The Best 2-Week Itinerary for Self-Drive Safari in Uganda
Uganda is increasingly and easily becoming one of the most unmissable places to enjoy self-drive on the African Continent. After our 2-week self-drive trip you will understand why.
This country, dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” is so diverse and our two-week itinerary for a self-drive will take you through the unbeaten landscapes that range from semi-arid, savannah, to jungles, to rolling hills or mountain slopes blanketed by dense vegetation.
Continue reading this article for inspiration on your anticipated 2-week itinerary for a self-drive in Uganda, while choosing some of the recommended places to stay, where to have meals and things you will love about the destinations to be visited. Firstly, the best time to enjoy a self-drive in Uganda depends on the activities you wish to do. The dry season (December to February and June to September) is mild, with occasional downpours occasionally. This makes vegetation sparser hence making it easier to spot wildlife. On the other hand, the wet season (March to May, and October to November) sees verdant vegetation as well as clearer skies.
Here’s the best 2-week itinerary for a self-drive in Uganda;
Day 1: Explore Entebbe and Kampala
Entebbe is known as the “gateway” into Uganda and is home to Entebbe International Airport. Not many places in Uganda offer what this Town offers: pristine sandy beaches, the calm waters and shores of Lake Victoria, extraordinary tourist spots (such as Uganda Wildlife Education Center/or the zoo, Uganda Reptile Village, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the Botanical Gardens, and many others, mouth-watering food, and friendly people. Thanks to the numerous activities, visitors are always spoiled for choice when deciding how they wish to spend their time in Entebbe.
Recommended places to stay in Entebbe are the Boma Guesthouse, Hotel Number Five, Protea Hotel by Marriott, 2 Friends Boutique Hotel, and others. However, for this trip, we shall be staying in Kampala.
That said, just 40 kilometers from Entebbe is Kampala, the Capital City of Uganda. This is another extraordinary tourist spot with lots of places to visit. These include Kasubi Royal Tombs (the burial place for four former Buganda Kings), the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, the Uganda Museum, and others. The best accommodation options in Kampala are the Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Kampala Serena Hotel, Latitude 0 Degrees Hotel, Emin Pasha Hotel, Humura Resort, and Yellow Haven Lodge among others.
Day 2: Wrap up Kampala and drive to Sipi Falls
Your 2-week itinerary continues to Eastern Uganda, home to the Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa. This journey is about 277 kilometers and takes 5 hours with stops along the way for refreshment and toilet breaks.
Things to do in the Sipi Falls area include abseiling/Rappelling, rock climbing, coffee tours, and hiking. The recommended places to stay are Sipi Falls Lodge and Sipi Heritage Lodge among others.
Day 3: Wrap up Sipi Falls and drive to Kidepo Valley National Park
Be up early, because you can’t afford to miss the sunrise over the breathtaking Sipi Falls. Continue your self-drive in Uganda by heading to the “African Wilderness”- Kidepo Valley National Park. This journey through the sweeping savannah plains extending to Karamoja should take you about 4-5 hours with some of the best views you have ever seen. Make sure to carry a packed lunch, which you will enjoy at one of our favorite picnic spots in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Our recommended accommodation options in Kidepo Valley National Park are Apoka Safari Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Zebra Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, and Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Day 4: Begin the self-drive tour of Kidepo National Park
Another day to rise and shine, because today is about exploring the extraordinary game tracks of Kidepo Valley National Park. This starts at about 6:00 am with a game drive whereby lots of animals will be spotted. Here, Jackson’s hartebeests, Topis, African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, cheetahs, Lions, leopards, Olive baboons, blue monkeys, zebras, and giraffes are likely to be sighted.
In the afternoon, you can take a short drive to the local community to immerse yourself in the rich Karamojong culture.
Day 5: Wrap up Kidepo Valley National Park and drive to Murchison Falls National Park.
