Uganda tourism news updates

Uganda tourism news updates.

The world’s mountain gorilla population just got a boost with the addition of a new member to the Nkuringo gorilla family in the park’s southern region. The baby gorillas were born last week. This comes after a rough year for the gorillas in Uganda, when the country lost two silverbacks from the Kyaguriro family in the park’s eastern section and one from the Kahungye family in the park’s southern section, also known as Rushaga. Last Thursday, the news was announced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body responsible for all of Uganda’s national parks. The authority credited the improvement in conservation measures for this.

A new path of martyrs has been begun. A new design was unveiled last week by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Safari Guides Association. Visitors visiting Uganda will be able to experience the Martyrs’ Trail on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day. The mayor of Entebbe town, who was the guest of honour, welcomed the attendees and led them on a tour of historic places, beginning with the Kigungu Landing site, where the first missionaries arrived. As a memorial to the Christian converts who were beheaded by King Mwanga, Uganda Martyr’s Day draws millions of visitors from across the world.

The cheap gorilla permit first phase is drawing to a close. Since 2013, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has been providing discounted gorilla permits. In 2015, the steep discount really took off, drawing a large number of tourists to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in April and May for the opportunity to trek mountain gorillas.

The price for non-resident foreigners was USD350.00, while foreign residents paid USD300.00, and East Africans paid USD100. There is still availability for permits in May and November, so you may still come and have an unforgettable encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas if you haven’t already.

At Queen Elizabeth National Park, safari guides are being trained by the Uganda Safari Guides Association, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. All participants will be equipped with fundamental guiding skills for better guiding in Uganda throughout this course, which began on May 1st and will finish on May 20th, 2015. Uganda has to teach all of its employees who interact with visitors, especially tour guides, if it wants to compete with neighboring nations like Tanzania and Kenya. Trainings like this are a great chance for those interested in working in the tourism business, since the Uganda Tourism Board intends to license all tour guides in the country.

Buhoma Community Rest Banda’s introduced its posh wing as an alternative to its more affordable half. Buhoma, in the northern section of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is home to one of the park’s oldest campgrounds. With the addition of a new wing, the Buhoma village can accommodate travelers with more moderate budgets, in addition to its already reasonable banda and tent accommodations.

Kyaguriro silverback dead.

The tragic loss of Kyaguriro gorilla Rukina in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was revealed yesterday by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. After conducting a post-mortem, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority notified the public that lightning and thunder are thought to have been the causes of death. Because of this, it may be concluded that the mountain gorilla population has declined when the recent births are disregarded.

Until the Uganda Wildlife Authority decided to open the Kyaguriro gorilla family, which is located in the Ruhija region of Eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for gorilla trekking early this year, it was only one of three gorilla families available for trekking; the others are Bitukura and Oruzogo.

If you’re interested in following the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you may do so every day with one of twenty-four gorilla permits offered by this area. Customers interested in seeing Ruhija gorillas may choose between lodging in the Buhoma area in the north or in Kabale town, so they can easily reach all three regions.

Three great silverbacks have died off in Uganda in the last year. One of them was Ruhondeza, the head silverback of the Mubare gorilla group and the first family to become accustomed to tracking in 1993. After that, the head of the Rushegura gorilla family in the Buhoma area, north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mwirima silverback, passed away. Rushegura has not encountered any silverbacks so far.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System was introduced after criminals ambushed staff members to take park fees. Authority collectors mismanaged many monies. Wildlife conservation demands funding, hence cashless cards were introduced to eliminate this tendency. Tourists turned to cashless cards to reduce their cash and increase safety. Many Uganda safari clients with cash were threatened by criminals who stole it on the route to the parks. Uganda Wildlife Authority wants to eliminate permission and receipt paper to ensure a carbon-free environment. Reusable cards are slowly saving paper trees. As a sample survey, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced cashless gorilla trekking cards in 2013. Uganda Wildlife Authority Cashless Card History Several Uganda Wildlife Uganda Wildlife Authority replaced cash and receipt methods with cashless/smart card systems to collect National Park admission fees. The card system began at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with all gorilla permits. This was working well, and people and tour operators seemed to have accepted it. Following the success of gorilla permits on cards, Uganda Wildlife implemented a card and cashless system in Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls National Parks, requiring visitors to present receipts and pay at the gate. This was excellent since it would limit tour guides' cash, which thieves sometimes steal. No one can take the money on these cards since they require a code or password. Machines to identify money on these cards were installed at Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala, Katunguru Queen Elizabeth Park Headquarters, and Queens Pavilion in Kikorongo for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Nshara gate for Lake Mburo National Park, Buhoma for Bwindi, Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Fortportal for Kibale. Challenges of Cashless System Most local travel businesses opposed this cashless approach from the start,

