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Uganda – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you when travelling to Uganda

 

Population

  • The Ugandan Population currently stands at 48.5 million (2023).

 

Capital and Largest City

  • The capital city of Uganda is Kampala, with a population of 3.8 million (2023).

 

Official Language(s)

  • The most spoken languages in Uganda is Luganda, English, and Swahili.

 

Currency

  • The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling.

 

Office Hours

  • Uganda adheres to the International Labour Organisation, and thereby allow their employees to work for a maximum of 48 hours per week.

 

Weekends

  • Uganda enjoys their weekends on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC+3. East African Time.

 

Calling Code

  • +256

 

Tipping

  • Although it is not mandatory to tip, you most certainly should tip. It is advisable to tip between 5000 and 10 000 Ugandan shilling, which is less than $5- $10.

 

Embassies

  • Uganda houses a vast number of embassies, Diplomatic Missions, High Commissions, and Consulates.

 

Government

  • The Presidential Republic is the ruling government of Uganda.

 

Climate

  • Uganda’s climate is pleasantly warm. Uganda lies across the Equator and most of the country is occupied by a plateau, therefore, there is not much range in its temperature and it is fairly warm throughout the year. Warmer periods of the year typically last from December to March, while the cooler period of the year lasts from June to September.

 

Transport

  • Uganda has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. Uganda has 47 airports, of which only 5 has paved roads. These 5 include Entebbe Airport, Gulu Airport, Soroti Airport, Nakasongola Airport and Jinja Airport.

 

Economy

  • The economy of Uganda has extraordinary potential and seems to be praised for its rapid growth and development. Uganda’s economy is sustained by its abundance of natural resources, mineral deposits, and fertile land.

 

Hospitality

  • It is customary to shake the hand of the person you are meeting in Uganda. To show deference, you may also lightly grip the person’s forearm with the opposite hand. Ugnada’s are not comfortable with displaying emotions publicly, so even if you are coupled up avoid hugging or any sort of public display of affection.

 

Greetings

  • Ugandans consider greetings and good manners to be the epitome of politeness, and use rather grand gestures when greetings one another. Most locals use the Swahili greeting “Jambo” or Luganda “Oli otya” and deliver it with an enthusiastic smile and a nod of the head.

 

Money

  • The Ugandan shilling (UGS) replaced the East African shilling as the country’s official currency in 1966. The Ugandan shilling is typically fairly stable and is the currency with which most financial transactions in Uganda occurs. The United States dollar is also widely accepted. The Sterling, and increasingly the Euro, are also used.

 

Transportation

  • Ugandans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Main roads in and around the cities of Uganda are typically in a decent condition. However, in and around the main cities is also where most of the traffic occurs. Drivers are also advised to be vigilant of potholes, roundabouts, and drunk drivers.

 

Safety

  • Unfortunately, Uganda is not the safest country in Africa due to elements of crime and terrorism. However, the country is moderately safe for tourists, and foreigners are advised to be protect their valuables and be aware of their surroundings. The main cities Uganda such as Kampala and Entebbe may experience violent crimes of armed robbery and home invasion.

 

Culture

  • Uganda is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups. Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu-speaking people, who dominate much of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. The Baganda are the largest single ethnic group in Uganda, while other tribes include the Lango, Acholi, Iteso, Karamojong, and the Gishu tribe. Each of these ethnic identities dominate a different region in the country.

 

Shops

  • While Uganda has one of the strongest economies in sub-Saharan Africa, and has been steadily developing, it still might not be as developed as some Western countries. However, the country does have numerous urban malls and shopping centres, that sport both local and international brands and stores. Running errands or shopping for fun will therefore pose no trouble, especially in the regions closer to the main cities.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

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Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

Lize-Mari Ras
,

Nigeria – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you when travelling to Nigeria

 

Population

  • The current population of Nigeria stands at 218.5 million (2022).

 

Capital and Largest City

  • Nigeria’s capital city is Lagos, with nearly 16 million citizens.

 

Official Language(s)

  • There are over 525 native languages in Nigeria, but the most commonly spoken language is English. Other more prominent languages in the county are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

 

Currency

  • The Naira is the official currency for Nigeria.

 

Office Hours

  • Nigeria adheres to the regulations of the International Labour Organisation, so employees are required to work for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

 

Weekend

  • People in Nigeria enjoy their weekends on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Time Zone

  • Nigeria lies within the UTC+1 time zone, West African Time.

 

Calling Code

  • Nigeria’s calling code is +234.

 

Tipping

  • While tipping in Nigeria is customary, service charges may be added to your bill. Gratuity is usually calculated as 10% of the total bill in Nigeria.

 

Embassies

  • Nigeria has a combined total of 97 Embassies and High Commissions abroad, in addition to another 12 Consulates.

 

Government

  • The All Progressives Congress (APC) currently holds the most seats in Nigerian Parliament.

 

Climate

  • Climate in Nigeria is primarily Tropical. The country has three climatic regions, namely the Tropical Monsoon Climate, Tropical Savannah Climate, Sehelian hot and semi-arid climates. Nigeria’s dry seasons typically extend from October to April every year, while their wet seasons last from April to September.

