Planning for a self drive Uganda trip? You are in the right place. In this guide we will give you all the information you need to know about self drive safaris in Uganda. To fully discover the Pearl of Africa’s hidden gems, we recommend car hire Uganda as this gives you the privacy and flexibility you need as you explore so much that the country has within her boundaries.

Uganda is a country with a rich history of diverse landscapes, cultures, wildlife species and so much more that even if you are on cheap self drive safaris from Entebbe or any other destination, driving yourself in Uganda will definitely lead to these photogenic hotspots where you will get that memorable and rewarding time with your loved ones.

Throughout the guide, we will cover everything you need to know on your self drive road trip Uganda to help you plan for a memorable and rewarding safari in Uganda.

Why choose self drive Uganda for your trip?

There’s so much freedom that comes with traveling off the beaten path and exploring Uganda fully on your own and these are some of the best Self Drive road tips Uganda on why you need to embark on that much needed self drive Uganda safari.

4 Reasons to self drive in Uganda

Flexibility

Unlike guided trips, self drive Uganda tours presents you the freedom to explore the country at your own pace. This implies that you can decide on when and where you can take a break during your safari without worry. You can decide whether you can stop and take photos of breath taking scenes, visit the local markets or drive as much as you with car hire Uganda from us that comes with unlimited mileage.

Privacy

Driving yourself in Uganda is a complete road trip full of adventure and if you are someone who does value your privacy, then self drive Uganda is the best option for you. On your self drive you can decide to go camping with your loved one creating memories together without a third party.

Budget friendly and affordability

The best and cheapest way you can discover Uganda’s hidden treasures is definitely is through car hire Uganda. Renting a car will take you to some of the places where public transport can’t reach.

Unlimited mileage

Enjoy the peace that comes with driving yourself driving in Uganda without worry about being charged an extra fee when you drive beyond or far away. We understand that on your self drive Uganda trip, your desire is to fully explore what Uganda has within her boundaries a reason as to why we are here to bring that dream to life than limit you.

Requirements and regulations for self driving in Uganda

To rent a car Uganda like it with other countries, it’s quite quick and easy.  Having a car while on your self drive Uganda trip, will give you the freedom and flexibility to go anywhere, anytime with a car of your choice. But before you rent a car for self drive Uganda, you should be aware of these requirements and regulations

Insurance and safety

Comprehensive insurance: All our car hire Uganda vehicles are comprehensively insured which implies in case of an unfortunate event, our insurance cover won’t cover you. We always recommend coming when you have life insurance from your home country.

Our insurance policy doesn’t cover for events brought about negligence or reckless driving. This including driving under influence of alcohol, over speeding, wheels/trims, damage to radio covers, scratches, all our cars are non-smoking and more. We expect you to be with your driving permit as you drive on the road. In scenarios where an officer stops you and fines you for not having your driving license, you will be able to pay such a penalty.

In case of a collision, quickly notify the police if it’s the other party’s guilt and you will be given a letter which the company will use to ask for compensation. If you return the car without the letter, you will be required to cover the expenses.

Driving license

Like it is with other countries, to rent a car in Uganda you will need to have a valid driving license that has been in use for at least two years. With a driving license, you can drive anywhere in Uganda because this indeed proves that you have the experience to be on the road.

Self drive Uganda agreement

Before you embark on self driving in Uganda, you will need to read and understand our car rental Uganda agreement. This includes the crucial terms and conditions you are required to adhere to. This includes the driving time of the day you are expected to stop driving the car, more information about insurance, and so much more.

You will need to agree to these terms before our cars are made available to you for your trip in Uganda.

Self drive car rental Uganda with camping gear

There’s nothing as memorable as waking up to the sound of birds singing in the wild with seeing the sun as it rises. Truly remarkable. We bring that dream to life for travelers who are interested in self drive car rental Uganda with camping gear.

Our camping gear includes all the items you will need on your self drive Uganda safaris. These include utensils, sleeping bags, ground tents, rooftop tents (at an extra fee), BBQ grill, cooking gas, tables, chairs, and more. If you prefer to have an item added on to your list, kindly tell us and we will be able to add it.

We have a long fleet of self drive cars for hire in Uganda that are regularly maintained and serviced to give you the best on and off road experience. These include small compact vehicles and bigger SUVs like a 4×4 Land Cruiser TX/TZ, Land cruiser V8, Land cruiser GX, Land cruiser hardtop among others.

