Uganda has improved on its road network the recent years therefore tourist transport is not a burden in Uganda any more.
Primary roads to main tourist destinations are tarmacked. If you are planning on driving on secondary or feeder roads, please note that these are unsealed, we recommend that you prepare yourself by taking a 4wd driving course because it will not be easy driving on un known roads. You can hire an experienced driver who is familiar with the destination routes.
On the main tourist routes the roads are tarmac and fairly good. Notice should be taken of the frequent use of speed bumps in areas that one would not expect them to appear and often without signposts.
Almost every small village en route to the tourist destinations has speed humps of varying heights – from rumble strips to differential breakers!.Follow them
Throughout Uganda there are also numerous murram or dirt roads in varying degrees of condition, from good to plain awful, and this will also depend on the season- wet or dry, and also on the traffic .For example in the rainy season, the Ishasha road in southern Queen Elizabeth National Park can have as many as 5 or 6 trucks stuck along it until the mud dries, and so can take 5 or 6 hours to reach the destination as opposed to the normal 2.5 hours for the 72 km.
Truck and coach drivers must be avoided at all costs, as the adage “bigger is better” is taken seriously here and avoidance is definitely preferable to valour.
Driving at night is never recommended as too often broken down trucks are parked without reflectors, on the sides of the road and are a major hazard. Be cautious to avoid bumping into them.
Wishing you a safe drive in Uganda.