Game Drives in Uganda
Follow the tracks through Uganda's savannah parks. Watch elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and antelopes, and take time to search for lions and leopards.
Plan My Uganda SafariWatch the plains at their own pace
A game drive takes you through Uganda's savannah parks in a 4x4 vehicle, usually with a raised roof for viewing and photography. Your driver follows marked tracks, reads fresh signs and slows down where animals may be feeding, resting or moving.
The main parks for game drives are Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo. Each has a different landscape, from broad northern plains to wooded tracks and wetland edges.
Most drives take place early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The air is cooler, and animals often move between feeding areas, shade and water. A good drive leaves time to watch what they are doing.
Game drives can form the main part of a Uganda safari or combine with forest walks, primate trekking and boat trips. The best route depends on the parks you want to visit and the time available.
Best places for game drives in Uganda
Compare the driving areas and nearby activities before deciding how many nights to spend in each park.
| Park | Driving character | Animals to look for | Activities to combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murchison Falls | Wide northern plains, palms, riverine woodland and long views around the Buligi tracks. | Giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeests and lions. | Nile boat cruise, waterfall viewpoints, Budongo chimpanzees and a separate Ziwa stop. |
| Queen Elizabeth | Kasenyi's open grassland and Ishasha's wooded plains. | Elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, lions, hyenas and leopards. | Kazinga Channel, Kyambura Gorge and crater scenery. |
| Kidepo Valley | Dry valleys, mountain backdrops and open country with fewer vehicles. | Buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, antelopes and lions. | Narus Valley, Kidepo Valley scenery and arranged community visits. |
| Lake Mburo | Rolling hills, acacia woodland, wetland edges and shorter tracks. | Zebras, impalas, giraffes, buffaloes, topis and waterbucks. | Boat trip, guided walk, horse riding and a southwestern Uganda road journey. |
Where to go for your game drive
Murchison Falls National Park
Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park follow northern tracks through open grassland and borassus palm country. Giraffes stand above the shorter vegetation, while elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and hartebeests use the plains.
Start early if lions and leopards are a priority. Scan thicker woodland and drainage lines as well as the open ground. A Nile boat cruise adds riverbank viewing after time on the tracks.
Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a separate activity outside the park. It fits the road journey from Kampala rather than the Murchison game drive itself.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
On game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park , treat Kasenyi and Ishasha as 2 different driving areas. Kasenyi has open plains where Uganda kob graze, with lions, elephants, buffaloes and hyenas also using the grassland.
Ishasha is more wooded. Search large fig trees for resting lions, then check the surrounding grassland. Allow enough time because the lions may be in trees, on the ground or hidden.
A Kazinga Channel boat cruise adds shoreline viewing, while Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking brings a forest walk into the same park visit.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park take you through broad valleys with mountain backdrops. Narus Valley holds more reliable water than the drier Kidepo Valley, making it an important game-viewing area during dry conditions.
Look for buffaloes, elephants, giraffes and antelopes across the valley floor. Lions and spotted hyenas also use the open country. Cheetahs and other dry-country animals are possible but difficult sightings.
Allow enough travel time for Kidepo. It suits a dedicated northern stay rather than a short stop between western parks.
Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives in Lake Mburo National Park follow tracks through acacia woodland, open valleys and wetland edges. Zebras and impalas are a main feature, alongside giraffes, buffaloes, topis and waterbucks.
The tracks turn often and the vegetation changes quickly. Look carefully along woodland edges and in clearings instead of expecting the long views found in Murchison or Kidepo.
Its location suits a first or final park stop on a southwestern Uganda safari. Boat trips, walking safaris and horse riding offer other ways to spend time here.
For an evening search for genets, bushbabies and other nocturnal animals, consider night game drives in Uganda . Arrange the ranger and vehicle in advance and confirm accommodation inside the park.
Types of game drives in Uganda
Morning game drives
Often around 6 am to 10 amThe air is cooler and many animals feed or move before the heat builds. Lions and leopards may still be active, while the softer light suits photography. Start times follow park access rules.
Afternoon game drives
Often around 2 pm to early eveningAnimals may rest in shade early in the session. Movement often increases later as the day cools. Allow time to return within the park's permitted driving hours.
Night game drives
Usually about 2 to 3 hoursAn approved ranger uses a spotlight to search for nocturnal animals. Night drives run only where authorised and require advance arrangements and an overnight stay inside the park.
What to expect on a game drive in Uganda
Most sessions last 2 to 4 hours. You remain in the vehicle while it follows marked tracks, stopping when animals cross, feed nearby or settle in view.
Fresh tracks, alarm calls, circling vultures and the behaviour of antelopes can all point towards activity. Your driver watches these signs while checking the road and surrounding vegetation.
Some drives bring several large sightings close together. Others are quieter. Be ready to spend time with a herd, watch animals approach water or wait for a clearer view through the grass.
Best time for game drives in Uganda
Game drives take place throughout the year. These are broad seasonal patterns for the western parks. Kidepo's northern climate can differ.
Dry season
June to September and December to FebruaryTracks are often firmer and grass shorter. As temporary water dries, animals may gather around rivers, lakes and permanent water sources. Morning and late afternoon remain good times to drive.
Wet season
March to May and October to NovemberExpect greener plains, taller grass and muddy sections on some tracks. Animals may spread out as water becomes available across the park. Showers can interrupt drives, with clear light between them.
What to carry and how to behave
What to pack
- Binoculars for animals far from the road.
- A camera, spare battery and protection from dust or rain.
- A light jacket for early mornings and evenings.
- A sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Drinking water and quiet snacks for longer drives.
- A small day bag that does not block space in the vehicle.
Game-drive rules
- Stay in the vehicle unless park staff approve a safe stop.
- Use marked tracks and do not drive off-road.
- Give animals room to move. Never surround or block them.
- Avoid shouting, hooting and loud music.
- Never feed animals.
- Follow posted speed limits. Park roads commonly have a maximum of 40 km/h.
- Carry out all litter and follow your driver or ranger.
Combine game drives with other safari activities
Game drives cover broad areas by vehicle. Forest treks, boat trips and walking safaris bring a different pace to the same journey.
| Activity | How you move | Main focus | How it differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game drive | 4x4 vehicle on marked tracks. | Savannah mammals and birds. | Covers more ground and several habitats in 1 session. |
| Gorilla trekking | On foot through forest. | A habituated mountain gorilla family. | A forest search followed by up to 1 hour of viewing. |
| Chimpanzee trekking | On foot with a forest ranger. | A moving chimpanzee community. | Forest walking and up to 1 hour after the chimpanzees are found. |
| Boat safari | Boat on a river, channel or lake. | Hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and shoreline animals. | Views the banks and water from a different angle. |
| Walking safari | On foot with an authorised ranger. | Tracks, plants, sounds and animals along the route. | Covers less ground and allows closer attention to signs along the path. |
All activities depend on the destination and confirmed arrangements.
Uganda safaris with game drives
Compare these Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo trips, or ask BLS Safaris to combine the parks in a longer itinerary.
4 Days
4 Day Murchison Falls Safari
Combine savannah game drives with a Nile boat cruise and views of Murchison Falls.
View This Safari
4 Days
4 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
Spend 3 nights near the park, with repeated game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
View This Safari
4 Days
4 Day Luxury Kidepo Safari
Fly to Kidepo for game drives, open valley scenery and a stay at Apoka Safari Lodge.
View This SafariPlan your game drives in Uganda
Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers and the parks you would like to visit. BLS Safaris will help arrange your vehicle, lodge stays and time on the tracks.