Safety tips for self drive in Uganda

Your safety while on a self drive in Uganda trip is our priority and that’s why we have always ensure before we give you a self drive Uganda car, it meets all the standards and ensures you are safe on and off road. Below are some of the measures we take to ensure that while drive in Uganda, you are completely free from anything.

Health and safety

Your health as you use our car is a top priority and before we give you a car, we make sure its fully sanitized to erase room for contracting any infection. We also provide you with a first aid kit that you can use in case you get a cut, or any other unfortunate event during you trip.

Road safety

The nature of roads in Uganda is greatly improving with a number of roads leading to national parks, cities and towns fully tarmacked and with enough road signs to direct you in case you are un sure of where you are going.

We give you the assurance that as long as you follow the set traffic rules while on the road, you will completely be safe. Like any other road user, you are expected to respect fellow road users, the road signs including the traffic signs.

Traffic officers in Uganda are friendly but in case you are asked to park, please do so because they always want to check a few things like whether you have a driving license and once you are found to have committed no offense, you will be set free to continue with your trip.

Vehicle safety

On your self drive Uganda with our vehicle, we give you full responsibility with the car which implies that you are required to update us about each and everything that happens to the car throughout your trip. In case of a break down, we have agents all over the country who offer roadside assistance and they will be able to find you wherever you are, work on the vehicle and you proceed with your trip

 Age limit for self driving in Uganda

Before you rent a car in Uganda for self drive, it’s important to know the age that’s allowed to hire and as for us, if you are aged between 25-65 years and hold a valid driving license, you will absolutely hire a car of your choice with us.

Travelers who are aged between 21-25 years, will pay an extra young driver surcharge.

Self drive Uganda with a rooftop tent

Planning for a self drive Uganda safari and would prefer to hire a rooftop tent to use while on this memorable trip? Count on us to give you a car with a rooftop tent that will surpass your expectations. Before our guide leaves you with the car, they will ensure you have understood each and every step regarding its set up and how to use it as well.

If you are looking for a reliable car you can use with a rooftop tent, we have a long fleet of 4×4 rental cars you can choose from and you can either hire a car with a single rooftop tent which is enough for 2 people or double rooftop tents that can accommodate more than 2 people. Cars you can hire with a rooftop tent include:

Land Cruiser Prado TX/TZ with a rooftop tent

Are you a couple and looking for a budget car to rent with a rooftop tent while on your safari in Uganda? Our Land cruiser Prado TX/TZ is the perfect option you can choose on your trip. This comes with a strong engine to easily navigate the rugged terrains in different parts of the country.

With a single rooftop tent that comes with all the camping gear, you will be able to camp and stay in any destination of your choice while on your trip to explore Uganda’s hidden gems.

4×4 Land Cruiser V8/VX with a rooftop tent

If you are looking for a more comfortable 4×4 self drive Uganda vehicle that can go anywhere with ease, this Land Cruiser V8/VX is truly the conqueror. Unlike Land Cruiser Prado TX/TZ, this spacious vehicle is strong enough to take up two tents (double rooftop tents).

We will also provide you with camping gear once you rent a Land Cruiser V8/VX with a rooftop tent from us and this includes all the equipment you will need on your safari. Our Land Cruiser V8 with rooftop tents are available at the lowest costs and when it comes to performance, this is a car you will need for a memorable African experience.

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Land Cruiser Hardtop with a rooftop tent

We will call it the “terrain conqueror” and this is among the best self drive cars in Uganda that you can hire to get that rewarding safari. Whether its visiting the hard to reach areas in National parks or different parts of the country, this is the best car to get you there. It has almost the same experience on and off road giving you the comfort you need.

Like the land cruiser V8, this is another best option if you are looking for a car that you can hire with double rooftop tents. This Land Cruiser hardtop with a rooftop tent comes with enough space for 4-5 people and still remain with enough space for your luggage as well. Rent it today for a complete rewarding experience on your safari in Uganda.

4×4 Land Cruiser GX manual with a rooftop tent

For a perfect off road experience, our Land Cruiser GX manual stands out as the best option to help you navigate the challenging terrains in different parts of Uganda. With a rooftop tent, you will be able to have that much desired experience.

Our land Cruiser GX manual with a rooftop tent comes with enough space that can take between 4-5 people including the driver and still have enough space for your bags as well. This land cruiser GX manual with a rooftop tent is a better option to a Land Cruiser TX/TZ because it’s strong enough to take up to two rooftop tents (double rooftop tents).

