Game viewing in Uganda
Game viewing involves driving through the national park tracks while watching and studying about different wild animals, vegetation and birds. Game drives are one of the highlights of any Uganda safari and are most convenient in the early mornings and late evenings of the day.
Safari Game drives are most interesting when you use a 4×4 vehicle with high suspension. A game drive can last from 2-3 hours.
During the game drive there are high chances of seeing elephants, buffaloes, lion,cheetah,leopard and a variety of antelopes.
Places where to conduct Game drives in Uganda
Uganda has savanna national parks and wildlife reserves that offer the game drive activity for tourists to enjoy the wildlife viewing up close. Some of the parks where you can conduct game drives include:
Kidepo Valley National Park
Wildlife is most located in the Narus Valley where you will spot some of the park’s lions sitting on the valley’s various rocks.
On your drive to Kanangorok Hot Springs you will enjoy sights of magnificent landscapes and North of Apoka, beyond the river crossing, the track passes between rock outcrops and hills before descending into the Kidepo Valley, crossing the Kidepo Sand River. This is the part of the park where ostriches are most commonly seen and other wildlife including elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, Kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and much more.
Murchison Falls National Park
This Park derives its name from the Murchison Falls which is bisected by the Victoria Nile into two parts the Northern and the Southern bank.
Game drives are more enjoyable in the Northern bank which has a large concentration of wildlife in the Savannah plains whereas the Southern bank has lesser numbers
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of the savanna parks with beautiful scenery. The park is home to several species of animals and these can be well spotted out in the open grassland of the park. Animals like buffalos, zebras, leopard, Burchell’s zebra and Eland together with various species of antelopes can all be viewed during the game drive.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This park is known to have the highest concentration of wildlife.North Kazinga plains offers one a chance to view plenty of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other antelopes, the giant warthogs, leopards among other animal species, In the Ishasha sector south of the park, visitors can drive through the woodland to look for tree-climbing lions hovering on the branches of old fig trees.
Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Semuliki Wildlife Reserve has a small forest with three tracks crossing the savannah grassland where elephants, buffalos, waterbucks,Uganda Kobs,and other antelopes.Night game drives are very rewarding in this meadow of the riftvalley.
Nocturnal Game Drive in Uganda
With in the savanna parks,Uganda offers various options of night game drive safaris.Night game drives offer a unique experience that allow travelers to experience the mysteries of the Ugandan bush after dark.Travelers will get a chance to see the nocturnal life such as porcupines, mongoose, leopards and other animals that love the dark.
What you should know before going for a Night Game drive?
- Before conducting a nocturnal game drive, you should note that off-road driving during night and morning.
- Bring sandbags to the steady camera and a good binocular for easy sightings
- Always pack an insect repellent while on a game drive