On a driving holiday, you will be on your own, which means the more you plan the better off your road trip will be. Plan your itinerary – make up a broad plan first and then combine, shorten or alter it till it suits your taste.
Planning the perfect itinerary for a self-driving in East Africa takes time but that’s the only way to ensure you and your family enjoys an amazing holiday. All you need to do is keep these factors in mind:
Agree on the places you want to visit:
First, create your wish list. Ensure that you are visiting the places that you truly want to and not because somebody else told you to. Don’t visit Kenya’s Masai Mara or Uganda’s Bwindi because your friend said you shouldn’t miss it, know your fantasies before setting off for your road trip in East Africa. Visit East Africa if you are truly a wildlife fanatic, primate enthusiast, or mountaineer as these are East Africa trip’s objectives.
Decide on routes and timelines:
Take a map and mark your destinations.
Then decide the logical sequence to visit these places and fix an approximate time for the entire trip.
Mark places where you want to arrive on a specific date and also the places where you are planning night stops.
Once you’ve everything about your trip on a planner focus your research and preparation only on places that fall along your planned route.
If you are not sure what routes to take on your East African road trip, consult from your tour or car rental agency.
Top destinations in East Africa:
East Africa comprises of various countries but the most recommended countries in the region for road tripping in Africa are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Each of these four aforementioned countries has its own special fantasies that tourists yearn for, annually.
Kenya however stands out as the most visited country in the region. From enthralling safari opportunities, like that of the world-class reserve of the Masai Mara, through to some of Africa’s most beautiful coastline, Kenya is a treat no matter whether you want to spot some insane wildlife or swing in a hammock.
Kenya along with Tanzania are worldwide famous for their iconic annual wildebeest migration that involves millions of wildebeests, and other animals like zebras, gazelles, topis, elands and others migrating from Tanzania’s Serengeti (in August) to Kenya’s Masai Mara and they head back in November, of every year.
This legendary migration lures mammoths of tourists in both countries, annually, especially during the months of August to October. For the case of Rwanda, it is a very small country that can ‘probably’ easily be covered in just one week. The lush, green countryside of this Rwanda can be a welcome surprise, and that’s before you’ve encountered the people!
It is actually recommendable beginning your travels in the capital, Kigali, and allowing a few days here, where the important 1994 Genocide Memorial Centre is an extremely worthy place to visit. After visiting Kigali, you can then head out to the remarkable Volcanoes National Park to trek the endangered Mountain Gorillas or spend some days relaxing in nature at the beautiful Lake Kivu.
With Uganda, you can start you self drive tour in the bustling capital of Kampala, which has good international connections from Entebbe International Airport. In the city you can visit many attractions found there, such as; the Uganda Museum, Kabaka Lake, Buganda King’s Palace, Bulange Mengo (Buganda Kingdom Parliament), Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and many others.
After that, it’s all about the wildlife, and you can’t miss either the amazing national park of Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park or even Kidepo Valley National Park, which are extremely amazing. Murchison Falls, in particular, consists of a stunning waterfall formed as the River Nile is forced through an 8 metre² gap into Devil’s Cauldron.
The three aforementioned wildlife Parks in Uganda comprises of four of the Big Five of Africa, and with Murchison Falls NP you will have a great opportunity to spot all the Big Five as you will be passing-by the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Uganda’s only wild rhino refuge) as you’re driving to Murchison Falls National Park.
Also, when it comes to mountain gorilla trekking, Uganda offers a once in a lifetime opportunity – even the hike through the clouds and dense jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga is an experience in itself. Trackers go on ahead of each small group, so sightings of the gorillas are almost guaranteed and although you only get an hour in the company of these close relations, it’s great to see that minimal disturbance of the animals is being upheld despite the tourist dollars.
If you have many days in East Africa, you can road trip the entire region – visiting the amazing features but if your days are limited, then you should talk with your tour agency and design for you a perfect itinerary including more of your desires and fantasies!
