17 Days Self Drive Lake Victoria Tour – Africa Safaris: Car Rental Congo
Looking at visiting lake victoria within the 3 countries of Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania? Visit lake Victoria on 16 Days Self-drive trip to Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania to enjoy relaxing on the fresh waters of the lake as you enjoy wildlife watching famous parks like Masai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro crater and extension to enjoy gorilla watching in Bwindi National Park in Uganda.
The Self Drive East Africa trip Starts from Uganda and moves to Kenya, Tanzania and then the traveler will embark on other safari extensions to visit Primates in Uganda.
Most towns which to be visited on lake Victoria trip, he may change the directions since it drives around Lake Victoria. Entebbe, Jinja, Kisumu, Muhuru, Shirati, Musoma, Bukima, Ukerewe Island, Ssese islands, Nzera, Chato, Muleba, Kamachumu, Masaka in Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania.
Recommended crossing borders Are:
- Uganda-Kenya: Busia Border
- Kenya to Tanzania: Sirari Border
- Tanzania to Uganda: Mutukula Border.
Other Borders check on the border crossing guide
Summary of Lake Victoria Trip
Day 1: Entebbe to Jinja
Day 2: Jinja Water Rafting and visiting the Source
Day3: Transfer to Kenya Via Busia to Kisumu
Day4: visit the wildlife center and proceed to Masai mara
Day5: Game Drive in Masai Mara
Day6: Game drive in the game reserve.
Day7: Transfer to Bunda Town in Tanzania.
Day8: Transfer to Serengeti National Park.
Day9: Game drive and visit Ngorongoro Crater.
Day10:Transfer to Ndabaka Gate to exist Serengeti NP.
Day11: Transfer to Mwanza
Day12: Transfer from Mwanza to Bukoba
Day13: Bukoba to Uganda’s Masaka Town
Day14: Transfer to Ssese islands
Day15: Relax on the waters of Lake Victoria.
Day16: Return to Entebbe
Day 17: Optional visit to Ngamba Island or Mababa Island.
Detailed 17 Days Lake Victoria Expedition- East Africa Safaris.
This 17 days lake victoria expedition requires you to have an updated GPS and we recommend that you download Maps.me app, Rooftop tent, or camping gears since its likely to be camping Safari, the road map for backup, 4×4 Car rental. All these are available once booked with Car Rental Congo at a discounted price since its long term car rental and the trip starts from Entebbe Airport or Hotel in Entebbe.
Day 1: Entebbe to Jinja City
Car Rental Congo will try to deliver your rental SUV 4wd earlier enough to enable you to start the drive from Kampala to Jinja City, as a traveler the following are recommended adventures along the road, Birding in Mabira, Nature walk, and Zip Lining and late in the evening you proceed to jinja. Recommended overnight hotels include White Nile rafting campsite.
Optionally, we can deliver the car the previous day in the evening as it’s our practice for clients going for self-drive in Uganda to get their fleets a day earlier without counting that day.
About Border crossing info, visit the guide to help you with what is required on every border within the African countries where Car Rental Congo operates on Self Drive Africa Safaris.
Day 2: Jinja Water Rafting and visiting the Source.
The activity highlight of the day is White water Rafting and Visting the source of the Nile. White Water Rafting in Uganda is done from Jinja city where we find the source of the Nile, River Nile provides a spectacular backdrop to a very exciting adventure which includes White Water Rafting in Uganda.
You Will head to the offices of the Nile of the company you will have booked with, depending on that you spent the previous night at White Raft campsite, your likely to go with this company for the adventure on river Nile. it has two levels, Half day and full day rafting. We are recommending that you do half a day so that you can visit the source of the Nile.
Learn about River Nile: The Nile, that historic source of life gushing 4,000 miles across Africa to the Mediterranean Sea.
