Ø     The local currency is the Shilling (Ush)

Ø     If you are not from Africa you are a “mzungu” (white person)

Ø     Mass transit is a white mini-van and is called a “taxi or matatu”

Ø     The capital city of Uganda is Kampala while the Kenya Capital is Nairobi

Ø     Uganda gained its independence in 1962 while Kenya was 1964

Ø     A cheap but reliable mobile phone will cost you about $70

Ø     Immigration officials won’t check your immunization card for the yellow fever vaccination. But get it anyway. Ask your local travel doctor what other vaccinations you need for travel

Ø     Bring a headlamp and a good flashlight.

Ø     Anopheles (malaria carrying) mosquitoes are active from midnight to 5am and they don’t make a sound

Ø     The major daily English language newspapers are “The New Vision”, “Monitor”  and "Daily Nation"

Ø     50% of the population is under the age of 14

Ø     A permit to see the gorillas is $360. See Uganda Wildlife Authority for details

Ø     Ugandans are snazzy dressers

Ø     The official adult AIDS rate in Uganda is 6%. Grassroots level testing shows that’s its more like 30%

Ø     Lunch time is 1pm

Ø     Usually Supper is at 8pm

Ø     The wettest month is April, but expect un-timed rains often.

Ø     Constantly collect small bills and coins for village purchases

Ø     No matter where you’re from you are rich compared to the local people. Don’t deny it.

Ø     It takes 3 months to get completely hooked on Uganda or Kenya

Ø     If someone says “you’ve grown fat”, it’s a compliment

Ø     Go with “Adrift” if you want to go white water rafting on River Nile, Uganda

Ø     To greet someone in Luganda, say “Oli otya” or for a Kenyan say "Habari" or "Jambo"

Ø     The voltage and electrical sockets are the same as those for The United Kingdom but 220v to 250v

Ø     You can easily sell Foreign carrency in Forex-Bureau

Ø     Relationships are far more important than business

Ø     You will be asked for money or school fees. A polite refusal is fine. If you want to give, give to your host organization.

Ø     Agriculture employs 80% of the work force

Ø     Christians and Muslims live together in harmony

Ø     The airport is in Entebbe (Uganda) and Embakasi (Kenya)

Ø     Barclay’s Bank, Stanbic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank take Visa related ATM cards

Ø     Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest fresh water lake in the World. It is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Ø     If you are open and relaxed community residents will love and welcome you

Ø     Local cultural respect is vital

Ø     You cannot get a volunteer visa, you should get a tourist visa with multiple entry.

Ø     The electricity goes out every second day for 4 to 24 hours

Ø     It’s hard to volunteer in East Africa, but it’s fun if you have the right attitude

Ø     Motorcyles and scooters are called “bodaboda”. They’re cheap transport.

Ø     You must take an anti-malarial medication

Ø     The source of the River Nile is in Jinja

Ø     The language predominantly spoken in Central Uganda is Luganda while the in Kenya is Kiswahili.

Ø     Pay-in internet cafes are available in most of the big towns of Kenya and Uganda.

Ø     Mastercard may not work in Uganda and Kenya

Ø     A tourist visa costs US$50 at the airport upon arrival

Ø     MTN, Celtel, Mango, Warid and Safaricom are the major mobile phone companies.