Uganda has officially clarified its yellow fever entry requirements, simplifying travel documentation for international visitors. Here is what the announcement means for your next Uganda safari.
Updated: 2 October 2026
There is welcome news for travelers planning to discover Uganda’s mountain gorillas, remarkable wildlife and extraordinary landscapes.
Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC), has officially clarified that travelers are no longer required to present a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate as a mandatory condition for entry into Uganda.
The clarification, communicated to the Uganda Tourism Board in a letter dated 27 August 2026, follows an earlier request by the tourism authority for guidance on the country’s entry requirements.
The National Citizenship and Immigration Control subsequently published the official announcement on its website on 2 October 2026.
For travelers and international travel advisors planning Uganda safaris, this removes an entry-document requirement that has long featured in pre-departure checklists.
There is, however, an important distinction between the new immigration clarification and the medical recommendations for yellow fever vaccination.
What Has Changed in Uganda’s Entry Requirements?
The official communication confirms that a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is no longer mandatory for travelers entering Uganda.
The Ministry further clarifies that the certificate is not listed among the requirements on either the official Uganda e-visa application portal or the National Citizenship and Immigration Control website.
In practical terms, the clarification means that visitors do not need to produce a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate as a condition of entry into Uganda under the newly confirmed immigration requirements.
This update concerns the yellow fever certificate specifically. Other immigration requirements, including applicable visas and valid travel documents, remain separate considerations.
Travelers can read the announcement directly on the Uganda Immigration website.
Does This Mean Yellow Fever Vaccination Is No Longer Recommended?
No. This is an important distinction.
International health authorities, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continue to recommend yellow fever vaccination for most eligible travelers visiting Uganda.
The vaccination is generally recommended for travelers aged nine months and above, subject to individual medical suitability. Some travelers, particularly those with certain medical conditions or other contraindications, require a more individualised assessment.
For this reason, Nandi Adventures continues to recommend that guests consult a qualified travel-health professional well before departure.
Removing a documentary entry requirement does not remove the underlying health considerations associated with the destination.
What If Your Safari Combines Uganda With Other East African Countries?
This is especially important for travelers booking multi-country journeys.
While Uganda has removed its own mandatory certificate requirement, other East African destinations maintain separate yellow fever entry regulations.
For example, travelers continuing from Uganda into Rwanda or Tanzania may still be required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination, as both countries have requirements relating to arrivals from yellow fever risk countries.
This can affect popular safari combinations such as Uganda and Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, or a journey connecting gorilla trekking in Bwindi with the Serengeti and Zanzibar.
The distinction is straightforward: not needing a certificate to enter Uganda does not necessarily mean you will not need one later in your journey.
Requirements should therefore be reviewed against the complete travel itinerary, including international connections and onward destinations.
If you already have a valid yellow fever certificate, we recommend retaining it with your travel documents when travelling between countries.
What About Travelers Who Have Already Been Vaccinated?
If you have already received the yellow fever vaccine and hold an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly known as the Yellow Card, there is no need to discard the document.
Under World Health Organization International Health Regulations, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate remains valid for life, beginning ten days after an initial vaccination.
The certificate may still be relevant for subsequent international travel or for entry into other countries with different requirements.
Guests who have previously received vaccination should continue to follow their healthcare professional’s advice.
What Should You Do Before Your Uganda Safari?
Although this announcement simplifies entry documentation, preparing properly for an East African safari remains important.
We recommend arranging a consultation with your doctor or travel-health clinic ideally four to eight weeks before departure, particularly if your safari includes several countries.
Your healthcare professional can review routine and destination-specific vaccination recommendations, discuss malaria prevention and advise on any medical considerations relevant to your itinerary.
Because the immigration clarification is recent, some international travel-advisory databases and airline information systems may take time to reflect the new requirement. We encourage travelers to consult the official Uganda Immigration announcement and reconfirm documentation with their airline before departure.
At Nandi Adventures, we help our guests understand the practical requirements of their journey and provide destination information relevant to their planned route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a yellow fever certificate still mandatory for Uganda?
No. In its official clarification dated 27 August 2026, subsequently published on 2 October 2026, Uganda’s National Citizenship and Immigration Control confirmed that a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is no longer a mandatory entry requirement.
Is yellow fever vaccination still recommended for a Uganda safari?
Yes. Although proof of vaccination is no longer mandatory for entry, international health authorities continue to recommend yellow fever vaccination for most eligible travelers visiting Uganda. Consult your travel-health professional for individual advice.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to visit Rwanda after Uganda?
Rwanda maintains separate requirements for travelers arriving from yellow-fever-endemic countries, including Uganda. If your journey combines both destinations, check the current Rwandan entry requirements before departure.
Can I travel from Uganda to Tanzania without a yellow fever certificate?
Tanzania also maintains entry requirements relating to arrival from countries with yellow fever transmission risk, including Uganda. Travelers combining Uganda with Tanzania or Zanzibar should check the requirements for their specific routing.
Where can I find the official Uganda announcement?
The clarification is available directly on the National Citizenship and Immigration Control website: https://immigration.go.ug/node/254
Plan Your Uganda Safari With Confidence
From the mist-covered forests of Bwindi and Kibale to the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda offers some of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife experiences.
At Nandi Adventures, we believe thoughtful planning is part of exceptional travel. Beyond selecting the right lodges, experiences and guides, we help our guests prepare for the practical details that make a journey feel seamless.
Whether you are planning a private gorilla trekking safari, an extended Uganda wildlife journey or a multi-country East African adventure, our locally based team is here to guide you from the first conversation to your arrival.
Let us plan your next African journey.
Start Planning Your Private Uganda Safari
By People. For You. With Locals.
Travel advisory: Information current as of 2 October 2026. Entry requirements may change. Guests should verify current regulations with the relevant immigration authorities and airlines. Medical recommendations should be discussed with a qualified travel-health professional.
Official reference: Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Citizenship and Immigration Control — Official Notice: Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is No Longer Mandatory for Entry into Uganda, published 2 October 2026. https://immigration.go.ug/node/254
