Uganda National Park Regulations
Regulations while accessing Uganda’s National Parks
Uganda is a home to Ten National Parks including Bwindi Forest National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Mountain Rwenzori National Park, Mountain Elgon National Park, Semuliki National Park all offering different tour adventures and unique in several ways. Please respect the Uganda national parks regulations as you enjoy your trip without penalties.
National Parks Regulations in Uganda
- Do not camp or make campfire anywhere in the national park
- Do not drive off tracks. Follow the tracks demarcated in national parks
- Do not make sounding motor horns in the park. These disrupt wildlife
- Do not drive the park in the park beyond 7:30 pm and before 6:30 am.
- Don’t bring any pets in the park
- Do not leave any litters in the park
- Firearms are restricted in the park
- Do not pick flowers or any plants in the park
- Do not exceed the speed limit (40 km per hour) when driving through the park
- Keep all entrance and payment receipts for inspection.
Gorilla Trekking Rules/Regulations
Uganda wildlife authority set rules/regulations to guide gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks. The rules are taught to the travelers during the pre gorilla trekking briefing at the park headquarters at the start of each gorilla trekking day. The dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Uganda include:
Before meeting gorillas
- Do not visit the endangered gorillas when sick
- Bury human waster 30 meters deep
- Only 8 people must trek a gorilla family
When with the gorillas
- Keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas
- Do not eat in the presence of gorillas
- Do not smoke when with gorillas
- Do not drink alcohol in the presence of gorillas
- Turn back your faces when coughing or sneezing
- Spend strictly an hour with the endangered gorilla
- Do not use flashlight cameras
- Keep within your group
- Speak at a low tone
- Do not run when a gorilla charges
- Do not touch the gorilla
Chimpanzee trekking Rules
These apply in all chimpanzee habits in Uganda, which include Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Karinzu forest and Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
- Do not enter the forest when sick
- Do not leave any litter in the forest
- Bury your waste 30cm deep
- Keep quiet or speak at a low tone when with the chimpanzees
- Keep seven meters away from chimpanzees
- Do not mimic Chimpanzees Vocalization
- Do not eat near chimpanzees
- Do not chase/ run after chimpanzees
- Do not use flashlight cameras
Uganda Wildlife Authority Penalties
Uganda Wildlife Authority set penalties for people who misbehave in National parks and other protected areas in all parts of the country. The penalties are meant to ensure the safety of wildlife and travelers in the park. Travelers are reminded to read, understand and remember all rules and regulations guiding tourism in Uganda national parks to avoid falling victims of any offense which attracts a penalty. Each offense attracts a different penalty. These include:
- Off tracking driving ( US$ 150 Per incident)
- Over speeding (UGX 100,000 per incident)
- Smart Card Loss (US$ 20)
- Default on Tariffs (US$ 150)