Evan & Ashemeza
Accommodations
Where to Stay
Luxury:
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Speke Resort Munyonyo (Location of the wedding)
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The hotel has offered our wedding guests an exclusive offer. You are offered a discounted rate of USD 83.00 per person per room & USD 102 per double occupancy. This includes breakfast. These rates are only applied to two nights. Payment is possible at check-in. Early payment is possible, but non-refundable.
Any extra nights shall be at 10% discount on rack rates or weekend special rates depending on the check-in dates.
The booking code is: SRM-EVAN&RITAWED2023
Make accommodation bookings by email:
reservations@spekeresort.com.
Contact: +256 752 711 714 / +256 752 711 843 / +256 752 711 049 (If you wish to call the hotel or any number in Uganda, you can load $5 into Skype and call through the app.)
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Pearl of Africa Hotel
Mid-range:
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Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe
Budget:
Alternative options:
Transportation
How to Get There
Flying:
We recommend flying with KLM, as it is one of the best-connected airlines to Uganda. It flies through Amsterdam. You can also consider Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, among others. Note: several flights to Uganda have a short stop in Kigali, Rwanda on the way to Entebbe, Uganda. In this case, you stay on the plane as it drops some people off; you don't have to worry about frantically changing planes during the short layover. Confirm with your airline.
We recommend arriving at least the day before the wedding (December 30th) to allow yourself enough time to get to the venue. Kampala traffic can be unpredictable. That is why we also encourage you to find accommodation near the venue.
Driving:
We will provide you with a list of contacts of trusted drivers who can pick you up from the airport. For the wedding, we will also provide some drivers to shuttle guests to their accommodation after the event ends. Otherwise, Uber is available in Kampala.
We will have exclusive offers for safaris & tour vehicles for our guests. We will send out updates by email.
There are also local car rental companies with cars for hire. We will compile a list of trusted lenders. Note: in Uganda, a car is given to you with an empty tank (barely enough to get you to a gas station). You will not be reimbursed for fuel you leave in the car after returning the vehicle. Note: Uganda drives on the left side of the road.
If you are comfortable taking the most common form of transportation around Kampala — motorcycle taxis, called “boda bodas” — then we recommend downloading and using the app SafeBoda. You can request rides by vetted drivers, similar to Uber. The drivers may be able to provide you with a helmet, but we recommend bringing your own if you are able to.
The Event:
The ceremony: 4:30 PM (tentative)
The reception: 5:30 PM (tentative)
The event will end at 1:00 AM
The wedding ceremony and reception will both take place at the Commonwealth Poolside at Speke Resort & Conference Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda.
There is ample, free parking inside.
Safaris & Excursions
What to Do
There are so many exciting things to do in Uganda. Here are some ideas.
Safaris:
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Murchison Falls National Park
Visit Uganda's largest and oldest conservation area, home to the powerful Murchison Falls and a vast array of wildlife, including giraffes and Nile crocodiles.
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Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Witness the diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and buffaloes, in this spectacular park known
for its incredible game drives and boat safaris.
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Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
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Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park
Explore the dense rainforests while observing chimpanzees and other primates as they swing through the trees.
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Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Contribute to rhino conservation efforts by tracking and observing the majestic white rhinoceros at this dedicated sanctuary.
Physical activities:
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Rafting and Kayaking on the Nile River in Jinja
Embark on an adrenaline-pumping adventure while navigating the rapids of the world's longest river.
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ATV Quad Biking in Jinja
Experience the thrill of off-road adventure on ATV quad bikes as you explore the diverse terrain and stunning landscapes around Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda.
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Bungee Jumping over the Nile River
Take a leap of faith and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush as you bungee jump over the magnificent Nile River in Jinja, with a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.
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Hike Mount Rwenzori
Challenge yourself with a multi-day trek through the snow-capped mountain range in Western Uganda.
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Sipi Falls Hiking and Exploration
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Sipi Falls, a series of three stunning waterfalls located in Eastern Uganda. Enjoy scenic hikes, abseiling, and cultural encounters with the local communities in the area.
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Lake Bunyonyi Exploration
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's deepest and most picturesque lakes. Explore its 29 islands by boat or canoe, engage in bird watching, or participate in cultural tours to learn about the local Batwa and Bakiga communities.
