60 days self drive safaris across east Africa
| Day 1
(1 night) |
Entebbe
Uganda ⛺ Entebbe Backpackers / Lakeside Campsite |
Arrive Entebbe International Airport. Vehicle pickup & inspection. Test all equipment. Overnight at Entebbe lakeshore campsite. Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Stroll along Lake Victoria shores. |
| Day 2
(1 night) |
Kampala
Uganda ⛺ Kampala urban guesthouse |
Drive to Kampala (1.5 hrs). City orientation tour: Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Nakasero Market, Craft Village. Stock up provisions at Carrefour/Game supermarket for the road. |
| Days 3-4
(2 nights) |
Fort Portal & Kibale NP
Uganda ⛺ Kibale Forest Camp / Primate Lodge Campsite |
Drive to Fort Portal via Mubende (4 hrs). Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park (permit required – USD 200). Afternoon: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk for primates & birds. |
| Days 5-6
(2 nights) |
Queen Elizabeth NP
Uganda ⛺ Ishasha Wilderness Camp / Mweya Campsite |
Drive south to Queen Elizabeth NP (2 hrs). Game drives in Kasenyi Plains for lions, elephants, buffalo, topi. Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel (hippos, elephants, birds). Evening drive to Ishasha sector. |
| Day 7
(1 night) |
Ishasha
Uganda ⛺ Buhoma Community Campsite |
Morning game drive in Ishasha sector – famous for tree-climbing lions in fig trees. Afternoon: Drive to Bwindi (3 hrs on rough roads – 4WD essential). Briefing for gorilla trek. |
| Days 8-9
(2 nights) |
Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Uganda ⛺ Buhoma / Nkuringo Campsite |
Two days of gorilla trekking (permits required USD 800/person each). Each trek allows 1 hour with a habituated gorilla family. Afternoon: Village walk, Buhoma village community tour, batwa cultural experience. |
| Day 10
(1 night) |
Lake Bunyonyi
Uganda ⛺ Bunyonyi Overland Resort Campsite |
Drive to stunning Lake Bunyonyi (2 hrs). Explore by dugout canoe. Visit Punishment Island. Relax in one of Uganda’s most scenic landscapes. Swim (bilharzia-free lake). |
| Day 11
(1 night) |
Mgahinga NP
Uganda ⛺ Mgahinga Gorilla NP Campsite |
Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla NP. Optional: Golden Monkey tracking (permit USD 100). Hike the Batwa Cultural Trail. Stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes (Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo). |
RWANDA (OPTIONAL EXTENSION)
| Days 12-13
(2 nights) |
Volcanoes NP
Rwanda ⛺ Kinigi Guesthouse Campsite / Amahoro Camp |
Cross border at Cyanika. Drive to Musanze (Ruhengeri). Day 1: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP (USD 1,500/person). Day 2: Dian Fossey hike or golden monkey tracking. Kigali en route stop optional. |
| Day 14
(1 night) |
Kigali
Rwanda ⛺ Kigali urban guesthouse |
Drive to Kigali (2.5 hrs). Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial (powerful & important). Explore Kimironko Market, Inema Arts Centre. Experience Rwanda’s famous cleanliness and green hills. |
| Days 15-16
(2 nights) |
Akagera NP
Uganda ⛺ Akagera National Park Campsite |
Drive to Akagera National Park (2 hrs east of Kigali). Big Five safari in Rwanda’s only savannah park (lions recently reintroduced). Boat safari on Lake Ihema. Cross back into Uganda or proceed to Tanzania. |
TANZANIA
| Days 17-18
(2 nights) |
Kagera / Bukoba Area
Tanzania ⛺ Bukoba waterfront campsite / guesthouse |
Cross into Tanzania via Mutukula border or Rusumo Falls. Drive to Bukoba on Lake Victoria shores (5-6 hrs). Rest and explore Kagera region. Stock up on supplies. Bukoba town market visit. |
| Days 19-20
(2 nights) |
Serengeti – Western Corridor
Tanzania ⛺ Serengeti – Grumeti River Camp / TANAPA Campsite |
Long drive to Serengeti via Mwanza or Ndabaka Gate (7-8 hrs). Enter Serengeti Western Corridor. Game drives along Grumeti River. Hippos, crocodiles, lions. Wildebeest depending on season. |
| Days 21-24
(4 nights) |
Serengeti National Park – Central
Tanzania ⛺ Seronera Public Campsite / Special Campsites |
The heart of Serengeti. Four days of intensive game drives. Seronera Valley (year-round wildlife density). Lion tracking, cheetah sightings, leopards in fig trees, massive elephant herds. Sunrise and sunset drives. Visit Seronera Visitor Centre. |
