An important step in the preparation for a trip to Uganda for an African safari is to be aware of travel health guidelines, regulations on vaccinations and what precautions should be taken in a visitor’s travel plans.
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Any compulsory vaccines in Uganda?
There are both routine vaccinations for entry and strongly recommended vaccination requirements for visitors to Uganda. A yellow fever vaccine is required for arriving travelers from all countries if the traveler is over the age of 12 months old.
The best time to visit Uganda is during its two dry seasons: between December and February, and between June and August and for most short-term travellers, many other vaccinations for Uganda are recommended.
Recommended vaccines for Uganda
Some vaccines are recommended for Uganda.
The CDC recommends the following vaccines for Uganda:
| Vaccine | Recommendation |
| Covid | Recommended for everyone 5 years of age and older to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before travel. |
| Malaria | Travelers going to certain areas of Uganda should take prescription medicine to prevent malaria many days before their trip, as well as during and after their trip. |
| Chickenpox (Varicella) | 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults who have never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated. |
| Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis | CDC recommends diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccinations for everyone. |
| Flu | CDC recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine as an option for vaccination. |
| MMR | Two doses of MMR vaccine to prevent measles and protect against Rubella MMR and Mumps. |
| Polio | CDC recommends that children get 4 doses of polio vaccine. Most adults do not need polio vaccine if already vaccinated as children. |
| Shingles | Adults 50 years and old should get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles |
| Rabies | Rabid dogs are commonly found in Uganda. Visitors should consider a rabies vaccination before their trip. |
| Typhoid | Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. |
| Yellow Fever | Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Uganda. |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Uganda. |
| Meningococcal meningitis | Visitors should consult with their local doctor on meningitis requirements and vaccines prior to their trip. |
It is also recommended to ensure visitors are vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis.
Malaria risk
Malaria is a risk for visitors going on a Uganda safari. The CDC recommends that travelers going to Uganda take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.
Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and so the first line of defence is to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Malaria Prophylaxis may be prescribed to you during your consultation depending on your itinerary.
If travelling to a remote area on a Ugandan adventure activity, away from medical facilities, it is recommended to carry standby emergency treatment and a small amount of Ugandan currency to pay for smaller ticket items.
Uganda health recommendations
Recommended visitor precautions
To help protect against mosquitoes, visitors should ensure to:
- Apply mosquito repellents on clothes to avoid mosquito bites
- Wear covered light clothing
- Use mosquito nets on the windows of your accommodation and in vehicles, use the air conditioning
Depending on the areas visited, preventive antimalarial treatment should be considered.
Food and water precautions that should be observed:
- Eat cooked food
- Wash and peel fruits and vegetables
- Avoid fresh fruit juices, ice creams, ice cubes, raw vegetables, reheated dishes
- Consume pasteurized or boiled milk
- Drink bottled or boiled water
Hygiene rules that should be followed:
- Wash hands regularly, before and after each meal and after using the toilet
- Don’t touch wild and stray animals to avoid animal bites and infection
- Don’t swim in lakes and non-running water
- Avoid any potentially contaminated food and water
Visitors with medical conditions should make tour guides and food catering aware of this in advance of travelling, including to the major parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale NP.
Useful vaccination information links
Uganda Covid 19 information
For completely vaccinated incoming and outgoing travelers, a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is no longer necessary. Children under the age of six are excused from producing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, whether or not they have been vaccinated.
Please keep in mind that COVID-19 admission criteria are subject to change at any time. More information and updates are available on the Ministry of Health website.
Per the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, only travelers with approved Uganda visas, having applied online, will be granted entry. Applications can be made here.
The Port Health Authority will conduct temperature checks and infectious illness screenings on arriving travelers. If your fever is higher than usual or you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, you may be asked to undergo a COVID-19 test. If a foreign citizen tests positive for COVID-19 and desires to be deported for care outside of Uganda, the expenses will be borne by the individual.
Only passengers carrying valid tickets and airport personnel will be permitted to enter the terminal building.
Vaccination status
When arriving at Entebbe International Airport and land border posts in Uganda, you must present proof of COVID-19 vaccine. If you have not been completely vaccinated, you must present a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate obtained no more than 72 hours before departure when arriving by land or air.
Useful Covid information links
FAQs
Are vaccines compulsory in Uganda?
There are both routine and strongly recommended vaccinations for Uganda. A yellow fever vaccine is required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission in order to gain entry to Uganda and other fully vaccinated jabs including Covid may be required.
What health precautions should I take to travel to Uganda?
To help protect against mosquitoes, visitors should apply insect repellents on clothing, wear covered light clothing and use mosquito nets on the windows of your accommodation.