(Angah Manja was visited Uganda & Kenya on 29 December 2005 until 03 Janruary 2006. All information given below are correct at that time)
GENERAL
Map of Uganda
UGANDA and KENYA is an
English speaking country. The capital city of UGANDA is KAMPALA and NAIROBI for
KENYA. UGANDA and KENYA offers exciting opportunities in tourism mainly in the
fields of water sports, wild life, scenic beauty and discovering Africa.
Incidentally the tourism brochures of UGANDAN and KENYAN Government advertise
UGANDA as ‘The Pearl of AFRICA’ and KENYA as the ‘The Safari
Country!’ Since we mainly explored ENTEBBE, KAMPALA and JINJA (UGANDA) and
NAIROBI this brief is devoted to our experiences in the above places.
GETTING THERE
UGANDA
The airport is served by several African and international airlines. As of 2005 there were daily flight from Dubai on Emirates and several flights weekly by British Airways, Brussels Airlines, and KLM. Kenya Airlines flies in more than once a day from Nairobi and there are daily flights on Egyptair from Cairo, Ethiopian from Addis Ababa and South African Airways from Johannesburg. Ugandan Airlines flies from several African destinations.
$1 = Ush1700, try to change at the
ENTEBBE Airport is better. Transportation in ENTEBBE Town is Ush1000. To go to
KAMPALA (around 20Km) is better to take the minibus taxi (Matatu) than the taxi
because the minibus taxi (Matatu) is Ush2000 but the taxi is Ush40000
($20-$25). The security in UGANDA is OK.
Staying in ANDERITA BEACH HOTEL
costs $30 per night including breakfast (0630H-1000H). If on a weekend you can
patronize 4 Turkeys Night Club (ENTEBBE Town). ANDERITA BEACH HOTEL; Nambi
Road, ENTEBBE (Tel: 041-322435 / 031-271912 Mob: 077-665616 / 077-445667). Name
of the Administrator: Maggie. Driver of ANDERITA BEACH HOTEL: Saler
(071374955).
To go to JINJA (around
80Km) from KAMPALA is better to take the minibus taxi (Matatu) than the taxi
because the minibus taxi (Matatu) is Ush2500. On reaching JINJA head for the
‘Nile High Camp’, it is preferable that you book accommodation in advance at adrift@surfthesource.com. I would
advise a dormitory ($5), which is very comfortable, and you can get some real
good company. Transfers to Nile High Camp are FREE from KAMPALA. Call Adrift
Office (Mr. Dennis) on 041 252 720 or 077 237438 to make reservation.
KENYA
Map of Kenya
There are two buses company; Scandinavian Express
Service Ltd: (Tel: 041 348895). There are 2
levels of service the 'Royal' and 'Executive'. Fares Ush50,000/Ush60,000
($25-$35). Both services are very best, safe, reliable and comfortable service
(Free service on board: Drinking water, Sweets, Soft drinks, Biscuits, Paper
bags, Serviettes and First Aid Kit) than Akamba bus. Akamba Bus Company: (Tel: 041 250412) run several daily
services from KAMPALA to NAIROBI. There are 2 levels of service the 'Royal
Akamba' and 'Akamba Executive'. Fares Ush25,000/Ush36,000 ($15-$25). Both
services are very reliable and considered safe (actually not comfortable-very
bad!). Buses depart KAMPALA at 0700H and a second Executive services leaves at
1500H. Try
to take at 0700H is better. The travel time to NAIROBI is 12 to 14 hours.
The two border posts used
by most visitors traveling by bus from KAMPALA to NAIROBI are MALABA and BUSIA.
(Please bring your Vaccination Book together because in BUSIA City Immigration,
they will ask. WO II Yusaini almost pays $50 for that mistake). Try to change
$50 at the border (BUSIA City) and after in NAIROBI at the Money Changer. DO
NOT CHANGE ON THE ROAD. In NAIROBI the security is NOT VERY GOOD. $1 = Ksh72.