| Days 25-26
(2 nights) |
Serengeti – Northern (Lobo)
Tanzania ⛺ Lobo Special Campsite / Kogatende Campsite |
Drive north to Lobo area. Less visited, more wilderness feel. Excellent for big cat sightings. Kopje rock formations. If timing is right (July-October): Mara River wildebeest crossings from Tanzanian side. |
| Days 27-28
(2 nights) |
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Tanzania ⛺ Simba A/B Public Campsite (crater rim, 2,300m) |
Drive south to Ngorongoro. Descent into the crater (world’s largest intact caldera). Game drives on the crater floor: concentrated Big Five, pink flamingos on Lake Magadi, black rhino sightings. Walk at crater rim. |
| Days 29-30
(2 nights) |
Olduvai Gorge & Ndutu
Tanzania ⛺ Ndutu Special Campsite |
Visit Olduvai Gorge museum – cradle of mankind. Drive to Ndutu area (Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Serengeti). Calving season wildlife (Dec-Feb). Cheetahs, lions, flamingos on Lake Ndutu. |
| Days 31-33
(3 nights) |
Lake Manyara NP
Tanzania ⛺ Lake Manyara National Park Campsite |
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Tree-climbing lions, massive elephant herds, hippo pools, 400+ bird species. Afternoon: Mto wa Mbu village cultural tour. Walk through rice paddies and banana plantations. |
| Days 34-35
(2 nights) |
Tarangire National Park
Tanzania ⛺ Tarangire National Park Campsite / Oliver’s Camp |
Drive to Tarangire NP – famous for enormous baobab trees and largest elephant concentration in Tanzania. Dry season: thousands of animals congregate at Tarangire River. Walking safaris possible outside park. |
| Days 36-37
(2 nights) |
Arusha Area
Tanzania ⛺ Arusha campsite / guesthouse (midpoint opportunity for drop-off) |
Drive to Arusha (gateway city). REST & RESUPPLY. Vehicle service check. Explore Arusha town, Masai Market, Cultural Heritage Centre. Optional: Coffee tour on Kilimanjaro slopes. Views of Mount Meru. |
| OPTIONAL: ARUSHA DROP-OFF POINT |
| If your itinerary ends at Day 30, Arusha is an excellent drop-off point. The city has an international airport (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airport) with connections to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and international destinations. If continuing, the route proceeds north into Kenya.
Optional 3-day extension: Zanzibar (fly or ferry from Dar es Salaam). Pristine beaches, Stone Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, spice tours, snorkeling. |
KENYA
| Days 38-39
(2 nights) |
Amboseli National Park
Kenya ⛺ Amboseli Sopa Lodge Campsite / Ol Tukai Campsite |
Cross into Kenya via Namanga border. Drive to Amboseli (3 hrs). Park set against Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop – most iconic African scenery. Large elephant herds with Kili views. Observation Hill. Maasai cultural visit. |
| Days 40-41
(2 nights) |
Tsavo West National Park
Kenya ⛺ Tsavo West National Park Campsite |
Drive to Tsavo West (3 hrs). Mzima Springs (hippos & crocs). Chyulu Hills. Red elephants from volcanic soil. Dramatic scenery. Rolimu plains game drives. |
| Days 42-43
(2 nights) |
Tsavo East National Park
Kenya ⛺ Tsavo East National Park Campsite |
Drive through Tsavo East. Vast, remote, less crowded. Yatta Plateau (world’s longest lava flow). Large lion prides, oryx, gerenuk. Lugard Falls on Galana River. True wilderness feel. |
| Days 44-45
(2 nights) |
Nairobi
Kenya ⛺ Wildebeest Eco Camp, Karen / Nairobi urban |
Drive to Nairobi (3 hrs). REST & RESUPPLY DAY. Nairobi National Park game drive (Big Five with city skyline backdrop). David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Giraffe Centre. Karen Blixen Museum. |
| Days 46-47
(2 nights) |
Lake Nakuru National Park
Kenya ⛺ Lake Nakuru National Park Campsite |
Drive to Lake Nakuru (2 hrs via Great Rift Valley escarpment – spectacular viewpoint). Flamingos on the soda lake, white & black rhino sanctuary. Lions, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffe. Baboon Cliff viewpoint. |
| Days 48-49
(2 nights) |
Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate
Kenya ⛺ Fisherman’s Camp, Naivasha (lakeside) |
