Uganda is inviting citizens and international travelers alike to explore its wildlife at no cost this September, as the government rolls out a three-day nationwide "Open Park Days" initiative from September 25 to 27, 2026.
What's Happening
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, has announced that entrance fees will be waived across the country's national parks for three consecutive days. The announcement was made by State Minister for Tourism Susan Nsambu Nakawuki during a familiarization tour of Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve, organized by UWA. The offer is open to everyone, including Ugandans, East Africans and international visitors, with no park entrance fees during the three-day period.
Speaking about the initiative, the minister kept her message simple and welcoming: "September 25, 26 and 27, we are opening up all game parks in the country." She added a light-hearten note encouraging visitors to still bring some spending money for food while at the parks.
Which Parks Are Included
The participating national parks include Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo Valley. Uganda's broader network spans ten national parks in total, and while communications have varied slightly on the full list, officials have emphasized that the waiver applies broadly across the country's game parks. Uganda has a network of ten national parks that are spread across the country. Among these, Lake Mburo is often highlighted as the most accessible for domestic travelers, located in the southern part of the country and known for zebra and eland sightings.
Timing: Tied to World Tourism Day
The free entry period is not a standalone event — it leads directly into Uganda's national World Tourism Day celebrations. The Uganda Wildlife Authority announced it will host its 2026 Open Park Days from September 25 to 27, inviting citizens to experience the country's natural heritage ahead of the national World Tourism Day celebrations set for Mbale on September 27.
UWA's Acting Commissioner for Tourism and Business Development, Dorcus Rukundo, framed the campaign as a call for Ugandans to become firsthand ambassadors for their country's attractions, noting that tourism promotion works best when people have actually experienced what they're promoting.
Why Now: Recovering from an Ebola Outbreak
The timing of the initiative is closely tied to Uganda's recovery from a recent public health setback. The initiative forms part of the government's efforts to revive tourism, one of Uganda's leading foreign exchange earners, after the Ebola outbreak affected visitor numbers and prompted several countries, including the United States, to issue travel advisories.
Although the outbreak was contained, Uganda has spent recent months recovering from the Ebola outbreak that infected 20 people and claimed two lives, and though it was a small outbreak, it greatly affected tourist arrivals in the country. Notably, Uganda has discharged its last Ebola patient and is nearing official Ebola-free status under World Health Organization guidelines, though authorities say travel advisories continue to affect tourism, trade and investment.
By opening park gates for free, officials hope to send a reassuring signal to the international community while simultaneously reigniting domestic interest in local travel.
What Visitors Can Expect
Beyond simply waiving the entrance gate fee, some reports suggest the free-access period could extend to additional park experiences. Activities described as free during similar past open-park initiatives have included park entrance, game drives, guiding services, access to the top of the falls, and filming and photography — though travelers should confirm specific inclusions with individual park offices ahead of their visit, since offerings can vary by location.
The Bigger Tourism Picture
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Uganda's economy. Tourism is one of Uganda's biggest sources of income, supporting jobs and funding conservation work across the country, and officials hope a successful free entry weekend could go a long way in reminding both Ugandans and the rest of the world just how much the country's parks have to offer.
The campaign also fits into a broader push. The free-entry campaign aligns with ongoing "Explore Uganda" and "Visit Uganda" initiatives aimed at increasing domestic tourism and supporting wildlife conservation. Separately, Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa has also been active in promoting the sector internationally, including leading a group of British investors on a gorilla trekking excursion in Bwindi to showcase the country's conservation-linked tourism model.
Bottom Line
For three days — September 25, 26, and 27, 2026 — anyone, regardless of nationality, can walk into Uganda's national parks without paying a gate fee. The initiative is designed to rebuild traveler confidence following the Ebola outbreak, mark World Tourism Day, and encourage more Ugandans to experience their own country's wildlife firsthand. Travelers interested in taking advantage of the offer should confirm specific park hours, included activities, and any advance registration requirements directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority ahead of the date.
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