Best of Uganda Safari 18 days USD  $775pp

This is an incredibly and spectacular designed best of Uganda safari package that highlights the best that Uganda has to offer. From the best game reserves, cultural encounters, primate trekking, breathtaking sceneries, bird watching and yes, meet the friendliest people in Africa. This trip starts from the capital Kampala, descends south of the country through the equator to the west, North and east of Uganda. Practically, you will definitely sleep in the best selected nature lodges.

    DAY 1; Kampala city tour on a self drive uganda safari
    Start your Self drive car rental in Uganda when you receive your car from an Auto Rental Uganda Representative who will brief you about Uganda and the suggested pre – arranged trip you’re about to take.After you receive all the vouchers for your lodges, the wild life payments are due at this time, and then you are off on your adventure. You can opt for a Kampala city tour that includes the museum, the Bahai temple, the craft village, the Namugongo shrine and or the Kasubi tombs. Whatever your choice is, you will fall in love with Kampala.

    Accommodation; lake Victoria view guest house or Cape Diem. Both of these guesthouses are nested on a hill with a 360 degrees view of the lake Victoria

    Day 2. Equator and and lake Mburo National park
    Enjoy the second day of self drive uganda safari that takes you south of Uganda to the Ankole land. You will pass most of the interesting places in Uganda- the beautiful stool makers, drum makers and the famous equator line at at 0 degrees, where the southern and northern hemispheres meet. You will proceed south to Lake Mburo N.P in the afternoon. Lake Mburo self drive safari is a rewarding drive in one of the most animal concentration per square kilometer Park that also prides its self with rare animals like the shy Eland and sometime referred to as the Home for the Zebras. Be rewarded with spectacular Game drives, boat cruises, Nature walks, horse back safaris and Bike rides are some of the activities to keep you rolling on a self drive car rental in Uganda. Distance 250kms: Travel time 5:50hrs.

    Accommodation; Eagles Nest Lodge nested on the boundaries of the park hill overlooking the park and great views  or Mihingo lodge, a luxury lodge with great crafted cottages overlooking the park for an upgrade.

    Day 3. Lake Mburo National Park game drive or UWA guided walk
    Decide to do any activities that you might have not done the previous day and later proceed south to Lake Bunyonyi. Along the way in Mbarara, there is a special optional lunch if you really want to know how Ugandans eat, instead of having the normal tourist lunch in Mbarara, lets us organize you an amazing traditional meal prepared by Ugandan woman in her African home and in a simple setting. You will be in the African shoes and know much about Uganda. After your wonderful lunch experience, you will proceed south to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, the second deepest lake in Africa estimated at 900m deep, Also called the small Switzerland of Uganda, scenic and relaxing atmospheres.

    Accomodation; Bunyonyi Overland resort or Byonna Amagara a hotel on one of the islands.

    Day 4. A feel of the Switzerland of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi
    Lake Bunyonyi has a lot of amazing activities to do. On this lake you can decide to canoe or boat cruise, visit the the traditional islands including the up-side down island and the punishment island. Local guides tell you all this history. Consider hiking to the mountains and visit an isolated community living at the top of the mountain, the views while hiking are spectacular. The Batwa Community will sing dance and you too will join to the local traditional dance. Return to the lodge for lunch and later enjoy another self drive trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through a rain forest and enjoy cool breeze, you can see many breeds of monkeys and may be spot the elusive forest elephant here. Bwindi is another birds haven for bird lovers. Distance 120kms, Time 3hours. the road in the Bwindi section is a bumpy and maintaining 40kms/hr in the park.

    Accommodation; Bakiga lodge in Ruhijja or the community Bandas in Buhoma. All these lodges are nested and enveloped next to the park boundaries with a great feel of nature.

    Day 5. The ultimate Gorilla experience.
    Today you will be into the rain forest for that once in a lifetime wildlife encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda on a sels drive uganda safari. These great apes are unique; they have families and support each other. This trekking takes between 4 to 10 hrs depending on the location and movement of this apes and your gorilla group. Of course you have a packed lunch and after the encounter, you will get back to your lodge for a nice cold drink and embark on another self drive car rental safari to Ishasha sector. Distance 80kms Time: 1hr:20mins.

    Accommodation; @the river ishasha or ishasha jungle lodge for upgrade. Either of the two lodges gives a perfect definition of wilderness experience. Nice Crafted cottages overlooking the hippo thronged Ishasha River.

