Whether you book alone or as a group, we will only deal with the lead booking name (you) in all subsequent correspondence, including changes, amendments, and cancellations.
You are responsible for:

• Confirming your booking and returning the completed booking form to us;
• Making all payments due to us or any third parties in connection with your booking, including all payments on behalf of other members of your group;
• Ensuring the accuracy of the personal details or any other information supplied in respect of yourself and any other person traveling on the booking; and
• Passing on any information regarding the booking or any changes to all persons travelling on your booking (including information about schedule changes or copies of booking confirmations).

YOUR ITINERARY
Please read your itinerary in full. We hope that it covers everything you want it to. If you have any queries, kindly let us know as soon as possible before starting your trip. We ask all guests to confirm the time and date of their flights (or other travel arrangements where relevant) at the time of booking. Please note that we need this information to plan and book your trip. If your travel times and/or dates change, you must inform us immediately. You may incur additional costs if these details change.

ADDITIONAL INFO

As with other countries in East Africa, roads in Uganda are generally in poor condition but with adequate security. In our experience, customers often underestimate the amount of time it can take to travel between destinations. We will always try to manage your expectations and will arrange your itinerary accordingly. While we cannot prevent unforeseen problems, we believe that the easiest way to avoid disappointment is to allow plenty of time for you to travel to your activities or the airport. If you are flying out of Uganda at the end of your trip with us, we will normally suggest accommodation within easy reach of the airport on the night before you fly.

CHANGES TO YOUR ITINERARY

Travel delays, schedule changes, cancellations, overbooking and damage to or loss of baggage may delay the start of your trip or require one or more additional nights in Uganda or East Africa at the end of your trip. This is out of our control. We will use reasonable efforts to assist you in these circumstances but you must meet any additional costs we incur in doing so.
In rare circumstances, we may need to change routes or activities. We will try to consult you before doing this. Such circumstances may include variable conditions such as seasonal rainfall on bush tracks, airfields and in-game areas; game migrations from one region to another; airline or other booking problems; or any other reason.

ACCOMMODATION

Uganda and all East African countries have a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. However, standards of accommodation (e.g. budget, mid-range, luxury) are not always comparable to what you may expect in other parts of the world. While we will always try to advise you of suitable accommodation options for your trip, we rely on you to tell us about your requirements. Please do not make any assumptions and ask us if you have any queries. Where your requested accommodation is unavailable, we reserve the right to book alternative accommodation. We will try to consult you before doing this and, where possible, will book alternative accommodation of the same standard and in the same area.

TRANSPORT

Unless otherwise stated, all our tours
include transport and the services of an experienced guide/driver. All vehicles we use are appropriately licensed and insured. We are mindful that our vehicles are regularly used in challenging environments. Therefore, we take care to ensure that they are fit and safe for use. As with accommodation, there are several types and classes of vehicle available, but standards are not always comparable to what you may expect in other parts of the world. We will recommend a suitable vehicle for your trip but please let us know if you have any additional requirements or concerns. Our vans are 4 WD 

PAYMENT

Dark Hills Uganda will ask for an advance payment of 30% of your tour costs (plus 100% of the cost of any gorilla or other wildlife permits). We will not accept any booking without this payment. Payment is by bank transfer in US dollars unless we agree otherwise with you. We will provide our account details at the time of booking.

By making this payment, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. You will pay the remaining tour costs no less than eight weeks before the start of your tour with us. If you do not pay the full amount to us by this time, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain any amounts already paid to us. If you make a booking less than eight weeks before the start of your tour with us, we will ask you to pay 100% of your tour costs at the time of booking.

All payments MUST only be made to the Company accounts below which will be provided once a booking is confirmed.

CANCELLATION

A cancellation fee applies when you cancel a booking with us and it is based on the full price of your trip
excluding any gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits.

• when you cancel: 90 days or more  Charge: 20% of tour cost
• If you cancel: 89 – 55 days  Charge: 40% of tour cost
• In case you cancel: 54 – 30 days  Charge: 60% of tour cost
• Given that you cancel: 29 – 15 days  Charge: 80% of tour cost
• Cancelling: 14 – 0 days  Charge: 100% of tour cost/ no refund

Please note that where we return money to you, we will make reasonable deductions on account of any bank or similar charges we may incur.

