Game Drives. - The African Encounters

Game Drives

Game drives are guided excursions usually conducted in wildlife national parks or safari destinations with the aim of meeting wildlife species in their natural habitat. A game drive in Uganda’s national park gives you a chance to see and encounter a variety of wildlife species including the big five animals such as elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards.

You can also encounter other mammals and bird species along the drive. Game drives are usually done in the morning or late afternoon when animals are more active and you can talk to the ranger and they arrange a night game drive where you can see different nocturnal animals.

A game drive is an immersive activity and experience that connects you with nature as you witness the beauty of the natural surroundings. Game drives in Uganda are conducted in national parks like Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Park.

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda providing incredible and unmatched opportunities to explore the stunning wildlife. The park is famous for having remarkable biodiversity giving you the chance to encounter animal species like crocodiles, antelopes, hippos, leopards and buffaloes.

The game drives make you explore and enjoy the captivating landscapes of mountain Rwenzori, the Great Rift Valley, and the vast savannah which provides a stunning backdrop for the wildlife encounters.

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth are conducted during the morning and afternoon where animals are active and you enjoy sunsets and sunrises while in the wild. Different bird species are spotted during the game drives like shoebill stork, and African fish eagle making it a bird paradise.

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is located in western Uganda famous for offering exciting opportunities to explore wildlife and breathtaking landscapes through game drives. The park is home to a variety of wildlife making it easy to spot them during game drives, some of the animals that are seen include elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes and buffaloes.

During the game drive, you can enjoy the Nile Delta experience in the northern sector of the park which is bisected by Victoria Nile, this is the highlight of the game drive because you can see various water birds and spot the rare shoebill stock.

Some of the game drives may require river crossings using a ferry to cross the Nile River, these are conducted both in the morning and afternoon when animals are more active accompanied by stunning sunsets and sunrises.

Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern part of Uganda known for offering remote safari experiences. During the game drives, you spot different wildlife and bird species and enjoy the scenic landscapes and remote experiences under the guidance of an expert.

Most of the game drives are conducted at night where you get a chance to encounter nocturnal animals like hyenas, bush babies and leopards.

Game drives in Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo is located in western Uganda known for having delightful and rewarding opportunities to explore the diverse wildlife and bird life in their natural habitat. During the game drives, you can spot animals like impalas, topis, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras.

Enjoy the scenic drives through rolling hills and acacia woodlands with a great combination of savannah and wetland areas. You can choose to do an early morning or late afternoon game drive which are both good chances to spot various wildlife.

What to see during game drives?

Big five cats including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinoceros.
Predators like cheetahs, wild dogs and leopards.
Bird life like vultures, shoebills, storks and flamingos.
Reptiles such as snakes, lizards and crocodiles.
Scenic landscapes like wetlands, forests, and savannahs.
Nocturnal animals like leopards, bush babies and owls.
Witnessing animal interactions and behaviors among different animals.

When to do game drives?

You can choose to do a morning game drive conducted at sunrise where animals are more active searching for food.

This is also a good opportunity for taking pictures.

An evening game drive conducted in the late afternoon before sunset gives you a chance to spot various bird and animal species especially the herbivorous.

Night game drives are good chances for spotting nocturnal animals like owls, hyenas and bush babies.

These night game drives offer a unique perspective on nocturnal activities.