Exploring Rwanda and Uganda on self-drive with 4×4 rooftop tent car is the most interesting thing. It was in January 2024 when I and my wife had a trip to these two countries together with 4×4 Rooftop Tent Car agency. Upon my arrival at Kigali International Airport, I cleared everything and later proceed to Dmall hotel which I had booked. At the hotel is where I connected with the representative from this agency who handed over the car to me which I had booked and he briefed me on how to handle it in order to have a successful trip.
The following morning after having my breakfast, I went around Kigali City for the city tour and her I saw places such as; the national museum, local markets, art and craft shops and genocide memorial ground. Later I proceeded to Volcanoes National Park. I staged at Hawaii camp ground where I prepared my delicious meals from. After eating I relaxed for some good hours and later went for a boat cruise on Lake Burera and Ruhondo (twin lakes). I was able to spot some species such as hamerkops, African fish eagles, yellow bill storks, and sacred ibis among others. Later returned to my tent for dinner and sleeping.
The morning after having my tea and preparing my lunch, I went to the information center to be briefed on how golden trekking is done. After briefing, together with other people I found at the center, we entered the rain forest to start the trekking. Golden monkey trekking took about 2 to 4 hours but when we found the habituated families, we spent one hour with them while seeing how they go about their daily life. Later I went back to rooftop tent to have some meals that I had prepared before going to the information center. After eating I refreshed myself and embark on my journey to Kigali in Dmall hotel where the car agency representative had told me to leave the car.
The following after having my tea, I started my journey to Uganda. Upon my arrival at Cyanika border I cleared everything and then started driving towards the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where I wanted to first experience my gorilla trek and then before to Bwindi where I was going for gorilla habituation experience. Here I camped at Amajambere Camp and from this park I also enjoyed the Batwa trail walk and the golden monkey tracking. With my strong 4×4 Land Cruiser GX I managed to cover my 15 days in Rwanda and later crossed to Uganda where I did almost more 4 weeks and my end point was Jinja where we did the white water rafting and then seeing the Bungee jumping that we feared. Therefore, if you are to cover East Africa, 4×4 Rooftop Tent Car is the answer to your needs of travel.
After a short briefing, I embarked on my journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by having a stopover at Equator to take some pictures and videos. I had my lunch at Igongo cultural center where I saw a lot of cultural products like African jewelries and backcloth. Later proceeded to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at Karungi camp where I set up my tent for overnight.
In the morning, I went to the information center to be briefed about gorilla trekking rules with my packed lunch. At the information center we were divided in groups of 8 members and later entered the jungle where we spent about 5 hours searching for the giants. After finding, we were given 1 hour to watch them in their habitat. I returned to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
After preparing my meal, I headed to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector and I was very lucky because I got a chance of seeing these rare climbing lions. I had my picnic lunch on the way. Upon my arrival I checked in Bush lodge where I set up my rooftop tent. After the setting the tent, I relaxed for some good hours and I woke up at campfire time.
The next morning after having tea I went for a game drive where I spotted wildlife such as mammal and bird species. I was lucky to see some animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes among others. I went back to the lodge to have snacks as I was preparing some simple meal.
After eating, I went for a boat ride along the Kazinga channel. The Kazinga channel connects Lake George and Lake Albert. Here I spotted some animals rushing to drink water at gorge shores such as herds of buffalo and elephants. I also saw hippos and Nile crocodiles. Returned to bush lodge for dinner and overnight stay in my tent.
I began the day with an early breakfast before driving to Murchison Falls National Park where I enjoyed the beautiful landscape and plantation terraces. On arrival, I went for an afternoon hike to the top of the falls and later checked in Shoe bill campsite for relaxation. I bought my dinner from the red chill camp.
The following day I enjoyed a half-day game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. During the game drive I spotted some big five such as lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants. In the afternoon, I went for a boat cruise on River Nile towards the bottom of the falls where I hiked to the top of the falls. Here I spotted crocodiles and hippos. I later returned back to the campsite for overnight stay.
I started my day with an early breakfast before driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is Uganda’s only white rhino breeding facility. This conservation project was established in order to breed these animals to game parks where they had become extinct due to poaching and political instability in the early 1970s and 1980s. At the sanctuary, I had a rhino trek and after overnight here in our rooftop tent car and then the next day took some interesting nature walks and again a night game drive which was so amazing and stayed again.
After we drove to Kidepo Valley National Park and upon arrival we had to proceed to Apoka campsite and then prepare our meals and relax after long drive through Gulu and Kitgum towns. Thereafter, next day was full game drive with our Ranger Nicholas and he was so informative and he really explained the whole park in details to us. The next we were supposed to leave this historical park but from Nicholas experience we had to stay again and take another game and again this was so amazing that we managed to spot more wildlife and hike to some mountains in and around the park.
Later on we drove towards Kaboong – Kotido and here we had to get involved into the Karamojong culture and we visited to some interesting communities like the Nakaperimulo community which is among the biggest local communities in East Africa. Thereafter, we had to go to Moroto and here with the assistance of Kara-tunga camp we were immersed into the Karamojongs and we took an overnight in community with our rooftop tent car. Therefore, from here we drove to Mount Elgon, Jinja and did most of the interesting activities and when you contact 4×4 Rooftop tent car you will have our route in details and then this was the end of trip through the two regions of East Africa.
