Do you need a local guide in Uganda?

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority's tariff for July 2024–June 2026, whose period has ended, all gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-residents could only be booked through licensed tour operators. It set a maximum of eight visitors per gorilla group, visits of one hour a day and a minimum tracking age of 15. Check UWA's current tariff for the rules and figures now in force. (Uganda Wildlife Authority — Conservation Tariff July 2024–June 2026)

Under the park rules printed in the same tariff for July 2024–June 2026, you could drive yourself through the parks by day, but not off the tracks, and speed was capped at 40 km/h. Motorcycles and trailers were prohibited in protected areas without the express approval of UWA's Executive Director, and night game drives, open only to guests sleeping inside the park, required a UWA guide. Check UWA's current tariff before relying on these limits. (Uganda Wildlife Authority — Conservation Tariff July 2024–June 2026)

The Italian foreign ministry advises travellers to leave the cities only in daylight and with more than one vehicle, or at least in company, and to use only reliable agencies for local transfers and national park visits, checking with the Italian embassy in Kampala before going into a park. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Rebel groups active in the DRC could cross into Uganda and carry out armed actions. After the attack on two foreign tourists and a local guide in Queen Elizabeth National Park on 17 October 2023, the ministry recommends maximum caution in and around that park. In the areas adjacent to the DRC it says maximum caution is needed, particularly when moving at night and in the area between Lake Albert and Lake Edward, including the Kasese and Ntoroko districts, the Rwenzori mountains and Semuliki National Park. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Italian foreign ministry recommends particular caution when travelling in the Karamoja region on the Kenyan border, where illegal trafficking, cattle theft and ambushes for robbery are reported, and suggests in particular avoiding night travel, above all in remote areas outside towns. It also suggests caution near the border with South Sudan, which is affected by conflict. It also notes that the risk of terrorist attacks is higher in the border areas with the DRC and South Sudan. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)