5 Best Road Trips In Uganda

From breathtakingly remarkable landscapes characterized by lush rainforest, savanna grasslands, lakes, Rivers, and misty mountain ranges to abundant wildlife, Uganda is, without doubt, one of the world’s best road trip destinations. For enthusiastic travelers on Uganda safari, it is possible to embark on an off-the-beaten-path in the semi-arid of the Karamoja or head off to the misty Kigezi Hillside to explore the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Unlike the past, Uganda’s road network has significantly improved making it easier to have access to the remotest parts of the country using your 4×4 vehicle. There are many options to explore Uganda, you can embark on a solely self-drive tour or driver-guided road trip. Regardless of your budget, there is a place to visit for everyone on safari in Uganda.

Here are the 5 best road trips in Uganda

Kampala-Jinja-Sipi-Kidepo Valley National Park (Eastern) route

Often when you talk about road trips, the western Uganda region dominates most tour operators’ packages. But for a visitor who desires something unusual, the Kampala-Jinja-Sipi Falls-Kidepo Valley National Park –Eastern route should be a must to explore. A road trip through this route takes you through unmatched adventures and unique experiences.

The Eastern road trip to Kidepo allows you to unearth different wonders along this untapped region. Start with visiting the historical and culturally rich Ssezibwa waterfalls, Mabira Forest –a natural rainforest with unique mangabey monkeys, and the ideal spot to enjoy zip lining or birding. In Jinja, get the most out of the adrenaline adventures from the whitewater rafting experiences (half-day/full-day), kayaking, boat cruise (with the most preferred one being the sunset cruise on the Nile River waters), bungee jumping, cycling, quad biking, tubing and more.

Continue to Sipi Falls to enjoy a hike to the 3 waterfalls lying at the base of Mt. Elgon. From Sipi, you can connect up to Kidepo Valley National Park, a spectacular park and the perfect place to experience the true African wilderness. The main attractions to expect to explore in Kidepo include Mount Morungole –home to the IK people; Narus and Kidepo Valley, Kanangorok Hot Springs, wildlife including cheetahs, common elands, cape buffaloes, zebras, leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, and bird species.

Kampala-Ziwa-Murchison Falls National Park (Northwestern) route

A road trip to Northwestern Uganda takes nature enthusiasts on exceptional wildlife expeditions. Drive via Luweero to Nakasongola where you will spend good time with wild rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. At Ziwa, expect to see more than rhinos. Other wildlife to find at Ziwa include leopards, bushbucks, duikers, Uganda kobs, mongoose, oribis, pangolins, and others.

Murchison Falls NP is a vast park, Uganda’s largest park with a land area coverage of 3840sq.km. Murchison Falls N/Park shelters 76 mammal species with the majority often spotted on a game drive, boat cruise, nature walks, or primate walks. The park’s diverse animal species to encounter include the cape buffaloes, elephants, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, hippos, leopards, lions, and others.

Kampala-Queen Elizabeth National Park (western Uganda) road trip

Queen Elizabeth National Park is most popular for huge concentrations of wildlife and a road trip here rewards nature enthusiasts with incredible encounters. This is Uganda’s 2^nd largest park, spanning over 1978sq.km, and protects wildlife species such as topis, Uganda kobs, African elephants, Nile crocodiles, tree climbing lions at Ishasha, spotted hyenas, giant forest hogs, hippos, waterbucks, and primates living in Kyambura Gorge.

Kampala-Kibale –chimpanzee/primate road trip

A road trip to Kibale National Park with us guarantees you ultimate primate encounters. Kibale National Park spans in western Uganda, Kabarole District, and hosts over 13 species of primates. On the Kibale road trip, expect to enjoy a chimpanzee trekking adventure in the already habituated chimpanzee communities. Over 1500 chimpanzees reside in Kibale Forest together with other primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. Trekking with chimpanzees in Kibale requires a valid permit each issued at USD 200 per person.

Gorilla safaris –Bwindi & Mgahinga (Southwestern Uganda) road trip

Lying in the Kigezi highland area, Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are Uganda’s main destinations to find the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda protects over half of the 1063 mountain gorilla population, with 21 fully habituated gorilla families all open to tourism or actual gorilla trekking. Book a gorilla tour and permits through your local tour operator in advance. The gorilla permits are issued at USD 700 per person and you get a chance to visit one habituated family