Uganda is a unique destination ideal for 4WD self-drive holidays. This tour brings you the best of Uganda’s top safari destination with unforgettable activities as you drive through the central, Eastern, Northern and Western plus the Southern region of Uganda. It has been said that the thing that makes a company great is the people, and I believe that 4×4 rooftop tent jeep from 4×4 Car Hire Uganda has never lucked out with their well-maintained jeeps, staff and guides. Particularly thanks must go to Emma our safari guide and Maike who organized our 22-day self-drive safari.
He went out of his way to ensure that we saw all the animals and birds that we had indicated to the safari company that we hoped to see. In all cases he was able to deal with a few very minor hiccups of scheduling, reservations and vehicle maintenance with absolutely no inconvenience to us.
As you start off your adventure to the East of Jinja, this 4×4 road trip is full of breathtaking views to see the source of the Nile and to experience the adventures of the Nile that is the White-Water Rafting and bungee jumping at the source of the Nile. The best and most adventurous fun-filled activities in Uganda are all by the Nile. Book and experience bungee jumping like never before, camping at its best, quad biking, tubing, and kayaking in the Nile river, and there is exquisite dining in there restaurant and bar.
Bungee Jumping is an adrenaline raising activities in Jinja, Uganda. Diving down the tower and kissing or touching the River Nile provides one of the most spectacular views imaginable. Bungee Uganda has well trained staff and team that are equipped in handling clients to their satisfaction, ensure they get the most out of the experience while being safe and secure.
On Day 3 you can go hike to the Sipi Falls on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Exploring the foothills is an alternative activity for visitors who do not wish to climb to the top, and this is an excellent hiking area, very beautiful and virtually untouched by tourists. There are caves to visit as well as the pretty cascading Sipi Falls, endemic plants include giant lobelia, heather and groundsel, lucky walkers may spot blue and black-and-white colobus monkeys and rare birds in the forests, and most hikes lead to viewpoints where you can look up at the craggy peaks of brooding Mount Elgon.
On day 4 to 6 self-drive road trip, the North East rout rewards you with scenic unforgettable drive to Kidepo Valley National Park to see the unspoiled landscape and an incredible variety of wildlife. You will enjoy a morning game drive and an afternoon Karamojong community tour.
The park hosts over 77 mammal species including a healthy population of Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, Hyenas, Elands, and Hartebeests plus many species The Narus Valley teems with wildlife in the dry season and it’s not uncommon to see buffalo gatherings numbering in their thousands and elephants in their hundreds.
This is also Uganda’s only park where cheetah can be seen and other species including the Bat-eared foxes, Black-backed jackals, Aardwolf, Caracals, Greater and Lesser Kudus. There are also plenty of birds exclusive to this park and with over 475 species on the checklist including the Common ostrich. It’s a true African wilderness of extreme beauty with large concentrations of wildlife still enduring.
It is also the definition of remote; and the reason there are so few tourists here is that it is a hard place to reach and security can be an issue at times in this volatile region. You can do camping in this camp park, you are given an armed ranger from Apoka headquarters. You can also visit the IK people up in the mountains.
On day 7 to 9 self-drive safari, transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with scenic sightseeing en-route. The largest of all 10 Uganda national parks at 3,840km2 thrilled with the world’s most powerful waterfall, the Nile River over 76 species of mammal including 4 of iconic Africa’s Big Five and 451 species of birds including the incredible Shoe bills.
On your road trip to Murchison Falls National Park, roam to the northern Uganda landscapes including the former fighting grounds of the Kony’s LRA rebels in Kitgum and Gulu. Arrive in the evening, check-in your accommodation. For those camping you can pitch up your tents.
On day 10 to 11 of self-drive safari, traverse to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee Habituation Experience. Kibale Forest is best-known for its habituated chimpanzees, and in my experience, it is certainly the best place in Uganda to track man’s closest relative, though sightings of these fascinating.
After a breakfast at around 6.00 am, connect to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre to catch up with a briefing by the researcher on how you’re expected to conduct yourself while in the forest when you locate the chimp.
This whole-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience offers a great opportunity to watch and interact with these intelligent great apes. From Kanyanchu, accompany researchers into the forest in search of a Chimp community that is less accustomed to human presence than those visited on the chimp trek.
You have a great opportunity to learn a lot more about chimps as you watch them leaving their overnight nests between 6:00 to 6:30 am before feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling, and displaying until it is time to build new nests at around 7.00 pm.
On day 12 of self-driving safari to Semliki National Park, hike the Sempaya hot and then transfer to Kasese. After a relaxed breakfast, undertake a 2-5 hours scenic drive to Semliki, a 220km² forest park on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, harboring some intriguing wildlife including forest buffaloes, forest elephants, water chevrotain, Zenker’s flying mice, Pygmy antelope, Chimpanzees, De Brazza’s monkey, Olive baboons, Mona monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Black-and-white colobus and Red-tailed monkeys. Birders come to see more than 440 bird species, particularly the central African species, such as the Congo serpent eagle.
Upon arrival in Semliki, hike to Sempaya hot springs. There are two hot springs, the “male” hot spring is known as Bitente and the “female” hots spring, the geyser is called Nyansimbi. The emerging water has a temperature of over 100 °C and the surrounding pools are hot.
You can boil some plantain or eggs to have picnic bites. From Semliki, drive back to Fort Portal and then connect to Kasese on the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
On day 13 and 14 of the 22 Days of self-driving to Rwenzori Mountains Hike. Have breakfast at around 6.00 am, transfer to Nyakalengija trailhead to start the 2-day Rwenzori Mountain hiking adventure.
Explore the legendary mountain of the moon a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s highest mountain range, rising to 5,109m above sea level with snow capped peaks despite its closeness to the world’s main latitude the Equator.
