The Pearl of Africa is waiting to be explored and the easiest way to discover its unique attractions is through renting a 4×4 Rooftop tent vehicle. So if you are looking for an adventure to witness the world in a different light, get on 4×4 Car Hire Uganda and experience life in a different way. Make ample time for your trip as there really so many absolutely captivating places to see and enjoy the outdoors. Just picking up a 4×4 car with rooftop tent rental and seeing where the highways take you is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy Uganda.
Although you may have decided on a 4×4 rooftop tent jeep itinerary, this is likely to change, as Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo National Parks, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, take you out of your comfort zone and into a world you will never have seen before.
Like most tourists visiting Uganda, the opportunity to go on a safari and visit numerous national parks should be part of your 4×4 Car Hire Uganda itinerary. Uganda has become a destination of choice for both safari enthusiasts and experts who are looking for a superb adventure. Park up and jump onboard one of the many tours on offer.
Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
About a 3 hour’s drive from Entebbe depending on how lucky you get with traffic in Kampala, and then just 90 minutes to Murchison Falls entrance kiosk. Ziwa is a special place as conservationists are ensuring the Rhino specie is growing year by year, and the aim is to have another sanctuary in the near future. On my time of visit there were currently 28 rhinos but scattered everywhere in the park, now over 31 rhinos are found in this place. The Rhino trek last 2- 3 hours and it coasts 50 USD pp. while on the trek, you are accompanied with an armed ranger and drove to a certain section of their park where you will proceeded on foot.
The ranger communicates with trackers to make life easier. The trek is very easy with no hills or undulation. There are other tours conducted here and also accommodation to perhaps get more of an experience with these fascinating creatures. After the trek, you can proceed to Murchison Falls National Park.
I wholeheartedly agree with Winston Churchill that Uganda is indeed the “Pearl of Africa”. Formally established in 1952, Murchison Falls National Park sits on the shore of Lake Albert and is recognized as the largest and oldest conservation park in Uganda covering an area of 3840 sq km/1483 sq miles.
Its namesake is Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile River surges through a narrow gap with incredible force before plunging 130 feet. Murchison Falls National Park is famously known for having the most powerful waterfall in the world, where the longest river in the world squeezes through a 7-meter gap and then drops down 45 meters.
I recommend taking the 3-hour return boat trip up the channel close to the Falls and also viewing the Falls separately from the top on a hike with a guide (mandatory). You are also likely to see a variety of interesting birds, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Secondly, don’t miss the Game drive on the Northern banks towards Albert Nile. Many giraffes can be spotted, elephants, lions, multiple species of antelope, hippos, Patas monkeys among others. A night in Murchison Falls, you can be to camp at Red Chili Camp or at the top of the falls.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. It’s said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippo, and you can watch thousands of them practically piled on top of each other in the shallows; this is where to get that photo of a hippo yawning. You can also elephant, buffalo and water buck ambling down to the water to cool off, while keeping a wary eye on the many crocodiles.
The water’s edge also attracts thousands of birds, one thing about Uganda is that you get to see animals in a safari car, like Lions, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, impalas, topis and elands among others. Another attraction is the Uganda kob mating grounds, where hundreds of male Kobs battle it out, locking antlers and gnashing teeth, to stubbornly defend their harem.
It’s not unusual to see lion preying on the grazing females or arrogant males. Don’t miss the chance to look for the tree climbing lions. The park itself is great, just watch out for getting ripped off. You can camp at Engiri Game Lodge and Campsite.
Lake Mburo National Park
One of Uganda’s few Savannah parks, Lake Mburo is easily accessible thanks to its central location off the main road that crosses between Kampala and the forested reserves and parks in the west. Numbers of game are not in the high concentrations found at Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, but nonetheless, it is pleasant overnight stop midway between the capital and the gorillas. The peaceful afternoon boat cruise from Rwonyo on Lake Mburo is excellent for bird and hippo-watching and seeing buffalo in the marshes.
You can enjoy the early morning walks from the lodges too, a good chance to see the likes of warthog and impala close up and to stretch the legs before climbing back into the vehicle and traveling on. A striking feature of this park is the amount of zebra, often seen on the approach roads grazing alongside Ankole cattle with their enormous heavy white horns. With Lake Mburo National Park, you can camp at Rwonyo Rest Camp.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 49 orphaned chimps rescued from throughout Uganda. Island facilities offer day trips and overnight trips which provide exceptional opportunity to closely observe and interact with these fascinating great apes in this unique setting. Most of the island belongs to the chimps, but humans can view them from a raised platform or from a boat. The accommodations are fantastic– private cottages overlooking the lake. The sanctuary is approved by Jane Goodall, so you know you are helping chimps when you visit Ngamba.