We just spent 11 hours in
NAIROBI. Just turn around the NAIROBI Town, US Embassy Bombing Memorial Park,
Giraffe Center, NAIROBI Safari Walk, NAIROBI National Park, NAIROBI Museum,
NAIROBI Handcraft (Souvenir Shop), 3 Wheel Restaurants.
ACTIVITIES AT UGANDA
Rafting (JINJA)
A really “out of the
world experience”. Although there are a number of companies organizing
the stuff we found “ADRIFT The Adventure” quite good. They take you over 31 Km
of rapids (many class 5) and it is a unique experience. River Nile offers the
best commercial rafting site in the world. You have the option of a full day or
a half day package (cost is different). Office of ADRIFT The Adventure is
opposite UGANDA Museum. They charge $95 for Full Day Raft. For more adventure
you can asked Master Raft ‘Jofrey’ (the Blackman that I think he is UGANDAN.
Tel: +25678132774). They also offer to sell you the DVD and VCD photos of this
experience, which I found was a good buy at $75. If you are more than one, then
you need to buy just one DVD and VCD photos and you can make copies later.
There is one Nile High Camp Staff name Richard that you can ask anything from
him if you need help (Tel: +25677362414).
Bungee Jump (JINJA)
For the strong hearted
there is bungee at Nile High Camp. At 44m it is a mind-boggling
experience. If you are afraid of heights and like to play safe it is
not for you. They charge $55 per jump and $65 for second jump. I think that
people who feel that they shall decide (to jump or not) on reaching there,
invariably don’t jump. Those who are determined only jump. Anyway feeling
afraid is only natural. Try the ‘Nile High Combo’ package where you can bungee
jump and raft in the same day.
UGANDA Wildlife Education Center
(ENTEBBE)
The cost entry is Ush10000
(for non-resident) per head. It was an enjoyable ride-donkey (Ush1000). You
mainly see the lion, two horned rhinos, water bucks, crocodile, etc. There is a
good view also from UWEC ENTEBBE that is Lake Victoria!
ACTIVITIES AT KENYA
US
Embassy Bombing Memorial Park (NAIROBI)
The cost entry Ksh20 only.
Location in NAIROBI City Center.
The Town
A town of 100,000 depends
on tourism for its revenue. It has good restaurants (we patronized 3 Wheel
Restaurant, it was good). People are friendly and are quite safe.
NAIROBI Giraffe Center
The different cost entry
for resident and non-resident, but we got resident cost because of we went
there with my friend (KENYAN) who works with MERLIN NGO in KINDU (Miss
Elizabeth). The cost entry for resident is Ksh100 and for non-resident almost
triple of that.
NAIROBI Safari Walk
Also we got resident cost
for entry the NAIROBI Safari Walk (Ksh100) where we saw much wildlife there.
NAIROBI Natinal Park
We just went there near the
gate because of not enough time to entry and also we thought we will see the
same type of wildlife there.
NAIROBI Museum
We just sent there a few
minutes because of not enough time to entry.
NAIROBI Handcraft (Souvenir Shop)
There are many
handcraft/souvenir shops in NAIROBI Town especially near the GLOBAL Museum. We
just survey because she advice to go other place (in front of GRACIA Guest
House) look like ‘Night Market’ in MALAYSIA where we got cheaper price and
variety choice.
3 Wheel Restaurant
3 Wheel Restaurant is the
most popular restaurant in richer residents there in NAIROBI. We spent there
$30 for BBQ (5 persons: Myself, WO II Yusaini, Maj Traore, Miss Elize and
our driver).
Notes:
Actually I plan to make ROCK CLIMBING
and SAFARI (Full Day Package = $65) at LAKE NAIVASHA & HELL’S GATE where I
make arrangement with one Travel Agency in NAIROBI. If you want, you can
contact Mr Kenn Tims (info@nairobibackpackers.com).
