Car Rental in Uganda offers the possibility of tripping Uganda by road and at your own pace and terms. Uganda is an area full of exciting natural wonders that would make your long journey seem short because you have so many highlights to enjoy.

By reading this guide at the end of it, you will know attractions to see, activities to do, the type of car to hire, what to pack, and the best practical itinerary for a road trip through Uganda.

Planning a Road Trip Through Uganda? Here is Everything You Need to Know

Is Uganda the most exciting destination ever for a road trip? Yes, it is. And definitely, the best place to be in East Africa.

Uganda is natural and its main attractions are flora and fauna and its landscapes are fleeced by greenery hence being the best spot for photography.

Every area you tour makes you feel you are in a different country, how peculiar that is! You will fall in love with each place you explore and you will wish to stay there forever.

There is a lot to explore in Uganda but attractions are all scattered across the country’s vast landscape. The best and most exciting option to tour it is by road.

So get prepared for the trail- here is everything you require to know to plan a great road trip in Uganda.

Why Take a Road Trip in Uganda

One of the smallest countries in Africa by size, Uganda is a naturally endowed area with free-flowing rivers, still lakes, enthralling green landscapes, and an abundance of flora and fauna.  You drive for hours but encounter different amazing natural features from time to time.

Driving in Uganda is like taking a ride in the Garden of Eden, the area is filled with greenery and unique physical features.

Despite the long distance involved, driving in Uganda is far from boring because of the innumerable highlights caught on the way.

The weather in Uganda can be sweltering especially during midday, you will probably sweat but an air conditioner in the rental car will save the day.

You truly will have an epic experience that will leave an everlasting mark for both right and wrong reasons.

Time Spent on a Road Trip Around Uganda

To experience the best part of Uganda, you will have to do a safari around. This implies doing long drives through the remote towns in the countryside, bypassing a few vehicles on the way.

A road trip in Uganda is the best you can ever take as mentioned earlier.

Before you think of doing something else, look at the map of Uganda and choose and plan where you wish to tour.

You will need at least 7-10 days to get a taste of Uganda. To see Uganda’s main tourist destinations, 15-20 days will be adequate. And if you wish to explore every corner of Uganda and fully get immersed in it, a month will do you good.

Check out our suggested 12 days Uganda self drive safari, it could be ideal for your travel allures.

Uganda is someplace you will want to tour and enjoy naturally and frantically.

There is a likelihood of wanting some extra time to spend more than a day in one place, whether it is to track the gorillas in the wild, try to see wild mammals, you may have not seen at your first game drive, or take the best picture.

Therefore, when planning your road trip in Uganda, ensure to be flexible, and don’t restrict yourself to an Itinerary.

Don’t stuff places on your itinerary, Uganda travel involves long-distance driving which takes a great amount of time.

Places seem not to be far on the map but it takes some reasonable to travel from one point to another especially when there is no highlight in between- but you have to drive long hours between points. It won’t take long before you begin to feel just how vast Uganda is!

Places You May Not Want to Miss on a Road Trip in Uganda

Although Uganda has a low-developed infrastructure and is remote, the country is not short of what to see on a road trip.

It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with innumerable wildlife species and enthralling sceneries.

You may be challenged by poorly maintained off-roads and the remoteness of places to spend a night, but it is not difficult to explore the attractions of your interest.

Uganda’s main tourist destinations are located in the western part of the country. Most tourists will want to emphasize these, but there are so many interesting and exciting places around Uganda if you have enough time.

Below are some of the most exciting and popular places, we would suggest visiting on a road trip around Uganda;

Murchison Falls National Park

Located in the north of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the best big-five animals viewing spot in the country and the most popular spot visit by travelers on a road trip expedition.

It has an open vast savannah grassland landscape ideal for game drives. The park is also bisected by a river, the famous Nile enabling a boat trip experience where different aquatic species such as crocodiles, waterbirds, and hippos are sighted.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is the most famous national park in Uganda because it was named after one of the most popular personalities in the world, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

Every tourist to Uganda wants to explore this shimmering game park endowed with a variety of wildlife species including lions, elephants, leopards, elands, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, warthogs, and innumerable bird species.

Queen Elizabeth also has an eye-catching water stream, Kazinga Channel. It offers one of the best water cruise experiences in the country hosting lots of marine organisms.

We advise as you draft your road trip itinerary Queen Elizabeth National Park should be one of the places to be added first to the list. you will not regret exploring this amazing park, especially on a self drive expedition.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Recently, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has become the traveler’s favorite place to visit in Uganda. It has one of the few gorilla natural habitats left in the world.

Tourists explore the park to encounter the mountain gorillas at close range. Gorillas are one of the most interesting animals to meet in the wild, they are intelligent, warm, peaceful, and gentle. Their tracking is a lifetime experience!

Kibale Forest National Park

This lowland montane forest found in the western part of Uganda close to Fort Portal City holds the highest concentration of small primates in Africa This is why it is dubbed the capital of primates in the country. Tourists to this amazing park, normally trek through the forest to see different species of primates including the chimpanzees, and black and white colobus. Grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and so forth.

Uganda Road Trip Tips

Uganda may be one of the most ideal places for a road trip, however, you must plan and be prepared.

The Uganda roads are tricky, the climate is relatively hot and you may drive for an hour minus seeing a well-developed town.

Ensure to get some tips for driving in Uganda before you set off for your journey.

Hiring a Car for a Road Trip Through Uganda

Renting a 4×4 car in Uganda will be the best alternative to take when exploring the country. It could be suicide to hire a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Don’t be carried away with asphalt highways. The roads, off the highways, are gravel and rugged hence requiring a resilient and all-terrain vehicle to scale through.

We suggest 4×4 rental vehicles such as Toyota rav4 for a couple, Land Cruiser Prado for tourists on a budget but need comfort, Land Cruiser V8 for those in need of great comfort, Land Cruiser Gx for travelers who wish to be in full charge of driving and challenging the rugged roads, Safari Van (Hiace) for a group of more than 4 people, Land cruiser with a rooftop tent for campers and safari Land cruiser 5 seats(J70) for ultimate luxury.

You will also need to ensure that a toolbox and a spare tire come in handy when renting a car. These will save you a lot in instances of a puncture.

It is cheaper to rent a car for a longer period, so if you have enough time on your vacation, a long-term rental will be a wise option for you.

It is also more cost-effective to rent a car in Kampala or Entebbe than in any other area of Uganda. Rental operators offer affordable rates as well as free-of-charge drop-offs and pick-ups.

For cross/beyond border rental, you will have to get a letter availing permission to cross the car from one border to another, and COMESA fees must be paid to the authorities at the border.

Essentials For Your Uganda Road Trip

Don’t dodge this part. It is important to have a convenient and purposeful road trip. They are some essential items to carry and greatly help you on your road trip around Uganda.

Before you start the engine, ensure that a toolbox and a spare are in the trunk. There is a likelihood of getting a flat tire while driving in Uganda, especially on gravel roads that contain rocks and sharp foreign objects.

Pack enough drinking water and dry foods (snacks). Road trips involve long-distance travel. If you get hungry and thirsty, you can easily have something to drink and eat. Additionally, you may find the food at the restaurants or lodges odd to you, a snack will save you.

When it comes to what to wear, you will require the usual attire for the African safari, plus a coat for the cold weather at night.  The climate in Uganda is hot, so one- or two-layer clothes are advised to pack

Don’t forget to carry safari gadgets such as a smartphone, camera, binoculars, portable charger, sing box, and many more.

Other important items to pack are toilettes such as hand sanitizer, deodorants, sun jelly, insect repellents, lip balm, and bathing soap.

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