The East African Community people (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania) are very friendly, polite and generous in general and will make every effort to have foreign guests feel comfortable, but knowing a bit more about Ugandan people and their cultures before your travel will enrich your experience.

Cultural Etiquette

• Try to learn about the culture before you travel and be willing to try alternative options.
• Learn some of the local language, even the basics such as ‘hello’, ‘good bye’ and ‘thank you’. All attempts will be appreciated!
• Respect the cultural differences and do not look down on, or try to change them
• Be careful when showing affection in public, it is best to limit affection to holding hands- especially in the rural areas
• Be aware of the importance of the ancestral shrine in Uganda. Dress appropriately as advised by tourism site manager/guide.

Appropriate Dress

• To be sure you are not causing offense, it is best to respect local dress standards and dress modestly, especially in the countryside.
• Women should try to avoid wearing low – cut or tight sleeveless tops and brief, clinging shorts.
• At religious, cultural sites, do not wear shorts or sleeveless tops, and remember to remove your shoes.
• Don’t be offended by the very Ugandan fascination with your personal details; How old are you? Are you married? Do you have children? How much money do you make? etc. – questions that you may consider private. You may find the answer ‘not yet’ to the question of marriage or children a useful one.
• Don’t be taken aback if people are intrigued by your size, especially if you are tall, well built, or husky. Ugandans are a small, slight race and may openly display their amazement at Western bulk. Remember this when selecting your clothing!
• Talk to the locals and make friends. The people of Uganda are friendly and hospitable. They love it when they hear a foreigner try to speak their language.

Photography

• Uganda is a photographer’s dream, so remember to ask permission or speak to your local guide before taking photographs and respect a refusal.
• Don’t pursue men and women in traditional ethnic dress for the ‘perfect shot’ if they appear shy or avoid your camera, and remember that videos are even more intrusive.
• Try not to get into the situation of paying for the right to take photos, as it encourages a begging mentality.
• If you promise to send back a photo, make sure you are sincere in your offer.

Getting Personal

• Be aware that in some communities it may be taboo to conduct an intimate relationship with a local.
• Don’t assume that what is acceptable at home is acceptable everywhere. Uganda is still a largely traditional society, and getting involved with a local may cause offense.
• Remember also that the recipient of a foreigner’s attentions can be seriously affected within their local communities in terms of their well-being, social standing and reputation.

Our Environment

Visitors fall in love with her breathtaking Rift Valley scenery, lush countryside and incredible biodiversity. Track our closest relatives, the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, venture on safari to see the Elephants, Big Cats and incredible 1,066 species of birds, or just lie by the poolside overlooking the fabulous River Nile. Ugandans love to meet and greet new people – the country’s crafts, dance and community tourism intrigue and delight the visitor.

Uganda has a unique and diverse environment. Scattered throughout the country are around 200+ protected areas which encompass a huge variety of ecological systems that include national parks and wildlife reserves, islands, beaches, wetlands, mountains, forests reserves of every description, limestone landscapes and caves, river deltas and lakes… You can help protect our environment by following those below;

• Please say no to wild/game meat such as gorilla, buffalo, kob, bat, monkey and python, etc…
• Please say no to products made from endangered plants or animals, such as elephant ivory, tortoise shell, pangolin and wild animal skins.
• Please turn off your air conditioner, fans, lights and other electrical appliances when you leave your hotel or guesthouse.
• Gorillas are extremely susceptible to human diseases and infections. If you are not feeling 100% then please discuss this with your guides.
• Please leave no trash and practice the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Please leave no trace, keep to designated trails when out walking, for example avoid making unnecessary noise…
• Don’t point, speak softly, don’t cough or sneeze in the animals’ direction

For Gorilla trekking rules and regulations, visit our National Parks page

Ethical Travel

Traveling to a foreign country is a privilege of the wealthy. Footprint Travel thinks that we can minimize our impacts by respecting the local customs, beliefs and society. Together, we can make a difference!

Buying local

• By using locally produced goods and services, you can contribute financially to the community you are visiting and help turn tourism to the country’s benefit.
• Drink and eat local food when you can.
• Use local transport and local shops.
• Try to avoid paying for simple acts of kindness in cash – for example, being given directions.
• Hire a local guide when visiting protected areas or historical sites. This way you will contribute to the local economy, learn more about the area.

Giving money or gifts

• Giving money away to both children and adults promotes a begging mentality and culture.
• Avoid giving children money or gifts, it is better to pay for a postcard, map, or a shoeshine.
• Giving chocolate or sweets is a bad idea, as many people do not have access to dentists and knowledge of dental hygiene is poor.

The hard sell

• Uganda is a developing country, and one that has experienced some periods of unrest and war so poverty is obvious and unavoidable.
• If a street seller approaches you, be firm but polite and calm in turning them away, even if you are irritated by a day filled with similar approaches.
• Take a bodo boda (motorcycle taxis) when you can, as they are a great way to see a city and view street life at close quarters. Boda bodas today are losing out to taxis and tuk-tuk (three-wheeler motorcycles), so you’ll also be supporting a threatened trade.
• Negotiate prices in advance before accepting either goods from street sellers, or getting on a boda boda or into a cycle.

The sex trade

• In Uganda, prostitution is an unfortunate fact of life. Be aware that prostitution is illegal in Uganda.
• Don’t buy sexual services, remember that the relationship between tourists and prostitutes is almost always unequal and tends to be exploitative.