But we failed to do it because of AKAMBA Bus that we took from KAMPALA to
NAIROBI broken down on the road. So I advise you don’t take AKAMBA Bus (very
bad!). You can choose SCANDINAVIA BUS (more comfortable).
Diary of Event
| DATE |
TIME |
ACTIVITIES |
PRICE |
REMARKS |
| USD |
Ush |
Ksh |
| 29/12/2005 |
0800H |
Cx-in in KINDU Airport |
|
|
|
|
|
1030H |
Boarding |
|
|
|
FORMULA Ush |
|
1045H |
ETD to BUNIA |
|
|
|
$1.00=1700 |
|
1300H |
ETA Bunia (Soda) |
$1.00 |
|
|
|
|
1400H |
ETD to ENTEBBE |
|
|
|
|
|
1600H |
ETA ENTEBBE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Change Money $50.00) |
|
|
|
Ush 85000 |
|
1620H |
Visa/Passport Stamping |
|
|
|
|
|
1700H |
ETD to KAMPALA (Taxi) |
$10.00 |
|
|
|
|
1800H |
ETA KAMPALA |
|
|
|
|
|
1815H |
MTN Airtime |
|
5000 |
|
|
|
1830H |
Lunch' at Holiday Express |
|
6000 |
|
|
|
|
Hotel (Fresh Talapia) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shopping (Sunglass) |
|
3000 |
|
|
|
1945H |
ETD to JINJA (Mini bus) |
|
2500 |
|
|
|
2130H |
ETA JINJA |
|
|
|
|
|
2145H |
ETA JINJA Nile High Camp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Boda boda) |
|
1000 |
|
|
|
2200H |
Cx-in Dorm Bed (2 Nights) |
$10.00 |
|
|
|
|
2245H |
Bar Nile High Camp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2 X Soda) |
|
1600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 30/12/2005 |
0800H |
Assemble at Bar Nile High |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Camp (Full Day Rafting) |
$95.00 |
|
|
|
|
1000H |
Full day Rafting |
|
|
|
|
|
1745H |
End of Rafting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Book DVD & VCD photo) |
$75.00 |
|
|
|
|
2015H |
Dinner (Buffet) |
|
7000 |
|
|
|
|
Soda |
|
800 |
|
|
|
|
Book AKAMBA Bus Ticket |
|
25000 |
|
|
|
|
to NAIROBI |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 31/12/2005 |
0830H |
B/Fast at Nile High Camp |
|
5000 |
|
FORMULA Ksh |
|
0930H |
BUNGEE JUMP |
$55.00 |
|
|
$1.00=72 |
|
1030H |
Bar Nile High Camp (Soda) |
|
800 |
|
|
|
1045H |
ETD to JINJA Town |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Boda boda) |
|
1500 |
|
|
|
1130H |
JINJA Cyber Café |
|
400 |
|
|
|
1230H |
JINJA Book Shop (Map) |
|
10000 |
|
|
|
1245H |
MTN Airtime |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
1300H |
Lunch at Restaurant & |
|
4000 |
|
|
|
|
Pool House |
|
|
|
|
|
1530H |
Back to Nile High Camp |
|
1500 |
|
|
|
|
(Boda boda) |
|
|
|
|
|
1630H |
To GAPCO Fuel Station |
|
1500 |
|
|
|
|
wait for AKAMBA Bus to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAIROBI (Boda boda) |
|
|
|
|
|
1800H |
ETD to NAIROBI |
|
|
|
|
|
2030H |
Arrive BUSIA City (Border) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change Money $25 |
|
|
|
Ksh 1800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 01/01/2006 |
1030H |
ETA NAIROBI |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B/Fast at Lusan Restaurant) |
|
|
120 |
|
|
1045H |
SAFARICOM (Sim Card) |
|
|
200 |
|
|
1230H |
US Embassy Bombing |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
Memorial Park |
|
|
|
|
|
1315H |
KENYA Casino |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Change Money $50) |
|
|
|
Ksh 3600 |
|
1330H |
Bun Chicken Chili & Soda |
