Logistics

May 19-21, 2009
Imperial Resort Beach Hotel – Entebbe, Uganda
Contact: Christina Lakatos, c.lakatos@cgiar.org

Conference venue and directions
Imperial Resort Beach Hotel
+256 (0)414 303000
http://www.imperialhotels.co.ug/impresortbeach_overview.htm

The hotel is located on 27 acres of landscaped gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria, a 7-minute drive from Entebbe International Airport and a 45-minute drive from Kampala.

Flight
IFPRI will cover the most direct economy-fare ticket available for  sponsored participants and will verify the itinerary with the participant before purchasing. We are asking participants to arrive on Monday, May 18 and to depart the evening of Thursday, May 21. However, if flight schedules do not allow for these arrival and departure times, exceptions can be made. All participants should inform Ms. Lakatos of their desired flight itinerary by March 15.

Rooms
Hotel rooms will be reserved for all participants who have confirmed their participation to Christina Lakatos. We are asking participants to arrive on Monday, May 18 and to depart the evening of Thursday, May 21 (check-in and check-out times are both 10:00am). For non-sponsored participants, rooms are available at a discounted rate of US$120/night. Suitcases can be left in a secure luggage storage room on the third day of the conference, May 21. All participants should inform Ms. Lakatos of their flight itinerary by March 15.

Visa
For participants requiring a visa, U.S. citizens can purchase Ugandan visas at Entebbe International Airport for US$50.00 (as of February 2009). However, to avoid complications, it is wiser to obtain the visa in advance. Participants sponsored by IFPRI should submit their receipts at the end of the conference. Information is available through the Embassy of Uganda (US):

5911 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
+1 (202) 726-7100
http://www.ugandaembassy.com
info@ugandaembassyus.org

Transportation
A hotel shuttle will provide service between Entebbe International Airport and the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel. To ensure a shuttle is available upon your arrival, please send your itinerary by March 15. For participants who do not provide their itinerary, the shuttle cost is US$10 roundtrip.

Hotel facilities
The hotel is situated on Lake Victoria, with one kilometer of private beach area. The hotel has wireless internet (additional cost), swimming pool, and a health club. The rooms have satellite television, an electronic safe, a minibar (stocked at guest’s request), and air conditioning. The price of all rooms includes breakfast. Typical minibar costs include US$2 for beer, $1.20 for soda or water. For more information about the hotel, visit its website: http://www.imperialhotels.co.ug/impresortbeach_overview.htm

The conference room is located on the third floor of the hotel and is accessible by elevator.

Meals
During the period of the conference, all conference participants will receive: breakfast provided by the hotel, lunch provided by the conference May 19-21, and dinner provided ONLY on May 19. Tea and coffee breaks will also be provided during the conference, with water available throughout the day. Several additional dining options are available at the hotel.

Kindly inform us in advance if you have specific dietary requirements. All participants are invited for the reception on the night of May 19. Please consult the conference agenda for information on the timing of meals and conference reception.

Expenses
Participants sponsored by the conference will also have their hotel and flight costs covered, with a daily per diem. Any additional charges, such as drinks ordered at dinner or at the bar, as well as telephone, mini-bar, and internet bills, are the responsibility of the participant. * It is important that all sponsored participants provide Christina Lakatos with a travel claim and all bills and receipts before departing Entebbe.

For participants who cover their own accommodation and meals, the cost of the room is US$120/night, and an average dinner is approximately US$19.

Currency
As of December 2008:
US$1 equals about 1950 Ugandan Shillings
1 Euro equals 2800 Ugandan Shillings