Drive to Lake Naivasha. Walking/cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park (no fences, walk among wildlife). Fischer’s Tower rock climb. Boat trip on Naivasha. Crescent Island walk with giraffes. |
| Days 50-52
(3 nights) |
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya ⛺ Mara Simba / Sekenani / Olare Motorogi Campsite |
Drive to Maasai Mara (3.5 hrs). Three full days in the Mara. Greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. The Big Five easily spotted. River crossings if July-October (Great Migration). Hot air balloon option (USD 450+). Maasai village visit. |
| Days 53-54
(2 nights) |
Maasai Mara Conservancies
Kenya ⛺ Private conservancy fly camps |
Explore adjacent private conservancies (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North). Off-road driving permitted, night game drives, walking safaris possible. Fewer vehicles, more exclusive wildlife experience. |
| Days 55-56
(2 nights) |
Samburu / Laikipia Plateau
Kenya ⛺ Samburu National Reserve Campsite |
Drive north (6-7 hrs) to Samburu National Reserve. Unique northern specialties: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, gerenuk. Ewaso Ng’iro River crocodiles and elephants. |
| Days 57-58
(2 nights) |
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Kenya ⛺ Ol Pejeta Bush Camp / Tented Camp |
Drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia (3 hrs). Home to last two northern white rhinos. Large black rhino population. Chimpanzee sanctuary. Excellent night game drives. Stunning Aberdare backdrop. |
| Day 59
(1 night) |
Mount Kenya Area
Kenya ⛺ Naro Moru River Lodge Campsite |
Drive to Mount Kenya National Park area. Hike to Lake Alice or Teleki Valley base. Stunning mountain scenery. Colobus monkeys, elephants at altitude. Optional: Aberdare NP treetop lodge experience. |
| Day 60
(1 night) |
Nairobi – FINAL
Kenya ⛺ Wildebeest Eco Camp / Airport hotel |
Final drive to Nairobi (3 hrs). Vehicle return. Pack, final service check. Souvenir shopping at City Market / Utamaduni Craft Centre. Celebration dinner in the city. Overnight before departure flight. |
PART 3: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Border Crossings
| Key Border Posts on This Route |
| Always carry: Passport, Vehicle documents, COMESA insurance, USD cash for fees. Allow 1-3 hours per crossing.
Uganda → Rwanda: Cyanika (near Mgahinga/Volcanoes NP) or Katuna/Gatuna (main road) Rwanda → Tanzania: Rusumo Falls (scenic waterfall crossing, good road) Uganda → Tanzania: Mutukula (alternative, avoids Rwanda) Tanzania → Kenya: Namanga (busiest crossing, takes 1-2 hours, USD 50 Kenya visa) TIP: East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya & Rwanda for USD 100. Tanzania requires separate visa (USD 50 online). |
Fuel & Road Conditions
| Fuel Availability
• Uganda: Plentiful, cheapest (~UGX 5,500/L) • Rwanda: Available, mid-priced, quality roads • Tanzania: Available in towns; SCARCE in parks. Fill up before entering Serengeti! • Kenya: Widely available, most expensive • ALWAYS carry 20L jerrycan spare fuel |
Road Conditions
• Uganda: Mix of tarmac and rough murram roads. Bwindi requires 4WD • Rwanda: Excellent roads, best in East Africa • Tanzania: Serengeti/Ngorongoro mostly good gravel. Some park roads badly corrugated • Kenya: Main roads good; Mara access varies seasonally • Drive only during daylight hours in remote areas |
Budget Estimate
| CATEGORY | ESTIMATED COST (USD) | NOTES |
| Vehicle rental (60 days) | USD 6,000 – 12,000 | Full camping kit incl. depends on operator |
| Park fees & entry (all parks) | USD 2,500 – 4,000 | Varies by season & parks visited |
| Gorilla permits x2 (Uganda) | USD 1,600 | 2 treks @ USD 800 each |
| Gorilla permit (Rwanda) x1 | USD 1,500 | Per person, book well ahead |
| Chimp trekking (Kibale) | USD 200 | Per person |
| Fuel (approx 7,500km) | USD 1,800 – 2,500 | Based on ~30L/100km at avg prices |
| Camping fees | USD 600 – 1,200 | USD 10-40/night depending on park |
| Food & supplies | USD 1,200 – 1,800 | Self-catering + occasional restaurant |
| Visas & border fees | USD 200 – 300 | EA Tourist Visa + Tanzania + Kenya |
| COMESA insurance | USD 150 – 300 | Depends on operator |
| Contingency (10%) | USD 1,500 – 2,000 | Repairs, emergencies, extras |
| TOTAL ESTIMATE (per person) | USD 17,000 – 26,000 | Based on 2 travelers sharing vehicle |
