How the East Africa Tourist Visa is going to boost tourism in East Africa. just for $100

For any tourist that has visited the East Africa region, you well know that you require a visa to guarantee your entry into each East African country. This means that if you plan on visiting Uganda and Rwanda, you ought to get visas for those two countries. This is somehow inconveniencing for those who want a fast service delivery. The solution to that is the East Africa Tourist Visa. The East Africa tourist Visa is a multiple entry visa that shall allow you to travel to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. This simply means if you get this visa, you are free to travel to any of those countries without applying for their specific country visa. This visa was agreed upon by the heads of states of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya as a way of promoting tourism within the region.

How to apply.

The application for this visa shall be carried out at any diplomatic representation of the republic of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. This shall fully depend on where you are going to start your journey. Let’s say if you want to visit Rwanda first, all you do is to go to the Rwandan diplomatic offices and apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa. For those that shall consider Uganda and Kenya as your first destination, you need to apply at their immigration offices respectively. The visa is valid for 90 days. This means the holder can enter multiple times through the Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda as long as it is still valid however the holder first entry point should be the country where he applied for the visa.

Work shall not be permitted and the East Africa Tourist Visa shall not be extended. The application fee for the visa shall be 100 dollars.

Application Requirements.

 One clear colored passport size photo with a white background, and it should be recently taken.

A complete filled application form and a Visa application letter addressed to the issuing authority of the concerned country.

East African residents of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya don’t need to apply for the visa. All they require is a valid national ID or student ID to enjoy their travel across all the three countries.

How is this going to impact tourism in East Africa?

My major concern was how this was going to impact tourism in East Africa so I sat down with a tourism expert Mr. Ronnie Mawejje -consultant of gorilla tour booking safaris,www.gorillatourbooking.com and this is what he told me.

He gave me scenarios of their clients who are interested in gorilla trekking: they often want to trek gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda in the same itinerary. Always they are required to pay visas for Uganda and Rwanda. This is somehow disturbing for them because they often have to go through almost the same process twice. Now with the East Africa tourist visa, this problem is going to be solved. However what shall remain is that these types of tourists shall still be required to pay for gorilla permits of both countries. Tour operators like gorilla tour booking safaris hope that this shall create a tourism virus among the East African residents something that all tour operators want to see.

Popular expensive residential towns in Uganda.

These are the most popular expensive towns in Uganda where every Ugandan dreams of living. While compiling this list I took into factors like cost per square meter, security around town, frequency of electricity shortages, and road network.

1. Kololo.

Every Ugandan dream of living in Kololo, the town is located just few meters from the central business district of Uganda. This town is thought of as the most expensive and luxurious place to stay in Uganda. It is home to highly influential figures in Uganda from Businessmen to Politian. The security around the town is good-almost every home has private security. One remarkable factor that people love is their road network-all roads are tarmacked, however living in this town is not cheap. A 100 by 100 feet piece of land costs an average of 1m dollars implying that one square meter costs around 1076 dollars.

2. Naguru

Naguru and Kololo are neighboring towns. No wonder they almost fall into the same category. Security is good, nice road networks and a good view of major hills around Kampala.

3. Munyonyo

People love Munyonyo, and one of the factors that has attributed to this is its location. It’s located at the shores of Lake Victoria, and it’s still not very far from the city Centre. People love water. The security in this place is okay. One of the remarkable hotels in this town is the Speke resort Munyonyo, the hotel that hosted several delegates of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting when it was held in Uganda in 2007.

4. Muyenga.

This residential city is favored by many Ugandans partly because of its history. Muyenga has always been known as a place to be. It is home to several expatriates living and working around Kampala. Security around the town is good.

5. Bugolobi.

If you have been to Bugolobi, you definitely guess why this is a dream home town for many Ugandans. The popular figures in the town are the Bugolobi Flats; these are more than 30 with each having 32 apartments. They have a spacious parking just in front of each building. They were built more than 30 years ago but they are still attractive today.

6. Buziga.

If you are looking for a calm town with a high sense of security, you definitely think of Buziga. For those who love a good view of the Lake Victoria without being at the shores, Buziga is a place to be.

7. Ntinda

Ntinda has many residential homes and a sense of class. I asked someone why he would consider living in Ntinda and he told me Ntinda has always been known as a good residential town. Its history still resonates today. The price of land in this place is average that many average Ugandans find them affordable.

8. Entebbe.

Entebbe is home to Uganda’s International airport and the state house. Many of those who love to travel find Entebbe convenient and the best place to live. There is a high sense of security perhaps due to the presence of the state house. Many expatriates love this town especially those working with the UN.

For sure that is my dream list.

By Micheal Nsobya-CTO gorilla tour booking safaris, www.gorillatourbooking.com.