Best 5 Scenic Routes For a Uganda Road Trip

Sometimes when your day-to-day routines start to get boring, there is nothing better to do than get into the car and hit the open road. You will most likely feel the tension evaporating as you step out of the confines of your hustles and bustles to embrace the blue skies as well as the open road stretching into infinity. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is quite spoilt with many spectacular and diverse routes to take.

Anyone who has been to this country will testify that the finest thing about it is its abundance in diversity, spanning flora, fauna, vibrant cultures, and beautiful scenery. Whether you are yearning for luxury Car rentals or affordable car rentals, the Pearl of Africa’s countryside provides an unparalleled range of experiences, from sweeping savannah plains to forests, towering mountains, and hills.

For travelers who believe that life is about the journey, and not just the safari destination, our collection of the best 5 scenic routes for a Uganda Road Trip is for you. The country’s phenomenal landscapes will create memories that last a lifetime. Rent a car with Maranatha Tours and Travel to see Uganda up close and personal, whether you are opting for a convertible Car rental to enjoy the open air or an SUV to navigate the rugged terrains.

Road Trip from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Although this is a lengthy route (8-9-hour drive), many areas it passes through are very breathtaking with several highlights to enjoy/visit en route. First is the Equator crossing at Kayabwe (along the Masaka-Mbarara highway) to experience several demonstrations of how the Earth is divided into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

This almost 500-kilometer-long journey leads you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the two National Parks where mountain gorillas are trekked in Uganda.

Also along the route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are beautiful forests, lush Valleys, tea and banana plantations, scenic winding roads, Rivers, and Lakes. As you enter Mbarara Town, you might need to stop for lunch, where you can experience some of the region’s local dishes/foods. This Town is well known for being home to Ankole cattle, or the home of “milk and honey,” hence making it a treasure trove of cattle rearing and experiences.

You will proceed to the district of Kabale, where you can proceed to Bwindi’s Northern sector of Buhoma or Ruhija in the Eastern sector, but if you are interested in visiting the southern sectors of Nkuringo and Rushaga, you will proceed to Kisoro.

Soon after, you know that you are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when you begin seeing forested rolling hills and feel a difference in cool air. Sometimes the first sight of Virunga Volcanoes heralds your arrival, especially in southern Bwindi.

Some of the things that await you in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are gorilla trekking tours, visits to the Batwa pygmy communities, guided forest walks, forest birding, mountain biking, and visits to the nearby Lakes Bunyonyi and Mutanda (depending on the sector visited).

Road trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

This is another scenic and dramatic route for a Uganda road trip. The 6-7-hour drive passes through sweeping savannah plains, forests, and escarpments at some point. You will also have several stops en route, one of which is at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can get to track wild Southern White Rhinos on foot.

The journey involves traveling about 305 kilometers and is perfect for visitors interested in scenic viewing and photography. Depending on the gate you use to access the Park, you should expect to pass near Budongo Forest, make a stop at the top of the falls, or have a view of the Victoria Nile River. Your trip in Murchison Falls National Park is marked by game drives, boat cruises to the bottom of the falls or along the Delta Nile, sport fishing, bush walks, chimpanzee treks, and others.

Self-drive trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park

If you are a wilderness addict like many of our safari goers, then you will love this one. Coming from Kampala, you can enter Queen Elizabeth National Park through Ishasha, Crater, Kabatoro, or Katunguru gates. You will drive for 6-8 hours, at your own pace, stopping en route for stretching legs, meals, and bathroom breaks.

When you arrive at the National Park, you will be introduced to the rich wildlife that includes 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. Depending on the route you choose to get to this Park, you might have a stop at the Equator crossing (when using the Kampala-Masaka highway) and a possible detour at Lake Mburo National Park or the Nakayima Tree (when using the Kampala-Mubende highway).

While at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can enjoy game drives, boat rides along the Kazinga Channel, guided walking safaris, community tours, and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, among others.

Road Trip to Kidepo Valley National Park

The road trip to Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most picturesque routes. There are many routes you can use to get to this northwestern-based Protected Area. You can follow the Eastern route from Kampala through Karuma, Gulu, and Kitgum to Lokumoit Gate, with an option of stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking.

Another route to Kidepo is the scenic 12-hour journey through Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong. Also expect a lot of jaw-dropping views and moments as you take in the beautiful scenery while traversing Mabira Forest, the Mighty Nile River Bridge, and, interestingly, exploring Bokora and Matheniko Wildlife Reserves.

While at Kidepo Valley National Park, you will enjoy game drives, guided bush walks, cultural tours, and mountain climbing, especially on Mount Moroto and Mount Morungole.

Road Trip from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park

A favorite for visitors looking for shorter Uganda road trips, the drive to Lake Mburo National Park offers wonderful opportunities to stop at the Equator crossing and other exciting spots.

Best explored in a 4WD safari vehicle, the journey can also be enjoyed with a 2WD, especially if your road trip is in the dry season. This 4-hour route offers magnificent savannah scenery and breathtaking views of rolling hills and verdant Valleys.

Many adventures await you when you get to Lake Mburo National Park, and these include game drives, boat rides on Lake Mburo, guided bush walks, biking, quad bike tours, horseback rides, cycling, and community visits.