Every after a period of 2 years, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets new rules and regulations to govern and manage tourism resources of Uganda so as to promote their conservation and protection for future generations. The rules set below are to be observed by all tourists, tour guides and drivers, all vehicles driving inside Uganda national parks and reserves.

General Uganda National Park Rules and Regulations

• No one is allowed to camp or make fires inside any Uganda national park except at designated sites which are officially demarcated.
• Driving off tracks is strictly forbidden – All national parks have set tracks for drivers and guides to watch out for wildlife at the different national parks.
• Hooting in the parks is not allowed as it disturbs wildlife and destructs game viewing
• Driving in the park starts at 7:00 am and ends at 6:30 pm. Driving in the park after 7:00 pm is not allowed except for the national parks where night game drives are allowed and should be managed and guided by the park officials.
• All drivers must keep a speed limit of 40km per hour (25mph), you can easily run into animals crossing. Be very vigilant as you drive in the parks
• Pets like dogs, cats, rabbits are not allowed into the park. This is to protect wildlife from any diseases and infections.
• Do not litter in the park, the parks have rubbish points at all entrances, same as toilet points at the entrance of the parks
• Fire arms and any other weapon is not allowed in the park
• Tourists are not allowed to pick any vegetation or flowers in the park. Leave the park as you find it
• All Payment receipts and entrance cards are to be checked and cleared at the entrance of the park and reconfirmed as you exit the park. Keep your receipts for inspection.

Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations

Notes before you set off to the gorillas

• If you have an infectious illness or a cold, do not visit the gorillas – they are very susceptible to human infections and can easily catch any human infection if exposed. Gorillas don’t have strong immunity like humans do.
• 15 Years is the minimum age allowed to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park. Children are not allowed because we don’t know how they may react to the gorillas.
• Human waste and litter should be buried at least 30 cm deep when in the forest
• Only 8 people are allowed to visit one gorilla family in a day. Uganda has a total of 17 gorilla families and can offer over 136 gorilla permits every day. Strictly no one will be allowed to trek gorillas as an excess number
• Get physical and fit for trekking to the gorillas. The time while walking or hiking before you find the gorillas can last from 1 hour to 6 hours and you need to be prepared for this
• The disabled and those with health issues and cannot ably trek to the gorillas are catered for to see the gorillas. The park offers “helicopters” which is a comfortable manually lifted chairs to the gorillas and back to the starting point. Don’t give-up your dream to see the rare mountain gorillas because of a disability.

When with the gorillas

• Maintain a distance of 7 meters (21 ft) away from the gorillas as you observe them. If the gorillas come closer, which is very common especially the curious young ones – stand still and let him bypass you as well as listen to your guide and do exactly as he recommends.
• Eating, drinking and smoking is not permitted when with the gorillas
• If you must cough or sneeze, turn away from the gorillas and make sure to cover your face
• You can only see gorillas for strictly 1 hour during which you can ably observe, take pictures and study them.
• Don’t stare directly into the eyes a gorilla, your eyes may meet but quickly turn away as it may threaten the gorilla and prompt a violent reaction
• Don’t use flash photographs as they threaten the gorillas.