GORILLA AND OTHER WILDLIFE PERMIT

DHU will book all gorilla and other wildlife permits for your trip (subject to availability). We regret that we cannot refund any payment for gorilla or other wildlife permits. We pay the full cost to the Uganda Wildlife Authority
at the time of booking and the cost of booking is non-refundable by them. However, we may try to sell the permits if you are unable to use them and pass the proceeds of any sale to you.
If you the initial deposit is equivalent to the value of the gorilla permits or other wildlife permits, expect not refund.

DOCUMENTS

You and the other members of your group are responsible for ensuring that you have all appropriate documentation (e.g. valid passport, visa, health certificates) for your trip to Uganda and/or Rwanda.

Other members of your group and you are also responsible for arranging appropriate travel and/or health insurance. You must carry proof of insurance with you. We strongly advise you to obtain adequate insurance to cover all activities you may participate in and possible risks you may encounter during your trip. Specialist insurance may be required for certain activities (e.g. white-water rafting, mountain climbing).

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Certain tourist activities in Uganda (e.g. gorilla trekking, white water rafting) require a reasonable level of physical fitness. Trips in both countries may also involve long drives. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, are pregnant or have any concerns about your ability to undertake certain activities or fitness to travel, we advise you to seek advice from a medical practitioner before booking your trip.

You may require vaccinations before travelling to Uganda and/or any other country in East Africa; we recommend that you carry an adequate supply of antimalarial medication.

YOUR SAFETY

Your safety is our primary concern. Most visits to Uganda are trouble-free. However, both countries have a history of political instability and, in some areas, that instability is ongoing. We are aware that from time to time some governments advise against non-essential travel to some parts of Uganda. Therefore, we advise you to check the latest travel advice issued by the government in your home country before booking your trip. We are happy to answer any queries you may have.

For many of our visitors, the opportunity to come into close contact with a diverse range of wildlife is one of their main reasons for visiting Uganda. Attacks by wild animals are rare but we cannot guarantee that they will not occur.
Please note that many safari camps, hotels and lodges are not fenced and are accessible to wildlife. For your safety, please follow any instructions from local staff and take care when going to and from your tent, lodge, Banda or room. You will normally be asked to avoid storing food or drinks in your room as this can attract animals. If you are camping, you should remain extra vigilant and ask your guide if you have any concerns.

OUR LIABILITY

DHU accepts no liability to you, in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, for any indirect or consequential losses suffered by you or any member of your group arising out of or in connection with your booking with us.

Our total liability to you and each member of your group will in no circumstances exceed, in aggregate, the total amount paid by you to us in connection with your booking (excluding the cost of any gorilla or other wildlife permits). We will have no liability whatsoever to any third parties. Nothing in these terms and conditions limits our liability for death or personal injury (when caused by our negligence), fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

COMPLAINTS

Dark Hills will hope that you have a wonderful trip. However, if any aspect of your trip is unsatisfactory or does not meet your expectations, please let us or your guide know as soon as possible. Please do not wait until the end of your trip or after you have returned home. We will do our best to resolve any issues where we are able to do so.

OTHER FAQS

VISA REQUIREMENTS

You are required to purchase a tourist visa before you enter Uganda. Tourist visas can be bought in advance via the embassy or consulate in your country or simply purchased upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border. Photos are not required and a single-entry tourist visa costs US$ 50 per person for up to 90 days stay in Uganda.

If you are planning to combine Uganda with a visit to Rwanda or Kenya it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa instead of a single-entry visa. This special visa costs US$100 per person and allows 90-days multiple entry to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Regretfully, Tanzania is not (yet) a member of the East African community and therefore not part of this special visa arrangement.

CHARGING IN UGANDA

You can charge your cameras, phones and other electric items in most hotels/ lodges. Not every hotel/lodge offers charging facilities in the rooms. If that is the case, they will offer charging options in the lobby or restaurant.

Some lodges Hotels run on either solar power or generator. Those lodges often don’t have power all day, but only at specific hours in the morning and evening (when it’s dark).

If you bring a couple of chargeable items you might consider bringing an extension with extra outlets, since the number of outlets is often limited. We advise to bring extra batteries for your camera, since some hotels don’t have power and power cuts might occur.

