2017 Rules to follow When Visiting Uganda National Parks

A national park basically means a reserved area that is used for purposes of conservation. It may be about flora or fauna conservation but in most cases its both. Like many other countries across the world, Uganda also known as the pearl of Africa has got a number of beautiful nationals and lots of attractions that you will see on your Uganda safari holiday which include the wildlife, natural resources like mountains, lakes and rivers, among so many more.

National parks like Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale are very famous for primates and birds while Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Semuliki and Kidepo valley national parks are very popular for being homes for lots of animal species thus making them the best places for game viewing in Uganda. Mt. Rwenzori and Mt. Elgon national parks are blessed with lots of attraction but mountain hiking is the main activity done in both parks.
To visit any of these parks requires some sort of preparation and this can be done with the help of a local tour operator. And once in the park, there are rule to follow so as to protect the park and also not to inconvenience the other travelers.

The Do’s
The very first rule is making sure you have got permission to enter that particular park. You need to pay up your entrance fee to Uganda wildlife authority, obtain a permit which you have to keep with you. Park entrance fees are charged on a per person per night basis in every park. Bwindi, Kibale and Mgahinga are the only parks where park fees are not paid separately as they already included on gorillas and chimpanzee permits fees.
You are free to take pictures any time and enjoy the experience of having to live in the peaceful and calm African bushes.

The Don’ts
There are lots of don’ts that you need to observe for the good of the park and your safety while visiting Uganda either to watch gorillas or other wildlife.

Always use only those designated tracks and this applies to everyone using the park including those driving, cycling, jogging and even skating as well as those to have their cars parked for a while. This is important just so that you don’t trample on the flora or fauna. Also keep to the left so that you don’t obstruct other people in the park.

Don’t introduce stuff like pets in the park. There is no a single park in Africa that allows pets inside and this is because they may interact with the wild animals and transfer or contract diseases but also, they might hurt or get hurt by the wild animals.

National parks are also gun free zones and the only people allowed to carry weapons are the rangers and some staff but not visitors. In the same regard, drones and any other flying devices that are remotely controlled are forbidden as they might scare the animals.

You are not allowed to get in contact with the wild animals. This means touching animals and even feeding them is forbidden. This is so because you or they might contract an illness and also feeding them might lead to some sort of dependency cycle which is not good for animals’ survival.

Camping anywhere you wish and wish is suitable is not allowed and overnights have to be spent within the designated areas like in camping areas or lodges for safety reasons. Also you cannot walk around the park without a guard or hang out of the car.

Over speeding while in the park is not allowed. Speed between 30 -50 km/h is the maximum allowed for the good of the animals although under special circumstances for instance if you are saving a life, you may drive at 60-65 km/h.

Don’t try accessing the park after the stipulated time. All parks have strict opening and closing hours so you always have to keep time.

Avoid making noise. It is important that you keep the noise really low because the noise inconveniences other guest in park and also irritates the animals.

Misbehavior like, drunken behavior, littering the park is not allowed. Keep all the litter in your vehicles and dispose it off when you get to the lodge.

Smoking and making fire is not allowed either because it scares away the animals.

Posted in Travel Tips, Uganda.

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