Tourist Attractions in Uganda

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In Uganda matatu is called taxi, while what we considering taxi they call it special. Of course, special cost much more than matatu and available after hours if staying out till late in some club or bar. Matatu stops driving after 11:00 PM.
There excist yellow cab service in Uganda, but not much of them can be seen around except for late hours in front of casinos or some clubs. Most of the specials have no visible marks on the vehicle, the only way to know wether it is taxi or not is by drivers who offering their service.

Unique Suggestions: Before entering into the cab you should negotiate the price, if not might be surprised at the end of a ride. Since they do not use taxi-metres machine the price for a ride should be agreed before.

Fun Alternatives: If taxi needed, ask for special but remember, almost every car around might be "special". If whites standing out on the streets, especially after dark, many car drivers will stop offering a ride but not for free. Some of them do it for living, the others to earn some extra cash money.

The usual problem in Uganda is that, in the warm hours you will be tempted to take a bath and some swim in one of their nice and virgin lakes.... Dont do it! Prior to it you should ask locals if there is risk of bilharzia there. This is some kind of small snail that lives in water near the lakes shores and that even if you can't see it, it goes under your skin, grown and reproduces and you will have an alive snail under your skin some months after you come back home (so visit to your local hospital is assured!).

Fun Alternatives: The risk of bilharzia only exist in the shores of the lakes, this means that if you go to the center or inside part of the lake with a boat you can swim safely.... if there are not cocodriles around :)

AIDS is a big problem in Uganda as well as in other african countries, so having sexual relationships with local population without protection is a high risk. Thius is specially dangerous for women travelling alone, not because Ugandans are very aggressive but because the males are very promiscuous and sexually active, so don't be surprised if your driver or any waiter tries to have something with you (but always on a polite way and with a smile in their face). So be careful about AIDS!

Other frequent illness is malaria and ven paludism, just take the usual medical prevention before coming here (profilaxis is a good idea...) and take some Relex or othe rmosquito repelents.

In Uganda bargaining on prices is the order of the day (except for some few exclusive shops) Your bargaining power determines the price you pay. This applies practically to all commodities and services. Therefore the best thing is to move in companion of a tour guide or an insider to avoid paying excessively.

Unique Suggestions: Inquire about the price ranges and be ready to wrestle with the vendor in order to reach a compromise. Confront him with the "ormal" price level right from the start, that way you increase your bargaining power.

Taxi drivers - they have to make a living too, but given the chance they will rip you off. Not all of them admittedly, but they will charge you about 5 times what they would charge a local. A better bet during the day is to travel by matatu (minibus taxi) as their fares are set and extremely cheap too. Taxis after dark are a must, but get some idea of the right fare and then haggle, they will always lower their prices and if they don't, just leave.

ANIMAL LIFE:
Baboons:
There are five species of baboons, all occurring in Africa.
Recognition: baboons are best described as large monkeys with long developed and short tails as compared to their cousins. they spend most of the day foraging on the ground and nights in trees or on cliffs. During the night, they rest in trees. Baboons have short fingers, but their opposable thumbs provide them with a good precision grip. They have deep set eyes that are close together
Females have colourful sexual swellings that balloon grotesquely during full oestrus. Males are up to twice as large as females, very powerful built with long canine teeth 'fangs'. Baboons are highly gregarious, living in large troops that contain a number of adults.

Beautiful scenery the tea estates are fantastic, good little golf cousre