Best Safaris to do on Self Drive in Uganda are wildlife safaris, Boat cruises/ safaris, Gorilla Trekking and chimpanzee Tracking. These safaris to do on self drive in Uganda are ideal for all travelers on holiday safari in Uganda.
There is a certain magic to hitting the open road in the Pearl of Africa (as Uganda is always referred to),
from the hum of the vehicle engine, the wind in your hair, the vast horizon stretching endlessly ahead,
the roar of a distant lion echoing through the sprawling savannah, to the thrill of knowing that around
the next bend, anything is possible.
A self-drive safari in Uganda isn’t just a journey but is an invitation to explore at your own pace, freedom, and to chase golden sunsets over sprawling savannahs, and to wake up to the calming sound of the wind, with no schedule but your own to keep to.
Not all countries provide an unforgettable self-drive safari experience, but Uganda, the undisputed Pearl
of Africa, offers the perfect blend of untamed natural beauty, well-maintained roads, and memorable
wildlife encounters.
Whether you yearn to trace the history of the country, ditch the vehicle and embark on a guided walk through the jungle to search for mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom, or navigate the endless savannah plains through game drives, this safari destination promises the freedom to experience the rich African Continent’s unbeaten natural beauty on your terms, one winding road, hidden gem, and exhilarating wildlife sightings at a time.
Camp out in the savannah grasslands and gaze up at the stars in one of the remotest locations in the
country. Explore the forest trails to search for the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the
wild. All of these and more await you during your self-drive safari in Uganda.
Spot wildlife on a safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best spots for self-drive exploration. For the most jaw-dropping display of wildlife in the wilderness, take a self-drive safari through
Murchison Falls National Park to see a concentration of Big Game such as Defassa waterbucks, Topis,
African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, Lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda
Kobs, Jackson’s Hartebeests, and Olive baboons among others.
You can hire a Park Ranger (From Uganda Wildlife Authority) for the self-safari to lead you to the best
viewing spots of the day, educating you on the wildlife and bird species as well as their behavior, as you
watch, mesmerized.
Other unmissable spots for game viewing in Uganda are Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo
Valley National Parks.
Meet the Batwa pygmies
Synonymous with the East-Central African forests, the Batwa pygmies are indigenous hunter-gatherer
groups that are the original inhabitants of the forests. They conquered the dense rainforests about
60,000 years ago, honing their survival skills over generations. Today, they live outside the forests
(following evictions in the early 1990s to pave the way for the conservation of mountain gorillas and
other natural resources), and you can visit them during your tours of Bwindi Impenetrable and
Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Today, you can visit them and learn about everything from medicinal plants, folklore and stories, and
how fire is made by rubbing sticks. Join a Batwa local guide on a guided walk through the forest while
learning about their mind-boggling culture, their phenomenal tracking and hunting skills, and their
unique knowledge of medicinal plants, among others.
Boat safaris
While on your self-drive safari in Uganda, you can ditch the car and hop on a speed boat through the
Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls (in Murchison Falls National Park), the Kazinga Channel (in Queen
Elizabeth National Park), Lake Victoria, or Lake Bunyonyi for one of the most serene experiences you will ever have.
Depending on where you choose to undertake the adventure, you can expect sights and sounds of semi-
aquatic wildlife species such as Nile crocodiles and Hippos, or huge herds of elephants, buffaloes, and
antelopes visiting the banks/shores to quench their thirst. Also, lots of bird species can be spotted
during these boat cruises.
Birding safaris
Before embarking on a self-drive safari in Uganda, some clients claim “they aren’t into birds,” but after
experiencing the thrill of spotting the shoebill stork in the wetlands or trying to get the unforgettable
shot of an African fish eagle take off, they become enthusiastic birders. After a self-drive safari in
Murchison Falls National Park with its 500 bird species, you can leave Uganda singing a different tune
and becoming an instant twitcher.
Visit in the wet season, especially in April and November, to experience the country’s most
unforgettable bird encounters. This is the time when migrant species come in and join the residents for
a place that is chock-full of ticks.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks
The endangered mountain gorillas top the list of what to see during self-drive safaris in Uganda for every
first-time safari goer. You will have to drive 8-9 hours from Kampala/Entebbe to any of the two National
Parks sheltering these Giant Apes. Afterward, you will embark on an on-foot gorilla trekking adventure
through the Park to search for the mountain gorillas in the wild.
Uganda alone is home to half the World’s population of these Giant Apes, and visitors have the chance
to track one of the 25 habituated gorilla families. What is required is a gorilla permit (costing $800 per
person), being of age (15 years and above), and moderate physical fitness.
Go on a chimpanzee trekking safari
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most popular places in Uganda (and beyond) to do a
chimpanzee trekking safari, so it is great to add to your list of safaris to do on your self-drive safari in
Uganda.
However, there are many other incredible places to enjoy chimpanzee safaris, and these include
Budongo Forest (in Murchison Falls National Park), Kyambura Gorge (in Queen Elizabeth National Park),
Kalinzu Forest, and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, among others.