Free entrance for Tour Company driver guides.
With the rapid expansion of the tourism industry in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced that all tour company driver guides in the country, as well as safari guides with credentials from recognized schools, will receive complimentary admission to all of their destinations.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), and the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) have all worked together to make this happen.
Safari guides and tour company drivers will be able to enter the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s parks and wildlife reserves at no cost.
As per a letter that Mr. Stephen Masaba wrote and sent to the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), Tour guides are trained experts with credentials from accredited institutions, while tour drivers transport visitors in tour vehicles, according to the Director of Tourism and Business Services at the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Because they are only transporting guests and not coming to enjoy the parks on their own, tour company drivers are eligible for free admission. He goes on to say that the Uganda Wildlife Authority would work with the Uganda Tourism Board to try and confirm the status of safari guides before issuing them special safari guides’ passes.
Additionally, other travelers will foot the bill if the guide doubles as the driver. He went on to say that many visitors miss their scheduled transportation to the park and must make do with whatever is available. Here, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will coordinate with area stages and associations to vet and suggest taxi drivers from their own associations for the permit program.
The elimination of the need for tour company driver guides to pay to enter popular national parks in Uganda, like Murchison Falls, Kidepo, and Queen Elizabeth, is a welcome change that will undoubtedly lower the price of vacation packages to these destinations. People who accompany visitors from the start of the trip all the way to its conclusion are called tour guides.
Such encouragement and assistance from UWA and Lodges is essential if they are to carry out their duties effectively. In light of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s decision to waive entry fees for tour company drivers, we are crossing our fingers that lodges would follow suit and provide free rooms for guides.
