FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Planning Your Safari (The Essentials)

We specialize in handcrafted, private Ugandan safaris. Our difference lies in our exclusive focus on custom-designed itineraries, our deep local expertise, and our commitment to using only the highest standard of vehicles and partner lodges, ensuring a seamless, premium experience unmatched by cookie-cutter tours.

Our specialty is Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. We cover all national parks and key destinations, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Home to the Gorillas), Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale National Park. We focus exclusively on this region to ensure unparalleled expertise.

Uganda is a year-round destination. The best time for gorilla trekking is during the two drier seasons: June to August and December to February. These months offer the easiest hiking conditions. However, the wet seasons offer lush scenery and lower lodge rates.

We recommend layering clothing, focusing on neutral colors (such as khaki, olive, and brown) to avoid startling wildlife. Essentials include waterproof hiking boots, lightweight long sleeves (for sun protection and insect bites), a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a warm fleece or jacket for chilly early morning game drives. A full packing list will be provided with your Booking Confirmation.

Unless otherwise specified, our safaris are all-inclusive of accommodations, meals, specialized transportation (4×4 safari vehicle), all park entry fees, and the professional services of your experienced private guide/driver. International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, and tips are typically excluded.

Booking, Payments, and Cancellations

A booking is confirmed after you submit the booking form and pay a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure (full payment is required immediately if booking is made within 60 days). You’ll receive a Booking Confirmation Document outlining the agreed services.

Our policy is detailed in Section 4 of our Terms and Conditions, available at https://onzakotours.com/terms-and-conditions/.  For cancellations initiated by the client, the 50% deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations 61–90 days prior retain 50% of the total cost; 31–60 days retain 75%; and 30 days or less results in 100% forfeiture. Note: All gorilla and chimpanzee permits are non-refundable once purchased.

Absolutely. We emphasize community commitment: by choosing Onzako, you contribute to sustainable tourism and local development in the areas we visit through local sourcing, employment, and direct conservation fees.

If a tour is canceled for reasons beyond our control (e.g., political unrest, natural disaster, health events), you’ll receive either a full credit toward an alternative date/destination or a refund minus unrecoverable third-party costs (e.g., non-refundable permits, supplier fees).

Health, Safety, and Travel Documents

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is recommended for all clients. This policy must include coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, and, most critically, emergency medical evacuation from remote safari locations. Please review our recommendations and requirements on our dedicated Travel Insurance Page.

You are responsible for securing a passport valid for at least six months beyond your departure date and a Ugandan Tourist Visa. We recommend applying for the visa online well in advance of your travel date.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda. We also strongly recommend consulting your medical professional regarding routine vaccines and prophylactic medication for malaria.

Our commitment is outlined in our formal Health and Safety Policy, available at https://onzakotours.com/health-and-safety/. This includes ensuring vehicle maintenance standards, providing training guides in first aid, carrying emergency satellite communication devices, and adhering to strict lodge hygiene protocols.

On Safari Logistics and Money

The local currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). However, US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted for tourism-related payments (lodges, activities, major shops). Please note that USD notes must be clean, unmarked, and printed after 2009. We recommend carrying both USD cash and a debit card.

Tipping is discretionary, but it is a customary and appreciated way to recognize excellent service. As a general guideline: your Private Safari Guide receives $20–$30 per day, and Lodge Staff (pooled) receive $5–$10 per guest, per day. Guidelines for specific activities will be provided in your pre-departure notes.

Most of our partner safari lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi in public areas (and sometimes in rooms). However, connectivity can be slow or intermittent due to the remote nature of the parks. We encourage our guests to use this time to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in the wilderness experience.

East African Multi-Nation Safaris

While our core expertise is centered on custom Ugandan safaris, we frequently arrange seamless multi-nation journeys in partnership with our trusted, high-standard operators in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. This enables us to offer a seamless booking experience, providing a single point of contact for your entire East African journey, which includes coordinating all flights, transfers, and internal logistics across multiple countries.

We manage all cross-border logistics, including coordinating:

  • Inter-country Flights: Booking flights, particularly between Entebbe (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda) or the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
  • Customs and Immigration: Advising on the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV), which covers Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, for simplified travel.
  • Permits: Ensuring all gorilla/chimpanzee permits and migration camp bookings are secured across all applicable nations well in advance.

Absolutely. We work closely with our regional partners to ensure consistent service quality and effortless flow between destinations. We manage all transfer schedules to ensure that, for example, your flight from the Serengeti lands smoothly and connects with your gorilla trekking transfer in Uganda. We provide a single point of contact and invoicing for your entire complex itinerary.