For first-time travelers to East Africa, the idea of going on a self-drive safari might look to be difficult because it comes with driving in a foreign country. Yet, with a tour guide, you enjoy the invaluable advantage of an experienced pair of eyes to spot wildlife, along with someone knowledgeable to handle the driving, directions, and most importantly your safety.
However, for those who have an adventurous spirit, going for a self-drive safari offers an opportunity to bring you closer to the very essence of Africa, which is after all, the freedom to discover and explore the wonders of the region at your own pace. Choosing to go self-drive in East Africa comes with several benefits, first of all, there are no fixed schedules or time limits, you even decide to spend two hours photographing zebras if you wish, or take that lesser-traveled road purely on instinct, in hopes of encountering a thrilling sight.
Undoubtedly, another important advantage of self-drive safaris is that they are considerably cheaper compared to organized tours. Both Kenya and Uganda have emerged as highly sought-after destinations for self-drive safaris, owing to their well-established infrastructure that ensures convenient and secure independent exploration. In this article, we delve into the best interesting and amazing self-drive safari destinations to visit in East Africa.
Nairobi National Park – Kenya
Nairobi National Park found just 20 kilometers away from Nairobi city the capital of Kenya, stands as a highly favored self-drive destination, offering a less crowded experience than the Masai Mara and more accessible than Sibiloi National Park. Reaching Nairobi National Park is so easy making it an ideal choice for day trips. Day visitors can enter without prior bookings, and the park provides various accommodation options within its premises, ranging from campsites and basic chalets to luxurious lodges. Remarkably, the park boasts well-maintained tarred and graveled roads, which are signposted, and suitable for both 2×4 and 4×4 vehicles.
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Tanzania stands proudly as one of the premier self-drive safari destinations, with Serengeti National Park shining as the ultimate gem in its collection. Nestled in the northern region of the country, the park’s roads are generally easily accessible, although it is advisable to opt for a 4×4 vehicle, especially during the rainy season. The park has all types of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury safari lodges to budget campsites.
Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda
For those seeking an adventure off the beaten path, a safari to the awe-inspiring Kidepo Valley National Park becomes the best choice. This remarkable wilderness stretches across the border of Uganda and South Sudan, offering a remote and memorable experience. Although self-driving through the Kidepo Valley is not without challenges—extreme temperatures, a low risk of malaria, and roads exclusively suitable for 4×4 a vehicle—it is the extraordinary rewards that make the meticulous preparation worthwhile. Situated in the semi-arid region of northern Uganda, this national park has become famous for its predators and many other amazing wildlife.
Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya
The Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is another best destination to visit on a self-drive safari, situated in the southwestern region of Kenya, is a large and beautiful landscape characterized by gently rolling African savannah plains. Covering an area of 1510 square kilometers, this amazing game reserve shares its border with Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park to the south. The Masai Mara is among the best wildlife sanctuaries dedicated to wildlife conservation, blessed with an amazing variety of diverse and amazing animals. It has established itself as the main safari destination in East Africa, attracting tourists with a lot of reasons to explore this extraordinary haven of animals.
When you visit this park, you stand a chance to witness different species of animals such as lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, African buffalos, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, and many other animals. These animals live in their natural habitat, free to move in this Kenyan wilderness that stretches for miles on end. The Masai Mara also offers an amazing opportunity to observe these animals up close, as they do in their day-to-day work.
Lake Mburo National Park – Uganda
Elephants Lake Mburo National Park – Uganda
Most visitors to Uganda find it easy to reach Lake Mburo National Park because it’s conveniently located within a mere 4-hour drive from Entebbe International Airport. This allow a one day tours and most self drive tourists find a easy destination for the first stop on the first day of the safari. Lake Mburo National Park has all types of accommodation starting from super luxury lodges to the budget safari campsites and hostels. Being easily accessible is not the only reason why it’s on this list of the best self drive destinations in east Africa, the parks is also blessed with variety of wildlife for example its home to over 350 different species of birds as well as zebras, elands, buffalos, hippo, impalas, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, hyena, leopard, topi and reedbuck.
Arusha National Park – Tanzania
The park being strategically located in just 25km from Arusha town and the main starting point of most safaris in Tanzania, this make it one of the best and easy destinations to visit on self drive. The visitors to this park will never get disappointed due to the fact that the park is home to a variety of wildlife that include; Cape buffalo, giraffe, warthog, zebra, the black-and-white colobus monkey, flamingo, the blue monkey, elephant, bushbuck and many other African animals.
