There is something about renting your own vehicle and self – driving through a national park and stopping beside variety of wildlife. Or criss – crossing through the woodland to encounter a large herd of elephants. For those who want complete freedom over where to go, we know some interesting destinations for a self-drive safari.

Where to go

4×4 Car Hire Uganda would advise a self-drive safari in East Africa. With many self-drive safari holidays in Africa, there’s no better way to explore these wonderful countries; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda than on your own terms.

With vast expanses of diverse terrain and a thriving ecosystem like no other on earth, Uganda and East Africa is undoubtedly one of the best safari locations in the world.

Tanzania

If you are to self drive in Tanzania, then these parks should be on your top bucket list below:

Serengeti National Park

More than almost any other destination, Tanzania is the land of safaris with the most famous and numerous parks is the Serengeti National Park. The burnt yellow Savannah of Serengeti are best known for the annual wildebeest migration, where approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, over 200,000 zebras and about 350,000 gazelles trek across the landscapes in search of fresh water and grass. Wildebeest scattering across the plains, Hippos push for space in muddy waterways.

The 14,763km Serengeti National Park is also renowned for its predators, especially its lions. Hunting alongside the lions are cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals and more. These feast on zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topis, elands, hartebeest, impalas, klipspringers, duikers and so many more.

A wildlife drive or self – drive in Serengeti as part of an organized safari or as operated by your Serengeti lodge is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in East Africa. Exploring the Serengeti’s four major areas: Seronera and the South, Grumeti and Western Corridor, the Central Plains and Northern Serengeti, requires careful planning and an understanding of what each has to offer and at which time of the year will determine how you experience.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Another highlight of the country is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This area is one of Africa’s finest Eden, a delightful abundant volcanic hole that contains just about every animal you would want to see. There are also leopards in the woodland, making is possible to see the full big five in a single game drive.

At 19km wide and with a surface of 264sq km, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest unbroken calderas in the world that isn’t a lake. Only game drives are possible and every vehicle is limited to six hours in an attempt to ease overcrowding. With mist winding and lions roaming, descending onto the caldera floor at sunrise is one of the most iconic safari experiences.

Early morning is the best wildlife watching time and if you depart at first light, you will have some time in the crater before the masses arrive. Afternoons are less busy than mornings. The gates open at 6am and close for descent at 4pm and all gates and all vehicles must be out of the crater before 6pm.

There are plenty of amazing lodges and camps near by the Ngorongoro. And staying at a luxury lodge or camp on the crater rim puts you in prime position for a sunrise entry. We also recommend a couple of nearby lodges that understand the importance of an early start. In demand makes the accommodation some of the priciest in Africa, but Ngorongoro is one of Africa’s most special destinations.

Kenya

Kenya is the perfect place to answer Africa’s call of the wild and one of our favorites for viewing incredible wildlife. The country is just so iconic when it comes to safaris, and we love everything this area is renowned for with the un-spoilt wilderness, an abundance of magnificent animals, and incredible, genuine safaris. For self- driving opportunities in this country don’t miss out the following national parks on your top list below;

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is the northern extension of Tanzania’s equally famous Serengeti Plains. The Reserve isn’t just where you go to spot wildlife. The grasslands fully submerge you in all the drama and charm of the wild, from lionesses chasing zebra herds to the echoing drumbeat created by wildebeest hooves on the move. Exploring these plains has continually provided us with the most iconic of safari memories.

Impressive at any time of the year it’s at its best between July and September when around a million migrating wildebeest and thousands of topis, zebras and others pour into the reserve from Tanzania in search of the fresh grass generated by the rains. It is arguably, the most spectacular wildlife shows on the planet and the one thing that no visitor to Kenya should even consider missing.

Self –driving to see wildlife is the highlight of a trip to the Mara, although during the busy Christmas and migration season it can seem that there are as many minivans as animals. Another activity in the Mara is to do a guided nature walk. One of the best ways to experience the African bush is on foot; you will learn all about the medicinal properties of various plants, see the tell-tale signs of passing animals and have some thrilling encounters with the local wildlife.

