Uganda celebrates World Tourism Day with free park access

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World Tourism Day will be like Christmas for nature lovers in Uganda as the gates of the famed Kidepo Valley National Park open, alongside Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, which will all be free of charge.

“This includes free game drives and guiding services by seasoned Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and guides. Those of you who have never been there or want a repeat trip – this is the time,” said ministry of tourism spokesperson Eunice Kansiime.

Rock climbing minced with slave trade narrations makes Gulu a compulsory destination for tourists and nature lovers. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)

Each park offers a unique appeal that makes it worth visiting, whether for its wildlife, landscapes, or cultural heritage.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park (KVNP) is an untamed wilderness tucked away in the rugged northeast, one of Uganda’s most remote yet rewarding safari destinations.

Stretching across the semi-arid plains of Karamoja on the borders with South Sudan and Kenya, it is a landscape of raw beauty and abundant wildlife. Gazetted in 1962, Kidepo is home to more than 77 mammal species and 476 bird species, many of which are not found elsewhere in the country.

The Narus Valley is especially rich, with prides of lions, buffalo herds of up to 15,000, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. For bird lovers, it is the only place in Uganda where ostriches roam freely.

Birders have no choice but apprciate the elephant in Queen Elizabeth National Park. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)

The park also offers cultural encounters with the Karamojong and the Ik people of the surrounding mountains. UWA guides such as Philip Akoromwe and John Logwe add humour and wit to the experience.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), often referred to as Uganda’s “medley of wonders,” is the country’s most famous safari destination. Highlights include the legendary tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, where visitors can watch crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and buffalo along the shoreline.

Established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed in 1954 after Queen Elizabeth II’s visit, it is home to over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species. The park also provides cultural experiences with the Bakonzo, Basongora, and Banyabindi communities.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, was gazetted in 1952 and named after its most dramatic feature – the mighty Murchison Falls.

“The most sophisticated tourists have no choice but to be awed by the River Nile squeezing through a narrow seven-metre gorge before plunging 40 metres into a turbulent pool,” said warden Fred Kiiza.

Visitors can enjoy boat cruises, game drives, and panoramic views at the top of the falls, where lions, giraffes, elephants, and antelopes roam freely. The park is also renowned for shoebill sightings in the Nile delta.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda’s second-largest protected area, offers an off-the-beaten-track experience. Located in the Karamoja sub-region, it is the only place in Uganda where cheetahs can be seen.

Visitors may also spot giraffes, zebras, hartebeests, elands, oribis, buffaloes, and over 240 bird species. Beyond game drives, activities include guided nature walks, photography, and cultural encounters with the Karamojong and Pokot communities. The nearby Kadam Mountains also offer hiking opportunities.

Remote, serene, and largely untouched, Pian Upe provides a raw wilderness experience for adventurous travellers.