Are you excited about exploring Uganda? Then hire a 4×4 car rental and take a self-drive to exhaustively explore the Pearl of Africa. Currently Uganda boast with 10 operating cities, this began later after long time with a solo city status. The cities are spread almost through almost all regions of the country and for travelers there are a lot of consideration to explore. The cities are filled with the rich history of the country dating way back even before the amalgamation to independence.
So, among the 10 cities we bring the 5 best cities to drive in with your car rental. We outline some of key tourist spots to explore, bring you accommodation suggestions that makes you feeling the heartfelt braze of incarnate into the Pearl of Africa.
On our outline we are going to expound about some of these cities. The 10 counting include; Kampala the capital city, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale, Gulu, Arua, Hoima and Entebbe. Among these cities we makes a selection of 5 top cities in Uganda which you must not miss on your journey to Uganda with a self-drive. Let’s explore cities with best things to do, where to stay and what makes them special.
5 best cities in Uganda
Kampala city
Kampala for long has always represented Uganda with a solo city status. The Kampala city is as well the capital of Uganda being the political chief city, and business hub. When wanting to explore the beauty about Uganda, Kampala is the genesis and biblically the ending revelations of all adventures in Uganda. Exploring the city with a car rental is among the easiest and cheapest way. Almost all car rental companies have their base in Kampala making it easy to access any kind of vehicle and even for self-drive motives.
The Kampala is a leisure, events and business center in Uganda due availability of various supporting facilities. The city is located in the central region of Uganda, and situated northwards of the greater Lake Victoria. When driving with your rental there are a lot of traffic issues to deal along with including; thirsty traffic operators, robbery and jam. There are many of the car rental operators in Uganda, and the biggest number base here in Kampala. It means you access any vehicle of your choice according to your budget, comfort, and description.
Kampala is the alpha of adventures in Uganda, with hundreds of attractions of which many of them can’t be found elsewhere in the country. Among these include cultural sites of Buganda particularly (Bulange building, Mengo palace, Fort Lugard, Nagalabi Buddo coronation site, Kasubi Tombs UNESCO sites, Kabaka’s lake among others), cultural village on Buganda road, theatres, markets, shopping centers. Religious sites among which include Old Kampala mosque the largest in East and Central Africa, Rubaga and Namirembe cathedrals, Munyonyo and Namugongo martyrs shrines, Bahai temple among other, clubs and bars. All these makes Kampala an exceptional and extraordinary spot for with your car rental.
Entebbe City
Your closes city when coming to Uganda by plane, Entebbe city is the closest city to Entebbe International Airport. Entebbe is enclosed with this amazing Lake Victoria which has suggested greater rewards for travelers. Entebbe is an outing and events city due to a lot of supporting facilities like beaches, lodges and clubs. The city seats in the southern direction from Kampala, beautified with white sand beaches that makes you think of the oceanic times of Mombasa in Uganda is mainly limited to Entebbe.
Where to go with your car rental in Entebbe, first will visit several beaches on the lake shores for sand and sun bathing, Entebbe botanical garden this is a world class birding destination, Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)/zoo, Ngamba Island to watch chimpanzees among other sites.
Fort Portal
The tourist capital of Uganda, and the capital of the greater Toro King in western Uganda. Fort Portal city is a thrilling tourist city with a lot of aspects to consider. The city lies at the foothills of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, this makes a places of beautiful endowments. Taking a drive with your rental introduces you to a new world of rolling landscapes to the highest point of Uganda and Africa’s 3rd at an elevation of 5109m. Seated within the lines of Albertine rift valley, leaving the city with a lot of landscape and amazing places.
Fort Portal City is a gateway to several tourist attractions among which include; Crater Lake, at the outskirts of Fort Portal is a chain of the beautiful Crater Lake. Visiting the lakes gives a phenomenon hiking experiences. The Toro Kingdom Karuzika Palace, the official kingdom palace and home to Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the palaces shines on the Kabalore hill in the city center. Amabere Ganyinamwiru Caves – Limestone rocks, scientifically known as stalagmites and stalactites are a great scenic feature with an astonishing fairy-tale behind their existence. The two local markets i.e. Mpanga Market in the city center and Kabndaire Food Market.
Jinja City
The East African capital of adventure, Jinja City is situated eastern of Kampala about 82km drive from the capital by road. The city is recognized as the adrenaline adventure capital of East Africa due to various spinal adventures done along the Nile. The city hosts the source of the Nile River the world longest river, and is among oldest urban areas in Uganda after being the first industrial town in Uganda before independence till the last 2 decades.
The gate way city to adrenaline adventures along the Nile River. There are adventure spots to consider your drive with a car rental across. Or even can make it the first on your adventure list considering various aspects which range right from the Source of the Nile and a monument honoring British explorer John Hanning Speke and Mahatma Gandhi. Owen Falls Dam and Bujagali Dam both span the Nile. Farther north on the river, Itanda Falls is known for its white-water rapids. East of Jinja, on Lake Victoria, Samuka Island is home to birdlife, including little egrets.
When visited Jinja, it’s about 2 hours’ drive according to the traffic flow. Things to do here include; white water rafting, Boat ride to the Source of the Nile, Sun set boat cruise, City walk to Jinja Central Market, New Bridge walk and Photography, Kayaking, Bungee Jumping, Tubing, Horse riding, Quad Biking, Camping, Nature walks, cultural visits, and hiking with great number of other activities.
Gulu City
The northern capital that held the revival of civilization in the northern region of Uganda. Gulu city is located along the realms to Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley as the major cities tourist centers in Uganda. Gulu city is located in northern region, about 332km by road from Kampala on the great northern route about 6hour drive. Gulu can as well be accessed with a plane to Gulu Airstrip.
Gulu city is a point of contact to several tourist destinations and places of interest. When with your car rental can decide to drive to; Bakers Fort Partiko, is located in Patiko, about 30km from Gulu. The Fort was founded by Sir Samuel Baker in 1972 when he was the Governor of the Equatorial Province. It was built as a base to crush the slave trade and was later occupied by Gordon and Emin Pasha. These are said to be rock paintings at Samuel Baker’s camp.
Gulu Central Market: Gulu Central Market is one of the major is another thrilling places in the country which proposes such genuine experience of Uganda’s traditional shopping. Mainly handicraft products and clothes are worth a price here. The Pece War Memorial Stadium is a landmark stadium with a seating capacity of around 3,000 spectators. Constructed in 1959 during the British colonial rule, the stadium is the home ground of the local soccer club Gulu United FC and used for the Ugandan Cup. It is the largest sport venue in Northern Uganda.
