2 weeks self-drive trip Uganda


14 Days


participants: 1 – 4

Uganda on your own

This trip offers you the opportunity to conquer Uganda, its friendly people, the fantastic wildlife in the national parks and the evergreen landscape itself. You will receive a four-wheel drive rental car, a thorough briefing, maps and a comprehensive guide. Well-equipped, the route takes you to the country’s highlights on well-maintained roads, almost all of which are asphalted. The lodges and parks are pre-booked, the permits for the gorillas and chimpanzees are issued and the route is well described. Look forward to a wonderful journey through the “Pearl of Africa”

highlights

– Uganda Adventure
– Conquer national parks yourself
– Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees
– Lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos
– cosy lodges
– Boat tours with crocodiles and hippos

inclusive

13 x breakfast
12 x lunch or lunch box
11 x dinner
Transfers according to the itinerary
10 Days Car Rental Toyota Rav4 od. similar
National park fees according to travel brochure
1 Bradt Uganda Travel Guide
Road Map Uganda

exclusive

Chimpanzee Permit (USD 200)
Gorilla Permit ($700)
Boat safari/walking safari fees (USD 30)
Tips
Visas
Flight

hints

We are happy to book international flights from Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Vienna or Zurich.
Price per person:
2 participants: 2715 Euro
with 4 participants: 2335 Euro
Trip starts: daily

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day – Entebbe (EBB), Uganda

After landing in Entebbe, you will be met by our driver at the airport and driven to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or take a boat trip to the Mabamba Swamp.

 

Day 2: Entebbe – Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, our employee will show you to your rental vehicle and you will set off on your safari in Uganda. Your first destination is Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest park in Uganda. You won’t find lions and elephants here, but you will find a large number of zebras, antelopes, warthogs and many rare bird species. During the drive to Lake Mburo NP, you will gain your first impressions of life in Uganda, the traders on the roadside offer fresh fruit and the hilly landscape always offers interesting views. In the course of the afternoon you will reach your lodge and have the opportunity to relax and enjoy nature

– Driving distance: 300 km Driving time: approx. 6h

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park

Today you organize your own daily routine, there are many possibilities here in Lake Mburo National Park. A game drive, a walking safari or a boat safari on the lake, everything is possible. Hikes directly from the lodge are also possible. The lodge manager will be happy to advise you.

Day 4: Lake Mburo National Park – Lake Bunyoni

You spend another night in Lake Mburo National Park and in the course of the morning you set off in the direction of Lake Bunyonyi. The roads are well developed but it is still important to plan time for stops so that you reach your next destination in daylight. There is plenty to discover along the way, immerse yourself in the everyday life of the locals, visit the small market stalls and take advantage of the great views for short photo breaks. You will arrive at your lodge at Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon and have time to relax and reflect on the day.

– Distance: 320 km Travel time: approx. 6h

Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyoni is known for its 19 islands, the landscape is impressive and always offers new great impressions.  Today you have the opportunity to go on a boat tour or dugout canoe tour with a local fisherman. Visit one of the islands, maybe you will see some of the zebras that live on one of the islands. The lake, 900 meters deep, is considered the second deepest lake in Africa. The lake has a depth of 900 meters and is the second deepest lake in Africa. Other possible activities include a hike in the surrounding area or a visit to a Batwa community.

Day 6: Lake Bunyoni – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today, after a hearty breakfast, we continue to Bwindi Impenatrable National Park. The route is quite short, but at least the last part of the route is not asphalted and therefore takes longer. Enjoy the great views of Lake Bunyonyi and the Virunga Crater in the background on the winding routeIn the afternoon you reach your lodge on the border to the national park.

– Distance: 120 km Travel time: approx. 3.5 hours

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla tracking

Today you have the opportunity to go gorilla tracking. Here in Bwindi Impenatrable NP, the gorillas and chimpanzees have their common habitat – nowhere else will you find both primate species so close together. After a briefing by the rangers at the entrance to the national park, you start your hike in the rainforest. To begin with, you will walk with your guide and a ranger on a well-maintained hiking trail slightly uphill into the park. On the way, the guide will answer your questions about the impressive vegetation of the rainforest and the way of life of the primates. Depending on the location of “your” gorilla family, you then head off the beaten track and cross-country through the bush. The ranger leads the way, you follow him and then suddenly you are standing in front of the gorilla family. You have 1 hour to observe and photograph the animals before heading back. Alternatively, you have the option of going on a hike in the surrounding area or visiting a Batwa community. But you will certainly regret it if you don’t visit the gorillas.

Day 8: Bwindi National Park – Queen Elisabeth National Park

From Bwindi, the journey continues today to Queen Elisabeth National Park. The roads are not asphalted, so you should allow a little more time here too. The landscape with its many mountains and views of the valleys will inspire you. In the southern part of the park, the Ishasha area, you may be lucky enough to spot tree lions before continuing into the northern part of Queen Elisabeth National Park.

Distance: 150 km Travel time: approx. 3.5 hours

Days 9 – 10: Queen Elisabeth National Park game drive

Day 9

From your lodge there are various possibilities to go on game drives in the park. It is advisable to drive to the eastern part of the park first, where you will find easily manageable plains where you can spot buffalo, lions and elephants. Follow the rules in the national parks, never leave the car and never block the elephants’ planned path. It is advisable to hire a ranger at the park entrance, he knows the places where the animals are.

– Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

Day 10

In addition to observing the land animals, Queen Elisabeth National Park offers the opportunity to go on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel.  The canal connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to crocodiles and hippos. You can also observe the diverse birdlife during the boat trip. Ask at your lodge, the manager will organize the tour for you.

Day 11: Queen Elisabeth National Park – Fort Portal

Today you leave Queen Elisabeth National Park in the direction of Fort Portal and Kibale Forrest. On the way to Kasese you will have the opportunity to do some shopping, and if you continue to Fort Portal you will also find banks, stores, the market and cafés. You will find your lodge outside the city.

 

Day 12: Fort Portal

A short drive from your lodge will take you to the Kibale Forrest. Here you have the opportunity to take part in chimpanzee tracking. The trackings start at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and last approx. 3 hours. A guide takes us into the forest, where the largest number of the 5000 or so chimpanzees in Uganda live. The guide will take you to the animals and you will have the chance to observe and photograph them. In addition to chimpanzee tracking, you can go on hikes and mountain bike tours around Fort Portal, visit one of the more than 50 crater lakes or relax by the pool at your lodge.

Day 13: Fort Portal – Kampala

Today we continue on to Kampala. The route leads past huge tea plantations through small villages and lively little towns. The closer you get to the capital of Uganda, the busier the traffic becomes. The lodge on the outskirts of the city, located directly on Lake Victoria, offers the opportunity to end your vacation in a relaxed manner. Our employee comes in the evening and you return the vehicle.

– Distance: 320 km Travel time: approx. 6h

Day 14: Departure day – Airport Entebbe (EBB), Uganda

Today, depending on the time of your return flight, you can relax at the lodge or go on a city tour of Kampala with our driver. Our driver will take you to your return flight or to your connecting stay, e.g. in Zanzibar or at Lake Victoria, in good time.

Accomodation

Carpe Diem Guesthouse

catering: breakfast
stay: 1 night

Location: Carpe Diem is located above Entebbe with a fantastic view of Lake Victoria. In the quiet garden you can enjoy the sunset over the huge lake.  Facilities: The cosily furnished rooms have a private bathroom, each room can be booked as a single, double or triple room. Wifi is available in all rooms and in the garden. Restaurant: Breakfast is served and international cuisine with French accents is served throughout the day.  Activities:  Excursions to the surrounding area, e.g. to the Entebbe Botanical Garden, can be arranged

 

Rwakobo Rock

stay: 2 nights

Location: Rwakobo Rock Lodge is located 1 km north of the Nshara Gate of Lake Mburo National Park.
The pool, located on a hill, offers great views over the national park. Facilities: The tastefully furnished
Lodge has 8 individual, spacious cabins with rooftops. The cabins offer great views for watching the sunset on your own
Veranda. Restaurant: Food is served as a buffet or set menu. Depending on the weather, a campfire will be lit.
– a great opportunity to exchange ideas with other travelers.

Bird Nest Lake Bunyonyi Main Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: The Bird Nest Resort is located at the tip of a small peninsula right on the beach of Lake Bunyonyi. Facilities: The spacious rooms with lake view feature a seating area, a bathroom and a terrace or balcony. Reaturant: Overlooking the lake, the restaurant offers international cuisine with local touches.

Engagi Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: Engagi Lodge is located in Buhoma, just a few hundred meters from the gate to gorilla tracking in Bwindi NP. Facilities: The bungalows have a terrace from which you can enjoy the view of the Bwindi NP. The rooms have a small seating area, a double bed and a bathroom with shower and toilet. Restaurant: Here you can enjoy excellent international food and local dishes.

Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: Surrounded by the Queen Elisabeth National Park and located on the edge of the Kazinga Canal, this lodge offers a unique ambience. The nocturnal bush sounds of hippos and hyenas will certainly be remembered for a long time. Accommodation: The lodge has 12 rooms on a raised platform, built from canevas and local woods. The huge windows with mosquito nets allow for a 180 degree view and make for a natural experience. Each room has a private terrace overlooking the river. The rooms have a bathroom with toilet and an outdoor shower. Restaurant: If the weather permits, a 4-course menu will be served in the evening in a cozy atmosphere outside the restaurant around the campfire.

Kluge’s Guest Farm

stay: 2 nights

Location: At the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Kibale, the comfortable guest farm is set in a unique tropical parkland setting with a small outdoor swimming pool. Facilities: The spacious complex includes 10 bungalows furnished in African style combined with European standards. All bungalows have a toilet and bathtub. A ground-level terrace invites you to a breathtaking view of the mountain landscape of the mighty Rwenzori Mountains. Restaurant: The exquisite restaurant “Gavamukulya” serves lovingly prepared à la carte dishes from our own cultivation. Free WIFI is available.

Cassia Lodge

stay: 1 night

Location: Cassia Lodge is located in Kampala on a hill with a fantastic panoramic view of Lake Victoria. The outdoor pool and rooms also have views of the lake. Facilities: The rooms at Cassia Lodge are air-conditioned, have a mosquito net, a seating area and a desk. The rooms have a bathroom with shower and free toiletries, a flat-screen TV and a balcony. Free Wi-Fi is offered. Restaurant: Here guests can enjoy national and international cuisine.

Map