By Frank Kamuntu
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has intensified its campaign to encourage Ugandans to embrace domestic tourism after hosting a three-day immersive familiarization tour that showcased the breathtaking beauty, wildlife, culture and hospitality found in Murchison Falls National Park.
The tour, which brought together journalists, digital influencers and content creators from across the country, was designed to inspire more Ugandans, especially the youth—to explore their own country ahead of the Open Park Days 2026, scheduled for September 25-27.
The journey was officially flagged off on Monday morning at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, where UWA officials urged participants to become ambassadors for Uganda’s tourism industry by sharing authentic experiences with millions of followers on digital platforms.
Commissioner for Tourism and Business Development at UWA, Dorcus Rukundo Twesigomwe, challenged the participants to take ownership of Uganda’s natural heritage.
“You are the owners of this country. You should know it, enjoy its beauty and pass that experience on to other Ugandans,” she said.
Journey Into Uganda’s Greatest Wilderness
The adventure began with a breakfast stop at Total Migyera before the convoy continued north to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in the evening.
The team was warmly welcomed at Entikko Safari Lodge, where they experienced world-class hospitality, modern African architecture and an impressive variety of local and international cuisine.
Later, participants checked into the newly renovated Sambiya River Lodge, a mid-range facility located just 15 minutes from the Top of the Falls.
Many influencers described the lodge as one of the hidden gems of Uganda’s tourism industry, praising its tranquil environment surrounded by indigenous trees and its comfortable cottages designed for couples, families and groups.
First Taste Of The Wild
As darkness fell, the group embarked on a three-hour night game drive under the guidance of professional UWA ranger guides.
For many participants, it was their first opportunity to witness Uganda’s wildlife after sunset.
The park came alive with sightings of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and numerous nocturnal birds, including nightjars.
Some animals grazed peacefully while others wandered through the savannah under the moonlight, leaving many visitors amazed by experiences they had only previously seen in documentaries or heard about from others.
Some participants spent the night at Paraa Safari Lodge while others returned to Sambiya River Lodge.
Breakfast In The Wild
Day Two began with an early morning game drive before participants enjoyed one of the tour’s most memorable highlights, a bush breakfast overlooking the spectacular Lake Albert Delta.
The unique breakfast in the wilderness offered uninterrupted views of the park’s vast landscapes while wildlife roamed freely nearby.
The experience was followed by a three-hour boat cruise aboard UWA vessels along the Victoria Nile to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls.
The cruise offered close encounters with hippos, elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks and waterbucks, while crocodiles basked along the riverbanks.
Bird lovers also enjoyed sightings of the iconic shoebill stork, Egyptian geese, pied kingfishers, great white egrets, red-throated flycatchers and numerous other bird species that make Murchison Falls one of Africa’s finest birding destinations.
Luxury Meets Adventure
Lunch was served at the picturesque Pakuba Safari Lodge, where participants sampled premium cuisine while overlooking the expansive wilderness.
From there, the team crossed towards Pakwach for a cultural tourism experience that demonstrated another side of Uganda’s tourism offering.
Traditional Alur dancers welcomed the visitors with energetic performances as local women demonstrated millet grinding, groundnut processing and preparation of millet porridge, which some participants tasted from traditional calabashes.
The cultural encounter highlighted Uganda’s rich heritage, reminding visitors that tourism extends beyond wildlife to include vibrant communities and centuries-old traditions.
The evening concluded with a barbecue and campfire experience back at Sambiya River Lodge, where participants reflected on the day’s adventures beneath the African night sky.
Many described it as a refreshing alternative to the busy nightlife of Kampala.
Adventure At The Top Of The Falls
On the final day, participants embraced more adventure through canopy walks and zip-lining at Sambiya River Lodge before visiting the iconic Top of Murchison Falls.
There, they watched the world’s most powerful waterfall force the River Nile through a narrow seven-metre gorge before plunging over 40 metres into the Devil’s Cauldron.
Breakfast overlooking the thunderous falls offered another unforgettable moment for the team.
The group later visited Murchison Falls National Park headquarters, where Chief Warden Fredrick Kayanja Kiiza thanked the participants for accepting the invitation to discover Uganda.
He urged them to use their influence responsibly by sharing truthful experiences that would encourage more Ugandans to visit the country’s protected areas.
“Be true ambassadors. Go out and tell fellow Ugandans what you have seen and what many young people are missing by not visiting our national parks,” Kiiza said.
The journey concluded with lunch at Master Peace Resort, located near Masindi.
Participants toured the resort’s modern accommodation, conference facilities and recreational amenities, which position it as an ideal stopover for visitors travelling to Murchison Falls National Park.
Situated just eight kilometres from Masindi Town and about 13 kilometres from the park, the resort offers travellers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
Ugandans Urged To Explore Their Country
As the tour ended, many influencers admitted that it had completely changed their perception of domestic tourism.
Several said they had never realised the richness of Uganda’s tourism attractions until experiencing them firsthand.
Team leader and musician Ykee Benda said domestic tourism has enormous economic value because every Ugandan who visits a national park directly supports thousands of livelihoods.
“When Ugandans choose to travel within their own country, they support tour guides, hotel workers, transport operators, craft vendors and farmers who supply food to tourism facilities. Every local tourist becomes an investor in Uganda’s economy,” he said.
He noted that stronger domestic tourism would help tourism businesses remain operational throughout the year instead of depending heavily on international arrivals.
According to the singer, visiting national parks also creates a stronger conservation culture among citizens.
“You cannot protect what you have never experienced. When Ugandans visit our national parks and heritage sites, they develop a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility towards conserving wildlife, forests and cultural treasures for future generations,” he added.
Ykee Benda called upon Ugandans, especially young people, to take advantage of the upcoming Open Park Days and experience the beauty that exists within their own country.
Open Park Days 2026
The annual Open Park Days, running from September 25 to 27, will give Ugandans an opportunity to explore some of the country’s leading protected areas while participating in exciting tourism activities.
The participating parks include:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
With wildlife encounters, adventure activities, luxury accommodation, cultural experiences and unmatched natural beauty, UWA believes this year’s Open Park Days will inspire thousands of Ugandans to rediscover their country’s tourism treasures and embrace local travel as both a lifestyle and a contribution to national development.
Email: swiftnewsug@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +256 754 137 391