    Day 6. Search and Photograph tree climbing lions.
    Enjoy another insightful day of self drive safari and mainly for the famous and elusive tree climbing lions of ishasha. towards the southern circuit and through the fig trees are the kings of the jungle hitching on the huge holizontally positioned branches. These are the specialties of this park and are an exceptional thrill to see and photograph. There is no grass blocking your view, and they lie on large limbs that are really blocked by the leaf canopy. The prides are large enough that some lions are always awake and moving around. You even have a great view of the cubs which are rarely seen in ground dwelling prides because of the high grass. Ishasha is one of the few places to spot the topi antelope Large herds of elephants, kobs, bush bucks, buffalos, hyenas roam this park and yes you do not want to miss the beautiful plains of the ishasha. Proceed of Queen Elizabeth National Park a bio-diversity and oldest park in uganda

    Accommodation; The bush lodge for budget and mid-range or Mweya safari lodge for upgrade. These two lodges offer exceptional wildlife experience. Both strategically located facing the Kazinga channel with great views

    Day 7. Queen Elizabeth National Park with a boat cruise on Kazinga channel.
    Today You will Embark on another self drive car rental safari in the northern sector of Kasenyi to catch a glimpse of the morning early risers, predators heading back to their hideouts. See Elephants, buffalos, bush bucks, water bucks, kobs, leopards, and hyenas, lions roaming and hunting. A lot of wildlife and bird-life is concentrated in this part of the park. Proceed to the fishing village relax while window shopping, There are good craft shops if you want to grab a souvenir for your loved ones back home. Then head back to the lodge for lunch and proceed to the Mweya peninsula for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel-go on a nonstop photo shot cruise.Schools of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, lions, bush bucks, elephants scorching off the heat. Water buffalos and elephants not exceptional. You will be so close to them that you can take photos that are nearly impossible on land.

    Accommodation; The bush lodge for budget and mid-range or Mweya safari lodge for upgrade. These two lodges offer exceptional wildlife experience. Both strategically located facing the Kazinga channel with great views

    Day 8. Transfer to Kibale National Park
    Discover the new insightful self drive in Uganda through the oldest cleanest and colonial town of western Uganda,Transfer to the 800sq.km Kibale National Park known to have the largest number of primates in Africa. Along the way, you go past the Rwenzori mountain ranges and the spectacular scenery, stop and visit at the many different local markets. You will again cross the equator here and head north for your lunch, You could opt for lunch at the at gardens restaurant in the heart of Fort portal town. The food here is excellent. You can visit the Amabere caves (breast caves) plus the irresistible scenic crater lakes.

    Accommodation; The kibale forest camp for a comfortable safari tent or the Primate lodge for upgrade all nested and enveloped by huge and tall forest trees and just surrounded by nature.
    Day 9. The close encounter with our closest relatives
    This is a day dedicated to chimpanzee tracking or habituation. Whichever you prefer, take a swamp walk for different types of monkeys, red tailed, black and white, mangabey, l’host monkeys both red and the Columbus. Kibale forest is also a home to endemics and the turracos.

    Accommodation; The kibale forest camp for a comfortable safari tent or the Primate lodge for upgrade all nested and enveloped by huge and tall forest trees and just surrounded by nature.

    Day 10. The local Africa in an monkey village.
    Are you a traveler who needs understand the real Africa! do you want to be part of the community, on this morning take a community/village walk. Visit homes, traditional healers, witches, schools and understand how we do it in Africa. Trust us, the experience is interesting. You will then transfer to Nkuruba forest reserve, Crater Lake with a lot of monkey species, play hide and seek game with these monkeys especially the mischievous velvet monkeys. You can do a forest walk or walk to the top of the world view point. Here is a beautiful view of the surroundings as far as Kibale and the scenic Rwenzoris. You can opt to visit the vanilla plantations, or visit the 3rd biggest market in Uganda.

    Accommodation: Nkuruba lake resort a community church lodge enveloped in a forest with a variety of playful and  mischievous monkeys. Opt for Ndali Lodge if you want to upgrade.

    Day 11. Transfer through the oil rich town, Hoima
    Enjoy another exciting self drive car rental in Uganda through the eye-catching tea plantations and local villages. Because the road to Murchison Falls is too much bumpy, take your time have breakfast and then head out slowly for Hoima town, the oil rich town. Distance 218kms.Time 7hrs

    Accomodations; Kontik Hotel. A well established and simple hotel that offers a great relaxation away from the noise of Hoima business town.

    Day 12. Reaching out to the largest national game reserve.
    After breakfast head up though Masindi and proceed to the Murchison falls National Park, through the Budongo forest. You can opt for another another chimpanzee encounter if you did not get enough of them in Kibale. It’s much cheaper here but not a guaranteed encounter. You can as well opt do nature walks in the forest. After lunch proceed to the Paraa for ferry crossing. Do not miss visiting the Top Of the Falls  on your way to the ferry crossing. Be advised to cross with the 4 oclock ferry till the river Nile to catch up with the 4oclock ferry. You will drive through the park till you get to Fort Murchison lodge on the northern park entrance gate. Distance 170kms.