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Self drive popup hire in Uganda

Embark on a self drive Uganda safaris experience with the right car that will give you the opportunity to see a number of wildlife species as they roam freely in some of Uganda’s leading destinations. With self drive pop up hire, you will get enough head room to stand and capture the picturesque views and different species. Some of the self drive cars for hire in Uganda that come with a pop up include;

4×4 land cruiser Prado Popup self drive

If you are looking for a 4×4 budget car to hire in Uganda that has a low fuel consumption but comes with a popup roof, our 4×4 Land Cruiser Prado with a popup roof is the right car. With this car, you can visit any of the savannah parks in Uganda for a game drive that will give you the opportunity to see some of the wildlife species like the lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, several species of birds and so much more.

Our Land Cruiser Prado with a popup roof has enough space for 3-4 people and space for your luggage as well. Rent it today for a complete rewarding experience.

4×4 land cruiser GX Popup Self Drive

Enjoy the comfort and strength that comes with hiring a Land Cruiser GX popup roof that gives you the opportunity to have a 360 view of the different species in a national park. This car is extremely perfect to navigate the different terrains in Uganda’s top destinations with ease.

Our Land Cruiser GX Popup is of manual transmission allowing you to switch gears while you drive through rugged terrains in Uganda. This also stands out among the best self drive cars for hire Uganda for a game drive.

Land Cruiser V8 popup self drive

Are you looking for a luxurious option to go a self drive Uganda but with a popup roof to give you a memorable experience while on a visit to the country’s savannah national parks? Our Land Cruiser V8 with a pop up roof stands out as the best option.

Unlike the other cars, this will give you the extra comfort and sense of luxury you need to on your trip. Its equipped with a stronger engine stronger enough to go through the rugged terrains in the different parts of the country. It also comes with amazing features designed to give a whole memorable experience you need on your safari.

Select the right Vehicle for self drive Safari in Uganda

Whether you are coming to Uganda for a business trip or self drive Uganda safaris, its very important to choose the right car that will give you a better experience on the road. Whether you are looking for a budget car or a luxury car to hire on self drive Uganda, we guarantee you that we have a car for every need. Talk to us any day and we will be able to advise you regarding the choice of car you can select. Below are some of the things you need to consider as you hire a car on your self drive Uganda trip.

4×4 cars

Are you planning to visit some of the hard to reach areas and national parks in Uganda? We fully recommend hiring 4×4 cars for a better experience on and off road. These cars are designed to give you extra comfort and help you navigate the challenging terrains in different parts of Uganda.

Our 4×4 cars you can hire on your self drive Uganda safari, a Toyota RAV4, Land Cruiser TX/TZ, Land Cruiser V8, Land Cruiser GX manual, safari land cruiser, safari van among others. These are available at very unbeatable self drive Uganda prices and if you are renting for more than a 14 weeks, you will automatically qualify for a discount on any car of your choice.

Vehicle size and capacity

It’s important to note the number of people who will be traveling with you and getting a car that will offer you the comfort you need with enough space for your luggage as well. Forexample, if you are traveling as a couple in Uganda, you can hire a land cruiser TX/TZ, Land cruiser GX, RAV4 as these have enough space for your luggage and you as well.

If you are traveling as a family of not more than 5 people, we recommend hiring a land cruiser TX/TZ, safari van, Land Cruiser GX, Land Cruiser V8, and safari Land Cruiser. For those traveling as a group of more than 9 people, you will need to use a safari van, mini buses and coasters.

For solo travelers, we also recommend hiring a RAV4, and our land cruiser models if you prefer some sense of luxury and extra comfort on your trip.

Type of fuel and consumption

As you hire a car, it’s important to know the type of fuel such a car consumes as this helps you plan better especially when it comes to spending on fuel. For example our RAV4s, Land Cruiser TX/TZ, Land Cruiser GX and saloon cars, consume petrol or gasoline while our fleet of Land Cruiser GXs consume diesel.

If you are looking for a car that consumes less fuel, then our RAV4s, Land Cruiser TX/TZ, saloon cars and safari van are so far the best you can choose from. Our Land Cruiser V8 consumes slightly higher amount of fuel because of its strength and the engine power as well.

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Planning Your self drive Uganda Safari Itinerary

Uganda continues to be the leading destination amongst travelers around the world with so much that you can discover within her boundaries that include rare wildlife species, beautiful scenic views, a number of cultural experiences and so much more. To see these, you will need to have planned your itinerary better to save you money and the time.

