Reaching All National Parks in Uganda: Routes & Travel Times
Uganda’s ten national parks showcase the country’s incredible biodiversity and stunning landscapes, from mountain gorillas to sprawling savannas. Each park offers unique experiences, but reaching them requires careful planning and understanding of Uganda’s road network. This comprehensive guide provides detailed routes, travel times, and practical advice for accessing all national parks in Uganda to help you plan the perfect safari adventure.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Location: Southwestern Uganda, near the border with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo
Best Route from Kampala: Take the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway (A104) to Mbarara, then continue via Ntungamo to Kabale. From Kabale, follow signs to Buhoma sector (northern entrance) or continue to Nkuringo/Rushaga sectors (southern entrances). The route covers approximately 460 kilometers of mostly tarmac road with some murram sections near the park.
Travel Time: 8-10 hours from Kampala, depending on traffic and road conditions
Alternative Routes:
- Via Kabale to Buhoma: Best for northern sector accommodations
- Via Kisoro to Rushaga/Nkuringo: Preferred for southern sector visits
- From Kigali, Rwanda: 4-5 hours via Katuna border crossing
Road Conditions: Good tarmac to Kabale, then winding mountain roads with some steep sections. 4×4 recommended for final approaches to park entrances, especially during rainy season.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Location: Southwestern Uganda, forming part of the Virunga Massif
Best Route from Kampala: Follow the same route as Bwindi to Kabale, then continue to Kisoro town. From Kisoro, the park entrance is approximately 14 kilometers on a murram road. Total distance from Kampala is about 480 kilometers.
Travel Time: 8-10 hours from Kampala to Kisoro, plus 30 minutes to park entrance
Alternative Access:
- Direct from Bwindi: 2-3 hours depending on starting sector
- From Kigali via Cyanika border: 3-4 hours
- Combined with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park visits
Road Conditions: Mountain roads with spectacular views but challenging terrain. 4×4 essential for park access roads, especially during wet seasons.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Location: Western Uganda, spanning the equator
Best Route from Kampala: Take the Kampala-Mbarara highway (A104) to Mbarara, then turn toward Kasese via Bushenyi. Enter the park through Katunguru gate or continue to Kasese for northern sector access. Distance is approximately 420 kilometers.
Travel Time: 6-7 hours from Kampala
Multiple Access Points:
- Katunguru Gate: Main southern entrance, closest to Mweya Peninsula
- Kabatoro Gate: Northern entrance near Kasese
- Ishasha Sector: Southern sector famous for tree-climbing lions (additional 2-3 hours from Katunguru)
Road Conditions: Excellent tarmac to park vicinity. Internal park roads vary from good murram to challenging tracks, especially in Ishasha sector.
Kibale National Park
Location: Western Uganda, near Fort Portal
Best Route from Kampala: Travel via Mityana to Fort Portal (approximately 300 kilometers), then continue 36 kilometers south to Kanyanchu visitor center. Alternative route via Mubende adds distance but offers better road conditions.
Travel Time: 5-6 hours from Kampala
Access Points:
- Kanyanchu: Main entrance for chimpanzee tracking
- Sebitoli: Northern entrance with forest walks and primate viewing
Road Conditions: Good tarmac to Fort Portal, then decent murram road to park entrance. Accessible by regular vehicles in dry season, 4×4 recommended during rains.
Murchison Falls National Park
Location: Northwestern Uganda, bisected by the Nile River
Best Route from Kampala: Take the Kampala-Gulu highway via Luweero and Masindi. From Masindi, continue to Kichumbanyobo gate (76 kilometers from Masindi) or Tangi gate. Total distance approximately 350 kilometers.
Travel Time: 5-6 hours from Kampala
Multiple Entry Gates:
- Kichumbanyobo Gate: Main southern entrance
- Tangi Gate: Alternative southern entrance
- Wankwar Gate: Northern entrance via Gulu
- Chobe Gate: Eastern entrance
Road Conditions: Good tarmac to Masindi, then murram roads to park gates. Some sections challenging during rainy season, particularly approaches to Tangi gate.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Location: Northeastern Uganda, near borders with South Sudan and Kenya
Best Route from Kampala: Travel via Gulu to Kitgum, then continue to Kaabong and finally to Apoka in the park. This remote journey covers approximately 700 kilometers, mostly on murram roads after Gulu.
Travel Time: 10-12 hours from Kampala, often requiring overnight stops
Alternative Routes:
- Via Moroto: Longer but potentially better road conditions
- Flight option: Scheduled and charter flights available to Kidepo airstrip
Road Conditions: Challenging journey with long stretches of murram road. 4×4 essential, especially during rainy season. Consider breaking journey in Gulu or Kitgum.
Semuliki National Park
Location: Western Uganda, in the Albertine Rift Valley
Best Route from Kampala: Travel to Fort Portal via Mityana (300 kilometers), then continue 52 kilometers to Sempaya gate via Bundibugyo road. The park lies in the Semuliki Valley near the Democratic Republic of Congo border.
Travel Time: 6-7 hours from Kampala
Access Challenges: Park access requires crossing several streams and navigating forest tracks. 4×4 essential, and local guides recommended for navigation.
