins for village purchases
- Potatoes are called "irish"
- Go with Adrift if you want to go white water rafting and bungee jumping, they give you a deal on price
- Don't swim in the lake, you'll get "bilharzia", a skin worm
- If you're in the mood for a dance or some karaoke, try Patron Hotel in Lugazi and Satellite Beach in Mukono