Uganda Travel Health and Vaccinations
Mandatory Yellow Fever, year-round malaria, and gorilla-trek-specific advice.
Yellow Fever, malaria tablets, gorilla trekking advice and current outbreak surveillance
Uganda is the East African destination for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, Kibale — alongside the more traditional safari areas of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. UK visitor numbers have grown markedly with the rise of primate tourism. The travel-health profile is involved: Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry, malaria is year-round across the country, and outbreak surveillance (Ebola, Marburg, occasionally Crimean-Congo) is a live consideration we check at each appointment.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run pre-Uganda appointments year-round. A typical appointment is 30 minutes and covers the Yellow Fever certificate, vaccine bundle, malaria prescription, and gorilla-trek-specific advice if relevant. Walk out with everything you need.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For Uganda trips you'll typically need: Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory for entry), Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays or healthcare exposure, Rabies for rural travel and gorilla trekkers, Meningitis ACWY for dry-season northern travel, and malaria tablets for the entire country.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
Uganda requires Yellow Fever — checked at Entebbe
Uganda is one of the East African countries that mandates a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for entry, regardless of arrival country. The certificate is checked at Entebbe International Airport. Single injection, certificate valid for life under WHO's 2016 update. We're a NaTHNaC-designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre and issue the certificate the same appointment.
Malaria is year-round across the country
Uganda has year-round malaria risk across virtually the entire country including Kampala and most safari and trekking areas. Malaria tablets are recommended for essentially all travellers — typically Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) for short trips or doxycycline for longer stays. We prescribe and dispense the tablets at your appointment.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — specific considerations
If you're trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga or Kibale, several Uganda-specific health considerations apply. First, you'll be in remote forests with significant delays to advanced medical care if anything happens — so Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is strongly recommended (three doses over 21–28 days). Second, gorilla and chimp permits require negative recent symptoms — a basic respiratory illness can prevent you from trekking on the day (the rangers will turn you back to protect the apes from human pathogens). Third, the altitude in Bwindi is up to 2,400m which is enough to cause mild altitude effects in some travellers. We discuss all of this at your appointment.
The standard pre-travel jab bundle
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays. Meningitis ACWY recommended for dry-season northern travel.
Outbreak surveillance — the moving picture
Uganda has had recurrent outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fevers including Ebola (most recently 2022, Sudan ebolavirus strain) and Marburg. Outbreaks are typically geographically contained and well-publicised. We check the current WHO and UK Health Security Agency outbreak status at each appointment and update advice accordingly — including any travel restrictions, screening at borders, or specific area avoidance recommendations. This isn't background fear-mongering; it's a practical conversation about current real-time risk.
Practical safety beyond vaccines
FCDO travel advice highlights specific area considerations including the Karamoja sub-region in the north-east and parts of the border areas. We discuss this alongside the medical considerations.
Booking your Uganda appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. If you're planning gorilla trekking, book at least 6 weeks before travel so we can complete a 3-dose Rabies course if appropriate. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory), malaria tablets, gorilla trek-specific advice.
Pre-Uganda review
Itinerary mapping including primate trekking, safari, and rural stays. We also check current outbreak status (Ebola, Marburg).
Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory)
Required at Uganda border. Single injection, certificate valid for life. Issued same appointment.
Hep A + Typhoid + Td/IPV
Standard East Africa triple. One visit.
Malaria tablets dispensed
Malarone or doxycycline — prescribed and dispensed at the appointment. Year-round malaria across Uganda.
Rabies pre-exposure for trekkers
Three-dose Rabies course strongly recommended for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking due to medical access delays in Bwindi/Kibale.
30-minute appointment
Vaccines, certificates and trek-specific advice in one visit.
30-minute appointment for Uganda pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Uganda-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us if it's a primate trekking trip, safari, or both — and from which UK airport.
Pre-Uganda visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Yellow Fever and pre-travel vaccines given. Malaria tablets prescribed and dispensed. Trek-specific advice if applicable.
Certificate and travel summary
Walk out with your International Certificate of Vaccination, personalised written summary, and current outbreak situation report.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common Uganda travel vaccine questions
Is Yellow Fever mandatory for Uganda?
Yes. Uganda requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for all travellers aged 1 year and over, regardless of arrival country. Checked at Entebbe International Airport. Must be at least 10 days old at arrival. We issue the certificate the same appointment.
Do I need malaria tablets?
For almost all Uganda travel, yes. Malaria is year-round across the country including Kampala and the major safari and trekking areas. We prescribe and dispense Malarone or doxycycline at your appointment.
What's special about gorilla trekking?
Three things. First, remote location with delayed medical access — Rabies pre-exposure is recommended (3 doses over 21–28 days). Second, you'll be turned back if you have respiratory symptoms on the day (to protect the apes from human pathogens). Third, modest altitude (up to 2,400m) which can cause mild symptoms. Book 6+ weeks before travel for the Rabies course.
What about Ebola or Marburg?
Uganda has had recurrent outbreaks. We check current WHO and UK Health Security Agency outbreak status at each appointment and update advice accordingly. As of your appointment date we'll give you the current picture.
What other vaccines do I need?
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, an up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, Rabies for rural travel especially gorilla trekking. Meningitis ACWY for dry-season northern travel.
How early should I book?
Ideally 6 weeks before travel, especially if you need the 3-dose Rabies course for trekking. Yellow Fever certificate must be at least 10 days old at arrival — minimum 2 weeks ahead.
Can children get the vaccines?
Yes. Yellow Fever is licensed from 9 months (mandatory from age 1 for Uganda entry), Hep A from age 1, Typhoid from age 2. Family bookings welcome.
Where do I get my Uganda vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. NaTHNaC-designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
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Book your Yellow Fever certificate and pre-travel vaccines.
Same-day Yellow Fever certificate. Outbreak surveillance check at the appointment.
- TravelHealthPro — Uganda travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Uganda (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Yellow Fever and Rabies chapters (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). Outbreak surveillance and Yellow Fever requirements update — we check current TravelHealthPro, WHO and UKHSA guidance at each appointment.