If you are planning for a safari in Uganda and want a proper itinerary that will save you time and money, do get in touch with us and we will be able to curate for you an itinerary that works for you best.

Choosing self drive Uganda destinations

There various places you can visit while driving in Uganda and as you select them, you need to base on the uniqueness of such a place and what it does have to offer to you. For example for travelers who would like to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are so far the leading destinations, to see the tree climbing lions, you will need to visit the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison falls- the world’s most powerful waterfall, you will need to visit Murchison Falls National Park.

There other various places that you cant afford to miss out while on your self drive Uganda safaris.

Another factor you need to consider is the distance of these to the major towns and cities like Kampala or Entebbe. If you want to self drive to an area that is so close to Kampala, then you will need to consider driving to Lake Mburo National Park which is the closest national park to Kampala. Other parks like Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park are situated far from Kampala meaning to drive there, you will need a whole day to get there (between 8-10hrs).

Routes planning

After having figured out an itinerary to follow, its important that you plan on the various routes you will use that can get you to these places in Uganda. This helps you plan your safari better saving you time and making sure you get to arrive to your final destination on time.

Best routes for self driving in Uganda

Are you planning to self drive in Uganda and looking for some of the exciting routes you can use to get you to a particular destination? These are the best and popular routes you need to use as you self drive in Uganda.

Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This is one of the most used and popular self drive Uganda routes especially for travelers who are planning to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to see man’s closest relative – mountain gorillas as they roam freely in the park. Bwindi is known to be home to half of the world’s population of gorillas and the best place you can see them as they play, feed and much more.

To go to this park, you will need to use the Entebbe – Masaka Mbarara – Kisoro route which 8-10hrs long. Along this route, you will get to enjoy the picturesque views of the beautiful upcountry made of rolling hills and valleys, plantations, various road side markets and so much more that will leave you yearning for more.

Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

This route will take you to Uganda’s largest and oldest National Park – Murchison Falls National Park that is situated in the north west part of the country. Your highlight of visiting this park is to see the world’s most powerful water fall – Murchison Falls which was formed as a result of the Nile River forcing itself through a narrow gorge thus forming the thunderous sound that can be heard while you are close to the falls.

While in the park, you can as well do a game drive which does introduce to some of the wildlife species that live within this park and these include lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, topi, several species of birds and so much more. Your self drive Uganda safari to this park is incomplete if you don’t get the chance to do a boat cruise which brings you closer to the falls down stream.

Its on a boat cruise that you will be able to see species like a crocodiles, hippos, several species on birds and the beautiful scenic views of the different parts of the park.

The best route to Murchison Falls National Park is through Kampala – Masindi – Kachumbanyobo gate. You can as well reach the park through the Bugungu gate that will present to you the beautiful scenic views of the Budongo.

Murchison falls National Park can be accessed through the northern gates of Chobe, wankwar, mumbako and tangi gates. These work best for travelers who are from Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kampala to Kidepo Valley National Park

It might be the less visited national park in Uganda but if you really want a real African game drive experience, Kidepo Valley National Park situated in the North eastern part of the country is the best place. The best route you can use to Kidepo from Kampala is the Kampala – Mbale – Nakapiripirit – Moroto – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo. This route will take you from 10 – 11hrs depending on your speed and stopovers.

Another route that you can use is the Kampala – Karuma – Gulu – Kitgum – Kidepo. This is also approximately a 10 – 11hr drive.

In this park, you will be able to see the various species of birds (Kidepo is the best birding destination in Uganda with over 450 species), zebras, lions, hartebeest, cheetah among other wildlife species.

You will as well get to enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the different parts of the park and make sure to capture that award winning photography.

Preparing for a self drive safari in Uganda

Before you head to Uganda for a self drive safari, it’s important to know some of the crucial documents and requirements you will need to have a hassle free self drive Uganda experience. Below are some of the crucial things you need to put into consideration as you plan for your trip.

Packing list

As you come to Uganda, these are some of the things you definitely have to pack to have a rewarding experience. They include; toiletries, hiking boots, sunscreen to protect you from the sun, sunglasses, insect repellant to protect you from insect bites, head lamp or LED torches especially if you are planning to go camping, a rain coat, binoculars, T-shirts (long and short sleeved) and so much more.

Vehicle preparation

Before you go on a self drive Uganda, we always recommend making sure you have familiarized yourself with the particular car you are to drive. For travelers hiring manual cars, we request that you are always sure that you know to drive such a car with ease. This is done for your own safety and other road users.

