Why a self drive safari in Uganda may not be recommended.

Does a self drive safari in uganda or driving in uganda sound scary? Well, it can be. But it also affords you a unique opportunity to tailor part of your safari package exactly the way you want with no one interrupting or saying there we are not going or we should stop for a break, things like that are not part of a self drive safari in Uganda.  However, there’s no doubt that organized safaris or guided safaris are the best way to see wildlife and have the holiday of a lifetime. Just imagine: the entire organization, all the logistics, car breaking down, and police stops, we are lost, big road obstacles hmm all the worry taken out of your hands.

Self drive safari in Uganda or Driving in Uganda

It depends on the country too, of course being a developing country challenges are upfront. In Uganda, you have a great road network in all the high ways and small roads of truck (including in many parks – in particular Queen Elizabeth National park). However you have to negotiate serious speeding and tailgating and follow all rules for your personal safety. This does not mean that in the parks the roads are tarmacked they are just paved roads which can change as the weather changes.
In Some cases, it’s dirt tracks, speeding buses, and potholes that can look like craters at the  same times in the rainy season rivers going through the roads and too much seasonal rivers in the parks. Parsons and animals wandering onto the road that can test drivers because most parts if Uganda are nomadic and they are the roads to the parks. Traffic jam and no clear road signs hmmmm, it can be a pain. However, once out of the major urban centers, you will have the roads pretty much to yourself though long distance driving is much needed the nearest park (Lake Mburo national park) from the city center is about a 4 hours’ drive that is 250 kms.

Why Self drive safari in Uganda not recommended

Road conditions
The road conditions in Uganda are very good, yes according to me and the African state. All the main roads connect to outside Kampala the capital city are so smooth and good however you will expect some potholes in the city centers as you head out. Usually, the ending bit to your destination on a self drive safari in Uganda will require stability and compliance as they are dusty, muddy and sometimes their will seem as if there is no road at all.
The conditions of these gravel and dirt roads tend to be variable from one season to the next and are most difficult during the rainy season. This is where the accidents come in a lot am not saying you will not find them on the main road, but in the parks where clients be driving they will end up knocking or failing to go through. On this not we say if you had a guided trip you will be relaxed behind as the driver marvels through these roads because they definitely know what to do and where to pass in case on mail road is blocked.


An expected obstacle
We get many clients going and safely returning back from their self drive safari in Uganda however thy will not fail to mention a lot of obstacles they r find along their journey and this some ties annoys or even lead to missing some of their planned activates. Ugandans know the benefits of tourism to the country but that will not stop their daily activates going on, here we have groups of people either demonstrating in the middle of the road, celebrations or even our animals deciding to cross the road and they are too many that you may need to wait a little longer for about 1 hour or so.
Being on a self drive safari in Uganda and not knowing where to pass you will have to wait all that long however guided trips; guides have alternatives in most case because they are very much used to such places.

Too much driving

Usually tourists plan to drive way too far in one day on a self drive safari in Uganda. Other times they plan a hectic trip which has them driving too far and way too often.We don’t mean that it is not physically possible, more that it is no longer enjoyable and becomes a chore and very tiring – something you are really trying to avoid when on a holiday or vacation!
Having a guide on this not will be much better as they know when to stop and where plus they will advise on which distance is good to cover for the roads, the car and the persons in the cars safety. The car rental companies have some horrendous statistics on how many rental cars self drive drivers have an accident on their roads because they are not used to the driving conditions.

5) Driving after dark

Of course we plan our self drive safari in Uganda so that you get to your overnight stop by the late afternoon. Occasionally a late arriving flight might scupper this but that’s the general rule of thumb. However it’s a self-drive trip. So we cannot force you to depart at a specific time.
If people get to a hotel late eg 7 or 8pm, it’s usually because they only set off in the midafternoon! Invariably this leads to longer driving times as you drive much more slowly on unfamiliar roads at night. Sometimes they find it harder to find the hotel as road signs or landmarks are not so clearly visible.
If you realize that you will be arriving late, it’s always a good idea to ring. Tell the hotel what time to expect you and where you are now. Then no one will worry about you.
As you can see, none of this is rocket science. It will be much better you plan for a safari in Uganda that is guided and enjoy as much as possible. if you really think that self drive safari in Uganda is the only option for you then taking time to read the above, or contacting your service provider on time so they make for you a tailor made safari that will incorporate the time and flexibility to make a self drive safari in Uganda a success.

What to do now?

Check out our EXAMPLE ITINARIES that can all be done on a self drive safari in Uganda or with a driver in Uganda.
OR Send us an enquiry for a tailor made self-drive…