Updated
Avoid driving at night in Uganda whenever you can. Most roads are unlit, and after dark you share them with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle taxis without lights, livestock, broken-down lorries, potholes and sometimes drunk drivers. Inside national parks, visitors must be off the roads after dark unless on an authorised night drive. Most safari operators schedule driving so that you arrive before about 6:30 pm, when dusk falls quickly on the equator.
Why night driving is risky
Road accidents are a leading cause of injury in Uganda, and the risk rises at night. Oncoming vehicles often use full beam, people walk along the road edge in dark clothing, and boda bodas, the motorcycle taxis, may have no lights. Cattle and goats cross in rural areas, and potholes or speed bumps appear suddenly. On park roads, buffalo, elephants and hippos may be on the track. A breakdown after dark in a remote area is also harder to deal with. See our guide to boda boda safety.
Planning around daylight
Daylight runs from about 7 am to 7 pm all year, so long transfers need an early start. The drive from Kampala to Bwindi takes 9–10 hours, so leave at dawn or break the journey at Lake Mburo or Mbarara. Late international arrivals are best followed by a night in Entebbe rather than an immediate drive west. If you are self-driving, plan fuel stops and accommodation so you are parked by dusk. See our guide to daylight and time in Uganda.
Alternatives
Scheduled light aircraft from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro cut the journey to Bwindi to a short flight plus a road transfer, avoiding long road days. Overnight stops on long routes make the trip safer and more enjoyable. In Kampala at night, use a trusted taxi or ride-hailing app rather than a boda boda. For wildlife after dark, book an authorised night game drive with a ranger. See our guides to domestic flights and night game drives. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November.
Frequently asked questions
It is risky because of unlit roads, pedestrians, animals and vehicles without lights; avoid it.
Around 7 pm all year.
Only on authorised night drives with a ranger.
Start early, stop overnight on the way, or fly to Kihihi or Kisoro.