The sights of the peaks can be viewed at a distance, the sights of glaciers flowing down the mountain are beautiful not forgetting the Savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the rift valley lakes of George and Edward, and Kasese town below. Sleeping on the mountain is an adventure encounter of its own.
The following day, you hike a little and then embark on the descent back to the starting point from where you will undertake a 1-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
On day 15 of self-driving Uganda safari takes you for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Sector, afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise. Embark on a 3 – 4 hours game drive in the classic Savannah plains of the Kasenyi sector in search of elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs, Uganda Kobs, hippos, and various smaller creatures.
This section, apart from the great wildlife, is also one of the prettiest in the park, especially in the golden light of the morning. Return to the lodge or camp for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to Mweya for another remarkable, unforgettable activity planned; the 2-hour boat trip on the 40 Kazinga channel which flows between Lakes George and Edward.
One of the world’s densest concentrations of hippo lives here, as well as large numbers of elephants, crocodiles, and water birds like African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, and Saddle-billed Storks, Water Thick-knee and Pelicans.
Retreat from the activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
On day 16 of self-driving Uganda safari, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do an en-route game drive Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions. Have early breakfast at 8.30 am and set off to south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Before leaving Queen, enjoy a short game drive in the Ishasha Plains in search of the plain’s well know tree-climbing lions. After seeing these brilliantly adapted creatures, exit the park and travel through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda as you make your way to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight or at your camp.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical forest wonderland. It has been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Covering 321 km, the rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges.
Bwindi is world-renowned for excellent gorilla trekking safaris, harboring nearly half of the Mountain Gorillas on Earth. Aside from the majestic Mountain Gorillas, there are other draw cards including over 120 mammal species, 10 species of primates, over 350 species of bird to spot, 1000 species of flowing plants, and a variety of colorful butterflies.
On day 17 of mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and relax at the lodge. Today, experience what some people define as a life memory. Wake up very early in the morning (at around 6.00 am).
Have an early breakfast, pack your lunch with water and then embark on a short drive to the respective park headquarter where you meet the expert local ranger guides. At 8.00 am, the guides give an informative briefing on how the gorilla trekking experience is conducted.
After the briefing, embark on a trek to find the gorillas. A Gorilla trek in the dense forest of Bwindi is relatively difficult and needs some stamina. It usually takes 2- 6 hours and may reach altitudes of almost 2000m above sea level.
Don’t forget Bwindi is a rain forest so it can sometimes be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated family group of gorillas, dominated by a giant male Silver back, more than outweighs any difficulty.
An adult male can weigh up to 220kg and reach 6 feet in height but gorillas are placid and gentle; watching their movements are like seeing a mirror image of yourself.
The time with the gorillas is limited to one hour but coming face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is indeed a life-changing experience that will be thrilled on your mind forever. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point and connect to the lodge or camp for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
On day 18 of the 22 Days self-driving Uganda safari: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and relax. After breakfast at around 8.30 am, depart to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. The drive itself is very scenic through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands, small villages, coffee and banana plantations, and rolling hills. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and relax at the lake.
At your discretion, you can engage in Island hopping or canoe paddle to explore the little lake blessed with 29 Islands. You can also visit the Punishment Island when unmarried girls who became pregnant would be exiled. Here, they faced one of two possible fates. Any man who did not own sufficient cows to pay for an untainted bride was permitted to fetch the disgraced girl from the island and make her his wife. Failing that, the girl would usually starve to death.
On day 19 of self-driving Uganda, drive to Lake Mburo National Park and settle for a night game drive. You can have a relaxed breakfast and then embark on a 199km drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Make a lunch stop at Agip Motel in Mbarara after which you transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.
At 7 pm, embark on a 2 hours night game drive in the Savannah landscapes of the park with possibilities of exploring nocturnal species such as Hare, Porcupine, Aardvark, White-tailed mongoose, Honey badger, Side-stripped jackal, Bush pig, Spotted hyena, Serval cat, Genet cat, Civet, Thick tailed Galago and black galago. You also have chances of viewing the day hunters and grazers having a night’s rest. Retire for dinner and overnight.
On day 20 of the 22 Days self-driving, enjoy a game walking safari in Lake Mburo Park and drive to Entebbe. Enjoy your breakfast at around 6.30 am and then team up with the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide at Rwonyo, setting off to the extensive Savannah stretches of Lake Mburo National Park on foot gaining possible views of Burchell’s Zebra, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Cape Buffaloes, Common Elands, Impalas (only found here in the whole of Uganda), Defassa water bucks, Warthogs, and other wild games as the checklist of mammals reach 68 species.
Retreat from the 3-hour activity and embark on the drive to Kampala 240km about 4 hours’ drive. Make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for photo shoots and water experiments explaining the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres that may not be missed. Arrive late in the evening and sleep at a guest house in Entebbe.
On day 21 visit Ngamba Island the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 49 orphaned chimps rescued from throughout Uganda. Island facilities offer day trips and overnight trips which provide exceptional opportunity to closely observe and interact with these fascinating great apes in this unique setting.
I fully recommend a visit to Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary and if possible an overnight visit. The island is a forest sanctuary not only for the chimpanzees but also for birdlife. Sunset on the beach as the birds return from the lake to roost, bats emerging for the night and the sound of the chimps settling down for the night is magical, as is spending the night in a cabin on the beach.
The staff are very knowledgeable and work hard rehabilitating the chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. In addition to caring for the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island the trust also supports communities on the nearby islands and in western Uganda to address human-wildlife conflict challenges. A fantastic organization to support with dedicated staff.
On day 22 of the 22 Days self-driving Uganda safari, departure and connect to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home depending on its time.