WHAT YOU NEED KNOW .

• Local currency is the Uganda Shilling (Ush). The exchange rate of USD:Ush is approximately 1:2,200.
  
• You can change money at the Barclays and Stanbic  Banks in Lugazi  Town, bring your passport
• The Rain forest lodge   and Little Kingston are good Hideaway for a weekend all in Najjembe trading centre, but the former is very expensive.
• The Adrift and Nile River Explorers (NRE) camps are great weekend getaways in Jinja
• If you are a foreigner, you are a “mzungu”
• Children are considered orphans if they have lost one or both parents
• Mass transit is a white mini-van called a “taxi”. A private car for hire is called a “special hire”
• The forest department camp at Najjembe and the community eco tourism centre at wasswa are good for forest hikes, cycling and picnic.
• There is no day light savings. In summer the time zone is GMT+2. In winter it is GMT+3
• The capital city is Kampala 54 kilometres, Jinja the former industrial town is nearer 26 kilometres from Najjembe centre.
• Local beer costs less than $1 and comes in half litre bottles
• Don’t drink the water     
• An hour of internet costs less than $1 (1,800 shillings) and is a bit slow.
• Anopheles (malaria carrying) mosquitoes are active from midnight to 5am & they don’t make a sound
• The 2 major English language newspapers are “The New Vision” and “The Daily Monitor”
• The most common ailment suffered by volunteers is dehydration, bring electrolytes or oral rehydration salts
• Try the roast  chicken pinned on sticks  at the najjmbe road side market
• A permit to see the gorillas is $ 500. See  eco specialists tours Uganda limited a partner with forest volunteers Uganda. Wildlife Authority for details
• Never say “hi”, always say “how are you”
• There’s a gym, pool, shower, and good food at the rain  forest lodge in Mabira, Najjembe trading centre.
• Lunch time is 1pm or later. Supper might be served after 8pm
• If you have to pee, it’s called “making a short call”
• Don’t bring basic school supplies, buy them here – they’re cheap, appropriate and support our economy
• Constantly collect small bills and coins for village purchases
• Potatoes are called “irish”
• Go with Adrift if you want to go white water rafting and bungee jumping, they give you a deal on price
• Don’t swim in the lake, you’ll get bilharzia
• If you’re in the mood for a dance or some karaoke, try patron  hotel in lugazi and green view   Satellite Beach in Mukono