The rainy season and tourism

Uganda’s rainy season, while a lifeline for its lush landscapes, is proving to be a significant hurdle for tourism.

From flooded roads, and impassable roads to elusive wildlife, the impact is being felt across the country’s treasured national parks, threatening visitor experiences and increasing costs for operators.

The rainy season has cast a shadow over Uganda’s renowned national parks. Roads leading to these parks, often the only link between wildlife and tourists, have become a nightmare for tour operators and travelers alike.

Bashir Hangi, Communications Manager of Uganda Wildlife Authority ( UWA) says there has been improvement in road maintenance however, he admits the rainy season tends to mess up the access roads.

"The roads are not in good condition, especially during the rains. Tourists and operators lose a lot of time navigating diversions or waiting for repairs. Routine maintenance is almost impossible in this season—fix one road, and another gets damaged but we are working with other government agencies and the private sector to make sure most roads are in good condition and accessible," Hangi told this website.

" Even in the rainy season animals tend to hide as they wait for the sunny days to come out, so it is not a guarantee for tourists to see animals at the time they need especially when it rains but we are conserving them and it is not true that they get out of the parks during the rainy season," he added.

Flooding within and around the parks is another challenge. Although the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) uses trenches and early warning systems to alert operators and mitigate risks, the toll on the private sector is significant.

Vehicle breakdowns are common, driving up costs and making Uganda’s destinations less attractive due to diversions and delays.

" There is where things become beyond the government or whoever is in charge. Especially when it is raining and I think it can happen anyway in the world. But it is also an experience. You can imagine you are in a new country and then it is raining. We always refer to that experience as "Muzungu in the mud" where the tourists are pushing cars and you know it is fun," Felex Musinguzi, Team leader at Kazinga Tours said.

Geoffrey Baluku, a sector player, adds that the poor road networks are a major letdown for Uganda's tourism sector. Despite some improvements in road infrastructure, the rains undo much of the progress, hindering mass tourism.

Visitation to all national parks and wildlife reserves stands at 390,000 visitors with Murchison Falls National Park attracting over 140000, Queen Elizabeth National Park pulling over 90000 visitors every year.

Both parks contribute over 60% of all the national park entries.

Experts say bad roads leading to those two national parks could affect these numbers.

But the rainy season isn’t all bad Musinguzi says the rainy season has its opportunities too.

" During this season, Migratory birds are drawn to Uganda from other countries because of its favorable weather, and some tourists cherish the unpredictable surprises national parks offer," He said.

However, experts agree that improving road networks and weather-proofing park infrastructure could enhance visitor experiences and boost the sector’s resilience.

"When it rains some tourists fear to pass there. Others get accidents, especially in Bwindi. I think the government should allocate money for tourism roads to the Ministry of Tourism and not to the Ministry of Works then it is about the Ministry of Tourism to decide to work with UNRA because, in my thinking, money for roads is diverted," Baluku said.

While Uganda’s parks remain a jewel for wildlife enthusiasts, the rainy season continues to test their accessibility and the patience of those who come to explore. For now, it’s a mixed bag of challenges and rewards.