Self-guided road trip through the African Jungle

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our shuttle (if you took flights through Uganda Nomads) to take you directly to your accommodation. As your flight arrives late, you will be settling into your room just after midnight for a restful start to your journey.

After a good night’s sleep in Entebbe, your adventure begins! Our shuttle will transfer you to Kampala, where you’ll pick up your car and receive all the practical tips before the road trip really kicks off.

First, you’ll make a special stop at Tukulu Eco Village: discover Ugandan coffee, enjoy a local lunch and dance, play football, or simply share a smile with the locals. Everything here is about giving back!

After that, you’ll drive on to Jinja, the adventurous city on the banks of the mighty Nile, ready for the real adventure!

Start your day with a delicious breakfast.

For adrenaline junkies, there are plenty of options: go white-water rafting, take an exciting bungee jump, zoom down the river while tubing, or enjoy a relaxed boat cruise.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply want to take in the beautiful surroundings, Jinja has something for everyone!

In the morning, you’ll depart from Jinja and begin a long drive heading northwest.

Along the way, you can make an (optional) stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track the white rhino.

We continue our journey via the town of Masindi and the famous Luwero Triangle, en route to the impressive Murchison Falls National Park.

The final stop of the day is at the top of the falls, where you can witness the sheer power of the Nile. Here, the river forces its way through a narrow 6-meter gorge before plunging 40 meters down with a thunderous roar.

You start the day with an exciting morning selfdrive game drive in search of African wildlife, including the iconic “Big Five”: elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and much more.

In the afternoon, you take a boat cruise to the base of the impressive Murchison Falls. This journey along the Nile is often the highlight of a visit to Murchison, offering a unique opportunity to observe wildlife up close.

During the cruise, you’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a colorful variety of birds along the riverbanks. With a bit of luck, you might even see the rare shoebill stork!

Today, you have a long drive ahead as you leave Murchison Falls National Park via the West Gate and head south toward Hoima.

You continue your journey along the Albertine Escarpment of the Great Western Rift Valley and hopefully stop for a Rolex along the way.

Halfway Hoima awaits, a perfect moment to head into it’s colorful market, the lively town center and stock up on groceries.

Eventually, you’ll head further along tea plantations until you arrive in the area of Kibale Forest National Park.

the morning (or sometimes in the afternoon), you set off on a chimpanzee trek, a rare chance to see these intelligent primates up close in their natural habitat. Guided by an experienced ranger, you make your way through the lush forest, following the calls of the chimpanzees echoing through the trees. When you finally spot a family, you’ll have time to watch their playful antics and social interactions unfold right before your eyes.

Kibale isn’t just about chimpanzees, this vibrant forest is home to a variety of monkeys, colorful birds, and fascinating plant life, making every step an adventure for nature lovers.

Even if you skip the chimpanzee trek, the area around Kibale is packed with things to see and do. Explore scenic crater lakes, wander through the lively town of Fort Portal, or visit nearby local communities to get a taste of everyday life in this beautiful region.

After one last morning among the primates of Kibale Forest, you drive south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route first takes you through Fort Portal, a lively town at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, where you can stretch your legs or enjoy a cup of local coffee.

Along the way, you can stop at the Equator, a special moment to literally stand between the northern and southern hemispheres. As the landscape gradually changes from dense rainforest to open savanna, you’ll approach the wildlife-rich Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You’ll spend the night inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, on the banks of the Kazinga Channel. You can also choose to go out in the evening for an early chance to spot the Big Five in the park.

In the morning, you can head straight out on safari, with another chance to spot some of the Big Five.

After lunch at the lodge and a bit of time to recharge, you set off to the Kazinga Channel. Onboard a boat, you’ll cruise along the banks, getting up close to hippos, spotting pink pelicans, and admiring a wide variety of other bird species.

It’s a full day packed with opportunities to experience the incredible wildlife of the area up close!

Today, you have a long but exciting drive ahead to the southern Ishasha Sector (if accessible) of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is known for its vast savannas and the chance to spot wildlife such as topis, oribis, and buffaloes. With a bit of luck, you might even see the famous tree-climbing lions, who often rest in fig trees during the hottest hours of the day.

Along the way, you’ll stop in a charming local village for a simple “on-the-go” lunch and get a glimpse of everyday life in the community.

After Ishasha, the road winds further south toward the hilly region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You’ll pass rolling tea plantations, misty valleys, and picturesque villages, a perfect preview of the unique and mysterious landscape that awaits you in Bwindi.

One of the most unforgettable experiences in Uganda awaits you in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: a meeting with the rare mountain gorillas. The day starts early with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, where you’ll learn about the rules and the process of the gorilla tracking. Then, accompanied by experienced guides, you trek into the dense jungle in search of one of the gorilla families that call this vast forest home.

The trek can last several hours and requires a reasonable level of fitness, as the terrain can sometimes be steep and muddy. Once you reach the gorillas, you’ll have time to observe their behavior and take photos. This incredible encounter, so close to these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, is an absolute highlight of your journey.

Prefer a more relaxed day? You can stay at the lodge and soak in the stunning surroundings of Bwindi.

After an unforgettable adventure in the dense jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where misty mountain forests and lush greenery dominate the landscape, you leave the impenetrable forest behind.

The route takes you along winding roads through green hills and picturesque villages, with stunning views along the way.

Eventually, you arrive at the tranquil Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful lakes. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the water, a perfect place to unwind after the intense gorilla trekking experience.

A day of rest is more than welcome at Lake Bunyonyi, where you can fully enjoy all the possibilities on offer. Let the experiences of the past days sink in, go paddleboarding on the lake, take a refreshing swim, or seek a bit of adventure, the choice is yours!

If you’d like an authentic glimpse into local culture, Lake Bunyonyi also offers the perfect opportunity to visit a local school or health center and gain a fresh perspective on life in Uganda.

After a relaxing morning by the tranquil Lake Bunyonyi, your journey continues to Lake Mburo National Park. The route takes you through the heart of southwestern Uganda, past a beautiful landscape of terraced hills, wide-open fields, and small villages where daily life unfolds at a gentle pace.

Along the way, you can stop in the lively town of Mbarara, the largest city in the region, perfect for a lunch break or a short exploration. Here, you’ll get a taste of modern city life in contrast with the surrounding countryside. Another fun stop is a local roadside market, where you can pick up fresh pineapples, bananas, or handcrafted souvenirs.

Upon arrival in Lake Mburo National Park, the scenery changes noticeably: open savannas, acacia woodlands, and wetlands set the stage for surprisingly rich wildlife. This compact park is an ideal place to see zebras, impalas, and warthogs up close, and for those who love adventure, it can even be explored by bicycle or on foot.

You can head out for one last safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Here, you’ll have final chance to spot animals on your bucket list, who knows, you might even tick off all of the Big Five!

Afterwards, the drive takes you along the Kampala–Mbarara Highway, one of the country’s main arteries, giving you a firsthand look at Uganda’s ever-changing landscape along the way.

You will drop the car back of in the center of Kampala before our shuttle takes you from the capital city to Entebbe for a final dinner. If you’ve booked flights through us, a shuttle will take you to the airport after.

After an amazing journey, where you hopefully spotted the Big Five, enjoyed breathtaking landscapes, and savored relaxing days, you’ll arrive back in Brussels early in the morning.