Anything wildlife or bird-related you missed the previous day can be wrapped up before you head to Murchison Falls National Park, home to the “World’s most powerful waterfalls”. While here, you can take a self-game drive exploring some of the trails. Your journey to Murchison should take about 5-6 hours and some of the places to stay are Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, and many others.
Day 6: The Murchison Falls self-game drive.
Today, you are taking a 3-4-hour game drive through Murchison Falls National Park with the hope of seeing African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, Lions, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Topis, Olive baboons, and leopards among others. Other activities you can do in this Park are bird watching, the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, the drive to the top of the falls, community walks, guided bush walks, and hot air balloon tours.
Day 7: Drive to Kibale National Park
Today, you are taking the long route from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park, and it is quite a lot of driving. For visitors with more time, we would recommend spending some time in Hoima to appreciate it. Be prepared for 7-8 hours of driving with stunning vistas that include the Escarpment, Valley, Craters, and rural homesteads. Driving here feels like driving to a whole new destination hence making it worthwhile.
Accommodation is in/around Kibale National Park and the recommended choices are Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Chimpundu Safari Lodge, and many others.
Day 8: Spend part of the day with mankind’s closest relatives in the animal kingdom
Spend the better part of the morning in Kibale Forest National Park, searching for chimpanzees on foot. These primates are interestingly are closest relatives in the animal Kingdom. The day will of course start with breakfast at your Lodge, then a transfer to the Kanyanchu visitor center for briefing before entering the forest to search for these Great Apes.
You will need to dress up for the forest and in the afternoon, you can choose to relax at the Lodge or undertake Crater Lake Hikes or a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for another walk.
Day 9: Drive to the spectacular Queen Elizabeth National Park
Another great day to hit the road and this 3-4-hour journey will lead you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spend your afternoon on a game drive with tons of opportunities to stop along the way to spot different wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, Topis, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, Waterbucks, Olive baboons, and others.
You can stay at Elephant Plains, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Kazinga Wilderness Camp, Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, and Parkview Safari Lodge if you are exploring Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha Wilderness Camp is ideal if you are exploring the Southern side of the Protected Area.
Day 10: Continue with the Queen Elizabeth National Park adventure
This day will see you enjoy two activities with breaks in between; Morning game drives and afternoon boat rides on the Kazinga Channel.
On our 2-week itinerary for a self-drive in Uganda, we are foregoing a lot of time in Queen Elizabeth National Park to make time for the other two destinations to be explored. However, people who spend more days in the Park can enjoy other activities such as lion tracking, guided bush walks, community tours, hot air balloon tours, and bird counts among others.
Day 11: To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Our 2-week itinerary for self-drive in Uganda continues to the ultimate gorilla trekking destination- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey to this Park goes through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (home to the tree-climbing lions) and the journey should take about 4 hours. A great adventure awaits here and since we are visiting the Northern sector of Bwindi, we shall be staying at Buhoma Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman Cottages, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, or Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Day 12: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is surely the highlight of our 2-week itinerary for a self-drive in Uganda. This is the day you get to track the mountain gorillas, on foot and get the chance to learn about their riveting behavior. You however need to book your permit several months in advance to enjoy this experience.
You can choose to relax for the rest of the afternoon or take a mountain biking adventure, Batwa cultural experience, or even a forest walk.
Day 13: To Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is about 4-5 hours away and provides another extraordinary wildlife viewing experience. Enjoy more self-game drives here with an opportunity to see unique animals like impalas, Elands, zebras, the Rothschild giraffes, Cape buffaloes, Topis, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and so much more.
Here, you can stay at Eagle’s Nest Camp, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Arcadia Cottages, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mpogo Safari Lodge, Mburo Safari Lodge or Hyena Hill Lodge among others.
Day 14: Drive to Kampala or Entebbe, then fly out.
Luckily Lake Mburo National Park is just a 3-4-hour drive to Entebbe, whereby you can have a fly out of the country. You can have a stop at the Equator crossing for a moment of photography before proceeding to Entebbe via the Expressway. You can book a day room at any of the Entebbe Hotels to freshen- up before taking your International flight.
