Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) introduced the Cashless Card System in response to the loss of staff members to robbers who would ambush them with the intention of stealing the park fees collected at the entrance. The people who gathered the money for the Authority also mismanaged a lot of it. Cashless cards were one of the alternatives developed to curb this habit because animal conservation required financial support.

The cashless card was the go-to option for travelers’ safety in order to minimize the quantity of hard currency they brought on their trips. Many customers were at risk of having their money stolen by thieves en route to the parks, particularly those on a Uganda safari.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority wants to use less paper for permits and receipts since the world is pushing for a carbon-free environment and trees must be preserved to help achieve this goal. Reusable cards are gradually assisting in the preservation of the trees used to make paper. Using gorilla trekking cards as a sample survey, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced the cashless card in 2013.

The background of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s cashless cards
Previously, several Ugandan wildlife

The cash and receipt systems that were previously used to collect entrance fees to national parks were replaced with the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s cashless/smart card system. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where all gorilla permits were issued on cards, this card system was first implemented. People and tour operators appear to have embraced and accepted this, since it has been working incredibly successfully.

Uganda Wildlife implemented the card and cashless system to other national parks, including Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls National Park, after the gorilla permits on cards proved successful. All park entrance fees were placed on smart cards, eliminating the need to print receipts and pay at the gate.

This was a great breakthrough since it would lessen the amount of money that tour guides, who are occasionally accompanied by thieves, carry. Furthermore, because these cards require a code or password, no one can steal the money stored on them.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala, Katunguru Queen Elizabeth Park Headquarters, and Queens Pavilion in Kikorongo, which serves Queen Elizabeth National Park, are among the locations where devices to identify money on these cards have been installed in order to accomplish this.

They will serve Lake Mburo National Park at Nshara Gate, Bwindi residents at Buhoma, the Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park at Fortportal, and Kibale National Park at Fortportal.

Issues with the Cashless System

The bulk of local tour companies rejected this cashless method from the start, claiming that it had been used in Kenya and had not worked. A plan to post gorilla permits online was included with the cashless system. Due to the fact that it would expose them to competition from foreign tour operators, this did not sit well with local tour operators.

As a result, the relationship between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and local tour operators deteriorated. Since local tour companies are the main players in attracting tourists to Uganda National Parks, UWA chose to implement this cashless system without testing it or engaging them.

How Uganda Wildlife Authority Payments Are Made

Africa is seeing an increase in transactions that utilize less cash as a result of the global shift to digital. Credit cards, wire transfers, mobile money, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits, park fees, and much more are accepted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. As needed by financial service providers, you must give specifics. This was done to reduce the amount of hard currency exchanged.

What Uganda Wildlife Authority Payments Are Due

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s headquarters in Kampala is where all park operations are funded. Your credit card is swiped into the credit card reader as you provide it here. The gorilla trekking card is issued with a magnetic strip on the back that reads your personal information when swiped through another machine. In case it is misplaced, the card also displays its number. As a precaution, you should write down this number.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Cashless Card System: Which Ugandan National Parks Are Open for Visitation?

Although Uganda has ten national parks spread around the country, the bulk are focused in the western region. Here are a few national parks in Uganda.

Impenetrable National Park in Bwindi

The largest population of mountain gorillas in Uganda may be found here. The park is thought to have existed for more than 30,000 years and is home to over 350 bird species, 300 tree species, 51 reptiles, 88 months, 310 butterflies, and over 10 primate species, including chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and others. One of the ice age era’s survivors is this refuge woodland.

Gorilla trekking is the park’s primary activity, although other well-known pursuits in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include birdwatching, nature hikes, and visiting Batwa pygmies.

Kibale National Park

The largest population of habituated chimpanzees in Africa is found in this tropical rain forest. Approximately 1500 chimpanzees, both wild and domesticated, currently call this park home. L’Hoests, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, pottos monkeys, and other primates are among the many other species that call the park home.

Numerous bird species, including roughly six Albertine endemic species, can be found at Kibale National Park. The primary activity in this park is chimpanzee trekking, but there are other opportunities for birdwatching, nature walks, hiking in the nearby mountains, chimpanzee habituation, and much more.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

With a breathtaking perspective of the rift valley bottom, this park is well-known for its biodiversity. About 60 miles long and 40 miles wide, the Rwenzori hills provide a stunning backdrop.

Numerous animal species rely on the diverse vegetation zones found in Queen Elizabeth National Park for their livelihood. Acacia woodlands, swamp vegetation, bushy grasslands, and forest grasslands are a few of the vegetation zones found in the parks.

You might spot lions, leopards, water bucks, warthogs, bush backs, topis, buffaloes, gigantic forest hogs, hyenas, and mongooses, to name a few, while on game drives throughout this park’s several trails.

