A self-drive is another trending mode of exploring the natural wonders of the world. The trend has as well extended to Uganda where several travelers are opting to hire a car and let themselves to their designated final destinations. Well, all is right provided you got the best car to cruise with around.
Then with this article we bring you these best top 5 parks which you decide to drive to with your car rental on a self-drive to Uganda. Uganda has a total of 10 national parks and 12 national reserves, together with various tropical rain forests which are scattered across the country. Just know that all these parks they have varying adventure experiences which can’t be found in another park, so, each park you visit in Uganda is a new experience.
- Pian Upe Game Reserve
Not yet declared to be a national park but this remote reserve is worth to top your adventure list. Pian-Upe is located in northeastern Uganda, within the corridor of Karamoja conservation areas that extends to Bokora-Matheniko game reserve. This unique reserve is Uganda’s 2nd largest protected area after Murchison falls with an area coverage of 2,275km/q.
Pian-Upe game reserve features a unique golden savannah vegetation which accommodates special wildlife of which some can’t be found elsewhere. Among the unique wildlife to find here include; white eland, cheetah, and ostrich among others. And it’s a home of variety of other wildlife species among which include herds of elephants, buffalos, kobs, zebras, giraffes among others.
When want to include Pian-Upe on your self-drive trip, it’s always an en-route for a circuit trip from Kampala, Jinja, Sipi, then Pian-Upe, and rests at Kidepo Valley National Park. For visit to this amazing reserve, you only and only must have a 4×4 safari customized vehicle. With accommodation, it’s better to drive alongside your camping gears.
- Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is among the easily accessed park from Kampala capital. Even with the smallest maiden safari vehicle the Rav4 a self-drive safari to Murchison Falls remains easy. When planning a self-drive holiday going to Murchison falls, it’s not a drive to worry about.
The flowing Victoria Nile is the most interesting part of the park which is very vital for the formation of the Murchison Fall. These are arguably called the world’s most powerful waterfalls in the word. This is by considering how the rapids force into the narrow gorge of 7m wide and thunderously pour at 45m down. The river continue with an amazing flow towards Lake Albert forming the Delta which is the park’s hub for wildlife games. The northern section features the savannah woodlands of acacia and palms.
And adventure to Murchison Falls National Park is the highest chance for watching the Big Five on a safari to Uganda. Among the adventures expectations include some of the big five lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos. Herds of antelope species, towers of giraffes, schools of hippos, over 400 bird and many more species. En-route to Murchison is Ziwa rhino sanctuary the only home to rhinos in Uganda.
Among the activities to do at Murchison Falls National Park include game drive, boat cruise, visiting the top of the falls, climbing to the top of the falls, nature walks , community visits, wild camping, sports fishing among others.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park suggests the best gorilla trekking experience in the wild. This park accommodates 50% of the world mountain gorilla ruminants, and the rest of the population reside in the Virunga Conservation Areas shared among Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. A self-drive through Bwindi rolling landscape, means a low gear drive.
A self-drive to this volcanic tropical rainforest take about 9 to 10 hours with en-routes. It’s indeed a long journey and on a self-drive to the park you need a stronger 4×4 rental with high ground clearance. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park seats in the lines of the Great Western Rift Valley, southwest of Uganda overlooking the Virunga massifs. The 331sq/km area is characterized by tropical rainforest covering volcanic landscapes favoring the existence of the mountain gorillas.
There are about 19 habituated gorilla families which are available and ready for trekking. And it’s only at Bwindi where trackers have an opportunity to do gorilla habituation which process if for making gorillas used to human presence. There are 4 tracking sectors of Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga and Ruhija at the park.
A self-drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, expect several adventure encounters including; gorilla tracking, nature walks, bird watching, mountain biking, Batwa cultural experience, Lake Mutanda visits, Lake Bunyonyi exploration among many others.
- Lake Mburo National Park
This smallest savannah park in Uganda, is situated in western in Kiruhura district along Kampala-Mbarara road. Lake Mburo National Park is the easiest park to access right from Kampala capital taking about 4hrs of driving. Taking a trip to Lake Mburo National Park can be very possible for even one-day trip.
The park features unique Precambrian metamorphic rocks that are believed to have formed 500 million years date back. The nature of the park is characterized by relatively flat landscapes, tropical forests, wider savanna covers and several small lakes and swamps.
The park lacks elephants, this makes one of the best parks to do nature walks. As well Lake Mburo is known to be the best place to sight predators especially leopards.
Lake Mburo National Park accommodates the highest number of antelope species including Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, dikidiki, impalas, duikers, Jackson’s hartebeest, and elands among other. Best place to sight predators like leopards, lions, hyena among others, and other many mammals, bird species etc.
Among the activities done at Lake Mburo National Park include wild game drivers, the amazing boat launch, nature walks, the park special night game drive, safari balloons, horse riding, quad biking, bird watching among others.
- Kibale National Park
The world’s capital of primates, the breathtaking Kiable National Park accommodates over 13 various primate species which is the world’s highest record. The forest is the East African capital of chimpanzees, and the best place to spot chimpanzees in the wild.
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda about 26km from Fort Portal city. This eco-biodiversity forest is as well home to various wild animals besides several primates. This is the finest tourist destination in African to track the endangered chimpanzees. Chimpanzees at Kibale National Park are fully habituated for a superb close up encounter for trackers.
It’s only at Kibale forest in Africa where tourist as well can take part in the habituation process. So, tourist at Kibale can do either tracking or habituation. Chimpanzee tracking here costs $200 and chimpanzee habituation costs $250 and spend the almost a full day with these giants.