 

Transport

  • Nigeria boasts a total of 31 international airports distributed across 36 states. The main international airports are Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

 

Economy

  • Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa and the 31st largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP. Nigeria’s economy consists of a middle-income, mixed economy and emerging market. Industries such as manufacturing, financial, service, communications, and technology are the most stable and ever-growing.

 

Hospitality

  • Nigeria’s society is hierarchical. People who are older or in a higher societal position is often more respected. Wisdom is believed to come with age, so older people are granted respect. When greeting someone older, it is a sign of respect to bow the head. The most common greeting in Nigeria is the handshake, however, Muslim Nigerians will not shake the hand of the opposite sex.

 

Greetings

  • When greeting a group of people, it is customary to greet the eldest of the groups first. Address people by their professional, academic, or honorific title and their surname, and wait for them to invite you to use their first names. It is also polite to ask about the person’s health, the health of their family, or other social niceties. Rushing the greeting process is considered rude.

 

Money

  • The Nigerian Naira is divided into 100 kobo. In order to ensure monetary and price stability in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria is the only distributer of legal tender money in the entire country, and it also controls the volume of money supplied to Nigeria’s economy.

 

Transportation

  • Nigeria’s transportation industry is constantly developing to accommodate for their growing population. Infrastructure for Nigeria’s transport industry comprises of the Federal Highway System of Nigeria, which is a collection of national roads that connects the economic and political centres within the country to one another. The Federal Highway System of Nigeria also connects it to other neighbouring countries. Nigerians drive on the right-hand side of the road.

 

Safety

  • Crime levels in Nigeria is made up mostly of crimes such as scams, kidnappings, robberies, and terrorism. While many will say that Nigeria is not the safest place to travel to and live in, natives of the country might disagree as they consider their people to amongst the friendliest in Africa. However, safety is a concern for expats, tourists and foreigners, so it is best to take precaution.

 

Culture

  • Nigeria consists of over 1150 ethnic groups and dialects, in addition to over 520 native languages. The largest ethnic groups by population is the Hausas, Yoruba, and Igbo. The rest of the ethnic groups in the country is considered as ‘’minorities.’’ Nigerians love food, art, music, and literature.

 

Shops

  • Shopping malls in the larger cities of the country are modern and boasts luxurious scenes and stores. There are plenty of shopping malls, theatres, supermarkets, and other entertainment options throughout the country.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

 

 

Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

Lize-Mari Ras
,

South Africa – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you when travelling to South Africa

 

Population

The South African population currently stands at 60 million (2021).

 

Capital and Largest City of South Africa

  • Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria.

 

Official Language(s) of South Africa

  • South Africa has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Pedi, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, and Southern Ndebele.

 

Currency of South Africa

  • The South African Rand (Sign: R; Code: ZAR).

 

Office Hours in South Africa

  • 9am – 5pm. 45 hours per week. People in South Africa works for nine hours in a day (excluding lunch break) in a working week of five days or less, or eight hours in a day (excluding lunch break) in a working week or more than five days a week.

 

Weekends in South Africa

  • Weekends are held over Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC+2.

 

Calling Code

  • +27.

 

Tipping

  • Tipping in South Africa is generally 10% or 20% of the total bill.

 

Embassies in South Africa

  • Most countries are represented by an Embassy or by a High Commission. Click here for more information.

 

Government

  • The official ruling party in South Africa is the African National Congress (ANC).

 

Climate

  • South Africa lies between 22°S and 35°S in the Southern Hemisphere’s subtropical zone. The country lies between two oceans, Atlantic and the Indian, which affects its climate. South Africa experiences a high degree of sunshine, while their rainfall equated to about half of the global average. Its internal regions are semi-desert and dry, while the Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate. Most of the country experiences summer rain, except some regions located along the coast.

 

Transport

  • The main international airports are Johannesburg and Cape Town. The different modes of transportation in South Africa include roads, railways, airports, water, and pipelines for petroleum oil. The majority of people in South Africa use informal minibus taxis or personal vehicles as their main mode of transport. In the main cities there are also app-based ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Bolt.

 

Economy

  • South Africa’s economy is the second largest on the entire continent, and one of the most industrialised. The country is an upper-middle income economy. Its main industries are agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, electricity, gas, water, and construction.

 

Hospitality

  • There are so many different cultures in South Africa, each of which has their own way of doing things and are respectful of the other coexisting cultures around them. Often times people celebrate each other’s cultures as a result of cultures intertwining and interracial marriages. South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and all of its cultures are reported to be equally friendly.

 

Greetings

  • Owing to there being 11 official languages, there are also a multitude of ways in which people greet and approach one another. However, most people in the country speak or have an understanding of English, so a simple ‘’Hello’’ would suffice. The most frequently used greetings are ‘’Molo,’’ which is Xhosa, ‘’Sawubona,’’which is Zulu, or ‘’Howzit!’’ which is used and understood by the entire population, all around the country.