|
|
70 |
|
|
1350H |
Giraffe Center |
|
|
100 |
|
|
1530H |
NAIROBI Safari Walk |
|
|
100 |
|
|
1630H |
NAIROBI National Park |
|
|
|
|
|
1645H |
NAIROBI Museum |
|
|
|
|
|
1715H |
NAIROBI Souvernir Shop |
|
|
|
|
|
1800H |
Fruit Stall |
|
|
320 |
|
|
1815H |
3 Wheel Restaurant |
$15.00 |
|
|
|
|
2015H |
Back to KIH |
|
|
|
|
|
2100H |
To Scandinavia Bus Station |
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
(Ticket NAIROBI-KAMPALA) |
|
|
|
|
|
2300H |
ETD to KAMPALA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 02/01/2006 |
0530H |
MALABA (Border) |
|
|
|
|
|
0630H |
Continue to KAMPALA |
|
|
|
|
|
1000H |
ETA KAMPALA |
|
|
|
|
|
1015H |
Adrift Office (Collect DVD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boda boda |
|
3000 |
|
|
|
|
2 X T-Shirt |
$30.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 X Hat |
$10.00 |
|
|
|
|
1100H |
Souvernir Shop |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 X T-Shirt |
$15.00 |
|
|
|
|
1130H |
ETD to Anderita Beach |
$10.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hotel (Taxi) |
|
|
|
|
|
1210H |
ETA Anderita Beach Hotel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 X Night) |
$15.00 |
|
|
|
|
1345H |
Lunch |
$4.00 |
|
|
|
|
1445H |
ENTEBBE Town (bodaboda) |
|
1000 |
|
|
|
|
(Change Money $15) |
|
|
|
Ush 25500 |
|
1645H |
ENTEBBE Zoo (UWEC) |
|
10000 |
|
|
|
|
Boda boda |
|
1000 |
|
|
|
|
MTN Airtime |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
1800H |
Back to Hotel (Boda boda) |
|
1000 |
|
|
|
2045H |
Dinner |
$5.00 |
|
|
|
|
2145H |
Play pool |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 03/01/2006 |
0745H |
B/Fast |
|
|
|
|
|
0730H |
Play pool |
|
1500 |
|
|
|
0830H |
Cx-out Anderita Beach |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hotel (Transport to Airport) |
$1.50 |
|
|
|
|
0850H |
ETA ENTEBBE Airport |
|
|
|
|
|
0900H |
Cx-in Airport |
|
|
|
|
|
1100H |
ETD BUNIA |
|
|
|
|
|
1100H |
ETA BUNIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sandwich (Chicken) |
$3.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Soda |
$1.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
CONGO cap |
$3.00 |
|
|
|
|
1200H |
ETD KINDU |
|
|
|
|
|
1400H |
ETA KINDU |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100100 |
3010 |
|
|
|
|
$358.50 |
$58.88 |
$41.81 |
|
| Total Expenditure |
$459.19 |
|
Some Practical Tips
Ø Carry sun block lotion and good sunglasses.
Ø Carry a good book.
Ø Walkman and good camera are must.
Ø Always change currency in a bank you get a better price.
Ø Carry some shorts and Tees, max of 1-2 jeans including what you are wearing.
Ø Carry cash at a rate of $100 per day of holiday plus 10% if you don’t intend to do any heavy shopping.
Ø Take a rucksack rather than a suitcase; don’t bother carrying bed sheets etc.
Ø Take usual protective measures.
Wish you a happy trip...!
________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely of the author. WO II Yusaini my companion has quite a different view. The author bears no responsibilities for the mental trauma you undergo if you take this write up more seriously than it is intended.
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