Whats the best circuit  for self drive safaris in Uganda

Whats the best circuit  for self drive safaris in Uganda

Whats the best circuit for self drive safaris in Uganda, Self-drive safaris across the Pearl of Africa, as Uganda is affectionately labeled are slowly becoming popular among travelers because of the flexibility and freedom enjoyed during these road trips. Visitors are able to explore this spectacular country at their own convenience and pace behind the wheel of a Rental Car and with this country, you can never go wrong.

Uganda is a raw safari destination with unmissable natural beauty, and any nature lover might not think twice about undertaking a self-drive trip to any part of the country. Remarkable wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and most incredibly the friendliness of Ugandans are some of the main characteristics of exploring the country via a road trip. Thanks to the good roads and awe-inspiring scenery, Uganda is one of the best self-drive destinations in Africa and if you have been to this country before, you might not know which the best circuit/route is for self-drive safaris. In this article, we provide information on the different circuits and what they have to offer, and then the choice (for the best) will be yours to make;

The Eastern circuit #Whats the best circuit for self drive safaris in Uganda

Self-drive safaris along Uganda’s Eastern circuit lead to some of the most exhilarating safari destinations, hence perfect for visitors looking for adrenaline rush experiences. Take a self-drive trip from Kampala and head to Jinja as your first stop. This journey should take you about 2 hours and when you get there, what awaits you will take your breath away. Expect to enjoy whitewater rafting on the Nile rapids, Bungee jumping, a boat ride to the source of the Nile, guided tours of Jinja City (a popular colonial and industrial town), kayaking, cycling tours through sugarcane plantations and villages, quad bike rides and horseback rides.

Your self-drive trip continues to Mount Elgon and the Sipi Falls area for rock climbing, mountain climbing, trout fishing, guided walks/hiking, bird watching, and cultural experiences. Mount Elgon is the 4th highest mountain in East Africa and the 8th highest in Africa.

From Mount Elgon, you can connect to Kidepo Valley National Park to experience a real African wilderness. This journey should take you about 5 hours with great views along the way. Here, game drives, guided bush walks, birding, mount Morungole climbing, and community visits are offered. This remote destination is home to over 80 mammal species and about 475 birds. Animals to look out for during your self-drive safari through this Park include Jackson’s hartebeests, Topis, warthogs, cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, Oribis, bushbucks, and sometimes leopards, lions, and cheetahs. You can drive back to Kampala via Kitgum, Nakasongola, and Luwero, and the journey lasts 9-10 hours. Given this long journey, you can spend overnight at one of the en-route Towns.

Self-drive trip to/through the Northern Circuit

Self-drive safaris to the Northern circuit target a number of destinations. For a typical road trip, you start from Kampala and head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola as your first stop. This is the only place to track the country’s southern white Rhino population in the wild. This journey takes about 3 hours and rhino tracking should last about 1-2 hours. This Sanctuary also has a significant population of birds and other wildlife species that include bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, and others.

The self-drive trip continues to Murchison Falls National Park, the oldest and largest National Park in Uganda with over 76 mammal species and 500 bird species to look out for. This Park is known for its awe-inspiring landscapes and natural features including the waterfalls from which the Park was named and the Victoria Nile that dissects the Park into southern and Northern areas. While on your self-drive safari through this Park, expect to see lions, Rothschild giraffes, Topis, Oribis, leopards, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, and spotted hyenas among others. Other activities you can enjoy include guided nature/bush walks, birding tours, hot air balloon tours, sport fishing, and community visits.
You can combine your Murchison Falls National Park tour with a visit to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Additionally, Kidepo Valley National Park (in northeastern Uganda) can be explored as part of the Northern circuit.
The Western circuit

A self-drive safari to the western circuit is one of the most rewarding, owing to the breathtaking landscapes marked by verdant banana and tea plantations, rolling hills, and forest cover. Destinations to explore during your self-drive trip include Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale National Park.
If your plan is to add all these destinations, then you can start with the 3-4-hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park for its exceptional game drives, bush walks, biking, horseback rides, quadbike rides, or birding, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives with chances of seeing tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, boat rides, bush walks and others, and then climax with a journey to Kibale for chimpanzee tracking.

The southwestern circuit

The self-drive trip to the southwestern circuit is long, but one of the unmissable options for Uganda. The journey to Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks lasts about 8-9 hours but exciting activities await visitors. Gorilla trekking, birding, and guided forest walks are done in these two places, but the latter also offers golden monkey tracking, mountain climbing, and the popular Batwa cultural trail (although Batwa walks are done in both places). You can combine your self-drive trips to the southwestern circuit with visits to several western destinations such as Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale National Parks.

Therefore, based on the above information on self-drive safaris to the different circuits in Uganda, the choice of which one offers the best experience largely depends on you.