Road Conditions: Tarmac to Fort Portal, then deteriorating murram road through forested terrain. Some sections impassable during heavy rains.
Lake Mburo National Park
Location: Western Uganda, between Masaka and Mbarara
Best Route from Kampala: Take the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway to Lyantonde, then turn toward Kiruhura. The park entrance at Nshara gate is approximately 240 kilometers from Kampala.
Travel Time: 4-5 hours from Kampala
Access Points:
- Nshara Gate: Main entrance with visitor center
- Sanga Gate: Alternative entrance in the north
Road Conditions: Excellent tarmac highway to near park entrance. Short murram section to gates, accessible by regular vehicles. Good internal road network.
Mount Elgon National Park
Location: Eastern Uganda, on the border with Kenya
Best Route from Kampala: Travel via Jinja to Mbale (approximately 245 kilometers), then continue to Budadiri for Sasa trail access or Kapkwai for Sipi trail access. Different routes serve different park entrances.
Travel Time: 4-5 hours from Kampala to Mbale, plus 1-2 hours to specific park entrances
Multiple Access Points:
- Budadiri: For Sasa trail to Wagagai peak
- Kapkwai: For Sipi trail and cultural experiences
- Kapkwata: For forest walks and day hikes
Road Conditions: Good tarmac to Mbale, then murram roads to park entrances. Mountain roads can be challenging, especially during rainy season.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Location: Western Uganda, along the border with Democratic Republic of Congo
Best Route from Kampala: Travel to Kasese via Fort Portal or via Mbarara-Bushenyi route. From Kasese, continue to Nyakalengija (the main trailhead) or Kilembe for different mountain access points.
Travel Time: 6-7 hours from Kampala to Kasese, plus 1 hour to trailheads
Access Points:
- Nyakalengija: Main RMS (Rwenzori Mountaineering Services) trailhead
- Kilembe: Alternative trailhead with different route options
Road Conditions: Good tarmac to Kasese, then short murram sections to trailheads. Mountain access requires guided trekking rather than vehicle access.
Seasonal Considerations and Road Conditions
Dry Seasons (December-February, June-September): Most park access roads are in good condition. Regular vehicles can reach many parks, though 4×4 still recommended for optimal flexibility and safety.
Wet Seasons (March-May, October-November): Road conditions deteriorate significantly. 4×4 becomes essential for most parks, especially Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kidepo, and Semuliki. Allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes.
Multi-Park Itinerary Planning
Western Circuit (10-14 days): Kampala → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi → Lake Mburo → Kampala Total driving: approximately 1,200 kilometers
Northern Circuit (7-10 days): Kampala → Murchison Falls → Kidepo Valley → Kampala Total driving: approximately 1,400 kilometers
Eastern Circuit (5-7 days): Kampala → Mount Elgon → Sipi Falls → Kampala Total driving: approximately 600 kilometers
Essential Travel Tips
Vehicle Requirements:
- 4×4 recommended for all parks, essential for Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kidepo, and Semuliki
- Spare tires, emergency kit, and recovery gear for remote parks
- GPS navigation and offline maps for areas with poor cell coverage
Fuel and Supplies:
- Refuel at every opportunity, especially before heading to remote parks
- Carry extra fuel for Kidepo and Semuliki expeditions
- Stock food and water for long journeys
Accommodation Planning:
- Book accommodations in advance, especially during peak seasons
- Consider overnight stops for long journeys to Kidepo
- Some parks offer camping facilities for budget travelers
Park Fees and Permits:
- Pay park entrance fees at designated gates
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits require advance booking
- Carry cash (USD or UGX) for park fees and local purchases
Flight Options for Remote Parks
Kidepo Valley: Regular scheduled flights and charter options available, reducing travel time from 10+ hours to 2 hours
Bwindi: Charter flights to nearby airstrips, particularly useful for luxury safari itineraries
Murchison Falls: Scheduled flights to Pakuba airstrip within the park
Border Crossing Considerations
Bwindi and Mgahinga: Can be accessed via Rwanda (Kigali) for international visitors, often providing better road conditions and shorter travel times
Semuliki: Near DRC border; carry proper documentation and be aware of security situations
Mount Elgon: Can be accessed from Kenya side for different mountain experiences
Conclusion
Reaching Uganda’s national parks requires careful planning, appropriate vehicles, and realistic time expectations. While some parks like Lake Mburo are easily accessible, others like Kidepo Valley demand serious preparation and suitable equipment. The rewards of visiting these diverse ecosystems justify the effort, offering experiences from mountain gorilla encounters to witnessing the source of the Nile.
Plan your routes considering seasonal conditions, vehicle capabilities, and available time. Multiple park visits are feasible with proper planning, creating comprehensive safari experiences that showcase Uganda’s incredible natural diversity. Remember that journey times are estimates and can vary significantly based on weather, road conditions, and individual travel pace.
To rent a car in Uganda for self drive or driver-guided adventure to any of the above mentioned national parks- simply email to info@rentadriveruganda.com or call us on +256-700135510 to speak with reservations manager.
