If you are a first time visitor and you are planning your first time ever self-drive safari, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia are some of the best countries for self-drive safaris in Africa. No single country will give you, the traveler, a real feel for the diversity of Africa, it will however, potentially immerse you in the culture and beauty of that particular country.
They have everything you could ever want in a self-drive holiday destination. A self-drive safari delivers a sense of freedom, adventure, and discovery that you simply can’t get on a traditional guided tour. Nothing compares to the thrill of hitting the open road in search of world-famous natural wonders and extraordinary wildlife.
Uganda
If you are planning a self-drive in Africa, then Uganda is your top choice. It is a safe place to travel, it has an excellent road network, and its national parks are thrilling with beautiful wildlife which are best explored by vehicle just be sure to request a 4×4 vehicle so you can safely drive over the many gravel roads you’re likely to encounter.
Below are the Uganda parks best for self-drive safaris
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley is in the remote northeast corner of the country. The park has a true wilderness feel and is a great destination for the self-drive adventurous traveler. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most beautiful conservation areas that has not been touched so much hence not suffered much natural alteration.
It has excellent wildlife viewing during the dry season, featuring several species not encountered anywhere else in the country. The Karamajongo people are the only tribe in Uganda that have not been so much influenced by modern life style to change their Culture and cultural practice.
This is certainly the best park in Uganda, with the most wildlife and the elusive wild dog, cheetah and ostrich. Other animals include hyena, lion, leopard, zebra, water buck, buffalo, giraffe, jackals and many more. You learn so much about the tribes here, and the birding was terrific.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is one of the best parks for self-drive safaris in Uganda. While the boat trip to the base of the magnificent falls at this park is touted as the best way to see them, in fact the falls are better viewed from on top. Roaring through a narrow cleft in the rock, it is the best waterfall in East Africa. You can drive there or catch the boat and hike up.
Apart from the falls, there is plenty of wildlife to see, including four of the Big Five (no rhino). There are also a lot of antelope easily seen, including Uganda kob, hartebeest, duiker and bush buck. And there are extensive driving tracks allowing you to explore large areas of the park. A decent array of accommodation in or near the park caters for most budgets.
Wildlife includes Lion, elephant, buffalo and a leopard it was exciting. This park makes Uganda really the pearl of Africa, the river Nile, Lake Albert and Budongo forest makes Uganda a true African beauty. Activities in this park are highly recommended.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is definitely worth a visit on a self-drive safari and it’s location between Kibale and Bwindi/Mgahinga National Parks make it an ideal place to spend a night between seeing the more impressive chimps and gorillas of the other parks.
Because the wildlife is rather sparse in the park, grab a guide from the front gate if you must see the leopards and lions, otherwise do what we did and take a relaxing drive through the many tracks along the craters to enjoy the scenery while searching for the herds of elephants, buffalo and other animals.
As for accommodation, I highly recommend camping inside the park if you have the gear – great views, inexpensive and a nice way to experience the park. Don’t worry about breakfast as there is a restaurant about 5 minutes from the campsite with an amazing view over the lake.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Seeing the mountain gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an amazing experience. It takes quite a lot of effort to get to Bwindi but the journey is well worth it if you get to see a Mountain Gorilla which generally most people do. Uganda is one of only a few countries that offers this experience, it’s a beautiful and lavish country to trek in.
The staff at Bwindi is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The trek to find the gorillas ranges in time and difficulty; a hike can take from 1-5 hours and can be strenuous depending where the gorillas are located that day.
I suggest wearing your best hiking boots and bringing a lot of water. The family of gorillas in Bwindi are not threatening at all, the staff have been working with the families for years and they have become quite accustomed to people. One of my top life experiences and good for self-driving safaris.
Kenya
Kenya, to most people, is home to safaris. This is where it all began, after all, and from Out of Africa to Big Cat Diary the country has provided the images that define the visitor’s idea of Africa. Certainly, when it comes to self-drive safaris, game viewing, and this country has it all.
