Uganda Wildlife Authority Launches Open Park Day

Uganda Wildlife Authority on 30^th September 2024 launched Open Park Day where all Ugandans and foreign residents can access 5 of the breathtaking national parks free of charge. This campaign aims to increase domestic tourism and visitation to our national parks. The open park day will commence from the date 17^th -18^th October 2024 where park entry and game drives will be free of charge. This will be done in the 5 selected parks.

Which national parks will be free to enter on Open Park Day in Uganda?

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah park in Uganda and is located in the western part of Uganda. This park has different attractions and different activities that you can engage yourself in when you visit on open park day. Some attractions you should expect to see include Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Buffalos, Oribi, and different bird species, to mention but a few. Some of the activities that you should look forward to doing on open park day include bird watching, free game drives, sport fishing, and guided nature walks, to mention but a few.

How to access Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala /Entebbe?

You can get to Lake Mburo National Park by using either air transport or road transport. With air transport you can board an aircraft from Entebbe- Kajjansi- Mbarara airfield. From there you can board a car and drive for about 30 minutes to Lake Mburo National Park. For road transport, you can use the Kampala- Mbarara High way which is about a 4-5 hours drive.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the parks you can decide to visit during the open park day offered by UWA Uganda. Located in the western part of Uganda along the border parts of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most visited parks during Uganda safaris named after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. The park has different attractions to look up to and activities to be done. Some of the attractions to look up to when you visit during the open park day include lions, hippos, Uganda kobs, and elephants, to mention but a few. Some of the activities to be carried out on open park day include, boat cruises, bird watching, and free game drives, to mention but a few.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

You can get to Queen Elizabeth National Park during the open park days using either road transport or air transport. By air you can board an aircraft from Entebbe- Kajjansi- Mweya airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip then board a car for a few minutes to Queen Elizabeth National Park. For those using road transport means, you can board from Kampala – Mbarara- Masaka – Kasese or the High way which is about a 7 -8 hours drive.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the parks that you should look forward to visiting during the open park day in Uganda. Located in the Northeastern part of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park has many attractions to look forward to seeing and activities to be done. Some of the attractions to see when you visit Kidepo Valley National Park include Eland, Leopard, Oribi, Zebras, and birds like Ostriches, and Kori bustard, to mention but a few. Some of the activities that you can do in Kidepo Valley National Park on open park day include, game drives, guided nature walks, birding, and community, and cultural experiences, to mention but a few.

How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park?

Kidepo Valley National Park can be accessed by either air or road transport. When using air transport, you can use you can board from Entebbe Airport and fly to Kidepo Airstrip or Apoka Airstrip. For those using road transport, you can use the Kampala- Mbale-Nakapiripiri-Moroto highway for about 6 hours. One could also opt to use the Kampala-Mbale- Soroti- Moroto highway which is about 8 hours drive.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest national park locally known as Kabalega National Park. This Park is one of the five parks you should visit during the open park day in Uganda. Located in the northwestern part of Uganda. When you decide to visit this park, you should expect to see different animals and birds plus do different activities. Some of the things or attractions to look out for include elephants, magnificent falls, giraffes, hippos, and wild pigs, to mention but a few. Some of the activities that you should look up to doing on open park day include boat cruises, bird viewing, free game drives, guided nature walks, and hiking, to mention but a few.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by air or road transport. If you are to use road transport you can use the Kampala-Masindi Highway or Kampala- Nakasongola Highway. The road drive can take about 5-6 hours to reach the park. If you are to use air transport, you can board an aircraft from Entebbe airport and fly to Kajjansi- Pakuba or Chobe or Bugungu air stripes.

Piam Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Uganda approximately 340km (211 miles) from Kampala/ Entebbe. Pain Upe Wildlife Reserve is one of the destinations put up by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to visit during the open park day. Uganda’s largest national conservation protected area covers approximately 2043 square kilometers. Being one of the tourist destinations in Uganda, Pian Upe has amazing breathtaking attractions and different activities that can be done during your visit. Some of the attractions to expect to see in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve on open park day include plain zebras, Impalas, giraffes, and elands, to mention but a few. Some of the activities that you can do include mountain hiking, guided nature walks, bird watching, and game drives, to mention but a few.

How to get to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve?

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve can be accessed both through road and air transport. If you are to use air transport you can board a plane from Entebbe- Amudat airstrip located near the reserve and take a short car drive from there. If you opt to use road transport, you can get to the reserve via Kampala- Mbale- Soroti which takes about 8-9 hours. You can also opt to use Kampala-Soroti- Kumi road.

What are the services to expect on the open park day in Uganda?

Since it is open park day, you should expect the following things to be provided or done in the chosen savannah destinations from any of the above-mentioned five.

Free park entrance for both Ugandans (UG)and Foreign Residents (FR)
Free entrance for children both foreign and Ugandans provided they are traveling with their parents.
Free game drives (Tourist guide is mandatory)
Free access to the top of the Falls in Murchison Falls National Park.
UWA buses will be stationed at particular gates for free game drives at 8:00 am, 11:30 am, and 3:00 pm each day.
Free entrance for tourists having private vehicles.

Note; Any other activity not inclusive of the above is to be paid for.

Where to rent or hire Safari vehicles on open park day in Uganda?

Wondering where to hire a safari vehicle on open park day, Native Africa Tours Ltd is the best company to hire a safari vehicle from. This is because their tourist vehicles are spacious enough, comfortable, fast, and affordable. On top of that their vehicles have 4×4 wheels making them able to pass through any type of road and open roof giving you the best experience during game dives. Native Africa also happens to have the best drivers and affordable guides that take you around in comfort and style. For the best experience during the open park day in Uganda, you should choose to visit any of the destinations with Native Africa Tours Uganda.