SUITCASE MATERIAL

we request you to bring a bag or suitcase from soft material. Hard cover suitcases are difficult to place in the car and are likely to break on the bumpy roads in Uganda. When traveling in a group or private tour with 4 persons or more we request you to limit the weight of your bag/ suitcase to 15 kg.

SIMCARD

There are several mobile providers in Uganda. You can purchase a SIM card for relatively low cost (3 US dollars). SIM cards and airtime for the different companies are available all over Uganda. MTN has the best network. Make sure that your phone is SIM-Lock-Free. You have to bring your passport and a passport photo to sign up.

The country code for Uganda is +256.

INTERNET

Internet cafés are found all around the country and are now even to be found in remote areas. Realize that internet speed is often very slow.

Most upmarket lodges provide WiFi, but not all of them. Some mid-range lodges provide WiFi as well.

If you bring your own laptop you can buy a 3 GB wireless internet stick from MTN. This Internet is relatively quick. The cost for this stick is about 50 US dollars per month (minimum 1 month). This stick can be bought in Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala and you need to bring your passport and a passport photo to sign up.

When you buy a MTN simcard (register with passport and passport photo) you can use the 3G or even 4G option to provide internet to your smartphone or tablet.

ATM CARD OR CREDIT CARD

Only a few banks accept ATM cards or Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Uganda. While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in Kampala, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in Uganda.

Payment by credit card in Uganda can attract additional charges of between 5–10%, occasionally more. Do check with lodges and restaurants in advance, if you plan to pay by credit card.

We therefore advise you to bring cash and have money changed upon arrival in Kampala. US dollars, British pounds and Euros are easy to change. However, for some expenses, like the payment of a tourist visa at the airport/border, it is easier to have dollars available. It is often possible to pay for tourist activities with US dollars.

Please note: US dollars bills issued before 1999 are NOT accepted in Uganda. Exchanging low denomination dollar bills (anything less than a USD100 bill) attracts a lower exchange rate.

TIPPING

How much to tip in Uganda depends entirely on your level of satisfaction of course, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider USD10 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in upmarket hotels and restaurants.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

Officially, Uganda’s dry seasons are from December/January through to mid-March and from June through to mid-September. These dry months are the most popular with tourists, with July and August and Christmas and New Year being the peak seasons.

Most rain falls in October-November and April-May. However, this doesn’t mean that it rains all day, nor does it mean it will rain every day. Usually there’s a tropical shower at night or a shorter shower during the day, but in Uganda you can trust that after rain comes sunshine!

The weather is no reason to avoid travelling in the wet season – you might even consider it because of the easy availability of gorilla permits.

As in the rest of the world, the East African climate is changing, making it more difficult for us to predict the weather during your safari. However, in Uganda the temperature is very stable and pleasant, with sunshine almost 365 days a year. During the day, the temperature averages between 23 and 27°C, although in some places it can be quite cool at night.

One remarkable aspect about Uganda safaris is: whether you travel in the dry, dusty months or in the wet season, you will never find the crowded tourism like in Kenya or Tanzania. If you spot a lion or leopard, it is very likely that you will be the only one to see it – even in peak season!

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS

A number of different vaccinations are recommended and/or required before entering Uganda. A certificate proving you have had the Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda. Immunizations against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended as well.

Besides bringing mosquito repellent, we also advise you to take malaria ‘prophylactics’ (prevention medication).

GETTING SICK

You are unlikely to fall sick while you are in Uganda but do take all recommended preventive measures. If you take any regular medication, please bring it with you.

Take your Malaria medication as directed – before, during and possibly after – your visit to Uganda (depending on the Malaria prophylactic you take).

Although HIV/AIDS infection rates are lower than many countries in Africa, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is certainly higher than in most Western countries. Tourists and visitors to Uganda sometimes engage in risky behavior that they wouldn’t engage in back home. Play safe. Please take your sexual health seriously.

SAFETY

Uganda is a very safe country to visit.

Although Uganda has lived through a turbulent history, the country is safe, stable and welcoming. Ugandans’ hospitable nature is legendary! You will be warmly welcomed wherever you go by the country’s friendly residents.

The most popular National Parks are situated in the south (west) of Uganda and are safe to visit. The border area with Rwanda and DRC remains stable and all National Parks and wildlife reserves are well protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s rangers. Tourism is hugely important for Uganda’s economy and a Tourism Police force has been created to protect visitors.

