The Uganda 14-day self-drive itinerary covering gorillas, chimps, waterfalls, and wildlife represents the complete Uganda safari experience in a single independent circuit — a 3,200km route from Kampala north to Murchison Falls, west to Kibale Forest, south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the gorilla trek. The Uganda 14-day self-drive itinerary requires advance booking of gorilla permits (USD 800 per person from UWA, book 3 to 6 months in advance) and chimp permits at Kibale (USD 200 per person), and a genuine 4WD Land Cruiser Prado capable of handling the Bwindi approach murram and the Murchison north bank tracks. This day-by-day Uganda 14-day self-drive guide covers every driving day, distance, and activity for 2027/2028 independent visitors.
Uganda 14-Day Self-Drive Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1: Entebbe Airport Arrival — Kampala
Arrive Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Hire vehicle collection from airport (Prado, documents verified). Drive 40km from Entebbe to Kampala (45 minutes on good tarmac — avoid rush hour). City hotel overnight. Kampala city evening orientation.
Day 2: Kampala Provisioning and City Visit
Kampala city day: Nakasero Market, Nakumatt/Game City supermarket provisioning run (14-day camp supplies). Optional: Uganda Museum (natural history, safari preparation context). Confirm gorilla and chimp permit booking references. Overnight Kampala.
Day 3: Kampala to Murchison Falls (290km, 4.5 hours)
Depart Kampala 6am north on the A1 Gulu highway to Kafu junction (170km, 2 hours). Turn west on B1 to Masindi (40km, 30 minutes). Continue north to Kichumbanyobo park gate and Paraa ferry. Cross ferry to north bank. Afternoon north bank game drive (giraffe, kob, lion). Camp Murchison north bank.
Day 4: Murchison Falls Full Day
Dawn game drive north bank circuit (06:00 to 10:00). Top of falls drive (7km track from Buligi junction). Lunch at Paraa. Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat equivalent — Murchison boat launch to base of falls (3 hours, USD 35/person, departs 14:00). Camp Murchison second night.
Days 5–6: Transit to Fort Portal via Masindi (300km)
Day 5: Murchison to Budongo Forest (25km south on Masindi road) — morning chimp trek at Kaniyo Pabidi (USD 90/person, 3 hours). Continue to Masindi overnight (45km south). Day 6: Masindi to Fort Portal (230km via Hoima or via Kampala, 4 to 5 hours). Overnight Fort Portal. Prepare for Kibale chimp trek next morning.
Day 7: Kibale Forest Chimp Trek
Morning chimp trek at Kanyanchu (8am start, USD 200/person, 2 to 4 hours). Afternoon: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk (primate spotting, waterbirds, USD 15/person). Overnight Fort Portal area.
Day 8: Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth (130km, 2 hours)
Drive south from Fort Portal via Kasese to Queen Elizabeth National Park Katunguru gate (130km, 2 hours). Mweya peninsula afternoon game drive. Camp Mweya public campsite.
Days 9–10: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9: Morning Kazinga Channel boat launch (9am, USD 30/person). Afternoon Kasenyi plains circuit (lion, kob antelope). Camp Mweya. Day 10: Drive to Ishasha sector (80km, 2 hours). Tree-climbing lion circuit. Camp Ishasha.
Days 11–12: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 11: Ishasha to Bwindi Buhoma sector (160km, 3 hours via Kanungu and Butogota). Arrive Bwindi by 2pm. Camp UWA Buhoma. Day 12: Gorilla trek (8am briefing, USD 800/person). Afternoon Bwindi community walk.
Days 13–14: Bwindi to Kampala — Vehicle Return
Day 13: Bwindi to Kabale (130km, 3 hours). Optional Lake Bunyonyi stop (Uganda’s deepest lake, stunning crater scenery). Kabale overnight. Day 14: Kabale to Kampala via Mbarara (360km, 5 hours). Vehicle return at Kampala depot. Transfer to Entebbe for international departure. Total Uganda 14-day self-drive circuit: approximately 2,800km.