Highlights include the Big Five spectacular of Masai Mara, with its celebrated wildebeest migration and legions of predators; the Rift Valley soda lakes, with their countless flamingos; the slopes of Mount Kenya, with its forest wildlife and famous lodges; the Laikipia Plateau, with its wild landscapes and rare species; and the marine wildlife of the numerous tropical beaches and islands. And that’s not even to mention the likes of Tsavo and Amboseli, all world-class reserves in their own right.
The most popular of Kenya’s national parks include 151-square mile Amboseli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Tanzanian border that’s known for its massive elephant population, 400+ bird species, and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. And of course, the Masai Mara National Reserve needs no introduction as the northern stop of the Great Migration route.
Rwanda
There is much more to the ‘the country of a thousand hills’ than initially meets the eye. Small, compact and easy to travel around, friendly Rwanda has well and truly consigned the tragic genocide of 1994 to history. The country has reconciled and rebounded spectacularly from this tragedy and today it is one of the friendliest, safest and most welcoming countries on the continent and best for self-drive safaris.
There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, with groups of 8 trekkers allowed to visit them for one hour per day. Spending time with these gentle giants ranks easily among the best world safari experiences of life time. But it’s far from the only awesome activity for nature lovers in Rwanda.
From trekking to see habituated chimpanzees and numerous other primate species in southern Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park to a more traditional Big 5 safari in eastern Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, this country remains a relatively uncrowded gem for wildlife watchers in Africa.
Tanzania
Home to one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet, the Great Migration, Tanzania is the ultimate self-drive safari destination when it comes to game viewing. The outstanding Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are two must-see spots on any Tanzania self-drive itinerary, as well as smaller and more intimate reserves such as Tarangire National Park and Arusha National Park plus Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park in the south.
The Serengeti, in particular, is a haven for large herds of wildebeest, lion, cheetah, elephant, and more, so you won’t have to travel far to spot a variety of big game. If you have time, the right 4WD vehicle, and don’t mind roughing it then a self-drive safari to Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park is highly recommended. Avoid during the rainy season as you will probably find yourself spending more time digging your vehicle out of deep bog holes than exploring the parks.
Camping is the cheapest option or for those not keen on camping can stay in one of the few luxury lodges scattered throughout.
South Africa
Whether it’s your first self-drive holiday or your sixth, South Africa is guaranteed to deliver a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Its location makes it convenient and cheaper for U.S. residents to fly to, while the well-developed infrastructure of its major cities (Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg) makes it easier for luxury travelers to find the creature comforts they love. There’s so much to see and do here, and the country’s excellent infrastructure makes it easy to get from point A to point B.
What’s more, South Africa boasts an unbeatable variety of wildlife, a fantastic range of accommodations for every budget, and some of the most iconic national parks on the continent. Start your adventure in Johannesburg and then head to Kruger National Park to set off in search of the Big Five.
Kruger boasts impressive biodiversity and is the rare national park where visitors can self-drive themselves and still have a superb safari. At the end of your holiday, take some time to unwind and recharge your batteries at one of Cape Town’s gorgeous beaches.
Botswana
The thrill of driving solo through Kalahari Game Reserve, exploring some of the last untouched wildernesses in Southern Africa, game viewing without the typical tourist hordes you’ll find in other countries there are so many reasons why Botswana is a superb destination for self-drive safaris.
This country is astoundingly beautiful, so no matter what your itinerary includes whether it’s camping in Chobe National Park, cruising through the Okavango Delta’s intricate waterways, or searching for big game in Kgalagadi Trans frontier Park you’ll be blown away by everything Botswana has to offer. There’s truly no better way to experience the best of Botswana than by 4×4 vehicle.
Namibia
Are you planning your first-ever self-drive safari in Namibia? If yes, it has everything you could ever want in a self-drive holiday destination: it’s a safe place to travel, it has an excellent road network, and its national parks are brimming with incredible wildlife.
This country’s sweeping desert landscapes are best explored by vehicle just be sure to request a 4×4 vehicle so you can safely cruise over the many gravel roads you’re likely to encounter. A self-drive itinerary in Namibia is sure to include the country’s top sights, from the famous Sossusvlei sand dunes to Fish River Canyon, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park, which is home to four of the Big Five.