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System was introduced after criminals ambushed staff members to take park fees. Authority collectors mismanaged many monies. Wildlife conservation demands funding, hence cashless cards were introduced to eliminate this tendency.

Tourists turned to cashless cards to reduce their cash and increase safety. Many Uganda safari clients with cash were threatened by criminals who stole it on the route to the parks.

Uganda Wildlife Authority wants to eliminate permission and receipt paper to ensure a carbon-free environment. Reusable cards are slowly saving paper trees. As a sample survey, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced cashless gorilla trekking cards in 2013.

Uganda Wildlife Authority Cashless Card History
Several Uganda Wildlife

Uganda Wildlife Authority replaced cash and receipt methods with cashless/smart card systems to collect National Park admission fees. The card system began at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with all gorilla permits. This was working well, and people and tour operators seemed to have accepted it.

Following the success of gorilla permits on cards, Uganda Wildlife implemented a card and cashless system in Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls National Parks, requiring visitors to present receipts and pay at the gate.

This was excellent since it would limit tour guides’ cash, which thieves sometimes steal. No one can take the money on these cards since they require a code or password.

Machines to identify money on these cards were installed at Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala, Katunguru Queen Elizabeth Park Headquarters, and Queens Pavilion in Kikorongo for Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Nshara gate for Lake Mburo National Park, Buhoma for Bwindi, Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Fortportal for Kibale.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Rushaga region. — Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Challenges of Cashless System

Most local travel businesses opposed this cashless approach from the start, stating it failed in Kenya. A cashless system and online gorilla permits were proposed. Local tour operators did not like this because it would expose them to foreign competition.

This exacerbated the Uganda Wildlife Authority-Local Tour Operator animosity. UWA launched this cashless system without testing it or engaging local tour operators, who bring people to Uganda National Parks.

How to Pay Uganda Wildlife Authority

As the globe becomes digital, even cashless transactions are growing in Africa. Uganda Wildlife Authority accepts credit cards, wire transfers, mobile money, and more for gorilla, chimpanzee, and park fees. Financial service providers want details. Avoiding cash transactions was the goal.

Payments to the Uganda Wildlife Authority

The Kampala Headquarters funds all Uganda Wildlife Authority park activities. The credit card reader swipes your card here. Your gorilla trekking card contains a magnetic strip on the back that is swiped through another machine to read your personal information. The card has a number in case it is misplaced. Take note of this number for safety.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System allows visits to which national parks?
Uganda has 10 national parks, mostly in the west. Ugandan national parks include.

Bwindi Impenetrable Park
The most mountain gorillas in Uganda live here. The park is thought to have survived for 30000 years and hosted over 10 primate species, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and others, 300 tree species, 51 reptiles, 88 months, 310 butterflies, 350 bird species, and more. A refugee forest survived the ice age.

Chances of seeing mountain gorillas - Gorilla trekking safaris and tours. — Chances of seeing mountain gorillas – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours

The main activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is gorilla trekking, but birding, nature walks, and Batwa pygmies visits are also popular.

Kibale National Park
The most habituated chimpanzees in Africa live in this tropical rainforest. About 1500 wild and habituated chimpanzees live in this park. The park is home to L’Hoests’, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, pottos monkeys, and others.

