Game viewing is one of the top travel experiences that bring many travelers on Uganda safaris. Guided game drives done in savannah Parks of Uganda offer travelers the best game viewing experience in the wilderness, Morning and evening game drives are scheduled to allow travelers to meet and interact with wild animals actively hunting, grazing, and browsing before returning for day and night rests respectively.
If you wish, full-day game drinks with bush breakfast and picnic lunch are also arranged to offer you a more intimate game-viewing experience. Night game drives are also arranged to allow travelers to see nocturnal wild animals that feed at night. Uganda boasts a diverse range of national parks, each offering unique wildlife experiences. Here are some of the best places to go for game-viewing safaris
Best Places for Game Viewings:
Murchison Falls National Park
Located in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the prime game viewing destination in Uganda. This park is home to various wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, Buffalos, Topis, Elands, Waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Giraffes, and buffalo. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest National park that was established in 1952 and also doubles as Uganda’s largest park spreading over 3,893 square kilometers of Land.
It’s also known for its stunning Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge. In addition to game viewing, Murchison Falls National Park offers other interesting experiences such as a hike to the top of the falls, a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, community tours, bird watching and nature walks and others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in Kasese district in western Uganda, is yet another interesting destination for game viewing in Uganda. The Park is second to Murchison Falls National Park in terms of size, spreading over 1,978 square kilometers. This park offers diverse landscapes, from savannah plains to volcanic craters, and it’s famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. In addition to the lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a high concentration of wild animals, which include Buffalos, Elephants, Leopards, Hyenas, Waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Warthogs, Topis, wild pigs, and a wide range of bird species.
Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park is best done in Kasenyi Plain. The top experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park include game viewing, bird watching, lion tracking, visiting crater lakes, community tours, Nature walks in Mweya Peninsula, and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. A boat cruise at Kazinga channel is a not miss for anyone visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
Having been ranked as the “True African Wilderness” Kidepo Valley National Park offers a more virgin game viewing experience. The park is located in the far northeastern part of Uganda in Karamoja region and it’s the least visited tourism destination in the Pearl of Africa. The few visits to the park have kept Kidepo Valley Park virgin, offering an off-beaten kind of experience. The park offers stunning scenery and a variety of wildlife, including Lions, cheetahs, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Warthogs, Topis, Oribis, Gazelles, and Elephants. The other interesting activities done in Kidepo Valley National Park include bird watching, Community tours, Nature Walks, Rock climbing
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savannah park located in Kiruhura district in southwestern Uganda. Despite the small size, the park offers a diverse antelope population, giraffes, buffalos, impala, zebras, hippos, zebras, crocodiles, waterbucks, warthogs, and elands. In addition to game viewing, the park is also a center of other interesting activities, such as boat cruising on Lake Mburo, Horseback riding, bird watching, Nature walks, Community tours, and scenic viewing among others
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is Uganda’s second-largest tourism destination in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park. The reserve is nestled in northeastern Uganda, spreading over 2,275 square kilometers of Land comprised of open acacia, woodlands, riverine forests, wetlands, caves, and Volcanic rocks. Game viewing, bird watching, nature walks, and scenic viewing are the top tourist activities at Pan Upe Wildlife Reserve
Best Time for Game Viewing in Uganda
If you are wondering the best time to go on a game-viewing safari in Uganda, the dry seasons between June to August and December to February are the best time for game-viewing in Uganda. During this time, vegetation in the savannah parks of Uganda is less dense, which allows easy viewing of wild animals hunting, grazing, and browsing. Also, during this dry season, animals gather in water sports for drinking water, which makes it easy for travelers to see them. Photography is also best during the dry season.
What to Pack for Game Viewings in Uganda
- Lightweight, breathable clothing: Opt for neutral colors to blend in with the environment.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Sturdy shoes are essential for game drives and nature walks.
- Hat and sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun.
- Sunscreen: Shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Insect repellent: Keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay.
- Binoculars: Enhance your wildlife viewing experience.
- Camera: Capture unforgettable moments.
- Water bottle: Stay hydrated, especially in the hot weather.
Guidelines for Game Viewing in Uganda
For anyone visiting Uganda for game-viewing experiences, park rangers emphasize the following guidelines which travelers must follow for the safety if travelers and animals in the wilderness. These include
- Do not drive beyond 40 kilometers per hour
- Do not drive in the park beyond 7 pm and 7 am
- Do not hoot in the park
- Do not bring pets in the Park
- Do not pick flowers from the park
- Do not drive off track unless allowed
- Do not litter in the park
- Do not set a fire in the Park
- Do not camp anywhere in the park unless at the designated place
Other tourist activities in Uganda
In addition to game viewing, Uganda is the base of other interesting activities that reward you with lifetime memories. These include game viewing, bird watching, Volcano hiking, community tours, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, gorilla habituation experience, and many others
How to book game safaris in Uganda
You can do a self-drive tour to any of your favorite game-viewing destinations in Uganda. However, booking through a tour operator is the easiest and best way to book a game-viewing safari in Uganda. Authentic Africa Safaris is your reliable agent to book a game safari in Uganda. We offer customized game tours to all parks in Uganda, rewarding you with the very best of Uganda safari.
In conclusion, game viewing is one way of enjoying Uganda. Travel with Authentic Africa Safaris for the best game viewing and other wildlife experiences in the Pearl of Africa
