The Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced Open Park Days for the year 2025. The three days will run from September 25th to September 27th 2025. This initiative was first introduced in October 2024. It was the first one of its kind in Uganda.
A similar initiative has been present in South Africa since 2006. This year will mark 20 years of South Africa open park day while in Uganda, this will be the second year in the row that we are having an open park day offer.
During the three days, the public will enjoy free entrance to four Uganda national parks and one wildlife reserve. The four national parks offered this year are Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. In addition, the public can also access the Pian Upe Conservation Area in North Eastern Uganda during the Open Park days.
During the press conference held on Monday in Kampala, Stephen Masaba, the head of UWA’s Tourism and Business Development said that the campaign is aimed at boosting awareness of Uganda’s diverse wildlife and conservation efforts.
During the open park days, park entrance fees, game drives and guide fees will be waived to Ugandans and East African Residents. However other tourism activities such as launch trips and nature walks will require payments.
The open park days coincide with the World Tourism Day which will be marked on September 27th in Arua. The free-entry will close on September 27th 2025 immediately after the World Tourism Day Celebrations.
What to Expect in Uganda National Parks
One of the main reasons the Uganda wildlife Authority is offering open park days is to create awareness not only for Uganda wildlife but also the conservation initiatives and work being done to ensure that they preserve for generations.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
There are three highlight activities in Queen Elizabeth National park, visiting the Ishasha sector offers opportunities to spot the tree climbing lions. This is one of those activities that will remain free of charge during the open park days. However if you intend to go lion tracking, that will not be possible unless you organize it prior and it is not free of charge.
The Kazinga channel boat cruise will not be free of charge. You will have to set a side at least 50,000 Ugx to do this activity.
The final highlight activity is often the game drives in Kasenyi plains or Mweya side. These will also be free of charge. But by free of charge we do not mean that there will be free cars to take you around. If you do not have an offroad car, you will have to hire a car around Katunguru town center to do the game drives.
Murchison Falls National Park
Similar to Queen Elizabeth Park, there are three highlight activities in Murchison Falls National Park. The first is a hike to the top of Murchison falls, then a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.
You can also do game drives in the same national park free of charge. This implies that besides the game drives, other activities will require you to pay. But entrance into the national park will be free of charge.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo national park has three highlight activities. The walking safaris, boat trip at Lake Mburo and the game drives. Similar to the other parks, it will only be the park entrance that will be covered. The boat trips will require you to pay.
The walking safari is the main highlight of Lake Mburo national park that differentiates it from all the other national parks. With the limited number of days, you might have to choose at least one of two national parks. I highly recommend visiting both Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park because they are not too far from each other.
Kidepo Valley National Park
This is the least visited Savannah national park in Uganda. If you wish to explore Uganda in its remoteness, this is the best national park. However, the distance would require you to set off at least a day before.
The main highlight of this national park are its landscapes and game drives. It is a bit hotter compared to all the other Uganda parks. If you hate high temperature, just avoid Kidepo valley national park. You will also need a very capable 4×4 car. It is not negotiable to have an offroad car unlike other national parks in Uganda.
Pian Upe Game Reserve
If you intend to visit Kidepo valley national park, it is highly recommended that you first consider a stop in Pian Upe. In fact you can make you trip a little beat longer than the open park days. You can start your trip probably three days before so that you can make a stop in Jinja, Sipi fall and then proceed to Pian Upe game reserve.
Pian Upe is the biggest game reserve in Uganda. It has most of the animals you will find in Kidepo valley national park. It receives far less visitors than Kidepo valley national park. Visiting Pian Upe means that you will be going to a place that will not be congested regardless having free entrance.
In conclusion the open car days will offer you an opportunity to explore the biodiversity but you cannot visit all the Uganda national parks with in the given days. You will have to choose either one or two parks that are not far from each other. If you choose Murchison Falls national park, there is a likelihood that you will not visit any other park unless you intend to cover your park entrances.
