A decision of driving in Uganda is one of the few superb travel experiences. Do you opt to hire a 4×4 car and try out the option? We are here to handle your request. Our major duty is to ensure you have everything it takes to seat behind your wheel and drive your own ways.

Uganda is a small country to the size of Great Britain. It’s located into the interior of the East African region. Seats on the western side of the great lakes region with number of unique features. The country is famously known for having a favorable weather throughout the way that allows your drive. The beauty into Uganda was summarized by great British traveler and Prime Minister Winston Church, calling Uganda “the Pearl of Africa.”

The unmatched cultural diversity, the rich biodiversity, various food tastes across the country. Thanks to a hamper of choices which are factors why should cast for a self-drive trip in Uganda. Tourist deciding to drive is one of the most trending travel trail. The relatively favorable road network that connects to almost the whole country

Self-drive in Uganda

Rent a 4×4 car and drive to drive on your own beats. Is it an advancement or first time? Driving in Uganda on a self-drive is not an overwhelming undertaking. It’s rather a way to experience what Uganda has to offer for travelers.

Qualification for self-drive in Uganda

To have a 4×4 rental car for self-drive in Uganda, means must have some qualities to qualify. Must be 18 years and above, should possess a valid driving license and an international driving license for foreign travelers. Before seating behind the wheel of your rental car, must ensure the identification documents mainly passport and Visa are at hand.

What side to drive on in Uganda?

When to drive in Uganda, should be able to drive on the left side of the road. Not like some few countries that drive on the right. In Uganda we drive on the left. Roads across are narrow with handling both ways across the country. Only in some few city centers and Kampala, where there is limited one way roads.

Best Rout

Uganda has a seriously well planned and maintained road networks. The road network can accessibly connect to various top tourist destination without driving back. In these few paragraphs we discuss, the best tourist routes to consider when opting to drive in Uganda.

Northern Route (the Big five route)

The northern route connect to two major tourist destinations. The Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park are the major ends for tourist. However, this route is the Big Five route, a trip through Northern route include the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa is the only Uganda’s natural rhino sanctuary. When combined with the two parks, there is a possibility of watching the full list of Big Five mammals. The northern route connects to one of the most wildlife concentration.

The route connects to two cities of Uganda, Gulu city and Arua city. It as well connects to the borders of two neighboring countries of South Sudan in northern and Democratic Republic of Congo. With the Northern route it can as well connect to the western region and the eastern region.

Northeastern round circuit route

The northeastern route is Uganda’s best safari circuit route. The route connects to 5 various cities of Gulu city, Arua, Mbale, Soroti, and Jinja. The offers various adventure opportunities which are done to enable various. Places to visit on this route include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Mt. Elgon National Park, Sipi falls, Karamoja communities, Jinja adventure cit.

Western circuit routes

The western rout is a biodiversity rich route which introduces to unique wildlife species. The western route starts right from Kampala taking the Kampala Mityana road. The route continues from Kampala to Mityana, Mubende, to Fort Portal. Easily accessed tourist destinations on the western route include Kibale National Park, Mt. Rwenzori National Park, Semuliki National Park and Queen Elizabeth Nation. This is one of easy route to drive, it’s accompanied by several en-route tourist spots. These include cultural places, crater lakes, tea plantations, hills among others. However, the western route directly connects with the Southwestern routes to reach some other prominent destinations in the greater western region.

Northwest circuit route

This connects majorly Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park. It’s a transit route from northern route to the western route and continues to connect to the rich and amazing southwestern route. The Big Five and the Unique two, it’s the special seven of Uganda (gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo). The best tourist route ever, opting for that special route to drive to Uganda! Consider the northwestern route.

Southwestern route

The route of amazing landscapes, overrated wildlife encounters. It’s a route to the trekking mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and tree climbing lion tracking among others. Among the parks to encounter with the southwestern routes include Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The southwestern route is as well better access to western Uganda. It connects directly with western routes to various top tourist destinations in Uganda.

Top places

Uganda being the Pearl of Africa, has many tourist destinations which are spread all over the country. These top destinations are categorized in natural places, physical features and cultural centers.  Renting a 4×4 car and looking out for best suggestion for top places to visit. These places include;

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda top visited park, it’s located in northern Uganda. It’s one of the few parks which one can visit and have a chance to watch a full list of Big Five. Murchison is Uganda’s most visited park, largest among all protected areas and second most known tourist destination in Uganda. Activities done here include

  • Game drive
  • Boat cruise to the bottom of the fall
  • Chimpanzee tracking
  • Rhino tracking
  • Driving to the top of the falls
  • Nature walks
  • Community visits
  • Spot fishing
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

It’s among the few unique biodiversity forests remaining in central Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO heritage site due to its unique indigenous flora. The volcanic forest if located in southwestern Uganda, and it famous for accommodating over half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Activities done here include;

  • Gorilla trekking
  • Nature walks
  • Batwa cultural tours
  • Bird watching
  • Volcanic climbing
  • Mountain biking
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s second largest park, but the most popular park in the country. It’s located in western Uganda seated in the arrays of the Great Western Rift Valley. The park shares Uganda’s borders with Congo’s Virunga conservation area. Queen Elizabeth National Park has the longest list of activities done in Uganda including;

  • Game drive at Kasenyi sector
  • Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
  • Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge
  • Tree climbing lion tracking at Ishasha sector
  • Mongoose tracking
  • Bird watching
  • Local community visit
  • Visiting katwe salt lake
  • Hiking crater lakes
  • Lion tracking experiential
Jinja city

This is the Adrenaline adventure city located in eastern from Kampala capital. Jinja is very popular for hosting the source of River Nile the world longest river. A tour to the city can initiate or complete your Uganda trip. The Nyegenyege event hosting city hosts several other tourist activities;

  • White water rafting
  • Bungee jumping
  • Kayaking
  • Zip lining
  • Horse riding
  • Quad biking
  • Cultural tours
  • City tours
Kidepo National Park

Africa’s remotest park by reach on road. For such a unique and authentic safaris, Kidepo Valley National Park suggests the best. The park is located at the horn of Uganda bordering South Sudan and Kenya. The park is one of the list visited parks and one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Uganda.

Activities done at Kidepo Valley National Park include

  • Game drives
  • Cultural tours
  • Mountain climbing
  • Nature walks
Driving tips

Driving tips only guides you on how to behave when driving in Uganda. Traffic rules don’t change too much from one country to another. However, the implementation matters and motives of implementation are key to understand when driving.

  • Drive on the left hand side of the road
  • When driving in Uganda with a car rental, don’t drive at night
  • Keep traffic rules
  • Mind about other drivers and riders especially Bodaboda and public taxis. In most cases they will keep surprising you with a number of traffic faults.
  • Always stop when a traffic officer stops
  • While in traffic jam in city and towns, keep the wind screens up