Communication
Immediately you arrive, it is reassuring to know you’ll be able to contact home and keep in touch with staff and volunteers during your stay. Here are some tips on communicating in Uganda
- Mobile phone- Having a mobile phone with you while you volunteer is a good idea. They allow you to reassure your family and friends to know that you will be contactable. A local SIM card will usually offer much cheaper local and international rates than your SIM from home. You can buy a local SIM from many shops in Kampala, and the Ugandan team or another volunteer can tell you where to go. You can buy or rent a handset after you arrive, or bring one with you. Some smartphones (including iPhones) will not accept SIMs from other companies, so please check before you travel.
- Internet - The cheapest way to stay in touch with friends and family is via the Internet, email, social networks, and telecom services like Skype. Many volunteers also choose to write a travel blog, and volunteers who fundraise may have promised an email diary for their sponsors. There are two ways to access the internet in Kampala: on the internet, Wifi in homestays, and cafes, or using a modem stick plugged into your laptop.
Climate and Weather
Uganda's climate is largely tropical with two rainy seasons per year, March to May and September to December. The northern region, which forms one-quarter of the country lies outside the tropical belt and hence experiences only one rainy season, March to October.
Dry Seasons ( June to August & December to February)
Average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. It will be colder at altitudes above 1,300m/4,265ft, including the gorilla parks
June, July & August – June and July are the driest months in the south, but it can still rain. Unlike the south, these months are part of the Wet season in the north. The far north, including Kidepo Valley, is semi-arid and can experience droughts for some years.
December, January & February – Most of the south has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. The north has a clear Dry season with little rain.
Wet Seasons ( March to May & September to November)
Daytime temperatures average around 28°C/82°F and morning temperatures around 16°C/61°F. It will be colder in the gorilla parks at high altitudes and warmer in the north.
Clothes
There are a couple of things to bear in mind when packing clothes for Uganda. The first is the weather - it can vary quite a lot, so it is best to plan for hot sun and pouring rain. You will need to dress to protect yourself from the sun but also be prepared for rain. Here is a suggestion of what to bring;
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Lightweight trousers and tops
- Jumper and Jeans for the evenings
- Plenty of underwear
- Hait for sun
- Sports clothing
- Trainers or boots
- Sandals
- Day shoes
Packing
Below are some suggestions about what to pack. Everything on these lists is essential or useful
- Passport
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Travel pillow
- Towels
- Toiletries and sanitary products. Consider bringing dry shampoo wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
Tours and Safaris
Weekends are made for exploring our country and Safaris ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for any safari outside Kampala City, they need at least 2 nights and 3 days to have enough experience). Safaris within Kampala city or nearby can be explored for one day or two ( Saturday and Sunday). The organization is aware and more than happy to give you enough time to explore Uganda too because you are here to help at the same time make sure you experience Africa's lifestyle and culture. We will always give you time for that. In case you are also interested in safaris while volunteering with us, let us know to link you to our sister company that offers pocket-friendly Safaris, Hotel reservations for weekend holidays, flight booking, Visa application, holiday vehicle arrangements, and travel insurance for our volunteers. It's a company that embarks on a thrilling adventure with Meaningful Travel, a premier travel company in Uganda, as we unveil our exciting lineup of upcoming tours and extraordinary destinations within this breathtaking East African gem. From the iconic savannahs, our meticulously crafted tours promise to immerse you in Uganda’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Traverse the Great Rift Valley, witness the Big Five and Ugly Five in their natural habitat, and engage with local communities in immersive cultural experiences. With Meaningful Travel, you’re not just exploring Uganda; you’re discovering its heart and soul. Join us on a transformative journey that showcases Uganda’s beauty and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. Travel dreams into reality.” The beautiful thing about booking a safari with us, is all the cost recovery is donated back to the organization to keep one child in school. That is why we call it meaningful travel "traveling with a purpose".
Wish list
To prepare for your work here, there are a few things you can do. We kindly ask you to check if you have any school materials (stationery, Schoolbooks -written in English-, pencils, toys, notebooks, rubbers, etc.) or electronics (laptop, tablet, Camera, smartphone/phone) you no longer use.
Unfortunately, resources are minimal here in Uganda, and any support is much appreciated. Your old schoolbooks can be given a second life for a great cause!
Do you want to be a volunteer superstar? You can multiply your impact by setting up a fundraiser.
Necessities like food, school tuition, ongoing School construction, or healthcare require funds. We understand that you can’t do it all, but maybe your friends, family, or colleagues can help you to make your visit even more impactful. We assure you; that it will be everyone’s best-spent money! Need help or materials for
promotion? Let us know, and we will provide you with promotional materials or you can access them from our social media or Google Drive.
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