Driving in Uganda Near Buhoma

What licence do you need to drive in Uganda?

Uganda requires foreign drivers to hold a valid driving licence from their home country alongside an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP translates your licence into the languages recognised by the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic — Uganda is a signatory. Without it, reputable car hire agencies will not rent to you, and you are not legally covered in the event of an accident.

The IDP must be obtained in your home country before departure. In the UK it is issued by the Post Office; in Germany by the ADAC or ADFC; in the US through AAA. It typically costs less than 20 USD and is valid for 6 months. Bring both documents together — the IDP alone is not sufficient.

What are the roads actually like around Buhoma?

The main approach road from Kabale or Kihihi reaches Buhoma on tarmac — the last years have seen steady improvements to the surface. Inside Buhoma and on any route that enters the forest edge, the road becomes murram: compacted red earth, steep gradients and hairpin bends with no guard rails.

During our eleven-day stay in January 2026 and twelve days in May 2026, we saw the same stretch of road transform from passable to nearly impassable after two hours of rain. Vehicles without four-wheel drive have to wait it out. Vehicles without a driver who knows which verge holds weight and which does not risk worse outcomes. This is not dramatisation — it is just how the terrain works.

Self-drive or hire a local driver — which is better?

Self-drive makes sense for experienced Africa travellers who are comfortable with off-road conditions, carry the right vehicle, and have time to navigate without a fixed schedule. For everyone else — and for most gorilla trekking visitors who have a permit time and cannot be late — a local driver is the better choice.

Norman, who has run a BodaBoda taxi service in Buhoma for years, has been expanding into private vehicle hire precisely because of this demand. Tourists increasingly ask for a car rather than a motorcycle — for comfort, capacity and safety. He knows every road in the Buhoma area and has transported guests to trailheads, the park gate, community walk starting points and further-afield destinations like Lake Bunyonyi. His goal is to formalise his car service, which requires obtaining the relevant commercial driving permit — a process that takes time and capital, both of which are scarce in rural Uganda.

What transport do tourists actually use in Buhoma?

Based on what we have observed across multiple stays and conversations with lodge staff and guides, most visitors to Buhoma move around using a combination of the following:

Practical tips for getting around Buhoma

Ask your lodge to arrange transport at least a day in advance — availability of vehicles with drivers is limited, especially during peak season (June–September and December–February). On trekking day, your lodge or the park office will already have logistics in hand.

If you book a BodaBoda, confirm the price before you get on. Fares are not metered — agree on the number verbally, or show it on your phone. Most local drivers are honest about pricing, but clarity avoids misunderstanding.

For any journey that matters — your trekking permit start time, a connection to a long drive — build in extra time. Roads that take 20 minutes in dry season can take 45 after overnight rain.