Currency
Uganda’s official Currency: Uganda Shilling (Ushs).
Rwanda’s official Currency: Rwandese Franc (RWF)
Exchange rate in both countries is very unstable, so it will depend on when you are travelling.
Banks and Forex bureaus are available at the airports, and in all towns. Your guide will advise when and where to exchange from.
Dollar bills/notes printed before the year 2006 are not accepted. Bills must be clean and not torn or stained.
Credit cards are accepted in the main city hotels and a few upmarket hotels in the parks, but not in outlying areas. It’s therefore advisable to carry enough cash with you when heading out of cities, as East African countries are generally cash economies.
Tipping
We don’t have standard tipping percentages, as we believe this should be at the clients’ discretion. You shouldn’t find yourself in an uncomfortable tipping moment, but if, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, here below is a brief guideline to assist you. Once again, this not a rule but a guideline as you may choose to give more or less.
- Driver-Guides – US$5 – 10 per guest per day.
- Lodge/Hotel staff covering all departments – US$ 5-10 per guest per day and should be dropped into the general tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
- Restaurants (waiters/waitresses), 5 – 10% of the total bill (not applicable at lodges).
- Rangers/park guides – US$ 5-10 per guest per activity.
Begging
we don’t recommend giving money to beggars. It is better to give donations to established charities that help the homeless or street children or schools. Exercise books, pens and pencils are useful gifts but not money or sweets as they create a dependency culture. Please contact us for advice on how best to get involved in helping the disadvantaged.