Guided Self Drive in Uganda

Uganda is a pearl of Africa, endowed with many tourist attractions. The country is among the list of the most visited countries in Africa because of what it offers to visitors. Uganda is rich in wildlife, birds, culture, water bodies, mountains, and not forgetting the primates. Self-driving and Renting 4×4 cars are not uncommon. Some visitors find it easy to hire cars and self drive Uganda on their own. themselves with a lot of freedom. There are many destinations in Uganda where different attractions can be seen on car hire and self-drive basis.

Primates.

These involves many categories including the great primates ie, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Places where these primates can be seen in Uganda include, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga national park, kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest reserve and Ngamba island for chimpanzee orphanage. Visitors rent cars and drive to these places to witness human cousins. Primate destinations are not wildlife parks where game drives are conducted. They are explored on foot. Cars are left parked at the park headquarters.

For Ngamba Island, the place is accessed by boat, its located in Lake Victoria. Visitors Park their cars at safe place near the beach and get into the boat to the Island.

In Uganda here, to track primates especially for gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, and also chimpanzees in kibale and Kyambura, it is necessary to book permits in advance because they are subject to availability, car rental company can purchase the permits on behalf of the clients.

Wildlife

Uganda is endowed with many wild life destinations where game drives are conducted. Some of them include, Queen Elizabeth, lake Mburo, Murchison falls, semiliki and kidepo national parks. The big five can be seen is such destinations which include, lions, leopard, buffaloes, and elephant. driving in national parks is easy, visitors can hire park guides at the headquarters to give them explanations and tracks as they do the safari.

Different bird species can also be spotted in the mentioned destinations, birders rent cars and explore both migratory and resident birds. Birding guides are available who can explain types of birds and also identify track known for different species of birds.

Most self-drive clients who are not on camping, prefer a car with pop up roof which gives a wider view of attractions in the national park. Cars with pop roof include, land cruisers, vans, and others.

Mountains

Uganda harbors the third highest mountain in Africa that is mountain Rwenzori with its highest peak margarita, among other mountains include, Mount Elgon, Mt Moroto and many others, hikers tend to visit these mountains to explore different peaks. It’s possible to drive a car and hike a mountain. Cars are left parked at accommodations near the starting points or at park headquarters. Visitors find the cars after the hiking and continue to other different destinations.

Water bodies

Water sport activities are available in Uganda on water bodies like River Nile, Lake Victoria, kazinga channel and many more. Self-drive clients either start with such activities or end with them on their itineraries, for instance jinja is known to have the source of the Nile the longest in the world, Lake Victoria and activities like white water Rafting, bungee jumping, boat cruises and many more are done.

There are national parks with water bodies and activities like boat cruises are conducted to view different attractions and wildlife, some include, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, River Nile in Murchison falls, Lake Mburo and others.

How to locate destination on self-drive.

– Destinations in Uganda can be located using Uganda travel maps

– They can be located using google map.

– Also, some clients use Maps. Me app on phone where Ugandan map is downloaded on phone.

– GPS can also act as a navigation system

How to book accommodation on self-drive basis.

– In Ugandan destinations there are different types of accommodation ranging from camping, budget (basic), midrange (standard) and luxury (upmarket).

– it is possible to rent a car and also book accommodation directly or there is also an option of using a car hire company to reserve the accommodation.

– visitors on camping safaris look for accommodation types with camping grounds, with wash rooms and clean toilets and not forgetting security.

– some of the accommodations in Ugandan destinations include, Gorilla most camp, 4 gorillas, Buhoma lodge, Bush lodges, Mweya safari lodge, Paraa, Nile safari lodges and many more.