National Parks
All travellers visiting the pearl of Africa Uganda, need to know the Dos and Don’ts before planning to visit the National Parks of the pearl of Africa. All National Parks in Uganda have got rules and regulations governing them. Everyone who visits the advised to read, understand and adhere to the rules and regulations of respective National Parks. If they are on their memorable and enjoyable stay in Uganda.
These rules and regulations are put in place to promote wildlife conservation. This also ensures safety for both travellers and wildlife natural habitats. Which promotes sustainable tourism in Uganda. These rules and regulations apply before entering, during your stay and also in the presence of wild animals in the National Park.
If you will be trekking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Gorilla tracking rules and regulations are given during pre-Gorilla tracking briefing. The rules and regulations of National Parks in Uganda include:
Park Rules and Regulations
- Keep with all your official receipts for inspection.
- Do not camp or make campfires except at designated
- No littering in the park
- Do not drive off the tracks
- No Dogs or other pets allowed inside the park
- No picking flowers or any plant in the national park
- Do not use sounding motor horns which disturb animals
- Do not drive beyond 40 kilometres
- Driving in the park must be between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm
- Do not use firearms in the park
Gorilla tracking Dos and Don’ts
If you are visiting Uganda to see mountain gorillas in the natural habitat, there are special rules and regulations which you must follow. They are set to protect and also conserve the endangered Mountain Gorillas for future generations. The rules and regulations of Mountain Gorilla trekking are divided into two as follows:
Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations before you set out:
Do not visit the Mountain Gorillas when sick of cold or flu. Mountain Gorillas share 99.9% of human genes. So this makes them susceptible to human illnesses especially the communicable diseases.
The minimum age for Mountain Gorilla tracking is 15 years. All children below 15 years of age are not allowed to go for Gorilla trekking. In case of a child whose almost celebrating his/her 15th birthday. The parents write a consent letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, asking permission for their children to trek Gorillas. They take full responsibility for anything that happens to the child during Gorilla trekking.
Do not litter in the National Park If you want to ease yourself. The human waste has to be buried 30 centimetres deep. In order to keep the natural environment clean and fresh.
Each Gorilla family is visited by a group of eight tourists maximum or less.
For Gorilla habituation experience, only four people are allowed to visit a semi habituated Gorilla family.
Keep within your group and do not move alone in the jungle
Rules and Regulations once you encounter the Mountain Gorillas
- Do not eat in the presence of the gorillas
- Do not smoke in the presence of gorillas
- Drinking not allowed in the company of the gorillas
- No flashlight camera allowed.
- The time to spend with a gorilla is strictly 1 hour.
- Do not touch the gorillas.
- Never run when a gorilla charges.
- Do not look directly into the eyes of the gorillas.
- Speak in a low tone voice.
- Turn back your faces when sneezing or squeezing.
Make sure you follow the cautions of park rangers with whom you go for Gorilla tracking. The dos and don’ts of Gorilla tracking are similar to those of Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and other chimpanzee habitats in Uganda
What you need to know before visiting Uganda National Parks
Park entrance fees are per 24 hours. Beyond this indicated time, a traveller will be asked to pay again for another day.
You must carry your identification documents for clarification. Any client without clear documents may be denied access to the National Park.
The only currencies accepted for National Park entrance and the activities are US Dollars or Uganda Shillings.
Tourist activities in the National Park are paid separately from the Park entrance fees. For example boat cruise, lion tracking among others.
Children below 5 years are exempt pay park entrance fees.
Please note: Uganda Wildlife Authority sets all tarrifs in Uganda. All these are subject to change without prior notice. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Ganyana Safaris for up to date information.
