A great Guide to Self Driving in Uganda.
A great Guide to Self Driving in Uganda: Can you imagine the happiness and freedom you enjoy as you travel from one place to another as you drive yourself with in the pearl of Africa. Moving from one destination to another with complete freedom and at your pace grants the best experience, this is only got when you embark on a self-drive safari.
In this guide we have provided a one great guide to self driving in Uganda and what it really entails.
What is a self drive safari?
Self driving refers to an activity where people explore wildlife and scenic landscapes at their own paces in a 4×4 vehicle and does not involve assistance from a professional tour guide.
Essential tips for self driving with in Uganda.
A great Guide to Self Driving in Uganda: Here are some of the essential tips to be followed by travellers.
Reserving a car rental for self-drive.
When organizing a self-drive trip, especially in Uganda, the first challenge is deciding which car is suitable for cruising. Even though there are more options for renting a car, it is still very beneficial to research the goal and find an appropriate vehicle.
In Uganda, renting a car for independent driving is considerably easier since there are plenty of car rental companies providing nearly identical rental services for example 4×4 adventures.com
Ideally, a large number of tourists arrange their self-drive rental in Uganda using websites. Click here to make a reservation after reading an article similar to what you’re doing.
Packing all the essential items (Driver’s license & documentation) This is a key aspect to travellers willing to do self driving with in Uganda. Essential items such as the passport, drivers license, any health documents should be included in your bag. All foreigners should attain a license which is valid and preferably in English; some rental companies may ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Make sure your vehicle documentation (registration book, insurance certificate, rental agreement) is in the vehicle you have rented. Be mindful about the minimum age for self driving in Uganda since many rentals require driver age 23+ or even 25+.
The booking period: There are a number of car options available when choosing to go on a self-drive vacation in the Pearl of Africa. The selection of cars is based on the type of travel such as affordability, class, and comfort that one would want.
The majority of car rental businesses offer safari-specific cars that are capable of traveling across the entire country.
The economy class: There is a 4×4 Rav4, Toyota Land cruiser Tx Tz safari van. These fleets offer the most economical prices for and carry a maximum of one to five passengers. Additionally, you should be aware that only specially designed rentals from automobile rental companies are suitable for taking you on a cruise.
The midrange class: For mid-range rentals, the 4×4 land cruisers VX, GX, Nissan Patrol, and Land Rover are ideal. It can comfortably transport five people while cruising the nation’s various landscapes. These opulent rentals offer a very high level of comfort when cruising. Some land cruisers are stretched cars and can hold up to seven people, while others are specially designed to go on African game drives with a pop-up cover.
Consider a 4WD Car on self-drive with a camping gear.
Booking a 4×4 safari vehicle that has a camping gear serves of plenty multiple purposes. If you have always wanted to go camping, with the necessary camping equipment. For safaris that involve camping, you can rent a car with all the necessary camping equipment, either on the ground or on the roof.
Electric fridge; This can be used with any rental car, whether or not it has camping equipment. Similarly, you can rent a car with an electric refrigerator but not a camping tent. Maps of the route and GPS rentals are available.
For game viewing in the bush, you can also rent a self-drive vehicle with a pop-up cover. The concept is ideal, especially if you decide to take a picturesque game drive to observe a variety of wildlife, especially in Savannah Parks.
What’s the perfect time for carrying out a self-drive safari?
The ideal weather conditions that transcend all boundaries indicate that Uganda is a year-round driving destination. The weather conditions that tend to occur in Uganda are dangerous earthquakes, destructive rainstorms, windstorms, snowfall, and continuous rain. Strong lightning, thunder, or earthquakes are rarely present.
The temperate climate of Uganda doubles as sunny and wet weather. At any time of year, you may get on the road and travel to your desired location with a 4×4 vehicle.
It should be noted, nevertheless, that practically all of Uganda’s major travel routes are unpaved. Roads can become slick and have potholes when it rains, while in dry periods, unpaved roads may be covered with gravel, rocky, and extremely dusty.
