If there’s one trip that made me fall in love with Uganda all over again, it was our 5-day self-drive adventure to Kibale Forest National Park last year. My colleague and I set out to explore this tropical paradise in true explorer fashion.
Planning this road trip was a breeze, just the two of us, rented Land Cruiser Prado with a rooftop tent, and all our camping gear. If you’re ever considering any Uganda car hire experience, choosing a rooftop camping deserves a spot on your bucket list.
A memorable first day
We picked up our 4×4 Land Cruiser Prado from a reliable Uganda car rental services provider in Kampala. The vehicle came fully equipped with a rooftop tent, cooking & serving utensils, cutlery chairs and everything we would need for the five days on the road. The plan? A full road trip experience, complete with wild nights under the stars and with the highlight of watching the wild chimpanzees in their natural home.
By late morning, we hit the road toward the famous primate capital of East Africa, Kibale Forest. Just before reaching Mubende town, we made a stop at the Nakayima Tree, a towering centuries-old fig tree perched on a hill in Mubende district. This sacred tree is deeply rooted in Buganda’s spiritual history and is believed to be the dwelling place of the spirit of Nakayima, a legendary priestess and spiritual medium of the Bachwezi dynasty.
This ancient tree holds a cultural value for Buganda with enchanting stories of a princess who was roaming around and got lost in the tree and also holding powers of kings Ndahura
We climbed up the gentle hill to the tree, where we were greeted by a local custodian who explained the cultural significance of the site. The giant roots of the tree snake over the hillside, forming natural chambers that traditional healers use for prayer and rituals. Whether or not you believe in its spiritual powers, the energy around the Nakayima Tree is palpable—serene, powerful, and deeply moving.
It offered us a beautiful pause from the road and a glimpse into Uganda’s rich oral traditions and spiritual heritage.
After spending some quiet moments at the site, we continued on to Mubende, where we set up a camp in our car with a rooftop tent at a quiet spot just outside town. There’s something magical about making dinner over a portable gas stove offered among the equipment that comes with almost all car rentals in Uganda, booked for camping as earlier mentioned. Our first night on the road set the perfect tone: freedom, connection to nature, and the thrill of the unknown.
The journey Into the Primate Capital on the second day
After a breakfast at the campsite, we continued our scenic drive toward Fort Portal, cruising past rolling hills, tea plantations, and crater lakes. The road though literally tarmacked, isn’t in proper condition until you reach Kyenjojo but our rental handled even the hardest the terrain effortlessly. The road is patched with broken tarmacs and potholes but just keeping a keen eye on the road, maintaining the advised speed limits and obeying other traffic rules assures you a smooth ride.
By afternoon, we arrived at Kibale Forest National Park. Nestled in Uganda’s western highlands, this lush, green world felt like stepping into another realm. We found a nearby campsite, pitched our tent on the roof again, and prepped for the next day’s highlight.
The Bucket list moment on the third day
Waking up in the heart of the forest was pure magic. After a quick early morning breakfast, we drove our rental down to Kanyanchu Visitor Center by 7.20am for the guided chimpanzee tracking experience.
We presented the tracking permits that we had booked through our car rental agency together with our passport copies. After a few minutes of briefing, we got divided into groups and started on the trek. Within an hour of hiking, we were face-to-face with a troop of wild chimpanzees. Watching them playing and swinging in the trees was humbling. It was a memorable experience indeed!
Later in the afternoon, we relaxed at our campsite discussing our experiences with others as we went over the incredible photos that we had taken earlier in the day. As the sun started setting, we joined a hearty campfire dinner under the stars and in the night, the sounds of the forest lulled us into sleep as baboons barked in the distance and the owls hooted overhead.
Wrapping up our adventure with a spectacular Bigodi swamp birding experience
Before leaving the Kibale area, we visited the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary just outside the park. Known among birding circles as a paradise, Bigodi delivered everything it promised. We spotted a number of bird species and several monkeys along the wetland trails. Our guide was so knowledgeable about a number of things in along the swamp including birds, medicinal plants, butterflies, and the cultural significance of the wetland to the local community.
At around noon, we packed up and began the drive back to Kampala, arriving by late evening and camped at a quiet site on the outskirts of the city near Lake Victoria. It was our way of easing back into city life while still holding onto the adventurous spirit of our trip.
The very last day of our trip
The fifth and last day of our Uganda self-drive adventure was to explore the capital of the country, Kampala and what it offers. We visited the Uganda Museum, drove past the historic Buganda Kingdom Palace, and wrapped it all up with coffee at a cozy café near the Acacia Mall. It’s easier to drive in Kampala during day than during the morning and evening hours.