Game Drives in Uganda

February 2, 2023
Blog, wildlife safari

Game Drives in Uganda

Game Drives in Uganda are some of the most done activities that shouldn’t miss on your travel list as you travel to Uganda. They are the perfect ticket to wildlife viewing on most of the safaris while in Uganda. Uganda has 10 National Park namely Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Semuliki National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and Kibale National Park. On addition to this, Uganda has 12 wildlife reserves that offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities and amazing sceneries.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the government organ in charge of managing and protecting these wildlife conservation areas. A number of armed rangers are hired and trained to work in these national parks and other conservation areas.

Game Drives in Uganda

Game drives Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park found in northwestern Uganda in the districts of Masindi and Pakwach. It’s a home to over 70 mammal species, making game drives very popular through the park. You get to see a number of animals on your way such as Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, elephants, hartebeest, are commonly seen. But on your night safari, the main aim is seeing large carnivores like lions, leopards and spotted hyenas among others.

Game Drives in Uganda

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives are popular in this park as you get to see various animals in the open Savannah. The park also has the highest concentration of wildlife, and hippos at the Kazinga channel. You get to watch plenty of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, antelope species, the rare giant Hogs, leopards among others. The park offers another amazing game drive called experiential lion tracking where visitors get closer to the lions.

In the southern part, we find the Ishasha sector where visitors get to look out for tree-climbing lions. These animals are seen hovering on the branches of very old fig trees as they rest from hot hot ground and insect bites. This is one of the only two places world-wild to see these species spending the whole day resting in tree branches

Game Drives in Uganda

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Game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park

It’s located in the northern part of Uganda near the border of south sudan and Kenya. The park is among the 6 top best national parks in Africa, listed in the World travel awards of 2022. Game drives usually take place in the Narus valley where animals gather to take water mostly during the dry seasons. The park is a home to over 80 species of mammals that include the Burchell’s zebras only seen animal in Kidepo and in Lake Mburo National park. Others animals include, elephants, leopards, lions, Rothschild giraffes, elanda and with the highest concentration of the cape buffaloes among other animals.

Game Drives in Uganda

Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park

It is among the best parks for birding and nature walks because of being less with carnivorous animals. The park is a home to several species of animals and one can spot them out in the open grasslands. Animals like zebras, giraffes, Burch ell’s zebra, buffaloes, impalas, oribi, Defassa water buck, hippo, hyena, topis, reed bucks, various species of antelopes and Elands will come your way during the game drive.

How much is a game drive in Uganda?

Game drives in Uganda’s national parks are part of the entry fees. However, if you want to have a guide to take you on a game drive, you will have to use a company guide or hire a ranger in the park.

Hiring a ranger guide is USD $ 30 for foreign non residents.

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Night game drives in Uganda

Another amazing and extraordinary way to view wildlife, is through going for Night game drives in the park. This is yet another golden opportunity to explore the savannah national parks at night in a comfortable safari vehicle. With the help of spotlight torches, you will have a clear view of nocturnal animals which become active at night.

The Night game drives in Uganda are done in 3 national parks which are Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park.

Murchison falls national park Night game drives

You begin at around 7:00pm in a comfortable safari vehicle with spotlight torches and an armed park guide. The night game drive takes about 2-3 hours, as you get to view nocturnals like lions, leopards, civet, genets, bush babies, night jar, porcupines, serval cats, jackals, view hippos feeding, enjoy the beautiful and silent landscape under the starts among others.

Game Drives in Uganda

Night game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park

This is the second largest national park and one of the most visited safari destinations in Uganda. It is located in western Uganda, offering amazing night game drives on top of the daytime game drives. On your night game drive in the park, you will be able to view the nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, serval cats, bush babies, genet, banded mongoose, as well as seeing some hippos grazing.

When you think of traveling, always think of Pamoja Tours and Travel for all your travel needs.

 

Game Drives in Uganda

Night game drives in Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park is one of the smallest national parks located in western region along Masaka- Mbarara highway. It’s another beautiful place offering interesting night game drives where tourists are able to explore the park at night. With an armed park ranger and spotlight torches, you drive through the park to see a number of animals. During the night game drive in park, expect to see animals like countless antelopes, bush pigs, white tailed mongoose, porcupine, honey badger, side stripped jackal, aardvark, hippos among others.

How much is a night game drive in Uganda?

When planning a night game drive in any of the parks doing it, you are always required to have an armed ranger guide. You can use a private tour company vehicle or move in a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) vehicle.

Night game drives cost USD$ 40 per person for foreign non residents, USD$ 40 per person for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 per person for East African citizens.

Game Drives in Uganda

Best time to do game drives in Uganda

Night game drives in these national parks can take place anytime throughout the year. However, the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.

During the dry season, there is less rainfall and therefore game drive tracks will be dry and passable. While in the rainy season, the game tracks are very muddy and slippery hindering movements.

When you think of traveling, always think of Pamoja Tours and Travel for all your travel needs.

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