The Lake Victoria Loop | Your Self drive adventure around Lake Victoria starts now
Self Drive Around Lake Victoria | An epic & Unforgettable Road trip through the Lake Victoria loop
Lake Victoria is regarded as the largest fresh water lake in the continent of Africa, and the second largest lake in the world serving as a stunning backdrop for epic and memorable self drive road trips in east Africa.
Self drive around Lake Victoria encompasses three countries; Uganda – regarded as the pearl of Africa, Magical Kenya, and the Republic of Tanzania. Driving through these three countries while on self drive basis offers safari enthusiasts with a diverse range of experiences
This self drive adventure in East Africa starts and ends in Uganda. The Lake Victoria loop takes you on an epic circular route through three beautiful east African countries. The self drive around Lake Victoria adventure commences in Uganda, Entebbe city, then to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda and then finally travelling to Jinja, where there is the source of the Nile.
Before traversing into the Republic of Kenya, you will encounter the vibrant lakeside city of Kisumu, further the south, awaits Tanzania’s Mwanza and bukoba that offer tranquil retreats and scenic views over the largest fresh water lake in Africa.
At 4×4 car rental Uganda LTD, we provide you with the best road trips around lake Victoria in reliable 4×4 cars for hire in Uganda, characterized by; unlimited mileage, mechanically sound, high ground clearance and so on.
In this comprehensive guide, we are going to take you through each leg of the journey, detailing all the must see destinations while doing your self drive around lake Victoria, the essential tips to put into consideration, the best 4×4 cars that you could choose. Additionally, also tips such as when to travel
The Lake Victoria Loop: The Ultimate Self Drive Journey (Routes)
Starting and finishing in Uganda, self drive around Lake Victoria takes you around the vibrant shores of Lake Victoria, going through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. From the busy and thrilling streets of the Kampala to the peaceful beaches down Tanzania,
The Lake Victoria loop will guarantee you with a wide arrays of experiences, such as wildlife safaris, cultural immersions, scenic views and much more. So whether you are in the quest for the best road trips in east Africa, relaxation or a balance of both, buckle up! This journey is sure to impress you as you travel around the world
Uganda leg | Entebbe to Busia
Entebbe to Jinja, source of the Nile | A lakeside start
Your self drive around Lake Victoria itinerary starts in Entebbe at the Entebbe International Airport where our car rental agency delivers the car to you upon your arrival in Uganda. Entebbe is Uganda’s gateway to Lake Victoria and is one of the peaceful towns that one can think of while in Uganda. In Entebbe, there are the Entebbe botanical gardens where one can take a relaxing stroll by the lake.
Head into the sunrise towards Jinja, a home to the well-known source of the Nile. While in Jinja the boat ride experience is mandatory while on your adventure and guarantees you a chance to view where the Nile commences its journey to Egypt.
In Jinja, there are also the bujagali falls which offer the best water activities such as white-water rafting, and the bungee jumping thrill of experience.
Jinja to Busia | quiet lakeside views
Drive to the southern direction and head to Busia. From Jinja to busia, the distance is approximately 117.8 kilometers and this is roughly a 2 hours and 45 minutes’ drive. To let you know, busia is the border town between Uganda and Kenya.
This self drive route offers an interesting blend of natural beauty, rural landscapes thus capturing your attention while on your self drive around Lake Victoria road trip. This marks the first border crossing while on your Lake Victoria loop adventure taking you from Uganda to Kenya.
Kenya leg | Kisumu to Migori
Busia to Kisumu | a lively lakeside city
Upon doing your cross border from Uganda to Kenya successfully, you will embark on your self drive adventure to Kisumu. The distance from busia to Kisumu is about 113 kilometers and this takes you approximately two hours and 30 minutes while having your experience of self drive around Lake Victoria.
Kisumu is a cultural charm to tourists who are so much into cultural insights, busy and vibrant centers with receptive people. While in Kisumu, you have to visit the Kisumu impala sanctuary a habitat to the impalas, zebras and a variety of species of birds for birding safari adventures in Uganda.
