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.
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.