The Nile is about 6,650 km (4,130 mi) long and its drainage basin covers eleven countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, and Egypt. In particular, the Nile is the primary water source of Egypt and Sudan. Read More
The Nile leaves Lake Nalubaale (Victoria) at Ripon Falls near Jinja, Uganda, as the Victoria Nile. It flows north for some 130 kilometers (81 mi), to Lake Kyoga. The last part of the approximately 200 kilometers (120 mi) river section starts from the western shores of the lake and flows at first to the west until just south of Masindi Port, where the river turns north, then makes a great half-circle to the east and north until Karuma Falls. For the remaining part, it flows merely westerly through the Murchison Falls until it reaches the very northern shores of Lake Albert where it forms a significant river delta. The lake itself is on the border of DR Congo, but the Nile is not a border river at this point. After leaving Lake Albert, the river continues north through Uganda and is known as the Albert Nile.
Day3: Transfer to Kenya Via Busia to Kisumu
On this day you have a long drive with one border crossing from Uganda into Kenya. Upon wake up, you will start to drive to eastern Uganda via Busia border and cross into Kenya which is known as a top wildlife safari destination in East Africa, you will clear the border and proceed to Kisumu town where you will spend your night, advised to check on the camping section and the next day visit the Wildlife Centre ( Impala). Rely on your GPs and ask locals in case you get lost.
Facts About Camping on Impala Sanctuary: The Impala Wildlife Sanctuary is a peaceful, relaxing place to enjoy the natural beauty that abounds here. The sanctuary hosts impalas, the rare Sitatunga antelope as well as big cats, buffalos, giraffes, cheetahs, and several primate species. The sanctuary is also home to five campsites all with spectacular views of Lake Victoria. Read More
Day4: visit the wildlife center and proceed to Masai mara
The Impala Wildlife Park is located on the shores in Lake Victoria, as you will enjoy seeing some wildlife and later proceed to drive to Kisii and take the route to the Naroko gate of Masai Mara Game Reserve.you will arrive in the park in the evening hours, you will check-in at Kiboko private Campsite for your dinner and overnight. This Campsite allows the rooftop tent camping since its not popular in Kenya as the case in Uganda.
Learn about Masai Mara: Masai Mara is the most famous and popular safari destination in Kenya, if not anywhere in Africa. It’s mosaic of rolling hills, open grassland, and acacia woodland supports a quite incredible profusion and variety of wildlife. The reserve truly blossoms between August and October, when the legendary wildebeest migration – perhaps the world’s most breathtaking wildlife spectacle – crosses into Kenya from Tanzania.
Day5: Game Drive in Masai Mara
Today your Masai Mara adventure begins when you travel into the heart of the Mara North Conservancy where Leopard Gorge was made famous by Jonathan Scott’s filming and the game drive will be for a full day.
Enjoy full day game drives in the park in the morning and also in the afternoon. You will have a chance to see all the Big Five Wild Animals which include Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards, Rhinos, and Elephants.
Day6: Game drive in the game reserve.
Second Full day game drive in Masai Mara Enjoy full day game drives in the park in the morning and also in the afternoon. You will have a chance to see the big Cats and more wildlife including Zebra, Hyena, Cheetahs, Warthog, Topi, hartebeest and Eland. and spend your night in Ololaimutiek Village that is close to Serengeti Tanzania.
Note: Those Crossing via Sirari Border to Musoma town are advised to spend their night in Migori or spend their night in Mara Triangle.
Day7: Transfer via Bologonya Tanzania to Serengeti or Via Sirari Border.
You are advised to cross-check the Bologonya Border as it was closed the last time we attempted to use it during our lake Victoria vacation in 2018.
Upon wake up, you will start to drive to Cross from Kenya into Tanzania using the small border that is allowed to be accessed by only tourists jeeps that are non-Kenyan. You are advised to carry real passport photos that may be required at this post when crossing into Tanzania. After crossing the border to Tanzania you will proceed to drive to connect to Serengeti National Park, the wildlife adventure destination. The Journey will take you full day depending on the side of the road used.
