Best Uganda Road Trip Destinations- Self Drive Uganda

Uganda has 10 national parks, each offering unique wildlife experiences, landscapes, and a variety of activities. The parks are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The top five national parks in Uganda are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. These parks are highly rated for their diverse wildlife, scenic beauty, and unique experiences, such as gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking.

Recommended 10 National Parks for solo Travelers on Self Drive.

Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity Volcanoes National Park, but there are plenty of other fun things to do while you’re there. You can hike volcanoes, with the Diane Fossey Tomb Hike being a favorite among many. Bird watching is another great way to spend your time.

Discover the Musanze Caves and embark on captivating golden monkey trekking. For a taste of local life, visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village and connect with the community. Don’t miss a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kivu at sunset, where you can enjoy stunning views of the hills and clear African sky.

Video Credit to Edward & Ssali ( Product Developer) in Rwenzori Mountains National Park on Self Drive Trip.

Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular and remote parks tucked in the northeastern corner bordering Kenya and South Sudan. The park covers an area of 1,442 square kilometers and has an altitude ranging between 914m and 2750m. Kidepo Valley harbors scenery that is not in any other parks in East Africa.

Kidepo Valley national Park is one of Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses. The park boasts of 77 species of mammals including; Elephants, Rothschild’s giraffe, Burshell’s Zebra, Oribi, Klipspringer, Bohor Reedbuck, Eland, Hartebeest, Lion, Hyena and Cheetah, Leopard, striped jackals and perhaps Africa’s largest single herd of Cape buffalo roaming grasslands that extend in all directions towards distant ranges. Some of species in this park are not found in other parks except some game reserves like Cheetahs, Eland and Kudu. On occasions, you will sight a white-eared Kob from the neighboring South Sudan.

The activities in Kidepo valley national park include game drives, bird watching, nature and hiking walks, community walks and cultural experiences, visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, visit the Morungole Mountains.

Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth National Park, named after Queen Elizabeth II of England after her visit in 1952, is one of the top Uganda safaris destinations. It is located in southwestern Uganda and lies astride the Equator with monuments on both sides of the road making latitude 0⁰. It is in the Albertine region along with Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife reserve, which brings together the most diverse ecosystem in Africa. The rich bio-diversity of crater lakes, forest, savannah, woodland, and acacia and numerous animal, plant, and bird species lie on an area of 1978km².

The park is home to over 95 mammal species, which are the main attraction of the visitors to the park. It has four of the ‘Big Five’ namely Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo. It is home to thousands of hippos that populate the water shores of Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. The park is an open Savannah spread with acacia and euphorbia trees that provide a habitat for leopards, elephants, lions, Uganda kobs, Topi, hyenas, and big herds of buffaloes, large families of banded mongoose, warthogs, bushbucks and waterbucks.

The activities in Queen Elizabeth national park include a boat cruise on Kazinga channel, game drives, lion tracking, Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, bird watching, Nature and forest walks and cultural experiences.

Kibale Forest national park

Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda is a renowned eco-tourism destination, famously known as the “primate capital of the world”. The park’s main attraction is its habituated chimpanzee population, offering a nearly guaranteed sighting of these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.

The forest hosts 12 other primate species, including the endangered Ugandan red colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Over 375 bird species have been recorded, making it a birder’s paradise. Notable species include the green-breasted pitta, African pitta, and the great blue turaco.

The activities in Kibale Forest national park include chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience, nature walks, bird watching, butterfly watching, Bigodi swamp walk and cultural visits.

Bwindi impenetrable national park

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda and is located in three districts of Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu. The Bwindi Forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres. The forest contains around 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve was set up in 1942 on the rim of the Rift Valley.

Among the top places to visit in Uganda, this park stands out as a primary destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, when trails are more accessible. For traveler’s choosing between Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking, Uganda often appeals with its more affordable permits and diverse landscapes, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring Africa’s natural wonders.

The activities in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park range from the iconic mountain gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation in Rushaga Sector, nature walk, hiking and butterfly watching to cultural immersion with the Batwa people.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, located in the northwestern part of the country and bisected by the Victoria Nile. The park’s main feature is the Murchison Falls, where the Nile River plunges through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall. It is a popular destination for safaris and boat cruises, offering a wide variety of wildlife and diverse ecosystems like savannah and woodland.

A highlight of the park, the waterfall is where the Nile River narrows and cascades 45 meters (148 feet) over the Rift Valley escarpment, forming a dramatic and thunderous spectacle. The park is also home to numerous species, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, buffalos, and hartebeests. You can also find lions and leopards, and chimpanzee tracking is available in nearby forests like Budongo.

Murchison Falls National Park offers a range of activities, including game drives, bird watching, sport fishing, Nile River boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking, and hiking to the top of the powerful Murchison Falls.

Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Game Park, located in Nyandarua County, is known for its dense forests, waterfalls, and rich biodiversity, including the endangered black rhino. This park offers a unique experience with its moorland ecosystems and diverse wildlife. Activities include game drives, hiking, and bird watching from tree lodges.

Aberdare is about 150 km from Nairobi, it is easily accessible, with various accommodations available, including lodges and campsites. The best time to visit is from June to September, when wildlife is more active. Aberdare’s stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems make it a vital part of any African safari itinerary.

Tsavo National  Park

Tsavo National game park, located in Taita-Taveta County, is one of the largest national game park s in the world, known for its diverse landscapes, including savannahs, volcanic hills, and rivers. This vast wilderness teems with wildlife, offering opportunities for game drives, walking safaris, and bird watching, making it a versatile destination for nature lovers.

Tsavo National Game Park is located about 240 km from Nairobi, Tsavo is accessible by road or air. Accommodations range from luxury lodges to budget-friendly camps. The best time to visit is from June to October, providing optimal wildlife visibility. Tsavo’s unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity make it a key highlight for those on African safari tours in Kenya.

Jinja White Water Rafting Uganda

Jinja is a town in southern Uganda, on the shore of Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile, at Coronation Park, is marked by a garden and a monument honoring British explorer John Hanning Speke. Owen Falls Dam and Bujagali Dam both span the Nile.

The best excitement moments to relax in jinja after long self drive road trip within east Africa is to go on White water rafting and Kayaking on River Nile, Jinja, Uganda. Never miss to conclude the lake Victoria drive within East Africa with a stop over at Jinja Town.