Kibale National Park has several birds, including 6 Albertine endemics. This park’s principal activity is chimpanzee trekking, but birding, nature walks, mountain hikes, and more are available.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park
A stunning view of the rift valley floor and biodiversity make this park famous. The Rwenzori ranges are 60 miles long and 40 miles wide, creating a stunning background.

Queen Elizabeth National Park includes many plant zones that support animals. The parks have swamp vegetation, bushy grassland, forest grassland, acacia woodland, and others.

Game drives in this park’s tracks may reveal lions, leopards, water bucks, warthogs, bushbacks, topis, buffaloes, gigantic forest hogs, hyenas, and mongooses.

The park’s birdlife makes it a top Uganda birding destination. Papyrus gonolek, Chapin’s flycatcher, lesser and larger flamingos, African skimmer, martial eagles, black-rumped buttonquail, and others may be seen.

Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking is rewarding and tests your fitness. Olive baboons, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checkered mangabeys, and others are present.

The Kazinga Channel launch is a highlight of the park. Look over the banks to see animals that come down to drink, birds that prefer feeding from the marshy banks, and Rwenzori rangers.

Lake Mburo National Park
This national park is closest to Kampala. It has impalas, zebras, giraffes, elands, water bucks, bushbucks, warthogs, and Uganda Kobs. Lake Mburo boat rides are the best pack experience. You may see fishermen casting nets to capture fish. Lake Mburo in the park provides fresh breezes and wonderful views.

Murchison Falls National Park
The Nile flows through Murchison Falls National Park, its lifeblood. The world’s strongest falls are Murchison Falls in the park. After 80 kilometers, the Nile hits an embedded rock and squeezes down a tiny gorge to burst out fiercely and create a hazy appearance.

You have a great view of the park during the River Nile launch. Watch out for hippos, gigantic Nile Crocodiles, riverine birds, and wild animals that drink from the shore during the cruise. Boat turbulence changes and a foamy look emerges as the falls appear. The powerful Nile grumbles as it squeezes through the 6-meter-wide gorge to burst abruptly.

The park is home to Oribi, lions, hyenas, water bucks, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, and over 450 bird species. Game drives through different paths may reveal these creatures.

Kaniyo Pabidi chimpanzee hiking is breathtaking. Watch for olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, and more. Many birds inhabit the forest, including Ituri Batis, yellow-footed flycatcher, and white-thighed hornbill.

3 Days Murchison Falls Safari | Uganda Wildlife Tour | Big Five safaris | ziwa rhinos — Uganda wildlife safari | Murchison Falls

Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in Uganda’s far northeast. The Ugandan carnivores visit this park. Cheetahs, spotted hyenas, black-backed and side-striped jackals, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, klipsinger, Burchell Zebras, bushbucks, oribi, Defessa water bucks, and more may be seen.

Rwenzori National Park
The park sits at the foot of the Rwenzori mountains. On mountain slopes, you walk through the forest. Elephants, cape buffaloes, huge forest hogs, bushbucks, chimpanzees, leopards, and 214 bird species—including 19 Albertine endemics—may be seen. Birds like varied plant foods.

Mountain Elgon National Park
This park is a rare eastern Ugandan wildlife reserve. The local water catchment is this. This park is infrequently visited because Kenya’s Kilimanjaro is more popular. Bamboo, montane heath, gigantic heather, and montane forest grow throughout the park. These help some animals survive. Like oribi, Defassa waterbucks, leopards, and spotted hyenas.

This park is home to Jackson’s Francolin, mustache green tinkerbird, black-collared Apalis, and others.

Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park in Uganda is rarely mentioned. An isolated park in Bundibujo district. A biodiverse park with many birds. The underground Sempaya hot springs are magnificent. More than 336 tree species, 53 animals, and others live in this moist semi-deciduous forest.

Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is furthest southwest. A gorilla family named Nyakagezi treks throughout the park. This family roams the woodland and Rwanda. To book gorilla permits for this park, check mountain gorilla availability. This park also offers birding, Batwa Pygmy visits, volcano hikes, and more.

Uganda Packing List Safari

Protect your skin from sunburns with sunscreen.
Repellent for buzzing and stinging insects.
A camera to document your wilderness experience.
Foldable Water bottle for drinking.

