Travel Guidelines

General Information

Your safety and enjoyment of Uganda National Parks is our pleasure so we bring you the main Uganda national park regulations that travelers must consider during their Uganda safari tours every day .Uganda is a home to Ten National Park 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. A Uganda safari that cuts across three- five national parks usually present the best of Uganda attractions and incredible experience to whoever choses to discover the hidden gems of the country. Please respect the Uganda national parks regulations as you enjoy your trip without penalties.
Here are regulations and policies guiding visitors to Uganda’s national parks. These regulations help us protect the national park and the wildlife resources while also providing you a safe and enjoyable experience.

Camping in Uganda

Are you planning to head out on a Uganda camping safari just like other travelers who find it best and affordable to explore several Uganda attractions on camping trips? .Be ready to join many in different camping ground but make sure you camp in official sites provided by lodge or hostel or national park management. Some Uganda national park areas forbid campfires except in particular areas provided for camping. Remember to carry your own camping gears but if you ready to spend some few dollars, you can hire them on ground at different particular camping sites.
Be considerate with others from 10: pm-6.00am
In Uganda this is considered to be time for resting in most accommodations within and outside the parks. All national park accommodations are open for every one meaning various people spend nights in different accommodations with different interests, taste and preferences. While at any lodge always respect others privacy, comfort and relaxation, that when it clocks 10:00pm, just put off music and other noise things since many will be ready to rest and prepare for next day tour adventures or transfer to their next destination.
Keep the Environment Clean
During your Uganda safari, avoid littering in the national park during any tour activity. It’s better to keep garbage and dump it in the right place at your lodge of residence .Most dangerous are cigarettes ends and matches that may cause damage to the park if done during dry season months when the grass is dry enough to get on fire. Always pack you rubbish in the vehicle and wait for the right time to deposit it in rubbish containers.

Driving in Uganda & in Parks

This looks minor to travelers who book tailor made Uganda safaris and are driven by experienced private driver guide who understand all the park driving rules and regulations but its vital to those who head out for self-drive Uganda safaris. They know where to drive and find the most desired wildlife a common case during morning or evening game drives. However, those on self-drive Uganda safaris need to respect all park driving rules to avoid going off track and even get penalties. Would recommend driving your car in any Uganda wildlife national park under the guidance of a park ranger who has the driving park knowledge as well as identifying where the park best wildlife could be. Besides, while on the main high ways make sure your speed limit doesn’t exceed 40kilometers per hour. Remember Pets & Fireworks are one of the most unwanted items inside any Uganda national park. Don’t think bringing any of the above to any Uganda national park because they are not allowed. This may inconvenience the smooth run of your trip in different areas of Uganda.

Gorilla Park Rules

In Uganda, Bwindi national park is estimated to host half of all mountain Gorillas in the world. The world has approximately 800 mountain gorillas but 400 are found in Bwindi and the rest are found in Volcanoes National park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Gorilla trekking activity is done every day in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is done all year round in Volcanoes national park while in democratic Republic of Congo; Gorilla tracking is conducted in Virunga national park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has four Gorilla trekking trails namely, Nkuringo trail, Ruhija trail, Rushaga trail and Nkuringo trail implying that Uganda has the biggest Gorilla trekking centre.
Bwindi impenetrable forest has fourteen habituated Gorilla groups, Rwanda with ten gorilla habituated groups and it’s believed that Gorilla trekking is the major tourist activity in the three countries:
Like any other organized institution, below is the list of rules and regulations governing gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda and democratic Republic of Congo:

  • Gorilla trekking begin with briefing by the rangers in the parks. Briefing starts at 7:30am and end at 8:00am thus it lasts for 30 minutes.
  • A maximum of eight people are allowed to trek a gorilla family.
  • Visitors with infectious diseases like cough, Tuberculosis and so on are not allowed to meet Gorillas and if he or she is discovered, the rangers can organize refund or postpone the trek for the suffering person. There is fear that Infectious disease can be transmitted to Gorillas.
  • Children below the age of 14 years are not allowed to trek Gorillas. There is a fear that they can make alarm in the presence of Gorillas which can turn Gorillas upset.
  • Avoid littering plastic materials in the park – put all the rubbish in your bags and dump them in the dust bins.
  • Do not go closer to the gorillas – a minimum of 7 meters should be left between the trekker and the Gorillas. If Gorillas come closer to you, please extend behind to maintain 7 meters.
  • Once Gorillas are upset, please kneel down to reduce the height- Gorillas hate challengers and if you remain standing, it will imply that you have gone to fight Gorillas.
  • Only one hour is allowed to stay with Gorillas.
  • Avoid defecating in the bushes while trekking Gorillas, please request the ranger guides to dig for you a whole to ease yourself.
  • Flashing cameras are not allowed on gorilla trekking.
  • Avoid making much noise while in the colonies of Gorillas.
  • While with Gorillas, trekkers are advised to keep close to each other- if you scatter, gorillas will think you have come to attack them.