6 Top Destinations to Visit on self-Drive: Rent a Car Uganda

4×4 rent a Car in Uganda: Planning a self drive road trip in Uganda? No worries! This article provides information on top destinations to visit on 4×4 self-drive and driver-guided car rental services in Uganda and neighboring countries at an affordable price. Renting a car for your 4×4 self-drive road trip is the perfect way to experience the uniqueness of this beautiful country, also known as the pearl of Africa.   

Uganda is a popular tourist destination as a result of its stunning beauty, abundant wildlife, mountains, lakes, and rich cultural heritage. A self-drive road trip around this East African country will expose you to some of its top attractions.  

Whether you are going to visit some of the best safari destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Murchison Falls National Park for big game viewing, or Kibale National Park for tracking chimpanzees, there is much more to explore during your road trip in Uganda.

You can still visit a string of countries for other experiences, such as Tanzania and Kenya for the wildebeest migration after meeting the primates (gorillas and chimpanzees) in Rwanda and Uganda. Below is a selection of our top destinations to visit on self drive 4×4 rent a car Uganda.

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s premier destination, located in the southwest on the rim of the Rift Valley. The hillsides of this biologically diverse rainforest jungle that dates back to more than 25,000 years are mist-covered and comprise about 400 varied plant species.

Bwindi is also home to an estimated 480 mountain gorillas, which is almost half of the population in the world. There are a number of habituated gorilla families that can be tracked by visitors. You will be allowed a maximum of one hour in the presence of the gorillas. This time is enough for you to see their gentle nature and take as many pictures as you can.

2. Entebbe City

Entebbe is home to the International Airport and Uganda’s gateway city—the first destination you can’t miss on your visit to Uganda. It is the first city where visitors to Uganda spend their nights before moving to Kampala, or upcountry.

Entebbe is strategically located along the shores of Lake Victoria and has some of the best beaches and botanical gardens in Uganda. Entebbe is a popular haven for both local and international tourists. While here, you can visit the Uganda Zoo, Ngamba Island, and the Sailing Club, among other places.

3. Kampala City

Kampala has quite a number of attractions to explore on a self-drive road trip. It is the capital of the republic of Uganda and home to a number of cultural and religious places and UNESCO world heritage sites such as Kabaka’s palace, Ndere cultural center, Kasubi tombs, Bahai temple, and Namugongo shrines, which are all easily accessible by rental car. There are multiple outdoor activities in social centres, banks, shopping malls, and hotels connected with friendly residents.

4. Jinja city

Jinja is a popular tourist destination in Uganda. It is also known as the adventure capital of East Africa. The city is home to the source of the Nile River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. A trip to Jinja will have you experience true adventure, both on land and water.

A typical road trip to Jinja takes about 2 hours from Kampala. Some of the attractions are the Mabira forest, Lugazi sugar cane plantations, and the newly constructed bridge on your way to Jinja. You will embark on activities like whitewater rafting, horseback riding, bungee jumping, kayaking, quad biking, jet boat trips, and tubing, among others.

5. Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is another popular destination to visit on a self-drive safari. This lake has amazing scenery, is surrounded by 29 historical islands, and is considered the second-deepest lake in Africa. Lake Bunyonyi is a perfect place to relax and chill out on short trips from Kampala or after a long safari trip in the southwestern circuit. You can embark on exciting activities like canoe riding, hiking, birding, swimming, island hopping, boating, village visits, nature walks, and interactive cultural visits.

6. Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is located in northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala, close to the Albertine Rift Valley, with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile. The park is famous for its powerful waterfall, aka the world’s most powerful waterfall, which emits large volumes of water at about 300 cubic meters per second, or 11,000 ft3/s, at a very powerful pressure that causes the surrounding area to tremble.

Murchison Falls is also rich in wildlife, such as the big four, which are the lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant, as well as many other animals like the Rothschild giraffe. You can visit this beautiful park and embark on some of its diverse safari activities, like game drives, boat cruises, and guided nature walks, among others.