Note: Way to Optionally cross to Tanzania is you can use the other border that pass through migori, cross to Tanzania via Tarime border and spend your night in Musoma town on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Day8: Game Drive in Serengeti National Park.
You will wake up early morning and go for the game drive in Serengeti National Park, you are advised to drive slowly as the road conditions in this park are bad ( Worst Roads ) and any break down will be expensive for you to handle.
Since your from the other side where wildebeest migration takes place, you will drive to watch the big five as you head into host one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on earth – the great migration of wildebeest and zebra – the Serengeti’s vast plains are also home to a haven of other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and many other. It full day drive in the park and your advice to enter when you have a full tank with extra fuel in the jerrycans. Dinner and overnight at any campsite.
Day9: Game drive and visit Ngorongoro Crater.
After enjoying a beautiful Serengeti sunrise, you’ll catch a glimpse of lions and other predators on their morning hunt during your first game drive. After brunch, you’ll then leave the park and go for the final game drive of the day while on your way to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s seven natural wonders and later transfer back to the camp.
Optional Travelers may select to continue and visit Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park which are popular for Wildlife in Tanzania ( you need extra two days ). You will tree climbing lions in Tanzania parks which are the same as the one in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day10:Transfer to Ndabaka Gate to exist Serengeti NP.
You will go the game driver in Serengeti and drive towards Ndabaka gate and exist Serengeti national park and drive to bunda town in Tanzania, you will relax in the hotel in Bunda Town as you may fail to find a developed campsite.
Day11: Transfer to Mwanza
Upon wake up, you will enjoy breakfast without worry about the bad roads that you passed through Tanzania’s Serengeti park, to will park the bags and start to drive to Mwanza town which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Road is in good condition and its classic drive-in Tanzania ( Note Ferrys of Tanzania are not relied on) Relax on the beaches on victoria.
Day12: Transfer from Mwanza to Bukoba
This is the longest journey that you are having which can take you the entire day but if you take the ferry for 30 minutes to cross from Mwanza to another part of the road and you drive via Bihalamuro Game reserve and then proceed to turn to leave the route that connects to Rwanda, ( Turn Right in Bihalamuro Roundabout) The Journey can take you approximately 10 hours drive. Arrive on the shores of Lake Victoria. Spend the night at the campsite in Bukobe Town.
Day13: Bukoba to Uganda’s Masaka Town
Wake up enjoying the sunrise of lake victoria, have breakfast at ease, pack your belonging and start to drive to Masaka city which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, the journey will take you approximately 6 hours, take note there is bordering crossing to Uganda via Mutukula border, you will spend the night in Masaka town or proceed to lake Nabugabo which is known for bird watching. Camping at Nabugabo Campsite.
Day14: Transfer to Ssese islands
After Morning breakfast, you will transfer to the Bukakata landing site which is the harbor for a ferry that connects Masaka to Ssese island, depending on the time of arrival, you are advised to reach the ferry site on time due to limited space for cars. After arrival at the islands, you will explore what victoria lake has to offer for travelers, camping is available & hotels that offer honeymoon vacations.
Day15: Relax on the waters of Lake Victoria.
Spend the entire day relaxing in the waters of Lake Victoria.
Day16: Return to Entebbe
After morning breakfast, your advised to have booked the ferry to return you via Entebbe route, that ferry leaves Ssese island at 8:00 am in the morning. You will arrive in Entebbe at 11; 00 am where you may visit the Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre and Entebbe Botanical Garden. Dinner and overnight Camping at Entebbe Backpackers.
Day 17: Optional visit to Ngamba Island or Mababa Island.
Depending on the option selected, you will go for that safari activity. Ngamba Island visit to enjoy chimpanzee feeding is one day and even Mabamba Shoebill watching is done on one day. These activities are available as day trips to various tour operators
Note: travelers that love primates can select to have a luxury Uganda Safari tour to explore the mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park.