If you are unsure about the safety of travel to Uganda, please contact Dark Hills Uganda.

Your travel insurance company or foreign office may offer information about travel to Uganda. However, in our experience, these bodies all err on the side of caution and do not necessarily know what is happening on the ground in Uganda at the time. For example, May 2013, some still advise against travel to Kidepo Valley National Park in Northern Uganda, although it is now safe to travel there by road, or by air.

Your safety is our absolute priority and you can rest assured that we will always give you the best Uganda travel advice.

GORILLA TRACKING IN UGANDA

If you are interested in a mountain gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda you are required to buy a gorilla permit well in advance of your trip. As only eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day, the demand is high. Dark Hills Uganda is happy to book your gorilla trekking permits and organize your gorilla safari.

To buy your gorilla permit, you will need to provide us with your full names, nationality, passport number, preferred date of trekking and gorilla permit fee.

MINIMUM AGE FOR GORILLA TRACKING

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 fall sick.

PAYING FOR A SAFARI

Once you have confirmed the final itinerary with us, you will be asked to pay a deposit of 30%. Gorilla permits must be paid for in full at the time of booking. Note that availability of accommodation and permits is not guaranteed until officially confirmed by Dark Hills Uganda. Accommodation, permit and activity reservations will be made as soon as payment has been received on our account.

For your convenience, the balance payment of 70% should be settled before the start of your safari. We accept payment by VISA credit card (please include 5% service charge) and bank transfer in either dollars or Euros to our bank account in Uganda. Please note that all bank charges are at the expense of the client.

VEHICLES USED FOR SAFARIS

Dark Hills Uganda provide open roofed 4WD (four-wheel drive) safari vehicles/mini buses for all our tours. Vehicles all have a pop-up roof for game viewing and these can take a maximum of 8 people. To ensure that everybody has a window seat to enjoy the best views of Uganda, we usually limit the number of people to seven in these 4WD safari minibuses. Limiting the number of people per vehicle also means plenty of legroom and luggage storage.

The challenging condition of the roads means that safari vehicles are serviced after every trip.

SOLO TRAVELERS

Single travelers are very welcome! However, to minimize your costs we would suggest joining a group. Although we can try and arrange this for you, we cannot guarantee we can find a group whose interests, budget and preferred route correspond to yours, especially during low season.

If you would like to stay in a single room please notify us well in advance and we will try to meet your request. Please bear in mind that single rooms are not common and it is more likely that you will be offered single occupancy of a double room. A single-room supplement will apply.

PEOPLE IN GROUP SAFARIS

We offer tailor-made safaris for any number of participants. There is no minimum number for a group tour, although the bigger the group, the more attractive the price will be.

We have several comfortable 4WD minibuses which can take a maximum of 8 people.  But because of Covid, and also to ensure that everybody has a window seat, we have put a limit on the number of people to 5 in the 4WD safari minibuses.

We offer tailor-made safaris for any number of participants. There is no minimum number for a group tour, although the bigger the group, the more attractive the price will be.

We have several comfortable 4WD minibuses which can take a maximum of 8 people.  But because of Covid, and also to ensure that everybody has a window seat, we have put a limit on the number of people to 5 in the 4WD safari minibuses.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

1. Ground transport in a comfortable four-wheel drive (4WD) safari vehicle
2. A visit to all places detailed in the Itinerary
3. The service of an experienced English-speaking driver/safari guide
4. National Park entrance fees
5. Activities as detailed in the itinerary (except for those that are marked optional)
6. Overnight in the named accommodations, based on sharing a twin or double room Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
7. 2 litres of bottled mineral water per person per day while travelling in the Dark Hills Uganda vehicle
8. Government taxes
9. Park ranger fees
10. Amref evacuation insurance flying doctors

TOUR EXCLUSIONS

Dark Hills Uganda tour prices do not include:

1. International flights
2. Tourist visa
3. Meals and snacks that are not mentioned in the itinerary
4. Beverages (other than the bottled mineral water provided in the safari vehicle)
5. Tips and gratuities for safari guides and/or park rangers
6. Laundry
7. Optional activities that are mentioned in the program
8. Items of a personal nature (toiletries, camera batteries, souvenirs)
9. Travel insurance
10. International payment transaction costs