Having a more robust 4×4 cruiser that can handle any weather conditions is essential when choosing a self-driving car. Customized 4×4 car rentals for self-drives, particularly safaris, allow for unlimited driving.
On the other hand, a self-drive safari can still be prepared during the wet season. The wet season ranges from December to March. This is the period where budget travellers can decide to visit since there are certain discounts on some accommodations.
It’s a perfect idea to notice the weather period you are planning to take your self-drive vacation. But it remains safe to drive through the year in Uganda.
Uganda’s self driving routes.
Uganda offers around 4 primary safari circuit routes for safari purposes. These routes are followed by all safari goers with in Uganda, and they may even become a single, condensed route. All of Uganda’s major tourist attractions are accessible via the 4 main driving routes. Even if we are talking about the most well-known tourist spots, there are a number of things to keep in mind while traveling the same routes.
They include
Northeastern Route: This route starts from Kampala to Jinja and experiences the source of the Nile offers. From here you will head eastwards to Mbale to discover the beauty of Mt. Elgon National Park together with the Sipi Falls, Cultural routes, and Nyero rock painting as the majors.
From here proceed with the journey until you access Pian-Upe Game Reserve mainly a home to the ostriches as well as Bokora-Matheniko Game Reserve. The route continues to Uganda’s remotest tourist destination including Kidepo national park. From Kidepo you will drive up to Murchison falls np, to ziwa and access Kampala.
Northwestern Route: This driving route starts in Kampala and roll to Murchison Falls National Park. One of the most rewarding routes that can cover at least 70% of the parks in Uganda.
This route can allow you access other parks such as Kibale National Park, Semliki, Rwenzori, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, taking this driving route exposes you to other major tourist destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Western Route: This western route begins directly from Kampala then continuing to western Uganda with the reaching city being Fort Portal. This road is home to plenty of national parks such as Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, Mt Rwenzori NP, Queen Elizabeth NP and other attractions including the Amabere ga nyina Mwiru
On the other hand, this route is still combined with the southwestern route to with parks such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Southwestern Route: A Ugandan safari is totally incomplete with a visit to the south western route and it harbors one of Uganda’s top parks that is Bwindi and Mgahinga the home to gorillas one of the endangered species.
Un like other routes, this returning route reconnects to the first route in Mbarara city thus making an incredible route.
Top activities to do while self driving in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking: This is one of the top activities not to miss out while on a safari in Uganda. Uganda being a home to half the total of the world’s population of gorillas makes it the best gorilla trekking destination in Africa. Gorilla trekking is majorly carried out from Bwindi and Mgahinga national park. Trekking gorillas is a completely a life time changing experience as you have an option to have close encounters as well as learn more about these creatures.
Game drives: The pearl of Africa is a home to over 500 species of wildlife that can be spotted from its savannah park. Embark on a morning or evening game drive to spot variety of animals including the big five, the giraffes, antelope species as well as the grasslands and savannahs.
Chimpanzee trekking: Nothing beats the pearl of Africa in terms of attractions. Experience chimpanzee trekking from Uganda’s parks including Kibale (primate capital of the world), Kyambura gorge, Budongo and many more.
Chimpanzee trekking gives you opportunities to still enjoy a close encounter with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Meet these rare giants and spend time with them.
Bird watching: Self drive travellers have an opportunity to still take part with in Bird watching. Uganda is a haven of over 2000 species of birds including both the endemics and migratory. Some of the best birding destinations in Uganda include Mabamba, Entebbe botanical gardens and its parks. some of the birds to see in Uganda include African pitta, Great blue Turacco, African fish eagle, giant king fisher, yellow billed barbet, Marabou stork, Narina Trogan, African grey parrot, African green broad bill and many more.
Hiking: This takes another part as one of the best activities to do while on a self-drive safari in Uganda. The pearl of Africa is a home many mountains including the famous MT Rwenzori, Mt Elgon and others. You can either hike the mountains or the water falls as you discover of adventurous sightings and landscapes.