Driving in Uganda is exciting and is surely the best way to enjoy the wildlife and scenic beaut of the country side. Check the maps and guides section for some maps of Uganda, specific areas as well as maps of major towns. Driving in Uganda is on the left side. If you have a recognized and valid licence, you can drive up to 90 days with out applying for a Ugandan or International licence. Visitors with out experience of African roads are advised to organize a vehicle with an experienced driver rather self drive.
Despite regional variations, the rainy seasons are usually in the months of March – April and October – November. During these periods many of the roads become impassable. Also when in the National Parks and game reserves four wheel drive vehicles are recomended.
Check out some our recommended tour operators that provide experienced drivers as well as well maintained 4 x 4 WD vehicles.
Be warned: Uganda is a major transit route for heavy trucks going to and from Southern Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda.Be cautious when over taking these trucks as they are bigger and may not see you.
Uganda’s major towns are also linked by scheduled daily bus services. There are also small taxis in all towns. With these ones ensure you negotiate the fare before you board. However, the city centre has some metered taxis – Yellow taxi and Blue Cruise that offer airport and rental services like other car hire companies.
The Boda Boda on the other hand are another good and flexible way around Kampala’s perennial traffic jams and some up country towns. The down side though is that over 50 percent of accidents in the country involve these motorcycles – which is usually because most times the riders do not obey traffic rules.
By Boda Boda
The Boda Boda, also referred to as bicycle or motorbike is a common method of transport in Uganda.
Boda boda name is derived from the border to border transport between Uganda and Kenya.
By Air
There are no scheduled domestic flights in Uganda. However afew companies including Kampala Aero Club, Eagle Air, Ndege can be contacted for charter services to different airstrips in the country.
Some of the airstrips include Apoka Airstrip in Kidepo Valley National Park, Pakuba in Murchison Falls National Park, Mweya Airstip in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kayonza Airstrip near Bwindi Forest, Kihihi Airstrip in Kanungu, Kisoro, and Kasese Airfields.
By Ferry
There are ferries going to Ssese Islands via Lake victoria. The two ferries serving Lake Victoria are MV Kalangala and MV Victoria.
The MV Victoria is owned and operated by the Tanzanian Government and serves the Tanzanian cities of Mwanza and Kubuto. MV Kalangala, is owned by the Government of Uganda though it is operated by a private company.
MV Kalangala serves the route between Entebbe (Nakiwogo) and the Island of Kalangala, but is limited in capacity to 86 passengers and 9 cars.
The vessel departs Kalangala daily at 08.00 am arriving Nakiwogo landing site at around 11.30 and starts it’s return journey at 14.00 (2pm) arriving at the Lutoboka pier at 17.30 (5:30pm).
Currently a new entrant has come on board, and that is EarthWise. EarthWise Holdings – Kampala LLC is an asset management company based in Everett, Washington, that purchases, holds, and leases ferries to a Ugandan-based ferry operating company.