Uganda is the place to go for self-drive safaris. The country is home to many primates and Kibale National Park offers amazing chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences. Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks are great for game drives in a Savannah environment with plenty of lion, buffalo and elephant, as well as a range of antelope species. The country is particularly scenic and has a lot to offer to people with a keen interest in natural history and those who enjoy active holidays.
This 18 days Self-drive Safari with 4×4 Land Cruiser with rooftop tent traverses most of Uganda’s attractions and offers the ultimate experience of Uganda’s immense natural beauty and diversity. Spot all the big five in the savanna plains, get close to mountain gorillas in the thick rain-forest, observe plenty of primates, enjoy the beautiful scenery, the warm weather, and lots more.
The trip starts from Kampala – Sezibwa Falls – Mabira Forest – Jinja. After an early breakfast self-drive to kick off your long adventure, starting off with eastern Uganda. You will drive through Kampala and head eastwards along the Kampala – Jinja highway.
First turn-off is to the Sezibwa Falls, a Buganda cultural heritage site, with beautiful waterfalls and cool atmosphere. Spend an hour here hiking the rocks, watching birds, and learning about the myths of the falls and the ancient traditional worshiping that is still practiced here.
Thereafter return to the road and make another stopover at Mabira Rain forest – the largest forest in Central Uganda. Head out for a 2-hour trek to the track the habituated Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, watch lots of birds, monkeys, squirrels, and enjoy the aroma of an African jungle. Return and get back on the road and drive to Jinja. Check in at your accommodation, have lunch and thereafter head out for an hour boat ride on Lake Victoria to the Source of the Nile. Transfer to your lodge.
Then Mt Elgon – Kidepo Valley National Park. After early breakfast, embark on a long drive to the north of Uganda and get to Kidepo Valley National Park – arguably Africa’s most spectacular wilderness. Lunch en-route. Arrive to the park in the evening and transfer your lodge for dinner and overnight.
4×4 Land Cruiser Prado – 2 pax Rooftop Tent $90 USD per day without fuel and driver
With our suitable 4×4 rooftop tent cars it is much easier to connect from Kidepo – Murchison Falls National Park. After early breakfast, check out and depart for Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s largest game park. You will stopover in Gulu town to have lunch. You will get to Murchison Falls National Park in the evening, transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Early Morning Game Driver, After Launch on the Nile. Wake up for an early cup of tea/coffee and head out for the game drive by 6.30. Murchison Falls offers a variety of wildlife including lions, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, oribi, water bucks, bush bucks, and lots of savanna birds.
The game drive lasts 3 – 4 hours, return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. Later set out for the launch cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls – the world’s strongest waterfalls. The cruise offers a lot of wildlife sightings along the Nile include hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos, and so many water birds. The launch cruise is 3 hours, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Murchison Falls – Albertine Rift Valley – Lake Albert. After breakfast, check out of the lodge and leave for Hoima driving through Murchison falls. This presents another chance to see more wildlife in the park. You shall stopover in Masindi for lunch before proceeding to Hoima and transferring to Lake Albert Safari Lodge where you will relax the evening and overnight.
Lake Albert – Kibale National Park. After breakfast, check out and travel to Kibale Forest National Park, driving along the scenic Albertine rift valley escarpment and verdant countryside. You shall have lunch in Fort Portal town before proceeding to Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive in the late afternoon, check into your accommodation, and spend the rest of the day and overnight.
Chimpanzee Tracking – Bigodi nature walk. Wake up to an early breakfast at 6.30am, thereafter transfer to the park offices for briefing. After briefing, the ranger takes the lead and you head into Kibale Forest to look for the chimpanzees and view lots of the other wildlife including primates, birds, and butterflies.
When you return to the chimpanzees, you are allowed only an hour to view them and follow them around. Return to the lodge for lunch. Later head out for walk in the Bigodi Wetland, rich with primates, and birds among an array of wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Kibale National Park – Semliki National Park. After breakfast check out and self-drive to Semliki National Park situated about two and half hours’ drive from Kibale Forest. Upon arrival hike to the iconic Sempaya Hot Springs.
Transfer to your accommodation for lunch, later set out for a game drive for some wildlife sighting which include Uganda Kob, reed buck, savanna elephant, duiker, water buck, warthog, giant forest hog, and birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. After breakfast check out of the lodge and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will stopover in Fort Portal town to have lunch. Proceed to and get to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you drive through the park to get to your accommodation, you will be treated to the scenic landscape dotted with beautiful crater lakes, lush grasslands, and occasional big game.
Early morning Game Drive – afternoon Boat Ride on Kazinga Channel. Wake up to early cup of tea/coffee and self-drive for early morning game drive at 6.30am. The park is wonderful with lots of big game and a very beautiful scenery. Expect to see lions, elephants, Topis, Kobs, buffaloes, hyenas, and leopards.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. Later set out for the afternoon boat ride on the Kazinga Channel – a natural stream of water joining Lakes Edward and George. The channel is home to a variety of wildlife and attracts big game to drink water and cool off the heat. Expect to see lots hippos, buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and so many birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, check out, drive through the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a chance of sighting the Tree-Climbing Lions as well as a number of big games. Lunch en-route and proceed to southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – home of the Mountain Gorillas. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Batwa community walk. Wake up to an early breakfast, pick a packed lunch, and transfer to the park offices at 7.30am for briefing by the rangers. You are assigned the habituated gorilla group you shall track and by 8.00am set off into Bwindi Forest to find the gorillas. You spend an hour with the gorillas, return to find your driver, and refresh, later visit the Batwa community. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – canoe ride and community walk. Transfer to lake Bunyonyi and spend the day enjoying the soothing atmosphere of Lake Bunyonyi and magnificent highland scenery all around. Take a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi and explore its islands, return to the lodge for lunch. Hike the highlands and visit local communities which are very welcoming and eager for visitors. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park. After breakfast, check out and travel to Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival in Lake Mburo, drive through the game trails and view a number of wildlife including zebras, impalas, buffaloes, elands, water bucks, birds, and marvelous scenery.
Continue to check in at your accommodation, refresh, and have lunch. Later set out for a relaxing evening boat ride on the Lake Mburo and also view some wildlife including hippos and several birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Nature Walk, Travel Back to Entebbe. Wake up for an early morning nature walk into the park for a chance to catch some nocturnal wildlife at close encounter. You are led by an armed ranger. Alternatively, you could opt for a horse ride for this experience. Return for breakfast, check out and travel back to Entebbe to catch your evening flight back home. Lunch is en-route. You also get to make a stopover at the Equator point for some picture moments.
Self-drive in Kigali at $100 USD per day without fuel and driver
Therefore, if you are looking at combing your route with Rwanda? Our well maintained are suitable and allowed to cross to Rwanda and then you can take self-drive in Kigali and visit the nearby touristic destinations like Akagera, Nyungwe and then to Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park.
