Undertaking a Self-guided safari in Uganda is more affordable and exciting, filled with a lot of freedom compared to chauffeur-driven trips. This is even made easy by the different Safari vehicle options available in the country to suit the budget of different travelers- budget, midrange, or Luxury. With a self-drive safari, travelers enjoy the liberty of exploring the country at their own pace, in addition to offering immersive experiences while uncovering the Natural beauty of the verdant sceneries, warm and welcoming people, wildlife, and picturesque landscapes en route.
Thanks to the well-paved roads especially highways and main routes connecting visitors throughout the country, a wide array of tourist activities and experiences, self-drive experiences in Uganda are worthwhile. Here are the 5 affordable safari destinations for self-drive Experiences in the Pearl of Africa;
Self-drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Extending about 305 kilometers/7-8 hours’ drive from Kampala, the 3840-square-kilometer Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most affordable destinations for self-drive Experiences in Uganda. While on your self-drive to this National park, expect breathtaking natural beauty with sweeping savannah plains, tourist activities (such as Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary), vibrant roadside markets (such as the Fresh fruit market in Luwero), and unmissable places to stop for relaxation, snacks, or coffee along the drive.
Murchison Falls National Park is known for sheltering over 76 mammal species and about 500 bird species thus visitors have lots of activities to enjoy during the trip. You can undertake game drives through any of the game tracks to spot lots of wildlife such as Cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, Elephants, Lions, warthogs, Oribis, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Jackson’s Hartebeests, and others. Other activities offered here include boat cruises to the bottom of the falls, bird watching tours, drive to the top of the falls, sport fishing, guided bush walks, and cultural encounters around the Park.
Self-drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is located on the Western side of Uganda, with a road distance of about 410 kilometers from Kampala. While driving on this journey, travelers are treated to the beautiful hilly terrains, Rock kopjes, verdant forests, verdant sweeping tea estates/Plantations, and bustling roadside markets before reaching the 795-square-kilometer Protected Area. Driving to this stunning “Primate Capital of the World” takes approximately 7 hours with stopovers along the way for photography, leg stretching, and coffee hence making it a perfect self-drive road trip to enjoy during your Uganda safari. Inside this Park is where the best chimpanzee trekking experiences are achieved, an opportunity to undertake guided forest walks, and forest birding tours, and outside is the visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Crater Lake Tours, and cultural experiences.
Self-drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Starting in Kampala or Entebbe, a self-drive experience to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allows travelers to explore the beautiful landscapes of western and south-western Uganda with lots of stopovers along the drive for experiences, lunch, and photography. While on this 520-kilometer/8-9-hour drive, expect a stop at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for photography and enjoying different experiments, then another stop at Mbarara Town or Igongo Cultural Center for a typical Ugandan lunch.
At the end of this self-drive road trip lies the verdant Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 331-square-kilometer National Park that shelters about half the World’s estimated 1080 mountain Gorillas. This is so far the best gorilla trekking destination in the whole World with the highest habituated gorilla families. Also available in this Park are guided forest walks, birding tours, mountain biking/cycling, and the Batwa cultural experience around the Park.
Self-drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Just 6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala or Entebbe lies Queen Elizabeth National Park, the 1978-square-kilometer home to 95 mammal species, 600 bird species, and incredible landscapes that will take your breath away. Arguably another affordable destination for self-drive experiences in Uganda, this stunning Protected Area offers lots of activities that introduce you to the natural beauty and diversity of this treasure trove.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest National Park that offers game drives through its well-maintained tracks hence introducing travelers to Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, Topis, Cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, Hippos, bushbucks, leopards, serval cats, and others. Also, expect to undertake birding tours, boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel, guided bush walks, and chimpanzee tracking, to mention but a few.
Self-drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Are you looking to just unwind at the end of your self-drive experience in Uganda? Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest Lake in Uganda is one of the best weekend or Vacation getaways. Being about an 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala, driving to this Lake means you are prepared to enjoy canoe or boat rides, cultural experiences, unwind along the shores, zip lining, and nature walks.