Best Time to Visit
| RECOMMENDED: June – October (Dry Season)
• Best game viewing – animals gather at water sources • Great Migration peak crossings at Mara River (July-Oct) • Roads accessible throughout the route • Gorilla trekking possible year-round • January-February also good (calving season, Ndutu) |
AVOID: March – May (Long Rains)
• Many park tracks impassable even in 4WD • Bwindi/Mgahinga trails dangerously slippery • Serengeti and Mara can flood • Some lodges and camps closed • November: Short rains – manageable, fewer tourists |
Wildlife Calendar
| PERIOD | WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS |
| Dec – Feb | Ndutu calving season: Serengeti plains carpeted with newborn wildebeest. Best predator action. Birdlife spectacular. |
| Mar – May | Long rains. Green landscape, fewer tourists. Roads challenging. Migration in Serengeti central/western. |
| Jun – Jul | Migration moves north toward Mara. Grumeti River crossings begin. Dry conditions, excellent visibility. |
| Aug – Oct | PEAK: Mara River crossings. Concentrated wildlife. Elephants everywhere. Lions very active. Best overall game viewing. |
| Nov | Short rains bring fresh grass. Migratory birds arrive. Good photography (dramatic skies). Fewer visitors. |
PART 4: WILDLIFE & PARKS QUICK GUIDE
National Parks & Conservancies Overview
| PARK / RESERVE | COUNTRY | ENTRY FEE | TOP WILDLIFE |
| Kibale Forest NP | Uganda | USD 40/day | Chimpanzees (highest density), L’Hoest’s monkey, red colobus, forest birds |
| Queen Elizabeth NP | Uganda | USD 40/day | Tree-climbing lions (Ishasha), hippos, elephants, buffalo, Kazinga Channel |
| Bwindi Impenetrable NP | Uganda | USD 40 + permit | Mountain gorillas (half world’s population), chimpanzees, forest elephants |
| Mgahinga Gorilla NP | Uganda | USD 40/day | Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Virunga volcanic views |
| Volcanoes NP | Rwanda | USD 100/day + permit | Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, 5 volcanic peaks |
| Akagera NP | Rwanda | USD 40/day | Big Five (lions reintroduced 2015), hippos, Lake Ihema birds |
| Serengeti NP | Tanzania | USD 60-80/day | Great Migration, Big Five, cheetah, wild dog, 500+ bird species |
| Ngorongoro CA | Tanzania | USD 70-100/day | Black rhino, Big Five in crater, flamingos, Maasai communities |
| Lake Manyara NP | Tanzania | USD 45/day | Tree-climbing lions, elephants, flamingos, 400+ bird species |
| Tarangire NP | Tanzania | USD 45/day | Largest elephant herds in Tanzania, baobabs, dry season migration |
| Amboseli NP | Kenya | USD 80/day | Kilimanjaro backdrop, large elephant herds, Big Five |
| Tsavo West & East NP | Kenya | USD 52/day | Red elephants, Mzima Springs, Yatta Plateau, diverse landscapes |
| Lake Nakuru NP | Kenya | USD 60/day | Black & white rhino, flamingos, Rothschild’s giraffe, lions |
| Maasai Mara NR | Kenya | USD 80-200/day | Great Migration (Jul-Oct), Big Five, cheetah, wild dog |
| Samburu NR | Kenya | USD 52/day | Special Five (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx etc.) |
| Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Kenya | USD 80/day | Last northern white rhinos, black rhino, chimp sanctuary |
The Big Five & Where to See Them
| LION
• Queen Elizabeth NP (tree-climbing in Ishasha) • Serengeti (large prides, Seronera Valley) • Maasai Mara (famous Marsh Pride)
ELEPHANT • Amboseli (famous elephant families) • Tarangire (largest concentration) • Queen Elizabeth NP, Tsavo (red elephants)
LEOPARD • Serengeti (fig trees around Seronera) • Maasai Mara (riverine forests) • Lake Manyara (forest edge) |
BUFFALO
• Ngorongoro Crater (dense herds) • Queen Elizabeth NP (large herds) • Maasai Mara (mixed herds on plains)
RHINOCEROS • Ol Pejeta (last northern white rhinos) • Ngorongoro Crater (black rhino) • Lake Nakuru NP (both black & white)
GREAT APES • Mountain Gorillas: Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes NP • Chimpanzees: Kibale Forest (best), Ol Pejeta sanctuary |
PART 5: SELF-DRIVE TIPS & RESOURCES
Self-Drive Safari Top Tips
| Essential Self-Drive Safari Rules |
| 1. Always follow park regulations: Stay on designated tracks, observe speed limits (40 km/h in most parks), never off-road unless permitted.