Another place to visit while in Kisumu on your self drive around Lake Victoria road trip is the Dunga Hill camp which offers great camping experiences on the water edges of the Lake Victoria loop with stunning and breathtaking views of the sunset. Activities done here are; bird watching, guided nature walks and spotting of hippos plus camping experiences.
Additionally, while in Kisumu, one must not miss out on the visit to the Kisumu museum, a wonderful destination to get to know more about the history and nature of the region. It is located in Kisumu town along the Kisumu kericho highway in the milimani estate
Kisumu to Migori | A Scenic Drive into the Rural Kenya
From Kisumu, drive to the south the Migori, which is approximately74 kilometers and this takes you about three and a half hours. Migori is a small but busy town near the border of the republic of Tanzania. This route while on your self drive around Lake Victoria gives you an opportunity to see the stunning views of the country side of Kenya’s lush.
While in this rural area, you can also opt for a visit to the Ruma national park. The park protects the only indigenous population of the rare roan antelopes within Kenya. And other wildlife species. These can be seen well when the vehicle is with a pop up roof feature.
Tanzania Leg: Mwanza to Bukoba
Musoma to Mwanza | a natural wonderland
Cross over into Tanzania and head to Musoma, and this marks your second cross border experience while on your road trip of self drive around Lake Victoria. Musoma is a peaceful town on the lakeside of Lake Victoria. And from Musoma, connect to Mwanza another busy city on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Mwanza in the Lake Victoria loop is famous because of its striking landscapes, and distinctive granite boulders, a landmark called the Bismarck rock, and its proximity to Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in Africa offering tourists with adventure activities such as; Wildlife viewing while at the saanane National park.
The saanane island national park is just located off the coast of Mwanza while on your self drive around Lake Victoria safari. A variety of wildlife call this destination their home. These include; giraffes, zebras, and a variety of species of birds.
Stressing more, to enhance the safari, visit the Bismarck rock for iconic photo opportunities. The Bismarck rock is a large famous rock formation which is found on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is believed to have been named after the German chancellor, it’s a popular spot for picnics and beautiful views.
Mwanza to Bukoba | tranquil lakeside towns
Continue the self drive safari around Lake Victoria by driving from Mwanza and heading in the southeastern direction to bukoba. This is a long and interesting journey, 423 kilometers apart and roughly taking about 7 hours.
Bukoba is another picturesque destination located on the western shores of lake Victoria and offers safari enthusiasts on their self drive around lake Victoria safari with a relaxed pace of life, local markets that deal mostly in fish and handcrafted merchandise
Final leg: Mutukula back to Kampala (Uganda)
Bukoba to Mutukula | heading back to Uganda.
Continue with your self drive around Lake Victoria safari by driving south from bukoba to Mutukula. This is approximately 82 kilometers and it takes about one and a half hours. While at Mutukula, you will cross back into Uganda, this becoming your third cross over encounter.
This stretch of bukoba to Mutukula offers beautiful and breathtaking views of the rolling hills and the rural villages that you come across as you leave Tanzania and reentering Uganda
Mutukula to Masaka
After crossing over to Mutukula and into the Ugandan premises, you will head to masaka using the Masaka – kakuto Road. This stretch is about 87.9 kilometers and this self drive stretch takes you approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
This route offers you scenic landscapes such as rolling hills, banana plantations, wetlands, and Savanah patches. Particularly near the kalisizo and kyotera. It’s also great for photography opportunities
Masaka to Kampala
This is the final stretch of your self drive around Lake Victoria tour starting from Uganda. This route takes you about 2.5 hours to 3 hours depending on the traffic that you come across. With this route, tourists on their road trip around Lake Victoria are guaranteed a pleasant mix of open countryside, busy roadside markets, lots of cultural insights and much more.
The notable places you ought to visit while on the masaka to Kampala route include;
The Uganda equator, located at kayabwe which is almost halfway of masaka and Kampala. While at the equator, you can take iconic photos while at the equator line.
