Kidepo Valley National Park is in a remote area of the Karamoja region in North Eastern Uganda. Exchanging money near Kidepo is possible but only at a few places.
Nearby towns like Moroto have banks where you can exchange money. Stanbic Bank and Absa Bank in Moroto offer forex services. Absa Bank is considered one of the best banks in Karamoja. Centenary Bank in Moroto can also help. Moroto is about six hours away from Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kaabong is the closest town to the park, about three hours away. It has banks like Stanbic and Centenary Bank where you can exchange money.
Some lodges, such as Apoka Safari Lodge and Kidepo Savannah Lodge, may offer money exchange services, but their rates are usually higher than the normal rates.
Mobile money services like MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money are widely used in Uganda. You can use these services, but mobile money agents usually charge a small fee for their help.
You can also receive money from a forex trader in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Some lodges accept mobile money as a payment option too.
To avoid risks from limited banking options near Kidepo, it is better to exchange money in Kampala. The city has many options, and the exchange rates are lower than those near Kidepo due to more competition.
ATMs in Kampala accept Visa and Mastercard, which is not common in Kidepo. Banks with good networks like Stanbic, Centenary, and Absa are available in Kampala and Entebbe.
Entebbe also has shopping malls where you can exchange currency easily.
When exchanging money, ask for small notes. This helps with buying souvenirs, giving tips, and having small cash for daily expenses.
You can exchange money near Kidepo at lodges that accept it, mobile money agents, banks in nearby towns, or in Kampala and Entebbe. You can also exchange money before you travel to avoid any problems.