Once our driver brings the car to you, they always brief you on all the steps to know about the car and how it does operate to make sure before you proceed with your trip, you have all the necessary information about the car.

Travel documents

Like any other country, if you plan to visit Uganda we recommend that you have all the necessary travel documents so that you are allowed to access the country. These include a valid passport for easy identification and Visa.

With these, you will be allowed in the country and if you plan on going on a self drive you will need to share with us a copy of your driving permit from your home country and we will be able to reserve your car and give it to you upon your arrival at the airport.

Health preparations

It’s important to note that as you plan for a self drive Uganda, you need to be healthy and have a yellow fever vaccine certificate. You need to carry an insect repellant and sun screen as well if you plan to visit Uganda.

Our cars come with first aid kits that you can use in case you get an unfortunate event.

Top things to do on self drive safari

Just recently, Uganda was named among the top destinations to visit in 2023 and this was attributed to the fact that the country has a lot that you can see within her boundaries. As you plan for your self drive Uganda trip, these are some of the activities that you must include on your travel bucket list for a memorable experience.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

It might be a thrilling activity but there’s nothing as rewarding as seeing man’s closest relative – mountain gorillas right in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking involves heading to the dense jungles of the park to see these massive creatures and this can take between 3-8hours depending on the location of gorillas.

During gorilla trekking, you will get the opportunity to see other wildlife species that reside within the park’s boundaries and these do include butterflies, insects, different species of birds, and more. Upon seeing the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend time of up to 1 hour observing and taking as many photos of these gorillas as they play and feed in the thick rain forest.

You will then be led back to the park headquarters with the help of an armed ranger and a guide where you will be awarded a certificate proving that indeed you participated in gorilla trekking in Uganda.

To go gorilla trekking in Uganda, you will need to have purchased a gorilla trekking permit that can be got from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and it costs only $700 for foreign non- residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250, 000/= for East African citizens. We will help you reserve your gorilla trekking permit at no extra fee.

Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park

On your self drive Uganda safari, you will definitely need to visit Murchison Falls National Park which is popularly known to be home to the most powerful waterfalls in the world. While within the park, you can do a game drive through the park which introduces you to some of the wildlife species in the park and these include herds of buffaloes, lions, giraffes, bush pigs, Jackson hartebeests, Antelopes, Lions, Kobs, spotted hyenas, Bushbucks, Warthogs, several species of birds and so much more.

While in Murchison, you can do game drives in either Albert, Victoria or Buligi tracks where you will be able to find concentration of wildlife species. To have a successful game drive, you will need to have a 4×4 vehicle that is strong enough to go through the roads within the park.

Wildlife and Bird Watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Have an experience like no other when you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park that is situated in the western part of Uganda. This park is known to be the most visited national parks in Uganda and this is attributed to the fact that there’s so much you can while within the park’s premises.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is known to be among the leading birding spots in Uganda with over 600 species that you can see while on your safari. Some of the birds species you need to look forward to seeing include yellow bill, barbets, African fin foot, African emerald cuckoo, pied kingfisher, papyrus gonolek, black bishop, chestnut wattle eye, black coucal among others.

While in the park you can as well go on a wildlife safari experience where you can do a game drive in the Kasenyi plains which introduces you to wildlife species like the lions, antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, hyenas and so much more.

You can as well go on a game drive in the Ishasha sector which is popularly known to be home to the tree climbing lions which exhibited such a skill to escape insect bites and have a clear view of the their prey as they roam in the park.

Your self drive Uganda safari is incomplete if you don’t get the chance to do a boat cruise on Kazinga channel where you will get to see some of the wildlife species like crocodiles, hippos, several species of birds and so much more.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park

Known as the “primate capital of the world,” Kibale Forest National Park is among the top destinations that you have to include on your travel bucket list. This is popularly known to be home to the largest population of primates in central and East Africa which makes it the best place to go primate safaris. Your highlight while visiting this park is to see chimpanzees as they play and feed right in the forest.

It’s a totally rewarding experience seeing these species whom we share with almost 98% of our DNA roam freely in the national park but to see these, you will need to have purchased a chimpanzee tracking permit that can be bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority at $200 for foreign non residents, $150 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000/= for east African citizens.

With a chimpanzee tracking permit, you will be allowed to spend time of up to 1hr while observing and taking photos of these species in their natural and once the 1 hour elapses, you will be led back to the park headquarters.

There other locations that you can visit on your self drive Uganda safari and be assured of a rewarding and memorable experience on your trip.