Secondly, the mabamba swamp, which is an optional detour. This is before reaching the Kampala capital city located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. This location is one of the best birding safari destinations in Uganda
Arrival in Kampala
Pulling into Kampala marks the end of this epic road trip of self drive around Lake Victoria, a self drive east Africa safari experience that takes you through three countries that surround Lake Victoria in the east African region.
If you are still energetic enough and with ample time, the pearl of Africa even offers you more that you can explore. Such as, Lake Mburo national park – which is the closest national park to Kampala, Murchison falls national park and gorilla trekking safaris in the bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Best Cars for Rent for a Trip Around Lake Victoria
Ideally, regarding the self drive trip around Lake Victoria, choosing a 4×4 vehicle is the best option. It’s the best option because this Lake Victoria loop consists of paved roads, rough roads and lots of uneven terrain roads.
With a perfect 4×4 vehicle, you have the ability to navigate these varying road networks and conditions. The Perfect 4×4 cars for self drive around Lake Victoria from Uganda include;
Vehicle Options for the Lake Victoria Loop
Land Cruiser TX
The land cruiser TX is a classic and perfect vehicle for self drive around Lake Victoria from Uganda, perfect for the different road networks.
This vehicle is popular because of its durability and off-road capabilities. Comes with a roof rack for rooftop tent setups
Land Cruiser V8
When opting for self drive around Lake Victoria, the land cruiser V8 is one of the notable cars that obe must choose.
It comes with unlimited mileage and can cruise easily into Kenya, tanzani and Uganda easily while on your Lake Victoria loop.
Land cruiser GX
This offers you a smooth ride while on your east African road trip around Lake Victoria. It combines old school durability with modern touches
and offers you the best experience as you travel. It combines comfort, power, and off-road performances
Hiace Safari Van
Do Self drive around Lake victoria in a reliable 4×4 tourist van with a pop up roof feature. our tourist vans are best for hire with a driver but available for self drive safaris
Safari land cruiser
When it comes to doing self drive around lake victoria, a safari land cruiser is one of the most sought for 4×4. it has an amazing interior with features such as a pop up roof, charging sockets, andriod and so on.
Toyota Hilux
Enjoy the lake victoria circuit in a well maintained toyota Hilux with a large cargo bed. this is best for travellers who want to travel with alot of luggage. Available in automatic & Manual transmission
other notable 4×4 cars for self drive around lake victoria include; The Nissan Patrol, which accommodates upto 5 passengers, the toyota hilux with a cargo bed if you want to travel with luggage, the land cruiser hardtop which is a 4×4 car for hire in Uganda with a pop up roof
Travel tips for the Lake Victoria loop
Vehicle requirement
doing self drive around Lake Victoria is an accessible encounter, however, all the way, some areas may have rough roads, especially the rural areas. Therefore using a 4×4 vehicle while on this self drive road trip is key
Border crossing
on this notable safari, you’ll be crossing borders. For example from Uganda to Kenya, Kenya to Tanzania, and Tanzania back to Uganda. Such border crossings require you to have the necessary documentation for smooth crossing over.
This documentation includes; COMESA, vehicle log book and letter of authorization to cross over with the vehicle. At 4×4 car rental Uganda LTD, we provide you with this documentation at no extra cost
Safety & Health
While doing self rive around Lake Victoria, malaria becomes a common health issue since Lake Victoria itself is a good breeding place for mosquitoes. We therefore always encourage our clients to take preventive measure such as carrying mosquito repellents
Currency & payment
since you will be moving in three different countries, you should move with the Kenyan shillings (KES) Ugandan Shillings (UGX) and the Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). Credit cards are also acceptable though it’s wise to carry cash while on your self drive around Lake Victoria trip.
Best travel season and timing
the best travel season for the self drive around Lake Victoria road trip is during the dry season months. I.e. June to August and December to February. In these months, the roads are easier to navigate unlike in the wet season where roads tend to be muddy.
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