Uganda is a wonderful country for a holiday. The roads are perfect for a road trip along with all the hotspots. Uganda is also a unique place in the world with tree climbing lions and where you can raft safely on the Nile. Uganda is one of the most bird-rich countries in the world! It also offers a variety of animals including the big five. Uganda has many destinations that are worth visiting during a family road trip. Hire a rooftop tent car in Uganda and reach its different corners. You can take three weeks discovering the hidden treasures of the country as a family.
The best time for a road trip through Uganda is from December to February and from June to September. These are the two dry seasons of Uganda. The dry period from December to February is an ideal time for safaris and game drives because the relatively dry soil makes the wildlife easy to see. Backpacking is also possible during the rainy season in Uganda.
Day 1. Arrival at Entebbe- Jinja
The trip starts and end at Entebbe Airport in Central Uganda. Entebbe sits on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. The lake reaches up to Jinja, which is about 80 km from Entebbe. From the airport you will drive directly to Jinja that is if you arrive on time. The road constructions are getting better and better and without traffic jams around Kampala, it will take you around 3-4 hours to reach Jinja. On your way you will enjoy the views of plenty tea and sugar plantations in lugazi and go through mabira forest.
If you decide to stay in Entebbe go check out the most remarkable beach. Visiting Aero Beach and its old planes and their funny statues is worth it. You will enjoy the evening as you watch Lake Victoria with its pictorial views.
Nile Village hotel is a perfect layover for your Nile activities. It’s centrally located in Jinja town and close to the main road to proceed to Sipi Falls. The hotel has a laid back vibe with a nice garden area and an outside bar near the pool where they often offer live music in the evening. Locals visit the place as well. The staff is very friendly and the Wi-Fi and hot water available in the showers.
Day 2-3: Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a series of three huge waterfalls that lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park and the border of Kenya. The unharmed landscapes of the Sipi Falls area are absolutely spectacular; a perfect place to unwind and one of the best places to visit in Uganda. Even the route to Kapchorwa is beautiful. You will drive through small villages and slowly drive up the mountain road where you’ll get a good impression of this incredible area.
Sipi is a hiker’s paradise! The actual falls are only accessible by foot and it takes around 3,5 hours to visit all three falls (7-8 km). A local guide will accompany you on your hike. They are all well informed about the historical and geographical background of the area and the fee you pay is a way of supporting the community to benefit from the tourist visiting Uganda.
You will visit a local village and see one of the mud brick houses that have a small coffee plantation plot. This Arabica coffee only grows at an altitude ranging between 1600 and 1900 meters. The local farmer welcomes you to his small plantation and will guide you through the whole process: from picking the coffee berries, to shelling them, grinding them with a traditional mortar & pestle and roasting them on an open fire. You can also decide to go for a rock-climbing experience at the foothills of Mt. Elgon.
Sipi Falls Lodge is a great – centrally located – community lodge with a spectacular front view on the main waterfall. It’s a small well-maintained resort with hard working local staff. They make you feel welcome from the moment you enter the gate.
Day 4-6: Kidepo National Park
Being named the 3rd best national park in Africa, Kidepo National Park is definitely a must visit in Uganda. It’s the country’s most isolated park and one of the country’s best treasures where you will find true African wilderness.
It’s a long and rugged journey up to the northeast along the border with Southern Sudan, but you will not regret it! Kidepo is one of the best places to visit in Uganda and offers spectacular Savannah landscapes that end in rocky horizons. Also, it is the best place for wildlife viewing in the country.
As you head to kidepo, don’t miss out on the Pain Upe Wildlife Reserve, which is situated along the Mbale-Moroto road. This reserve is one of the most remarkable protected areas in the Karamoja region. it’s another great wildlife paradise that you should visit while in the Northeastern part of Uganda.
Kidepo savannah lodge is the perfect place to stay while here. a luxury (both self contained and non-self contained) tented camp on a small rocky hill, overlooking the Savannah. It’s an open space with no boundaries, so it’s common to have Zebra’s or Bush bucks grazing next to your tent.
