Uganda Visa Information

Updated: 27th September 2023

Visa Procurement

Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveler and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Uganda.

African countries are in a continual state of political flux and visa requirements can change overnight. It is essential that you check visa requirements of every country you will be visiting in Africa with the local embassy, consulate or a reputable visa handling company for the most up to date visa information before you travel.

If you are travelling on one of our Overland Camping Safaris your trip leader will advise if you will be gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda at the pre departure meeting. The best option is to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa in advance from the Kenyan embassy, and this will cover you for travel into either Uganda or Rwanda.

Uganda visa requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders can get a visa, which is valid for 3 months (or 6 months for a multiple entry). Please note that as of 14 October 2021 it is not possible to secure your Uganda visa on arrival, and therefore visas must be procured before you travel to the country.

If you are a passport holder of another nationality, check Project Visa for more information on visa requirements for Uganda.

Rwanda visa requirements

Most nationalities require a visa for Rwanda, including USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders. In Rwanda the visa on arrival system has been replaced by an online visa that you need to apply for the visa three days before arriving into Rwanda and payment is made at the border.

East Africa Tourist Visa

If you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then you can apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa which will cover all three countries and costs USD $100. The visa allows multiple entry into these countries and is valid for 90 days. It can be applied for in advance or you can get one upon arrival at the airport in Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda.

Please note, if you plan to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa in advance, you must obtain the visa from the embassy of the country that you will be visiting first. So if you are travelling on one of our Overland Safaris, you will be travelling to Kenya first and therefore you must get apply for the visa at the Kenyan Embassy.

See Also

For further help planning your gorilla trek in Uganda take a look through our handy Travel Guide resources:

Gorilla Trekking - our guide to this once in a lifetime experience
Best Time to Visit - Uganda's climate and seasons
Top Travel Tips - information about vaccinations, food and money
About Overland Safaris - what to expect on an overland expedition in Africa