2. Approach wildlife slowly and quietly. Turn off your engine near animals. Never block a cheetah’s hunt or a lion’s path. 3. Golden hours: Dawn (6-9am) and dusk (4-7pm) are the best times for game viewing. Avoid midday drives when animals rest in shade. 4. Water crossings: Assess depth before crossing. Engage low-range 4WD. Cross slowly but with momentum. Never turn off engine mid-crossing. 5. Camping safety: Never leave food outside. Store provisions in vehicle. Close all windows and doors at night. Use rooftop tent rather than ground tents near wildlife. 6. Photography: Invest in a good zoom lens (400mm+). Use beanbag on window. Shoot in burst mode for action shots. Best light is within 2 hours of sunrise/sunset. 7. Navigation: Download offline maps before each park entry. GPS tracks are available on iOverlander and Tracks4Africa apps. Always carry paper maps as backup. 8. Communication: Get local SIM cards (MTN Uganda, MTN Rwanda, Vodacom Tanzania, Safaricom Kenya). Signal is limited in remote parks – rely on satellite communicator. 9. Tyre safety: Check tyre pressure daily. Reduce to 1.4-1.6 bar on sand/mud. Carry a tyre repair kit and know how to use your hi-lift jack safely. 10. Respect local communities: Ask permission before photographing people. Purchase crafts directly from artisans. Learn basic Swahili phrases – locals appreciate the effort! |
Useful Apps & Resources
| Navigation & Mapping
• Tracks4Africa (T4A) – Best for Africa roads • Maps.me – Offline maps, free • iOverlander – Campsites, fuel, tips from overlanders • OsmAnd – Offline OpenStreetMap navigation • Google Maps (download offline areas)
Wildlife & Nature • iNaturalist – Record & ID wildlife • Merlin Bird ID – Cornell Lab bird identifier • WildlifeAfrica – Sightings log |
Safety & Communication
• Garmin inReach (satellite messaging & SOS) • SPOT Tracker – Personal safety tracker • Emergency numbers: Save local emergency & park ranger numbers • AMREF Flying Doctors – Medical evacuation insurance
Key Booking Resources • UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) – gorilla permits • RDB (Rwanda Development Board) – gorilla permits • TANAPA – Tanzania National Parks Authority • KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) – park bookings |
Basic Swahili for the Road
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI | PRONUNCIATION |
| Hello / How are you? | Jambo / Habari? | JAM-bo / ha-BA-ri |
| Good / I’m fine | Nzuri / Sijambo | N-ZOO-ri / si-JAM-bo |
| Thank you | Asante (sana) | a-SAN-teh (SAH-na) |
| Please / Sorry | Tafadhali / Samahani | ta-fa-DHA-li / sa-ma-HA-ni |
| Yes / No | Ndiyo / Hapana | N-dee-yo / ha-PA-na |
| How much? | Bei gani? | BAY GAH-ni |
| Where is…? | Wapi…? | WAH-pi |
| Water / Food | Maji / Chakula | MAH-ji / cha-KOO-la |
| Lion / Elephant | Simba / Tembo | SIM-ba / TEM-bo |
| Beautiful / Amazing | Nzuri / Ajabu | N-ZOO-ri / a-JAH-boo |
| Drive safely! | Uende salama! | oo-EN-deh sa-LAH-ma |
| Welcome! | Karibu! | ka-REE-boo |