The park is a top Ugandan birding destination because of its rich birdlife. Papyrus gonolek, Chapin’s flycatcher, African skimmer, martial eagles, black-rumped buttonquail, lesser and greater flamingos, and many more are among the birds you might be able to view.

When you test your fitness by going to the Kyambura Gorge, chimpanzee trekking is a gratifying experience. There are also other primates, such as vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus, grey checkered mangabey, and others.

You experience one of the most enjoyable times in the park on the Kazinga Channel launch trip. Many animals move down to drink from the marshy banks, birds prefer to dine there, and stunning views of the Rwenzori rangers can be seen as you look over the banks.

Lake Mburo National Park

The closest national park to Kampala is this one. Impalas, zebras, giraffes, elands, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, and Uganda Kobs are among the animals that call it home. The best way to experience the pack is by boat on Lake Mburo. Men fishing may be seen casting their nets in an attempt to capture fish. Lake Mburo in the middle of the park provides a refreshing air and offers stunning vistas.

Murchison Falls National Park 

The vital River Nile runs in the middle of Murchison Falls National Park. The park is home to the world’s strongest falls, Murchison Falls. After flowing for more than 80 kilometers, the Nile stumbles on embedded rock beneath it and squeezes through a small gap before exploding forcefully and giving the impression of clouds.

You get an amazing view of the park’s natural beauty during the River Nile launch cruise. Throughout the journey, keep an eye out for riverine birds, large Nile crocodiles, hippos, and other wild creatures that enjoy drinking water from the shore. The boat’s turbulence alters and takes on a foamy aspect when the falls are seen. As it squeezes through the 6-meter-wide gorge and erupts fiercely, you can hear the great Nile groaning.

Oribi, lions, hyenas, water bucks, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, and a diverse array of birds with over 450 species are just a few of the many animals that call the park home. You might see some of these creatures while on a gaming drive around several courses.

Trekking with chimpanzees in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest is very stunning. Keep an eye out for other primates, such as vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. The forest is home to a diverse array of birds, such as the white-thighed hornbill, yellow-footed flycatcher, and Ituri batis.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in Uganda’s far northeastern region. The carnivore’s destination in Uganda is this park. Cheetahs, spotted hyenas, black-backed and side-striped jackals, bat-eared fox, striped hyenas, aardwolves, klipsinger, Burchelk Zebras, bush bucks, oribi, Defessa water bucks, and other creatures are among those you might be able to view.

Rwenzori National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains’ foothills are where this park is located. On the mountain’s slopes, you pass through the surrounding forest cover. Elephants, cape buffaloes, gigantic forest hogs, bushbucks, chimpanzees, leopards, and more than 214 bird species, including 19 Albertine endemics, are among the creatures you might witness. Treats from various vegetation zones are enjoyed by the birds.

Mountain Elgon National Park

One of the rare wildlife reserves in eastern Uganda is this park. This is the area’s water catchment. The reason for the lower number of visitors to this park is because tourists prefer Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro. Great vegetation zones, including gigantic heather, bamboo, montane forest, and others, may be found in the park. Some animals benefit from this in terms of survival. such as leopards, spotted hyenas, Defassa water bucks, oribi, to name a few.

This park is home to a variety of birds, including the black collared Apalis, mustache green tinkerbird, and Jackson’s Francolin.

Semliki National Park

Semliki National Park is one of the less well-known Ugandan national parks. It is a secluded park in the region of Bundibujo. There are many different kinds of birds in this biodiverse park. The Sempaya hot springs that are bubbling from below are quite remarkable. More than 336 tree species, 53 animal species, and other species can be found in this moist semi-deciduous forest.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 

Mgahinga National Park located in the far southwest. Nyakagezi is the name of one gorilla trekking family in the park. This family wanders through the forest and occasionally into Rwanda. You must check the availability of mountain gorillas in order to reserve gorilla permits for this park. Birdwatching, visiting the Batwa Pygmies, ascending the volcanoes, and other activities are also well-known in this area.

Uganda Packing List Safari

Apply sunscreen to your skin to prevent sunburns.
Use insect repellent to ward off stinging and buzzing insects.
A camera to capture images and preserve memories of your time spent in nature.
Foldable a bottle of drinking water to keep on hand.

Binoculars to see distant attractions more clearly
Because you spend all of your time in the automobile during game drives, wear flip-flops.
Nighttime pajamas and energizing foods to eat when you’re hungry
rain gear, particularly for chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking, in case it rains while in the jungle.

Safari attire, but only bring what is necessary, as the more you bring, the heavier your luggage will be.
Ugandan gorilla trekking requires tracking boots due to the parks’ consistently wet and slick terrain.
In the unlikely event that your lodge does not provide toiletries
If you must trek, bring a light backpack to carry your possessions.
A first aid kit in case you are hurt while working