    Accommodation; Fort Murchison for a budget and comfortable safari tent or you can opt for an upgrade at the Paraa safari Lodge

    Day 13. Murchison falls national park
    Enjoy another fun filled day of self drive safari in Uganda with a wake up call and a hefty breakfast for a morning game drive. Advisable to use the Delta through Pakuba track. Do Not go past the dilapidated and old building next to pakuba lodge, its a leopards den where they hitch on walls of the old building The rest of the track is endowed with spectacular wildlife, leopard, lions, the Rothschild giraffes, bucks and game of all kinds. This is the biggest wildlife reserve in Uganda with a lot of wildlife to offer. After the game drive that could end at around 11:30am or 12am, you will proceed to the paraa side and book for the afternoon boat cruise that takes off at 2:30pm. For two hrs, you will be entertained to a lot of water animals and others quenching their thirst. Hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, elephants and birds. The boat cruise takes you to the bottom of the famous Murchison falls – part of the longest river in the world.

    Accommodation; Fort Murchison for a budget and comfortable safari tent or you can opt for an upgrade at the Paraa safari Lodge

    Day 14. Transfer to encounter The Rhinos
    Today you will Drive out of the park at your own pace to the Ziiwa rhino Sanctuary.You will track the 2nd among the big 5 wildlife. This activity takes you about 2hours. The encounter with these animals is awesome. After lunch you will then drive south to Kampala for your dinner and overnight.

    Accomodation: Red chilli Or Humura all located in Kampala for a feel of the city Kampala.

    Day 15. Transfer to the heart of Mount Elgon with a traditional encounter.
    Today you will enjoy another self drive trip about 180kms that takes you about 3hrs depending on your driving skills. If you are a nature lover, consider taking a stop at Mabira forest for a typicall rainforest nature walk. You can have lunch in this area and proceed east until you get to Mbale town. There are UWA offices here that can consult if you opt to hike the wanale hills. If you want to mingle with the community here, there are traditional circumcision ceremonies. The males at the age of 15yrs go into a transformation to adulthood and this is done by having these boys smear on some dirt-white mud, then run up and down all night singing their traditional song known as the “kadodi”. You can walk all way to the top of the hills to witness live circumcisions of the males. With a big sharp knife, you will experience what African traditional practices are like. These ceremonies are done from October until December. So travelling during those months will enhance a great timing for traditional encounters.

    Accommodation: MT Elgon Hotel. A very comfortable Hotel overlooking the Wanale hill of Mt Elgon.

    Day 16. Spectating the origin of coffee and spectacular waterfalls
    After a nice breakfast, enjoy another fun filled self drive car rental in Uganda towards Kapchorwa. You may opt for the sipi river walk, public male circumcision ceremony, coffee tours or visit the chebonet falls. Make arrangements for the spectacular sunset viewed from the top of the hills overlooking the karamoja plains. Distance 56kms, Time 1hr:20mins

    Accommodation; Noah’s ark hotel or Sipi River lodge. Both located with great views of the sipi falls as well as the breathtaking and endless karamoja plains.

    Day 17. Transfer to the fun of water activities.
    Enjoy a spectacular and relaxed late morning self drive through the local atmosphere of Uganda to Jinja. The rice fields and the bird life here with a variety of fruit markets along the way. You would want to stop buy or mingle with the locals. This wonderful self drive is about 184kms and about 3 hrs drive.

    Accommodation; Source of the Explorers river camp for the budget option or opt the haven for an upgrade.

    Day 18. Wake and relax to the sounds of the mighty river Nile.
    Finalize your self drive car rental in Uganda trip and wake up to the sounds of grade 5 waters is worth it. Its all silent in the night and all you here are the sounds of the river and the great cormorants. This Haven lodge is well known for its tasty and generous breakfast. You can decide to relax or move down to the jetty to get a feel for the river. You can now get prepared to start leaving the lodge for the airport to be ready for your flight. It’s advisable to be at the airport 3hrs before your flight time. The traffic towards Kampala is so tricky and tight, so you need beat that up in time. we say “welaaba” literally meaning Goodbye.

    This Pre – booked trip includes;                                             selfdrive uganda safari

    • Airport transfer and drop-off
    • Car rental rate for 18 days
    • Mobile phone and sim card
    • Lazy camping on bed and breakfast (17 nights)
    • Comprehensive insurance coverage
    • Bradt guide book
    • Uganda map
    • Cooler box

    if you would like to make use of our Resourceful driver guides? Yes, it is possible on this tour with an extra of Us $630 to the Total. Contact us and let the adventure begin.

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