Planning a family ‘road trip to a new destination like Uganda can be challenging. This complete guide provides answers to all beginners’ questions on a family road trip. Are you planning to go on a family road trip in Uganda, and you aren’t sure how you can go about it?
Our family road trips bring together families, a great opportunity for you to share unique experiences with your loved ones. Uganda is a rich wildlife safari and is undoubtedly, the most preferred family destinations. It attracts all categories of travelers worldwide including children to explore and experience its wilderness, rich cultures, traditions, and more.
Research and Plan your Route
Before you fly to Uganda for a family tour, first, you should carry out adequate research and plan your route. This is part of preparation if you are to have a successful family road trip and includes getting to know the weather patterns, finding the right rental car for your road trip, where to eat from, and meals to enjoy on a tour. Part of your route planning should also include knowing places or attractions to make stopovers en route.
If for instance, you are taking the western route/circuit to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, expect to make a stopover at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe. For amazing meals, you can branch off at the Igongo Cultural Centre. These stopover points are also ideal for visitors heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing.
Pack right for your Uganda Road Trip
Knowing the essentials to carry for your family road trip plays a great part. Packing should be done early before you set off and check if you have everything. Some of the must-haves on your family trip in Uganda include travel documents like a driver’s license, passport, identity proof, visas, and car-related papers; additional items such as chargers, wet wipes, pillows, blankets, snacks, bottled drinking water, travel map, and itinerary, reading books, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, sweaters, daypacks, and more.
Plan for your transportation to & from the destination
Hiring a car for your road trip is a must-do thing whether you plan to go on a family tour, guided or on a self drive Uganda Safari. You will comfortably travel to and from your dream destinations, check out some of our classic rental cars, and have a road trip full of lasting memories. We have the best full-time 4×4 safari vehicles including 4×4 Toyota Rav4, 4×4 Land Cruiser, Super Custom, and for large group travelers, choose our Coaster Buses.
Some of the items to carry on a road trip include an emergency kit, valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, Jump starter battery/cables, jack and spare tire, flashlight & extra batteries, car manual, garbage bags, printed emergency contact numbers, and others.
Observe the Traffic Rules
Whether you are the one behind the wheels or the safari company driver guide, the road traffic rules must be adhered to. Failure to observe them may come at a cost and also causes delays on your road trip. Some of the important traffic rules include driving at the recommended speed limit for instance 100km per hour on highways; urban routes keep within 50 km per hour and up country/rural areas 80 km/hr.
Top family safari destinations in Uganda
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Kibale National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Jinja
- Sipi Falls, etc
Plan where to Stay
Finding a place to stay is one thing you should do before you make it to Uganda for an actual trip. There are budget, midrange, and luxury safari lodges to be booked and you can choose one that is within your wallet size. All top destinations in Uganda have comfortable safari lodges for tourists to book for a night stay and include Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park; Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Hub, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Simba Tented Camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park;
Mahogany Springs Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ndali Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Chimps Nest, Kibale Forest Camp in Kibale National Park, and more.
For those who would love to have a camping experience, all the travel destinations in Uganda have camping grounds. You can hire or come with your ground tent for your camping safari as well, and you can opt to hire a rooftop tent car in Uganda for the best camping experience.
