National park · Uganda
Nyero Rock Paintings
Enter Nyero Rock Paintings for about UGX 5,000–10,000 per person (check), take the guided 1‑2 h walk to shelters 1‑3 in the dry morning, and visit in June‑August for the clearest paths.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Eastern Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers; carry the original.
- Eastern Uganda ↗ATMs work in Jinja, Mbale, Tororo and Soroti; carry cash for Sipi, park fees and small lodges.
- Eastern Uganda ↗Drive on the left; police checkpoints on the Kampala–Jinja–Mbale highway are routine.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The protected site covers the six recorded granite shelters on a small outcrop; the core visitor area (shelters 1‑3) is about 0.5 km².
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Nyero Rock Paintings are a UNESCO tentative‑list cultural site in eastern Uganda, featuring six granite shelters with red and white geometric rock art; a guide‑led 1‑2 hour walk lets visitors see the main shelters while protecting the fragile paintings.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteGazetted National Cultural Site and Monument.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1972
The protected site covers the six recorded granite shelters on a small outcrop; the core visitor area (shelters 1‑3) is about 0.5 km².
Why go
- See some of Uganda's most extensive geometric rock art in a remote granite outcrop.
- Combine a short heritage walk with views of the Teso countryside.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarIncreasing rains.
- AprRainy, slippery rocks.
- MayRainy, mud.
- JunDry, clear mornings.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepEnd of dry season.
- OctRain returns.
- NovRainy.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds, lizards, occasional monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kumi
Taxi or boda‑boda 8 km (5 mi) west on Kumi‑Ngora road.Taxi or boda‑boda 5 mi (8 km) west on Kumi‑Ngora road.
15–25 min
From Kampala
Bus to Kumi (≈250 km (155 mi)) then taxi/boda‑boda.Bus to Kumi (≈155 mi (250 km)) then taxi/boda‑boda.
6–8 h total
Open the page →
From Mbale
Bus to Kumi, then local transport.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nyero shelters 1‑3 | Main painted granite shelters; guided walk. | Open with guide and admission fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official site; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission (guided visit) | UGX 5,000–10,000 | person | Rate varies; confirm on arrival. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided visit permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Touching
- Do not touch paintings; damage is prohibited.
- Photography
- Ask guide permission; no flash or tripods on painted surfaces.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without authority permission.
- Guides
- A guide is required for all visits.
- Camping
- Not permitted within the site or nearby farmland.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kumi Hotel
Basic rooms, restaurant, Wi‑Fi; 10 km (6.2 mi) east of site.Basic rooms, restaurant, Wi‑Fi; 6.2 mi (10 km) east of site.
Near the park
The Pearl Hotel Kumi
Small hotel with breakfast; convenient for Nyero trips.
Safety
Slippery granite medium
Heat low
Thunderstorms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Site reachable by car; short walks involve uneven steps and narrow passages; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and purchase food in Kumi.
- Do not remove any stones, pigments or artifacts.
- Carry out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nyero Rock Paintings?
Admission with a guide is about UGX 5,000–10,000 per person; confirm the exact rate on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Nyero Rock Paintings?
The guided 1–2 hour walk to shelters Nyero 1, 2 and 3 is the standard route; a short side trail leads to the granite viewpoint.
When is the best time to visit Nyero Rock Paintings?
Visit in the dry months June to August (or January–February) for clear, non‑slippery paths and comfortable temperatures.
Do I need a guide to see the paintings?
Yes. A guide is required for entry and to protect the fragile art.
Can I bring food and drink into the shelters?
No. Eat only in designated areas outside the painted shelters and carry out all waste.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go