In one of Africa’s safest and peaceful countries, a self-drive safari in Uganda is worth taking during one’s visit to there. There is a variety of self-drive routes you can take, that will give you a whole new experience as you navigate both the smooth and rough roads of the Pearl of Africa.
One of the best self-drive routes you can ever take with intention of adventure is the Kampala-Kisoro specifically Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is more enjoyable when you intend to have a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi or a gorilla habituation.
Before your final destination in Bwindi, there are thrilling places one can encounter on their 8-10 hour journey, between 500-550km.There are different routes one can always use but here we explain the most adventurous one of Kampala- Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro.
Kampala-Masaka
This route forms the first section of your long journey to Bwindi, despite the final destination of Rushaga, Ruhijja, Buhoma or Nkuringo. This route is also broken down into
Kampala- Mpigi
This is 0-35km and a fully tarmacked road that will take u 45 min-1 hr to get to Mpigi, depending on how heavy the traffic here is. This route has a good number of filling stations you can use as you proceed. However, one has to be careful of the heavy trucks that normally use this road.
Mpigi-Buwama-Lukaya (35-115km)
This route will take you 1-1:30minutes to reach Lukaya. Here you will view the beautiful landscapes of different wetlands, rolling hills and farmlands. When you reach Buwama, you have a stop for filling your stomachs as it is a good location with good restaurants and dinners.
Lake Mburo corridor is a good spot for viewing cattle and other wildlife that is always close to the road.
Lukaya, is a good stop for having roasted plantain, what Ugandans locally call gonja, and roasted meats (nyama choma), such as liver, beef, and chicken among others.
Lukaya-Masaka City (115-130km)
This greatly tarmacked and busy stretch will take you 20-30 minutes to reach Masaka City. This is a spot where you can restock eats and rinks, have a quick bathroom break, withdraw cash if you need some and also add some fuel at any filling station such as Shell, Stabex or Total.
Masaka-Mbarara
Joining the Mbarara high-way is easy afterleaving Masaka City, Here, traffic is moderate especially near the city and comes to zero when you are out of it. Signposts and other directions are very vivid and the roads are smooth.
Masaka-Kyazanga (55km)
This long stretch is characterized by little settlement, farmlands and banana plantations. It has a smooth and straight surface, full tarmac and safe for self-driving,
Kyazanga-Lyantonde (35km)
This stretch is characterized by fewer obstacles and gentle hills. However, being a sturdy road, one must beware of moving heavy trucks, speed bumps and children crossing in trading centers.
Lyantonde-Sanga-Mbarara (40km)
This is the most scenic place before you reach Mbarara city. In Sanga is the main entrance to Lake Mburo National Park where you can sight impalas, zebras, elands and the famous Ankole long horned cattle. Here, one has to beware of wildlife encounters as they are often seen crossing, and also many pedestrians.
Arrival in Mbarara City
Western Uganda’s largest city as to head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here, one can do more stocking of food and drinks for their journey, withdraw cashes because of availability of banks and ATMs, filling stations and mechanic shops in case of any car mal functions.
Places to stop by in Mbarara City include Igongo cultural center, Agip Motel and Café Havan, which are good to even have meals.
Mbarara-Kabale route (140km)
This route takes 2-2:30 hours to get to Kabale, as you sight the lush green vegetation that is seated long side the road and a perfectly paved road. This route continues to south-western Uganda to Kigezi sub region (Switzerland of Africa)
Mbarara-Ntungamo (60km)
As a common trait of the Banyankole persons, you will have a scenic view of banana plantations, farmlands, beautiful vegetation and long horned cattle. The route is characterized by gentle curves, wide roads and tarmac.
However, when you reach this point, and you are intending to trek gorillas in Buhoma, you will branch off at Ntungamo- Runkungiri instead of proceeding to Kabale.
Ntungamo-Rubaare-Rwere (40km)
Introducing Kigezi highlands characterized by deep valleys, terraced farmlands and patchwork hillsides. During your self-drive to Bwindi, you will realize that the further you get close to Bwindi, the more buses and heavy trucks you will witness as you get close to Kabale.
Rwere-Kabale (40km)
This is the last stretch to your gorilla world and also the entertaining Kigezi steeper hills, cooler temperatures, thicker vegetation, misty mornings and long winding curves that require one to control their speed to avoid head on collision with cars going the opposite direction. The road is perfectly paved and one can over take where visibility is wide.
Arrival to Kabale town
Here you can still take a bathroom break, buy some snacks for the road, refuel the vehicle and still have some check-ups in case you are not sure of its condition.
Kabale to Bwindi
This has three main routes, depending on which Bwindi sector you are visiting. For Rushaga and Nkuringo, drive south, Buhoma sector, drive north and Ruhijja,, drive to the east or central.
With 75km, you can self-drive for two hours to Bwindi, to a sector of your choice.
From Kisoro to Rushaga, it will be around 1-1.5 hours, a distance of 35km as you sight villages, hills and forests, giving you and adventure to remember.
From Kisoro to Nkruringo, will have 35km for at least 2 hours, where you will experience the steepest points of your self-drive safari.
From Kisoro to Ruhijja, you will drive to the north as it can still lead you to Buhoma, using the same entry. Kabale to Ruhijja is 45km and a 2 hour drive with murram and mountainous road. It is characterized by cool misty weather, narrow forested sections, curves and climbs, among others.
From Ruhijja to Buhoma, there will be 50km and will take you 2.5 hours to reach there. The area is characterized by steep murram roads, denser forests with minimal traffic and settlement.
In conclusion, this is the most direct and simplified route one can use for a self-drive safari from Kampala-Bwindi. It has more nature one can witness and enjoy, making the roadtrip a memorable one in Uganda.