Updated 19 October 2026

A self-drive round trip from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi and back covers roughly 1,000 km. In a 4×4 such as a Toyota Land Cruiser or Prado using about 12–15 litres per 100 km, that means 120–150 litres of fuel. With fuel at around UGX 5,000 per litre, the fuel bill comes to roughly UGX 600,000–750,000, about US$160–200, for the basic return trip. Add 20–40% if you include Queen Elizabeth, Kibale or Lake Mburo. Fuel prices change with world oil prices and the exchange rate, so check the current price before you go.

Working out your own fuel budget

The calculation is simple: total distance × consumption ÷ 100 × price per litre. A large 4×4 on Uganda’s mix of tarmac, steep hills and dirt roads uses roughly 12–15 litres per 100 km; a smaller 4×4 such as a RAV4 uses about 9–11. Mountain roads around Bwindi, heavy loads and air conditioning push consumption up. So a 1,000 km trip in a Land Cruiser at 14 litres per 100 km and UGX 5,000 per litre costs about 140 litres × 5,000 = UGX 700,000.

Typical distances

From Kampala, Buhoma in northern Bwindi is about 500 km by road via Mbarara and Rukungiri, and Rushaga in the south is a similar distance via Mbarara and Kabale. A longer western circuit, for example Kampala to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and back via Lake Mburo, often totals 1,300–1,500 km, plus game drives. Game drives use more fuel per kilometre than you might expect, as you drive slowly in low gears with frequent stops. See our guide to distances and drive times from Kampala to Bwindi.

Where to fill up

Fuel stations are plentiful along the main highway through Masaka and Mbarara, and in towns such as Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kihihi and Kasese. Near the gorilla sectors there are few stations, and small roadside sellers may sell fuel from jerrycans of uncertain quality. Fill the tank in the last large town before the park, and never let it fall below a quarter on rural roads. Prices are usually a little higher in remote towns than in Kampala. Most stations take cash in Ugandan shillings; some in larger towns accept cards.

The rest of the self-drive budget

Fuel is only part of the cost. Car hire for a 4×4 is charged per day, sometimes with a mileage limit, and insurance, a rooftop tent or camping gear add more. Park entry fees for vehicles apply in national parks, and the gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. Allow for parking, the occasional toll on the Entebbe Expressway, and tips. Compare the total with a guided trip, where fuel and the driver-guide are included; see our guide to self-drive vs guided gorilla tours.

Saving fuel and staying safe

Plan a route that avoids backtracking, keep tyres at the right pressure, and drive smoothly on the long tarmac sections. Leave Kampala early to avoid sitting in traffic with the engine running; see our Kampala traffic guide. Above all, do not drive after dark: livestock, unlit vehicles, potholes and pedestrians make night driving dangerous, and running low on fuel at night on a rural road is a situation to avoid. Our guide to self-driving in Uganda covers licences, road rules and conditions.

Frequently asked questions