Self-drive Uganda: 7 routes to suit every itinerary

From three-day jaunts to two-week tours, these self-drive Uganda routes are crammed with bucket-list views

Here at Atlas & Boots, some of our best memories were made while we were watching wildlife. One of our favourite experiences was our self-drive safari through Nambia, which offered close encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and more zebras than we could count.

The 17-day trip stuck a fine balance of organised tour and independent travel. We didn’t have to concern ourselves with logistics – that was all taken care of – but still enjoyed the flexibility that comes with the open road.

We are keen to return to the continent – next time to East Africa – to explore the savannahs and jungles of Uganda. The Rwenzoris, Africa’s tallest mountain range, the Victoria Nile with the furious Murchison Falls, and of course trekking with gorillas are all high on our wishlist.

When we make it to Uganda, we will likely opt for a self-drive safari. Distances in the compact country are relatively small while national parks and accommodation options, from campsites to luxury lodges, are well set up for road trippers. Most importantly, we know from experience that a self-drive safari allows for flexibility to mould our itinerary and make the most of time on the ground.

As such, we’ve asked leading self-drive Uganda specialists, 4×4 Uganda for their expert advice on how to plan a self-drive Uganda route. They have a fleet of safari-ready vehicles available including Jeeps, Land Cruisers and SUVs with add-ons such as roof racks, pop-up roofs and roof-top tents as well as a range of pre-planned itineraries to suit different timeframes.

The below routes can be used as ready-to-go tours or as jumping-off points for you to adapt and customise at will.

Self-drive Uganda itineraries

With over 20 years of experience, 4×4 Uganda has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to organising self-drive Uganda holidays. With their help, we’ve put together the following itineraries, from short-and-sweet jaunts around unmissable national parks to classic two-week tours packed with bucket-list experiences.