Relaxation:
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Ssese Islands Exploration
Relax and unwind on the pristine beaches of these picturesque islands located in Lake Victoria, offering a serene escape from the mainland.
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Wildwaters Lodge in Jinja
Experience luxury and adventure in harmony at Wildwaters Lodge, nestled on a private island in the heart of the Nile River. Relax in the pool and take in the breathtaking views of the river and surrounding forest.
Culture & volunteer:
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Cultural Tours and Community Visits
Immerse yourself in the rich Ugandan culture by visiting local communities and learning about their traditions and way of life.
Medical
Travel requirements
Consult the CDC for the most up-to-date and detailed information and recommendations. Click here to see.
Vaccines:
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The Yellow Fever vaccine is required. It is good for life. You will receive a yellow booklet when you get the vaccine. You will need this booklet to enter the country upon arrival.
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Vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid are also commonly recommended, but not required.
Medicine:
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It's strongly recommended that you get a prescription of preventative medication for malaria. Malaria is no fun, especially if your body has never had it before. You will likely start the prescription a few days before departure until a few days after you return.
Tips:
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Only drink bottled water/drinks
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Avoid uncooked vegetables/salads, otherwise the bathroom might be calling your name
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Pack some mosquito repellent
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Pack sunscreen; the sun at the equator is very strong.
Visas:
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You must apply for a tourist visa. It's $50 and completed online. You should apply at least four weeks before travel, if not earlier. One used to be able to pay for it on arrival, and sometimes you still can, but the government has officially transitioned to the online application.
Safety
How to stay safe.
If you've never traveled to East Africa, you might have safety concerns because of the picture the news paints.
But hakuna matata! There's no need to worry.
The main thing to be cognizant of is petty crime. Therefore:
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Keep a good grip on your phone when in public
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Keep your valuables with you all the time: phone, wallet, passport
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Don't wander the streets alone at night
Swindlers, scams, bribes:
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At the airport: friendly people may come up to you and start offering to carry your bags to your vehicle. They may even start. Just be kind and firmly tell them you don't need help. Otherwise, when they finish the job they will expect money.
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In the city: sometimes people will stop tourists and tell them they have to pay for something (like accessing a bathroom). Just respectfully ignore it. This won't happen in your hotel, but rather in more public places.
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In the market: be prepared to get a high price from vendors, especially in places frequented by tourists. Time to use your negotiation skills. It's best to have a trusted local come with you to help you get good prices. However, prices in more established places such as restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, etc. have fixed prices.
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While driving: it's not uncommon for the police to stop your vehicle if they see that you are a foreigner (mzungu). Be prepared to pay 5,000-20,000 UGX (soda money) to continue on your way.
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In any case where you feel you are being scammed, just be respectful. When in doubt, ask a trusted local for guidance.
Culture
What to Expect
East Africa is one of the friendliest places you will visit on Earth. You will feel a warm welcome.
Here are some tips to navigate your experience and reciprocate respect.
Ugandan etiquette:
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It's respectful to not give a lot of eye contact in Uganda. So if someone is looking away, don't feel like they are ignoring you.
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Ugandans sometimes speak English very quietly, so keep an open ear.
Your etiquette:
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Spend time to greet someone first before asking them a question.
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Wear clean shoes. Yes, there's a lot more dirt/dust around than in Boston, but Ugandans value cleanliness.
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Clothing for women/girls: you might make locals upset if you wear anything too high above the knee. In the capital city, they may be more accustomed to tourists' clothing though.
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Don't take pictures/videos of random kids or people
Communication/Language:
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Ugandans will often communicate "Yes" with a quick raise of the eyebrows.
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Really enunciate your letters and syllables. Otherwise, you may not be understood.
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Sure? = Really?
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Mzungu (MUH-ZOON-GU) = foreigner or white person
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Weebale (WAY-BAH-LAY) = Thank you
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Neyanziza (NAY-YAHN-ZEE-ZAH) = I appreciate it
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Tweyanziza (TWAY-YAHN-ZEE-ZAH) = We appreciate it
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Nyo (NEE-YO) = so much
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Kale (KAH-LAY) = Ok/alright
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Ssebo (SAY-BOW) = Sir
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Nyabo (KNEE-YAH-BOW) = Madam
