In a recent move aimed at enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining safety and environmental standards, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has made significant adjustments to the speed limits and opening hours of national parks. This decision follows feedback from key stakeholders, including tour operators and park visitors, who have raised concerns about logistical limitations affecting game drive schedules and the overall pace of travel within the parks.
Revised Speed Limits in Conservation Areas
For years, UWA has enforced a speed limit of 40 km/hour on roads within conservation areas, particularly in major parks such as Murchison Falls National Park. While this regulation was designed to promote safety and reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions, it has been met with growing criticism. Stakeholders argued that the 40 km/hour limit on well-maintained tarmac roads is unnecessarily restrictive, creating logistical delays without significantly improving safety outcomes.
In response to these concerns, UWA has carefully reviewed the matter, taking into account current traffic patterns, road conditions, and the need for efficient park navigation. As a result, the speed limit has now been officially increased from 40 km/hour to 60 km/hour on tarmac roads within conservation areas. This change applies particularly to sections of Murchison Falls National Park where smooth surfaces and broad visibility reduce the risk of accidents.
The updated speed policy allows staff monitoring the roads to permit travel up to 60 km/hour without penalising drivers. This adjustment is expected to provide smoother and more efficient park access while ensuring that wildlife safety and visitor awareness remain top priorities. UWA emphasizes that drivers must continue to exercise caution, particularly in areas where wildlife is known to cross roads or where visibility may be reduced.
Earlier Opening Times for Savannah Parks
Alongside the speed limit changes, UWA has also revised park opening hours in response to concerns about early game drive access. Previously, most parks opened at 7:00 a.m., a schedule that many tour guides and guests found too restrictive for optimal wildlife viewing. Early morning is considered the best time for game drives, especially in savannah parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park, when wildlife is most active and temperatures are cooler.
Acknowledging the importance of this feedback, UWA has now approved an earlier entry time of 6:30 a.m. for visitors to savannah national parks. This change gives guests and guides more flexibility to plan early morning game drives and enhances opportunities to witness key wildlife activity such as predator hunts, birdlife movements, and interactions at watering holes.
Balancing Visitor Experience and Conservation Goals
These adjustments reflect UWA’s commitment to striking a balance between improving visitor satisfaction and preserving the ecological integrity of Uganda’s national parks. By responding to stakeholder feedback and adapting park regulations accordingly, UWA aims to foster a more responsive and engaging conservation tourism model.
While the speed and timing changes are welcomed by the tourism industry, UWA continues to encourage responsible driving, strict adherence to park guidelines, and respect for wildlife to ensure that safety and conservation remain central to the park experience.
