Hitchhiking in Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa crossed by the equator. It borders Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest, DR Congo in the West and South Sudan in the North.

Uganda the pearl of Africa is a land of diverse wildlife, landscapes, culture and people. Reasons to consider hitchhiking in Uganda are the friendly and hospitable people, peace and security and endless activities to do such as hiking, wildlife safaris, nature walks, mountain biking, horseback riding, white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and much more.

Before covering what you need to know about hitchhiking in Uganda, it’s important to understand what hitchhiking means.

Hitchhiking is Uganda is not common among foreign tourists but popular with local people. The best way for most visitors to get around is with pre-booked private tour safari which is expensive for hitchhiking and it’s the same as car hire and rentals. For local people, public transportation by buses and matatus (taxis) is the widely used means to get around. If you were to use public transport, you must pay depending on the distance traveled; public cars don’t offer free rides.

For hitchhikers, the best way to hitchhike around Uganda would be to use trucks, pick-ups, sometimes private cars and NGO vehicles.

Generally hitchhiking in Uganda is possible but it can sometimes be difficult to get a free ride or else you have to pay a small amount of money depending on the destination you are heading to.

Kampala is the capital city located 37 km from Entebbe international airport, the main gateway to Uganda. These are the major hubs for most travelers to begin from and travel to other parts of the country. In Kampala city there are many vehicles since it’s the hub for public transportation and most people own cars. Attractions and destination within and near Kampala are easy and convenient to reach whether you get a free ride or not, the fares are affordable. For instance popular destinations like source of River Nile in Jinja, Sipi falls,  Sezibwa falls, Mabira forest reserve, all are situated in eastern Uganda and some a short drive from Kampala. Going to these popular sites, you will end paying and not hitchhiking.

However if you are going up country destinations, it’s possible to get a ride. The best way is to look for truck parking and loading stations and ask for politely to drivers.

Major routes from Kampala to up country destinations

From Kampala or Entebbe, visitors can get almost to any part of the country. There are four major routes from Kampala leading to other important towns around the country.

The most popular route from Kampala goes to the west and further southwest. major towns like include Mbarara, Kasese and Fort portal which are near Kibale forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kabale and Kisoro town in southwest near Bwindi and Mgahinga.

The other route is the one going to Eastern Uganda where you find major towns like Jinja at source of the source of the Nile which offers activities like rafting, horseback riding, biking, boat riding. The other town in the Far East is Mbale town at the foothills of Mount Elgon National Park.

Tips for hitchhiking in Uganda

Another great way to hitchhike is to be around Entebbe airport where safari guides pick up their tourists so that you take chance for a ride. That is very common at other destinations. Guides offer free riders and understand hitchhikers than any other person. For instance, most tourists stop at the equator monument which is about 1 and half hour drive from Kampala. It’s one of the best stations you hope to take advantage and ask out driver who stops there for a few minutes.

The other way is to find out from the NGO’s and where they are located such as Red Cross, UN base in Entebbe. These agencies own strong hard top land cruisers and are usually traveling up country for their humanitarian related work. However note that drivers of these agencies are not allowed to use vehicles to carry people. But the good thing is that if you are honest and clear identify yourself as a backpacker or hitchhiker, then a free ride you have high chances to get for free.

Major cities like Kampala, Entebbe, Mbale, Kabale are great places to begin hitchhiking than in rural areas.