There also Balloon Safaris, there is no better way to start your day than soaring majestically over the rolling grasslands. Trips can book at most of the lodges or campsites. You can also visit the Maasai Manyatta, they are signifying with the Masai Mara and their slender frames, blood-red cloaks, ochre hairstyles and recognizable.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli belongs in the elite of Kenya’s national parks the land of the giants, where large herds of elephant roam beneath the majestic peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is one of Africa’s most eternal images, especially when the distant snow signifies and the elephants turn to silhouettes as dusk takes hold. For an introduction to safari, we don’t think there are many places that can challenge this inspiring park.

The bewitching scene is best at sunrise and sunset and we know a number of excellent camps that offer a view directly from your bed. A scattering of giraffe and acacia trees join the panorama, continuing Amboseli’s factor as you’re tucking in to breakfast. While the park is famous for its large elephant herds, dotted across the Savannah you’re also likely to encounter lion prides, big herds of buffalo, and a smattering of different antelope. While you won’t see the complete big five, there’s a great variety of life to keep you entertained.

Amboseli National Park can crowd during the summer days. We highly recommend overnighting in Amboseli as the evenings have a wonderful calm and there’s nothing like opening your luxury tents to the Savannah at dawn. For the ultimate first-time experience, we can arrange a light aircraft transfer from Amboseli to Masai Mara, an astonishing flight that links the snowy mountain with the endless grasslands.

Accommodation in Amboseli National Park is excellent but you should also consider one of the private concessions that share unfenced borders with the national park, especially for a three-day or longer safari.

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

A self-drive safari through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track the mighty mountain gorillas and varied landscapes, combined with an awe-inspiring spectacle of wildebeest, is an unbeatable experience. Half to almost half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, the World Heritage listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of East Africa’s most famous national parks.

Set over 331sq km of improbably steep mountain rain forest, the park is home to an estimated 459 gorillas undoubtedly Uganda’s biggest tourist draw card

Gorilla safaris in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are Uganda’s highlight tourist activity. Over 19 habituated gorilla families are phenomenal, your time with these gentle giants will be life changing, and we would recommend taking 10 minutes away from the camera to truly take it all in and enjoy their reserved nature. With Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permits rising in price, Uganda’s treks are becoming ever more popular for wildlife addicts.

Discovering other wildlife in Uganda

The Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is just as magical, a feeling the adrenaline rise as a crescendo of grunting echoes through the trees is so charming. A habituation experience is remarkable too you’ll spend the whole day following a pack and watching as they swing and forage through the trees.

No doubt you’ll see the likes of golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and Uganda mangabey on your trip, especially along the Bigodi Wetlands Walk. Over 1,000 species of bird flock to Uganda too – Semliki is perfect for birdlife enthusiasts, and we love the shoe bill stork.

Known as the land of the ‘Big Four, you can truly see it all when it comes to wildlife. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best areas to find them, the winding Kazinga Channel in Mweya is ideal for spotting hippo, buffalo and leopards, whilst tree-climbing lions make Ishasha their home. The gorge in Kyambura is amazing too, with a troupe of over 24 chimpanzees residing in its lush forest.

Choose your set of wheels

The choice of wheels is very important and it’s worth remembering that all guided game drives are done in vehicles like Toyota Land cruisers, safari vans, coaster, overlanders, Rav4 among others. Most African safari landscapes are dominated by grass, but the most important point is the key to spotting the animals within it, because the higher you are the more you can see. Most of the roads that lead to the national parks aren’t in good shape, so four-wheel drive capability is essential, especially given how rugged and rough the trails can be.

A few things to note

While self-driving, remember there isn’t a guide in the vehicle, we have really benefited from the knowledge of the staff at the lodge, because they help map out a route allowing you to connect the waterholes and maximize the wildlife encounters. Just remember to follow the rules; opening the door to a friendly-looking lion or firing a camera flash at an elephant is dangerous. As you self drive across Africa the etymology of safari is evoked, a Swahili word meaning ‘long journey.’ For this travel experience is not about the end destination, but about everything you experience on the way.

You also stop for a picnic next to giraffe, watch zebra skip past, and then find the trail blocked by 20 elephants. If you’re looking for a thrilling drive, Africa is certainly the place to come.