RESPECT THE COMMUNITIES
• Dress respectfully, particularly in rural areas, and don’t take photos of local people without asking.
• Tip guides, porters, drivers and waiting staff as you would back home.
• Haggling over a price is fine – as long as you are prepared to pay a fair amount. Remember the seller is trying to make a living.
• Use local guides where possible, eat at local restaurants, shop at community craft shops and consider spending part of your trip in community-run accommodation – it will be an exciting, authentic experience for you, and worthwhile for the local village.
• Ask where the crafts came from before you buy – in some cases they are imported, and will not support local craftspeople.
• Do not give sweets or money to children as this encourages begging. Rather visit an organized community project and give your donation.
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT
• Obey Park rules at all times – do not approach wildlife, drop litter or stray from designated roads/hiking trails. Keep noise to a minimum.
• Keep showers short, avoid leaving taps running and reuse towels and linen. In places with solar panels, be aware of your electricity use.
• Never buy crafts or products made from protected or endangered animals, such as ivory, fur or feathers.
• Do not buy meat meats such as hippo, bushbuck and buffalo. These are obtained only through illegal poaching,.
• Recycling facilities are limited in Uganda, but many lodges have bins to collect plastic bottles, and all glass bottles should be returned to the place you bought them to be reused.
• Take all batteries home with you – they cannot be safely disposed of in Uganda. If possible, use rechargeable batteries to reduce toxic waste. Leave no trace (do not litter)
• Be patient – this is not the National Geographic channel! Sometimes you will see lots of animals, other times fewer. This is part of the thrill of a game drive!