Binoculars to see distant attractions better
Since you are in the automobile, wear flip-flops during game drives.
Pajamas for bedtime and energy snacks for hunger.
Rain gear for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in the woods.
Safari clothes, but only the necessary ones because your luggage will weigh extra.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires tracking boots because of the wet and slippery ground.
In case your hotel does not have them, toiletries
Light backpack for trekking with valuables.
First Aid box for field injuries
Contact us and consult our trip advisor for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System information.

Uganda Tourism Board To License Tour Operators and Agents

Uganda Tourism Board To License Tour Operators And Travel Agents.

The Uganda Tourism Board is licensing tour operators and travel agents after years of operating without oversight. Through Uganda Tourism Board Quality Assurance Director Semakula. The agency will license and oversee tour and travel providers to define Ugandan tourism standards. This is meant to eliminate unprofessional who take tourists’ money but provide no services. This was discussed with Ugandan media and tour operators in early 2020.

Uganda Tourism Board had a sensitization meeting at the Uganda Museum in 2014 and resolved to take over licensing tour operators, travel agents, and tour guides from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife in August 2014. The Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Tourism Board stated this at a well-attended meeting at the Uganda Museum on July 11, 2014.

He said the Uganda Tourism Board will license and inspect all tour operators and travel agencies in Uganda under the Tourism Act of 3008 The tourism statute allows the Uganda Tourism Board to charge Tour businesses, Travel Guides, and Tourist Guides 300,000 Uganda Shillings each year to be recognized as real businesses.

He stated this would happen following stakeholder sensitization meetings. This was one method to ensure quality for all travelers, he added. That unlicensed operator cannot operate.

He added that being licensed will give tour operators discounts on international trade fairs, listing and advertising on UTB’s website, and SEO help.

He assured members that the meeting was to bring to their attention an existing law and then decide how to implement it in consultation with major tourist associations like AUTO (The Uganda Association of Tour Operators), TUGATA (The Uganda Association of Travel Agents), USAGA (Uganda Safari Guides Association), and others.

He concluded by asking individuals and companies to join Associations to increase their voice and lobbying strength. He stressed that companies can associate and be licensed even if they are not.

Members supported the idea but asked how to implement it. We await the outcome.

How to Book Uganda Safari

You inquire and our safari adviser responds based on your Uganda safari preferences.

You must know the number of days you want to spend on safari, how many people you are taking if you require gorilla or chimpanzee permits, and when you want to do your Uganda safari.

Our consultant must check availability and respond quickly if you are going gorilla trekking. The status quo of permits may not remain the same. Tour providers cannot hold Uganda gorilla licenses without payment. Cash orders first.

Your details are used to quote by our licensed tours consultant. We offer luxury, modest, and budget Uganda safaris.

We ask all our clients to pay for gorilla trekking permits as soon as possible because they sell out rapidly since few are released daily. Daily public bookings are limited to 8 per gorilla family.

8 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari | mgahinga forest — Gorilla trekking | Chimpazee trekking | wildlife safaris | Big five | Bwindi forest | Kibale Forest | Murchison falls | Queen Elizabeth

The Best Time to Book Uganda Safari

Uganda welcomes tourists year-round, but June–September and December–January are peak seasons. Even inexpensive accommodations are filled in the Uganda National Park during this time.

Uganda Safari activities like gorilla trekking require a permit at least three months in advance due to high demand during peak season. You should buy a gorilla permit early to avoid last-minute worry.

This helps book Uganda safari accommodations, especially for gorilla trekking. Knowing where the gorilla permit is scheduled is important because sleeping and trekking in another region is bothersome. To catch the briefing, you must rise early and drive far.

March to May and November are less popular, but you can still schedule a Uganda safari. The grass is higher, but many babies are born then, giving them plenty to eat and hide from predators.

Lodges and other Uganda safari services offer discounts in low seasons. Low seasons often offer unforeseen private moments. You can trek mountain gorillas alone and have the resort to yourself with full care. What better way to remember your Africa safari?