 

Money

  • The South African Rand is divided into 100 cents and is also the legal tender in the Common Monetary Area Member states, which includes its neighbours Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. International banks in South Africa are ABSA, Standard Chartered Bank, Citi Bank, and Commonwealth Bank of South Africa.

 

Transportation

  • South Africans drive on the left hand side of the road. Most roads in the major cities are well maintained, but roads in smaller cities may lack infrastructure or have potholes. Public transport is preeminent in South Africa, with taxis, busses and app-based hailing systems being fairly reliable. However, commuting can sometimes be unsafe due to the frequent strikes in the industry.

 

Safety

  • The overall crime rate in South Africa is quite high, and citizens face threats of hijacking, robberies, burglaries, rape, and murder. However, South African police prioritise protecting tourists. Therefore, crime levels in areas that are popular amongst tourists will often be much lower than the rest of the country.

 

Culture

  • Due to the country’s culture being so diverse, lots of emphasis is placed on respecting on another’s beliefs and cultures, and this is even included in the country’s constitutions as well. South Africans celebrate Heritage Day on the 21st of September, and pay tribute to their unique and diverse cultures.

 

Shops

  • In major cities shopping will not be a hassle as the capitals of South Africa has plenty of shopping malls with many local, international, and even designer brand stores. There are endless entertainment options. South Africans love art and food, so there are innumerable theatres, galleries, and restaurants around the country, but especially in the major cities.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

 

Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

Lize-Mari Ras
,

Kenya – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you when travelling to Kenya

 

Population

  • The Kenyan population currently stands at 53.01 million (2021).

 

Capital City and Largest City

  • The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, with a population of 4. 397 million (2019).

 

Official Language

  • The official languages of Kenya is English and Swahili.

 

Currency

  • The Kenyan Shilling.

 

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

 

Weekend

  • Weekends in Kenya is held over Saturday and Sunday.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC+3.

 

Calling Code

  • +254.

 

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill, a tip of 10% is acceptable.

 

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by Embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

 

Government

  • Unitary presidential constitutional republic.

 

Climate

  • Kenya’s climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate inland to arid in the north and northeast parts of the country. The area receives a great deal of sunshine every month, and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. It is usually cool at night and early in the morning inland at higher elevations.

 

The “long rains” season occurs from March/April to May/June. The “short rains” season occurs from October to November/December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The temperature remains high throughout these months of tropical rain. The hottest period is February and March, leading into the season of the long rains, and the coldest is in July, until mid-August.

 

Transport

  • Main airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi). The country has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. Kenya’s railway system links the nation’s ports and major cities, connecting it with neighbouring Uganda. There are 15 airports which have paved runways.

Kenya has a major international port at Mombasa.

 

Economy

  • Main industries include small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminium, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, and tourism.

 

Hospitality

  • The best course of action is to behave formally and follow the lead of others. The honoured guest is usually served first, followed by the men, children, and women. Do not begin eating until the eldest male has been served and started eating. If you use your hands then scoop the food with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.

 

Greetings

  • Handshakes are the most common means of greeting. However, Muslim men/women do not always shake hands with women/men. The most common greeting is “Jambo?” (“How are you?”), which is generally said immediately prior to the handshake. People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname. Once a personal relationship has developed, you may be able to address a person by their title and first name, first name alone, or nickname. Wait for the Kenyan to determine that your friendship has reached this level of intimacy. Women over the age of 21 are often addressed as “Mama” and men over the age of 35 are often addressed as “Mzee”.

 

Money

  • The Kenya currency unit is the shilling (KSH), divided in 100 cents. The Kenyan shilling has been quite stable over the years. The best currencies to bring are US dollars, UK pounds or euros. It is advisable to exchange these for the local currency as soon as possible at banks and forex bureaus. Barclays Bank is the best banking option, because their ATMs accept both Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Plus bank cards. The ATMs of Kenya Commercial Bank accept only Visa cards.

 

Transportation

  • Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Public transport is limited, unreliable, uncomfortable, slow and not recommended. It is common practice for expats to employ a driver. If driving do so carefully and slowly (speed kills), remember animals and humans can cross the road at any time, try never to drive at night, roads are often poorly maintained and pot holes are to be found.

 

Safety

  • As in any country, there are a few safety and security issues in Kenya. Kenya is a poor country, and there are many people who are forced to make a living by illegal means. Normal Kenyan citizens are definitely targets, but rich, naive tourists are an even bigger temptation for thieves, pick pockets, and con artists. Crime is not so common in rural areas, but is in big cities, especially Nairobi. By taking necessary precautions, however, the risks of a security incident can be reduced drastically. Violent crime is rare in Kenya, even in Nairobi.

 

Culture

  • In Kenya, respect for elders is important. Many Kenyans still believe strongly in the ancestor world, where the dead have powers for good or bad over their living descendants.

 

Shops

  • Shopping in Nairobi is convenient and safe. There are plenty of modern shopping malls, grocery stores, open-air markets, convenience stores and supermarkets located throughout the city.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

 

Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams