Uganda Tourism News And Changes.
Uganda Tourism News And Changes.
News and Changes in Uganda Tourism As Uganda’s economy has developed, the tourist sector there has changed. Previously seen as a waste of money or a habit reserved for the wealthy, local people are gradually realizing the reason for visiting the national sites. While many wanted to go abroad for experiences, some of them are starting to visit Uganda.
Generally speaking, the flood of tourists to important Uganda safari sites is increasing even after the COVID-19 epidemic, therefore affecting travel globally. More details about Uganda as a place blessed by nature or the reason it is called the gem of Africa are being shared. By use of many media outlets, including internet, magazine, television, radio, and others. Once little recognized as an African safari location, Uganda is gathering pace.
Among the African states that house mountain gorillas, the source of River Nile on Lake Victoria, the longest river in the world, excellent wildlife parks, among the top birding locations in Africa, Uganda is most well-known for so much more.
With all the above to sell, certain adjustments have to be in place to control Tour and travel operators’ activities for the visitors’ safety and to provide value for money.
For years, the Uganda Tourism Board has been working to control the travel industry so that it meets international standards without compromising the operations of the tour operators. Every industry player is being engaged to reach the tourist balance and avoid leaving anybody in this very delicate sector behind.
Uganda Tourism Met Changes 2024 to 2025
From 2024, the Uganda Tourism sector had several interesting developments deserving of discussion. During this time, Uganda’s government decided to establish an autonomous ministry of tourist and Wildlife to serve for national tourist growth. Since originally it was connected under the ministry of Trade tourism and trade, this was a remarkable accomplishment. Following this, the ministry formed an autonomous office to handle its formal responsibilities.
From the ministry of tourism to Uganda Tourism Board, the responsibility of licencing and overseeing quality of all tour and travel agencies shifted. To address the appropriate approach on how licencing and quality control exercise would operate, Uganda Tourism Board had a consultative conference with Tour Operators at Uganda museum in June 2025.
It was so decided that following basic criteria given by Uganda Tourism Board, all tour and travel agencies including tour guides would be licensed and the tourism act will be followed. Each firm and guide has to pay Uganda Shillings 300,000. Uganda Tourism Board discussed the rules for licencing and the advantages of being licensed in the following conference.
Uganda Tourism Board’s budget has been raised to five billion Uganda shillings in this same era, much as it is still inadequate, but this is a good start on the correct path. It also shows that the government now values the part tourism performs in generating foreign cash for Uganda.
2024–2025 saw Uganda Wildlife Authority raise the Gorilla permit fee from US Dollars 700.00 to USD800.00 for foreign none residents and USD500.00 to USD700.00 for foreign residents. This nearly set off conflict between Uganda Wildlife Authority and Tour Operators who argued that while Rwanda was in a position to raise her gorilla permit fee, it had worked on their infrastructure. Tour companies said that before rushing to raise the price of gorilla permits, Uganda animal Authority should first address infrastructure in National Park and animal preservation.
Uganda Wildlife Authority issued lower pricing for gorilla permits on low seasons of April, May and November at USD800.00 from USD700.00 to enable individuals who cannot afford monitoring gorillas in high seasons to do so in low seasons. This was also intended to boost low season permit sales.
Using a cashless approach, Uganda Wildlife Authority replaced initially utilized paper receipts as park admission with UWA Cards. While tour companies contend that it should be tested and verified before it is expanded to other national parks, this is functioning in national parks. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, this will serve to lower the cash carried about by driving guides, therefore diminishing their attraction to criminals and compromising customer safety and security.
Uganda Tourism Association, an umbrella group covering all private associations in the country, appointed a new President. Replacing Amos Wekesa, Herbert Byaruhanga was chosen as Uganda Tourism Association’s next President.
He began by underlining that, yes, a master plan will be in place to direct the association’s tourist activities and that we eagerly await its execution. Furthermore, he assured us that a fully fledged secretariat will be set up to oversee Uganda Tourism Association’s daily operations. All private travel agencies have been cooperating to grow the sector with the new president in office.
Uganda Wildlife Authority suggested in 2024–2025 to post Uganda Gorilla permits online for anybody anywhere to see and buy. Local tour companies under their umbrella group, The Association of Uganda Tour companies, resisited this and sent the minister to establish a commission to investigate the best approach to handle this.
Later on, it was decided that gorilla permits would be posted online, but Uganda’s registered tour companies alone would be left with rights to see and book. Uganda Wildlife Authority carried this out because the bought program was changed to fit the new criteria. To help the reservations staff at Uganda Wildlife Authority, she began offering weekly availability of gorilla permits to tour operators, therefore relieving part of their workload.
Ebola makes headlines when many people in West Africa died and visitors to East Africa canceled their plans believing West Africa was closer to East Africa. Uganda Tourism Board sent a press statement at this point to let visitors know that our crew is the most active on the continent and that Uganda is ebola free.
Many visitors to Africa for safaris began selecting Uganda as one of their destinations until 2020 when the COVID-19 epidemic severely disrupted the travel industry to the bare minimum. Rebuilding it is slowly gathering at a very low level as safari visitors are afraid of what may compare.
Under the Director Quality Assurance Mr Semakula, the Uganda Tourism Board issued an ultimatum in 2019 asking all tour operators, guides, hotels, and other stakeholders to completely register with UTB by 2020. If anybody was to be granted access to Uganda tourist sites, this was to be followed in 2020. This was meant to help to lower the number of briefcase operators providing poor value for money.
What changes in Uganda tourism after COVID-19?
This deadline from Uganda Tourism Board was delayed to January 2023 when the Corona Virus ravaged the globe and travel banned globally. Uganda Wildlife Authority does not let any unregistered tour or travel stakeholder into the National Park.
Following the Corona virus lockdown, the Uganda Wildlife Authority tarrif for 2022 to 2025 was altered; now, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $800 for foreign non-residents per person, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000 sh for East Africans.
None are permitted to visit the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees hiking without a mask. Given their high amount of human DNA, these endangered monkeys are vulnerable to human infectious illnesses.
Even the cost of Park entrance to Murchison falls National park changed, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and others to $45 per person per 24 hours. Nowadays, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park costs $300 per person each trip and much more.
Major Travel Destinations for Uganda
National Parks in Uganda
There are ten recognized national parks spread all throughout Uganda. To appreciate all of Uganda’s attractions with little disturbance, you must have a well-coordinated schedule and enough days.
Among the well-known Ugandan national parks are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Elgon National Park, Semliki National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.
All of these national parks have spectacular terrain and a variety of species that have been organically produced. Not even those living like mountain gorillas and chimpanzees lose totally their natural behavior.
From Elands, lions, Impalas, cheetahs, hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, herds of elephants, leopards, water buck, reed bucks, bush busks, hartebeest, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-chipped mangabey, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, zebras, olive baboons and so much more in the Uganda National Game Parks. While none of these parks include all these species, most parks do have several that are very common.
Certain parks, notably Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park, are well-known for housing Uganda’s primates, including mountain gorillas. For the mountain gorillas, these are some of the only known habitats worldwide.
Other primates such the blue monkeys, golden monkeys, L’Hoests’ potto, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and many more may be seen. Although several of the above-listed primates may also be seen in Kibale National Park, the main habitat for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is this one.
Uganda’s Birding Travel Destination List
Among the main birding hotspots in Africa is Uganda. The Africa Bird Club even admits this. Over 1000 bird species call the nation home, and their presence may be ascribed to the suitable environments they find. Among the well-known Uganda birding sites are Mabamba Swamp, Mpanga Forest, Mabira Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Musambwa Island, although not very often visited, Botanical gardens, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and so many more. You must have a well-planned and organized schedule if you want to exhaust at least half of the Uganda birding sites.
Safari Destinations for Uganda Water Activities
One of the main water projects Uganda is proud of is the Nile’s source in Jinja. Amazingly, the precise location where the Nile divides from Lake Victoria is a zigzag-like water line separating calm water of Lake Victoria from that beginning its path to Egypt.
White water rafting at Itanda Falls transforms the River Nile’s water drama into an epic experience.
Among the best pleasures on the River Nile is the launch voyage to Murchison Falls. On a bed of rocks, the Victoria Nile water rushes for more than eighty kilometers before breaking out to produce a thunderous roar via a little gap around six meters wide.
To join the remainder of the route, the water subsequently falls down a 44-meter-high cliff. One of the pleasures of Murray Falls National Park is this event.
The greatest views of this biosphere reserve at the foot of the rift valley are obtained via a launch excursion on Kazinga Channel inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. An assortment of native and foreign birds that like eating from the marshy land graces the banks most of the time.
These coasts appeal to birds. There are many animals seen bathing and drinking from the coast. Among the species you may find are lions, leopards, herds of elephants, bush bucks, and so many more. Hippos, crocodiles, otters, and others enjoy the watery life this channel offers.
Sport Fishing In some of the bodies of water is fantastic, as you may get to catch Nile perch, cat fish, tilapia, lungfish, and others depending on your luck for the day. Making an early reservation will help to guarantee that a boat under skipper is reserved. Carry lures and fishing gear of your own.
White water rafting on the Nile
Though the Nile is the longest river in the world, feeding Uganda to Egypt, Uganda alone offers the most fascinating activities. White water rafting at Itanda replicates the Nile path in excitement.
There are qualified teachers guiding you through the whole voyage; hence, you do not need experience to be part of this journey. You just have to negotiate the choppy waves and ensure your safety gear is in place. First to prove their strength, a teacher carrying a kayak moves through the tides then asks you to follow. The instructors’ responsibility on ground is your safety.
Bungee jumping by the Nile river
It’s amazing to jump from a high height to touch River Nile water. You go down a boat waiting to be picked from a thick rope. It’s an exciting adrenaline sport.
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