Are Safaris Safe in Uganda?

Uganda is safe for African safaris. Uganda Tourism Police, park rangers, and other security personnel work together to keep tourists safe.

You must protect yourself on the Uganda safari. Avoid public counting of large amounts. This may require skimmers to take it. Avoid safari theft by not wearing valuable jewelry. Keep your bags close when walking since snatchers and pickpocketers may steal them.

Best Uganda Safari National Park?

Each Uganda national park has its attractions, yet some overlap. Knowing what a Uganda park has and what you want to see helps you choose.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has tree-climbing lions, Murchison Falls National Park has the world’s strongest falls, Kidepo Valley National Park has rare carnivores, Kibale National Park has the most habituated African chimpanzees, Lake Mburo National Park has zebras, Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park have mountain gorillas and others.

Uganda safaris may reveal elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, lions, leopards, elands, topis, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, cheetahs, and more.

What Does Uganda Safari Cost?

Uganda safari packages include gorilla permits ($800 per person for each trek), Kibale chimpanzee permits ($300 per person), and park entrance fees. The rest of the expenses vary by package.

The number of days on safari, number of persons traveling, housing type, amount of activities, driver guide experience, and more all affect Uganda’s safari cost.

Uganda Safari Age Limit?

Uganda safaris are open to all ages except for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, which requires 15 years and older.

Uganda is blessed with nature and offers ecotourism opportunities like few others. Vacationing in Uganda lets kids of all ages learn about the ecosystems they study in school. The Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), formerly Entebbe Zoo, is a safari stop for kids before leaving Uganda. It highlights Uganda’s wildlife parks.

Booking Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits

After you submit an Inquiry for gorilla trekking dates, our tour consultants will respond with availability. Uganda Tour Operators can access gorilla trekking permits online, but you cannot.

Uganda Wildlife Authority is the only agency that saves gorilla permits after payment. No one may keep unpaid permission. Paying for your gorilla permit is your only confirmation of interest in this safari.

Your passport name, country, date of birth, passport expiration date, and other personal information will be requested later. These are needed to get your gorilla permit and some are on your certificate after trekking.

For chimpanzee hiking, follow the same steps.

Best Gorilla Trekking Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga
The most gorilla families are at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you can trek in Uganda.

They can be booked at Buhoma, Ruhijah, Nkuringo, or Rushaga. Each region has gorilla families.

Morning briefings at the ranger station are followed by family assignments. Trekkers are limited to 8 for each gorilla family. The ranger guide leads the group into the forest to search.

Ranger guides know the gorilla family better, so follow their recommendations. Like humans, mountain gorillas exhibit mood swings.

Deviating from briefing may cause a forest-wide rage. Many people spend money for an hour of gorilla trekking, but if the gorillas see unacceptable behavior, they may hide.

After gorilla trekking, slowly return to your lodge.

Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park is unspoiled. Mountain gorillas live there, although just one family has been habituated. The Nyakagezi gorilla family sometimes enters Rwanda, making gorilla permits difficult to get.

They sell when gorillas are confirmed in the park. Other activities in Mgahinga National Park include birding and trekking the volcanic Virunga Mountains (Sabyinyo, Muhavura, and Gahinga).

What to Bring to Uganda Safari

Bug repellents to prevent stinging insects from harming you.
Avoid safari bugs with bug spray.
Khaki safari apparel is wilderness-friendly.

A torch for your lodge at night
First aid package for emergency medications
A safari camera for later reference.

The safari hat protects your hair from insects and raindrops during woodland walks.
Your lodge may not offer toiletries.
A lightweight safari backpack to organize your belongings
Energy snacks for Uganda safaris, notably gorilla or chimpanzee hiking or wildlife drives.

Nighttime Uganda safari pajamas.
Packing cubes help organize travel luggage for security checks.
A pair of binoculars to see distant attractions.
Tracking boots for hiking to protect feet from difficult terrain,
Wear flip-flops on game drives to avoid getting out of the car.

A poncho or fleece for cold mornings and evenings
An adapter and charger for electronics.
Visit our trip advisor and contact us for more information.