Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Search Kasenyi's open plains, follow the wooded tracks around Mweya and spend time in Ishasha looking for lions in the trees and surrounding grassland.
Plan My Queen Elizabeth SafariA different drive in each part of the park
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park take you through open kob plains, wooded tracks and the country around the Kazinga Channel. The landscape changes between Kasenyi, Mweya and the southern Ishasha sector.
Start with Kasenyi for open savannah viewing. Mweya combines well with a boat cruise, while Ishasha needs its own driving time and a slower search around the large trees and grassland.
Give each area enough time. A morning drive can reveal fresh tracks and animals moving after the night, while late afternoon brings softer light and renewed movement towards water.
Queen Elizabeth fits naturally into a western Uganda safari . To compare its driving areas with Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Lake Mburo, see our game drives in Uganda page.
Best game-drive areas in Queen Elizabeth
Kasenyi, Mweya and Ishasha offer different landscapes. Your lodge location and the day's animal movements help shape the route.
Kasenyi Plains
Start with Kasenyi when lions and open savannah viewing are priorities. Uganda kob gather across the grassland, and predators use the same area.
Watch the antelopes before looking for a lion. Alarm calls or a group staring towards one patch of grass can point to movement nearby.
Elephants, buffaloes, warthogs and waterbucks also use the plains. At busy sightings, keep a respectful position and give animals room.
Mweya Peninsula
Mweya brings together grassland, bush and views towards the Kazinga Channel. Check bends, thickets and the approaches to water rather than expecting only long open views.
Elephants move through the area, buffaloes use muddy ground and hippos graze on land after dark.
Combine a land drive with the Kazinga Channel boat cruise for a different view of animals along the banks.
Ishasha Sector
Ishasha lies in the southern part of the park. Large fig trees rise above open grassland and provide resting places sometimes used by lions.
Search the broad branches, the ground beneath the trees and surrounding grassland. Lions do not rest in trees every day, and sightings are not guaranteed.
Look for topis, elephants and buffaloes as well. An overnight stay allows more time than a brief stop while travelling towards Bwindi.
Morning, evening and night game drives
Morning game drive
Early start, usually 3 to 4 hoursLeave early when predators and active behaviour matter most. The cool air and soft light also suit watching kob herds, elephants and buffaloes.
Around 6 am can work for guests based inside the park, subject to permitted driving hours. Gate opening and transfer times affect visitors staying outside.
Afternoon game drive
Often from around 4 pmThe first part can be quiet while animals remain in shade. Movement often increases as the plains cool, with antelopes feeding and elephants travelling towards water.
Leave enough time to return within the permitted driving hours rather than rushing the final sightings.
Night game drive
Usually about 2 to 3 hoursAn approved ranger uses a spotlight to search for nocturnal animals. Possible sightings include genets, civets, bushbabies and active predators.
Night drives need prior confirmation, a ranger and suitable vehicle arrangements. Guests must stay overnight inside the park.
Guided game drives and self-drive safaris
Guided game drive
A safari driver or park ranger helps you follow the tracks and read animal signs. Alarm calls, footprints and the behaviour of prey can reveal activity hidden in the grass.
Local knowledge also helps with changing road conditions, crowded sightings and the distance between activity areas. A UWA ranger can be arranged for a drive in your vehicle.
Self-drive safari
Self-driving lets you control your stops, but navigation and finding animals remain your responsibility. Use a suitable 4x4 and stay on marked tracks.
Kasenyi and Mweya are sensible starting areas. If the park is new to you, arrange an initial ranger-led drive before driving independently.
Animals and behaviour to watch
Lions and Uganda kob
Uganda kob gather at breeding grounds where males defend small territories. Lions may rest near these open grazing areas.
Watch the lions' attention and the response of nearby antelopes. A quiet stop can reveal more than moving quickly between sightings.
Elephants and buffaloes
Elephants travel between bush, feeding grounds and the channel. Give a crossing herd room, especially when calves are among the adults.
Buffaloes often graze in the cooler hours and gather near mud, shade and water as the day warms.
Leopards and other animals
Search thicket edges, branches and quiet road crossings for leopards. They use cover well and may disappear quickly.
