Uganda Wildlife Authorities Penalties in parks

  • wildlife at Murchison Falls National park
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

In a bid to protect wildlife and travelers, the Uganda Wildlife Authority set penalties for people who misbehave in parks and other conserved areas within the country. Travelers are reminded that they should read, understand and then remember these rules once they visit the park so that they do not fall victims of the offences. Each offence attracts a different penalty. These include:

Over Speeding———–UGX 100,000 per incident

Off tracking driving—–USD 150per incident

Smart Card Loss———USD 20

Default on Tarrifs——-USD 150

National park Regulations in Uganda

  • Do not camp or make campfire anywhere in the national park.
  • Do not drive off track. 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 6:30am
  • Don’t bring any pets in the park
  • Don not leave any litters in the park
  • Firearms are restricted in the park
  • Do not exceed the speed limit (40km per hour) when driving through the park
  • Keep all entrance and payment receipts for inspection.

Gorilla Trekking Rules /Regulations

The Uganda Wildlife Authority set a number of rules/regulations to guide gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla National parks. The regulations are taught to travelers during the pre- gorilla trekking briefing and at the headquarters at the start of each gorilla trekking day. The must dos and what you should avoid during gorilla trekking 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

  • Stay away from the mountain gorillas at least 7 meters
  • 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
  • Trekking isn’t for the sick. You have to be in perfect health.
  • Do not use flashlight cameras
  • You shouldn’t leave your group
  • Do not speak at a raised tone
  • When a Gorilla charges, don’t think of running as an option
  • Do not touch the gorilla

Chimpanzee trekking Rules

These apply in all chimpanzee habitats in Uganda, among which are 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 the chimpanzees
  • Keep seven meters away from chimpanzees
  • Do not mimic Chimpanzee’s Vocalization
  • Do not eat near Chimpanzees
  • Do not chase/ run after chimpanzees
  • Do not use flashlight cameras

Distance between Uganda National Parks from Kampala

Since Kampala is a gateway to all national parks in Uganda, the distance between national parks and Kampala has been a concern for most travelers. Below are the distances from Kampala to Uganda national parks in meters:

Kidepo Valley National Park……….…571km

Bwindi Forest National ……………….512 km

Mgahinga gorilla national Park………..482km

Rwenzori Mountains National Park …..398km

Queen Elizabeth National Park…….…389km

Semuliki National Park…………….…387km

Kibale Forest National Park………..…358km

Murchison Falls National Park…….…. 305km

Lake Mburo National Park……………255km

Mt. Elgon National Park ………………299km

Come and have an amazing time in Uganda’s wilderness parks.

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