10 Super Destinations for Self Drive Clients in Uganda

Uganda is the pearl of Africa. The country is rich with natural phenomena which attracts many tourists in the country. Each tourist destinations have many wonders to see. Some of them include, wild animals, birds, natural forests, mountains, water bodies, culture and many more.

Destinations of Uganda, can be visited by self-drive clients. This means hiring a car and driving yourself to different destinations.  All kinds of visitors can drive themselves, like solo travelers, couples, families, honey mooners, friends and many more.

Here below are the destinations in Uganda which can be visited on self-drive basis.

Bwindi National Park

Bwindi national park is among the most visited destinations in Uganda. This is because it’s a home to Mountain gorillas which is rare and endangered. It can only be found in 3 countries in the world. Uganda Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is easy to drive yourself to Bwindi National Park for the life time experience the Gorilla Tracking. Most of car hire companies can reserve gorilla permits for visitors. Since gorilla permits are served on first come first serve and they are subject to availability, it is necessary to be purchased in advance.  While picking the car, the gorilla permits can be given to you. The permits are allocated for the chosen day of tracking. This depends on the flow of the Itinerary.

Other activities which can be done in the great Bwindi National Park, Nature walks, bird watching, cultural encounters and many more. Visitors can stay around the park longer to explore more activities.

 

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is the second National parks in Uganda where visitors can track mountain gorillas. The park is known for one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The park has 3 Volcanoes, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga where it derived its name. 8 visitors are allocated to track Nyakagezi every day in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga is at the border of Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo. The topography of land in the Mgahinga National Park is the same as for Volcano National Park of Rwanda which is also a home to Mountain gorillas.

Self-drive clients can track gorillas in this park, visitors hire cars to the western Uganda in Kisoro and spend a night in one of the lodges or hotels around. Gorilla tracking is a life time experience and standing near a silver back which can weigh 3 times like a human being is so amazing and rewarding.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park is strategically located in western Uganda. Known for its abundancy of wildlife and the Kazinga channel which connects two lakes Lake Edward and George.  At kazinga channel many animals can be seen coming to take water and many bird species can be sighted here.

In the game drive, self-drive clients expect to see animals like some of members of the big five like Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Buffaloes. Other animals include Hyenas, warthogs, Hippos, antelopes and many more.

Queen Elizabeth national park has a section called Kyambura where visitors can see Chimpanzees in their natural environment. It’s so rewarding to enjoy them in the gorge jumping around the tree tops. Other activities which can be done in this park include, Boat cruise on kazinga channel, cultural Encounters, lion experience, bird watching and many more.

Murchison Falls National Park

The park is named after the Murchison falls on the river Nile which passes through the park. The falls are one of the powerful attractions which bring visitors in the park, boat cruises are conducted to the bottom of the falls and to the top of the falls. Going to the top by boat involves Hiking at a certain point. Another alternative is going with a car to the top.

Murchison falls in a home to many wild animals and in the game drive, expect to see animals like Elephants, antelopes, lions, leopards, and many more. Another wonder found in this park are the different species of birds. Some of them can be seen on cliffs as you cruise to the bottom of the falls. On the Itinerary going to Murchison falls National Park, it is essential to branch off and enjoy tracking Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Kidepo Valley National Park

This is one of the remote National parks in Uganda. It is located in the northern Uganda near the border of Uganda and Sudan. The park is known for its beautiful land scape, wildlife and the unique culture of Karamojong surrounding the park.

Many animals can be seen in the Narus valley. Herds of buffaloes, elephants, antelopes are residents in this park, The park has seasonal rivers and for self-drive clients it is advisable to go with the park guide for smooth running of the trip. Park guides will also give useful information in the park and will explain many attractions and not forgetting directing proper trails to use.

Lake Mburo National Park

It’s among the smallest National parks in Uganda. It’s named after Lake Mburo which is found in the park. The park is blessed with many animals which can be explored in the game drive, horse riding, boat cruise on Lake Mburo, and many more.

The park can be visited on the way to other parks in the western Uganda like Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Mgahinga. Self-drive clients can branch off from the highway to Mbarara to locate the park. This is one of the parks where night game drives are possible to enjoy the nocturnal animals.

Kibale National Park

The park is known to be home to endangered species of primates called Chimpanzees. The park has diversity of species, it is in record 13 species of primates can be found here. It’s a forest National Park, as visitors track the chimpanzees, they will be enjoying the topography and the green environment around.

Chimpanzee Tracking is the main activity in this park. It can be done in the morning or afternoon. It starts with briefing at the park headquarters where visitors are told the does and don’ts while in the forest and the primates. Just as the Gorilla permits, Chimpanzee permits too are subjected to availability so it is necessary to purchase the permits in advance.

Semliki National Park.

The park is located in Bundibugyo in the western part of Uganda. The park has diversity of species for wildlife and bird life. It’s among the birder’s paradise spots in Uganda as many species from Congo can be spotted. The park is also known for its two hot springs the male and the female one.

Game drives can be done in the reserve, other activities include, cultural encounters, where visitors are entertained by the Batwa local community. Nature walks are also done leading to the hot springs, and birding.