Where to self-drive this Christmas season in Uganda
Where to self-drive this Christmas season in Uganda, Imagine the excitement of exploring the untamed landscapes of Uganda this Christmas, with the wind in your hair, the roar of a distant lion echoing through the sprawling savannah grasslands, or the sight of an elusive leopard enjoying dinner. Yes, that’s what travelers picture during their self-drive trips in Uganda. The truth is, it is usually a little different.
For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, adventure lovers, and cost-conscious travelers, undertaking a self-drive trip this X-mas season provides unmatched freedom and the once in a lifetime opportunity to create your own outstanding safari in Uganda for a very affordable price.
The best destinations for self-drive safari this X-mas season in Uganda
Uganda, christened the Pearl of Africa has some of the most breathtaking safari destinations, each offering phenomenal landscapes and other attractions that include diverse wildlife and birds.
Murchison Falls National Park
The 3840-square-kilometer Murchison Falls National Park is one of the must-visit destinations for self-drives this Christmas season in Uganda. Popular for its vast size, it is the country’s largest Protected Area and its incredible biodiversity makes it worthwhile.
In this Park, you can drive through its varied terrains, from woodlands to open savannah plains, and spot four of the Big Five Game (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Buffaloes). You could easily spend a whole week in Murchison and even scratch the surface. After the game drive, you can ditch the car and embark on boat rides to the bottom of the falls, enjoy hot air balloon tours, visit the local villages/communities during guided tours, visit the top of the falls, enjoy guided bush walks, go for chimpanzee tracking, birding tours, and sport fishing.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Another gem for self-drive tours this Christmas season in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can witness one of the highest concentrations of Hippos in the country, seen in and around the Kazinga Channel as well as River 
Ntungwe. This Protected Area’s well-maintained roads as well as diverse ecosystems (undulating savannah grasslands, Acacia woodlands, and semi-deciduous tropical forests) make it perfect for self-drive trips this X-mas season. In addition to game drives, you can enjoy chimpanzee tracking, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, guided bush walks, community tours/walks, and others.
Kidepo Valley National Park
For a mix of savannah beauty and wildlife, head to Kidepo Valley National Park. This destination’s blend of semi-arid savannah, mountain ranges, wetlands, rocky outcrops, and seasonal rivers offer an outstanding safari experience, with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, blue monkeys, Zebras, and Buffaloes.
This destination is rugged and less visited than the western destinations, and self-drive tours take visitors to the dramatic landscapes.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is another fantastic destination and a favorite for unforgettable self-drive experiences this Christmas season in Uganda. Enjoy sights of impalas, giant elands, vervet monkeys, Olive baboons, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, and bushbucks among others. While it is known for its self-drive adventures, it is also a haven for guided nature walks, birding, horseback rides, cycling tours, village/community walks, and quad bike tours. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, then you should consider Lake Mburo National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The best of Uganda’s unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures come from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, over eight to nine hours’ drive from Entebbe/or Kampala. Gorilla trekking has been the main activity here since 1993 and its over 25habituated gorilla families welcome primate enthusiasts for gorilla safaris. You can also enjoy the Gorilla Habituation Experience tours, Batwa community tours, mountain biking, guided forest walks, birding, or canoeing in the nearby Bunyonyi or Mutanda Lake.
Kibale National Park
Leaving Entebbe or Kampala, you drive to Kibale Forest National Park, an exhilarating journey of around six to seven hours. The scenery along the route is hilly and forested, with stops along the way to take in the views or have meal breaks.
We recommend spending at least 3 days or more here, depending on how much of a primate enthusiast you are. Once at your Lodge, you can park the car and venture into the forest during chimpanzee treks, guided forest walks, birding, or visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
What to pack for your self-drive tour in Uganda this x-mas season
First and foremost, make sure you have all your documents in order when packing for a self-drive tour in Uganda this Christmas season. These include a passport, travel insurance, an International driving permit, a Visa (if required), a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and others.
You also need a spare tire, an emergency car kit, car fluids (oil, brake fluid, and antifreeze), a portable garbage can, toiletries (including sunscreen, hand sanitizer, deodorant, travel towel, wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush, and a hair comb/brush), a car charger with USB Port, a travel camera with lenses and memory card.