Uganda 4×4 self-drive 5 parks in 10 days — the Kampala-based circuit that covers Murchison Falls NP, Kibale Forest NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Mburo NP, and Bwindi Impenetrable NP within a single 10-day hire vehicle period — is Uganda’s most ambitious but most rewarding self-drive structure, combining elephant and lion game drives in the north with chimpanzee and gorilla primate trekking in the west. The Uganda 4×4 self-drive 5-park 10-day circuit requires a pre-booked gorilla permit (Bwindi, Day 9) and a chimpanzee permit (Kibale, Day 4), booked 2 to 4 months ahead, with the hire vehicle (Land Cruiser V8 or 78 Series) confirmed around the permit dates. This guide covers the complete Uganda 4×4 self-drive 5-park 10-day circuit for 2027/2028.
The 10-Day Uganda 5-Park Circuit Day by Day
- Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls NP (260km, 5 hours): Depart Kampala 6am via Gulu Highway north. Arrive Paraa after the ferry crossing by 12pm. Afternoon game drive on the north bank. Overnight at Paraa public campsite or Nile Safari Camp.
- Day 2: Murchison Falls full day: Dawn north bank game drive (lion, elephant, giraffe, hartebeest). Afternoon Nile boat trip (hippo, crocodile, elephant at the water’s edge). Overnight Paraa.
- Day 3: Murchison to Fort Portal (260km, 5 hours): Depart Paraa by 7am. Drive south via Masindi to Fort Portal. Overnight in Fort Portal.
- Day 4: Fort Portal to Kibale Forest — chimpanzee trek day: Morning 8am chimp trek at Kanyanchu (35km from Fort Portal). 1.5 to 3 hours trekking with habituated chimpanzee community. Afternoon drive south toward Queen Elizabeth NP. Overnight Mweya area (Queen Elizabeth).
- Day 5: Queen Elizabeth NP full day: Dawn Kasenyi Plains game drive (lion, buffalo, Uganda kob, elephant). Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat trip (USD 35 ranger fee) — hippo and water-level wildlife encounter. Overnight Mweya.
- Day 6: Queen Elizabeth to Kabale (Bwindi approach) via Ishasha (180km, 4 hours): Morning tree-climbing lion search in Ishasha sector (90km south of Mweya on unsealed road). Continue to Kabale. Overnight Kabale or at Bwindi park boundary guesthouses.
- Day 7: Rest day at Bwindi / forest walks: If gorilla permit is for Day 8, use Day 7 for the Bwindi community walk (2 hours) or forest walk to the gorilla night nesting site (guided, approximately USD 20). Rest in the afternoon.
- Day 8: Bwindi gorilla trekking day: 8am briefing, trek (1 to 6 hours), afternoon return to camp. Rest.
- Day 9: Bwindi to Lake Mburo NP (240km Kabale to Mbarara + Lake Mburo, 4.5 hours): Depart Bwindi early. Afternoon game drive at Lake Mburo (zebra, impala, eland). Overnight Lake Mburo campsite.
- Day 10: Lake Mburo dawn game drive then return to Kampala (240km, 3.5 hours): 6am dawn circuit (best zebra and impala activity). Depart by 9am for Kampala. Return hire vehicle by 5pm.