Warthogs, waterbucks and baboons add interest between predator sightings. Listen for alarm calls and watch where animals focus their attention.
Lion tracking in Kasenyi
Lion tracking differs from a normal game drive. The team uses signals from collared lions to help follow their movements and explain their territory, social behaviour and conservation.
Arrange the activity before your safari. Availability, reporting time and access follow the programme's operating conditions. It does not guarantee a particular lion or behaviour.
The activity fee is separate from park entry and vehicle charges. The fee also includes an additional community contribution, so request a quotation showing every applicable charge.
Queen Elizabeth game-drive fees
| Arrangement | Charging unit | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided day drive in a private vehicle | Per UWA ranger guide | USD 25 | USD 20 | UGX 25,000 |
| Self-drive without a safari guide or UWA ranger | Per vehicle | USD 10 | USD 10 | UGX 10,000 |
| Night drive in a private vehicle | Per person | USD 30 | USD 20 | UGX 30,000 |
| Day drive in a UWA vehicle | Per person | USD 30 | USD 25 | UGX 30,000 |
| Night drive in a UWA vehicle | Per person | USD 40 | USD 35 | UGX 40,000 |
| Lion tracking | Per person | USD 200 | USD 150 | UGX 200,000 |
Scroll horizontally on a small screen. UWA vehicle use is subject to availability and minimum charges. Confirm the correct category for every traveller.
Best time for game drives in Queen Elizabeth
Game drives take place throughout the year. Recent rain and the condition of individual tracks help determine the day's route.
Dry season
June to September and December to FebruaryTracks are often firmer and grass shorter. Animals may use permanent water more regularly. Dust and midday heat increase, so keep the main drives early and late and carry drinking water.
Wet season
March to May and October to NovemberExpect green plains, fresh grass and muddy sections after rain. Animals may spread out as water becomes more available. A 4x4 and a flexible route help your driver adjust to the conditions.
What to combine with your game drive
| Activity | How it changes the day | Planning point |
|---|---|---|
| Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Watch hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds from the water. | Allow about 2 hours for the cruise and time to reach the confirmed landing site. |
| Kyambura chimpanzee trek | Descend below the savannah into a forested gorge. | Arrange the permit and allow for the forest search and steep return climb. |
| Kalinzu chimpanzee trek | Add a separate forest reserve visit near the Queen Elizabeth route. | Kalinzu has separate permit arrangements. Check the drive from your lodge. |
| Maramagambo Forest walk | Spend time on shaded trails looking for forest birds and monkeys. | Confirm current trail access and ranger arrangements. |
| Ishasha and Bwindi | Spend time in the southern sector before travelling to the Bwindi area. | Leave room for a proper Ishasha drive rather than relying on a brief transfer stop. |
What to carry and game-drive rules
What to carry
- Binoculars for distant animals and birds.
- A camera, spare battery and protection from dust or rain.
- A light jacket for early mornings and night drives.
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Drinking water and insect repellent.
- A small bag that does not block viewing space.
Rules on the tracks
- Stay in the vehicle unless park staff approve a safe stop.
- Use marked tracks and do not cut across the grass.
- Keep to 40 km/h or below, following any lower posted limit.
- Never surround animals or block a crossing point.
- Keep noise low and never feed animals.
- Carry out all litter and follow your ranger's directions.
Queen Elizabeth safaris with game drives
Compare a central park stay, a longer Ishasha visit or a route that adds Kalinzu chimpanzees.
4 Days
4 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
Stay 3 nights near the park with repeated game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
View This Safari
5 Days
5 Day Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha Safari
Spend 2 nights in central Queen Elizabeth and 2 in Ishasha, with time for repeated game drives.
View This Safari
6 Days
6 Day Queen Elizabeth and Kalinzu Chimpanzee Safari
Combine savannah game drives, Kalinzu chimpanzees, the Kazinga Channel and 2 nights in Ishasha.
View This SafariPlan your Queen Elizabeth game drives
Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred lodge. BLS Safaris will help arrange your game drives, Kazinga cruise and time in Ishasha.