Game drives

What it is

A game drive is a slow drive through a national park in a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. Your driver-guide knows the tracks and the animals, and stops when there is something to see. Early morning and late afternoon are best, when animals are active and the light is soft.

Where in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park (the Kasenyi plains, and Ishasha for tree-climbing lions), Murchison Falls National Park north of the Nile, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

What to expect

Each drive takes 2 to 4 hours, and many days have one drive in the morning and one in the afternoon. You travel as a private group in your own vehicle. You may see elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, hippos, giraffes and zebras (in some parks) and, with luck, lions or leopards. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Activity level

Level 1, Relaxed. You sit in the vehicle on park tracks. Long, bumpy days can tire small children.

Good to know

• Stay in the vehicle unless your guide or ranger says you may get out.
• Never touch or feed animals, and keep your voice low.
• Bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and a warm layer for early starts.
• The dry seasons (December to February, June to September) have shorter grass and easier viewing.

Price: Price on request. Park entry and UWA fees are added to your quote. UWA’s current prices are valid to 31 December 2026; new UWA prices start on 1 January 2027.