Rwanda and Uganda itinerary – 16 day road trip

From €3,070 pp | 16 days

Discover both southwestern Uganda and Rwanda on this 2-week self-drive adventure. If you’re interested in nature and culture, this Rwanda road trip is the one for you.

  • Trek the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • Spot chimpanzees in Kibale tropical rainforest
  • Enjoy plenty of wildlife spotting on your self-drive safaris in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Visit Kigali and be moved by its captivating history
  • Relax at Lake Gisenyi and you’ll understand why Rwanda is named the land of a thousand hills

Scroll down below to see the day-to-day itinerary with route descriptions and travel tips for Rwanda and Uganda. The trip includes car rental, accommodation (available in four price categories), gorilla and chimp permits. 

16 days self-drive through Uganda and Rwanda

Day-to-day itinerary | Uganda & Rwanda

Uganda & Rwanda | Indicative prices

Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing a Suzuki Jimny and travelling in low season. You can choose your accommodation preferences below.

You can book our Uganda self-drive tours with any 4×4 from our fleet: choose the RAV4 for the most budget-friendly option, or upgrade to the Nissan Navara for more comfort and space.

  • Budget from €3,070.
  • Mid-range from €3,320.
  • Semi-luxury from €4,170.
  • A combination of camping and mid-range from €3,150.

Low season: March – May | Peak season: July – September + 20 December – February. 

Prefer a private guided road trip? Travel with a driver-guide! This is an option you can select in the online booking form.

Review Andrea

Included in your Uganda and Rwanda itinerary

Included
  • Gorilla trekking permit USD 800

  • Chimp trekking permit USD 250

  • Bed & Breakfast

  • Car rental with unlimited mileage

  • Car delivery to airport or hotel

  • Car insurance

  • 24/7 roadside assistance

  • On the road manual and roadmap

  • Travel Notes with driving directions and stops along the way

Optional
  • Driver – Guide

  • Electrical fridge

Plan your 2-week Uganda & Rwanda adventure

Book the Uganda & Rwanda self-drive tour with stays in budget, mid-range or luxury lodges – or adjust it to your liking.

Experiences from fellow Roadtrippers

2 weeks in Uganda and Rwanda | This is what you need to know

Travel time and road conditions

We recommend 16 days / 14 car rental days for this Uganda & Rwanda itinerary. You’ll cover southwestern Uganda, Kigali and Kivu Luke District in Rwanda. On an average day, you drive for 5 hours. Keep in mind that with photo and picnic stops, this still makes a full travel day.

Road conditions are good – expect asphalt with the occasional pothole and speed bumps. The most adventurous part is driving from Kisoro to Lake Mutanda (volcanic and dirt road) and from Hamurwa to Ishasha (off-road). Take note that the maximum speed in Rwanda is 60km/h.

We advice you to check out our Driving in Uganda Guide, which contains essential information when planning a self-drive holiday in Uganda.

The Uganda & Rwanda itinerary is possible to travel year-round.

Elise Ternick View Above On Car And Bunyonyi

Find your budget & travel style

Our Uganda & Rwanda trip can be booked in three price categories:

Budget: Some mid-range lodges offer ‘Lazy Camping’ (glamping), where you sleep in an already set-up tent. There is a sanitary block that you share with other campers. Adding some ‘Lazy Camping’ nights in your Uganda tour works favourably for your budget, while you can still enjoy the lodge facilities.

Mid-range: This is your best option for comfortable, self-contained (‘en suite’) accommodations set in stunning locations which do not cost a fortune.

Semi-luxury: If you opt for luxury, we select barefoot luxury resorts which are intimate, have lots of privacy and high-quality service. Not every stop in Uganda allows for a stay in this segment, therefore we rather call it a semi-luxury trip.

Iwanderlista Roadtrip Africa 13

Practical Info

Exploring Uganda on your own is great fun. At the same time, we know that planning a road trip here can feel overwhelming.

On this page, we share practical information to help you prepare. We’ve selected 12 important topics with guidelines, tips and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Uganda. They’ll help you start your road trip with confidence.

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