Day 7-9: Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls has a lot to offer and is Uganda’s oldest and largest wildlife reserve home to four of the Big Five. You are able to see the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary meaning all the big five will be at your glance. On our first game drive we saw many Ugandan Kobs, elephants, giraffes and buffaloes. On the other days, you will go for game drives giving you the chance to see even more animals such as the leopard, lions, hippos and many birds. If you’re lucky the park gives you the ability to see plenty of wildlife on a short safari.
Visiting the actual top of the fall is one of the highlights of this family Uganda trip. Take a boat tour to the bottom of the falls, where you will enjoy bird- and wildlife along the banks of the world’s longest river. After seeing the bottom of the falls in the distance, you will leave the boat for a heavy hike to the top of the falls making your day fully utilized.
Twiga Safari Lodge situated along the banks of the Nile on the opposite side of the National Park is perfect for the stay. It’s a luxury-tented eco-friendly camp that offers outstanding service and quality for their customers.
Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
By visiting this rhino re-introduction project you’re able to top off the big five with the white rhino. The sanctuary is set up near Murchison Falls NP (2,5h drive) and it’s the only place in Uganda where you’re able to see rhinos in a heavily protected but wild area. The rhinos are free to move around on 7000 hectares of land.
Don’t forget to wear long trousers and closed/waterproof shoes, because you will walk through high grass and wet areas to search for the rhinos, accompanied by a ranger of course. The rhino trekking will take you around 1,5-2,5 hours and will cost you about $45 per person.
Day 11-13: Kibale Forest National Park
This lush tropical rainforest is the place to visit in Uganda if you want to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat! On a chimpanzee trekking you will hike through the forest to look for the chimps and once you find them, you’re allowed to stay with them for maximum one hour.
Embark on a three-hour hike including three crater lakes, local villages, tea-plantations and a great view from ‘the top of the world’ overlooking all 3 crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Crater Safari Lodge, which offered a breath-taking view of the Nyinabulitwa Crater. It’s a luxury award winning eco lodge with good service, nice meals and just a short (15 minutes) drive away from the Chimpanzee trekking.
Day 14 – 16: Queen Elizabeth National Park
It’s home to numerous birds and mammal species and has spectacular diverse landscapes. The vast plains of Queen Elizabeth NP are famous for its tree-climbing lions and besides African savannah you will also find lush forests, volcanic cones and beautiful salt crater lakes with large herds of buffaloes.
You will also love exploring the peaceful Kazinga Channel by boat. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to large concentrations of water buffaloes, hippos, Nile crocodiles and exotic birds. If you’re lucky you will even find elephants bathing in the water!
Go for the Ishasha sector famous for its tree-climbing lions. Because it’s a 2-hour drive from the northern part of Queen Elizabeth NP I recommend staying one night in Ishasha before heading to Bwindi.
Katara Lodge is perfect for the stay. The cottages are clean and spacious with an ensuite bathroom. Enjoy the bed on wheels to roll out onto the balcony which gives you the ability to sleep outside, under the stars.
Day 17-19: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Home to roughly half of the world’s remaining population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The trekking is a great adventure able to cross off the long bucket list. It’s important that gorilla trekking permits ($800) are secured prior to arrival to avoid disappointment.
Meet the Batwa tribe; the original inhabitants of the jungles of Bwindi known as the ‘keepers of the forest’. For years they lived in harmony with the forest and survived by hunting small game using bows and arrows.
You will enjoy traditional songs and dances, hear ancient legends, learn about their way of life like food gathering and hunting techniques or how to make a fire. You will even get a chance to share a local meal.
Gorilla Safari Lodge is a good one if in rushaga, because it’s only a few minutes away from the starting point.
Day 20 – 21: Lake Bunyonyi and departure.
After an exhausting gorilla trekking, you earned some time to relax and chill-out. For that, Lake Bunyonyi, which means place of many little birds is the perfect place to be and it’s only a 2-to-3-hour drive from Bwindi. Because of the green-terraced landscape and the great scenery of hills, valleys and winding roads it’s also called the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. An amazing place to visit in Uganda for landscape photography.
Visit the 29 islands scattered across the water with each island having their own unique story. Of all these islands, ‘Punishment Island’ stands out the most. It’s an island with a notorious history, where unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned to starve to death.
Rock Resort is a great option! It’s located at the lakeside, so you’re able to go for a swim, relax at one of the sun loungers at the deck or take one of their canoes to enjoy the water and the numerous birds.
