Game drives are one of the key activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park that you can engage in on a Uganda safari to encounter several savannah wildlife. This park has its biggest portion that is covered by the savannah vegetation type.
During a game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will encounter several wildlife species like lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, kobs, waterbucks, and many other wildlife. It is done both in the northern and southern sectors of the park.
In these sectors, there are several tracks that you can engage in for game drives. It is done in several sessions of the day that include morning, afternoon, evening, night, and full day.
It is done in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-top for easy viewing of the wildlife around the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in western Uganda. It is the second largest national park in Uganda after the Murchison Falls National Park.
Initially this park was called Kazinga National Park, and later in 1953, after the visit of Queen Elizabeth II, the park was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is among the most popular and visited parks in Uganda.
What types of game drives are in the Queen Elizabeth National Park?
In this park, as you plan to engage in a game drive , there are several types of game drives that you can engage in . The types of games are categorized by time and guidance.
Game drive by time
Morning game drive
A morning game drive is a type of game drive that you can engage in early morning at sunrise, at around 0600 hours. At around this time, the wildlife are more active in the cool temperatures, which favors the wildlife around the park.
Predators are more active at around this time, and some of these spotted predators include lions and leopards; they are usually seen hunting.
Afternoon game drive
An afternoon game drive is a form of game drive that usually starts late in the afternoon at around 1pm to 4pm, where this type of game drive offers the best stunning views of the park as the light shifts. During this kind of game drive, most of the wildlife is spotted around the water bodies.
Night game drive
A night game drive is one of the most thrilling adventures and experiences. Night games offer an encounter of the nocturnal wildlife around the park, starting around 6pm and ending at 10pm.
It is done under the guidance of an armed ranger guide. In this game drive, you will encounter several wildlife like lions, leopards, hyenas, hippos, and many other wildlife.
Game drive by guidance
Guided game drive
This is the most common type of game drive that most travelers on their safaris to Uganda usually plan. In this game drive, travelers are usually local guides or ranger guides who take them through the different trails of the park to see several wildlife.
The guides usually used in this kind of game drive are usually good at spotting wildlife and sharing the history and information about the park.
Self-guided game drive
Self-game drives are usually for travelers who would want to explore and experience the wildlife on their own without a guide. These kinds of travelers usually rent out their own safari vans to experience the nature on their own without a guide.
What to pack for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
As you plan a better experience and adventure during a game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, You need to plan and know what to pack for a safari, and some of these include
- Insect repellents
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Pair of Binoculars
- Torch
- Light, dull-colored clothing.
- Camera
- Travel documents
- Personal first aid kit
Where to stay during a game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Considering where to stay during a game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are several accommodation facilities around the park. These facilities are rated budget to luxury.
Some of these accommodation facilities include Acacia Wilderness Mweya, Mweya Safari Lodge, Pumba Cottages, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant Hub, River Station Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge, Park View Lodge, and many other facilities.
what is the best time to engage in a game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open throughout the year. The best time to engage in a safari in the Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the dry season, which is June to September and December to February, since during this time the park is clear for easy viewing of the wildlife.
What are other activities to engage in during a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
There are other several activities that you can engage in during a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and some of these include
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is a primate encounter activity that you can engage in during a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is carried out in Kyambura Gorge, wherein this gorge, there are habituated chimpanzee families.
The habituation process of these chimpanzees takes about 2 years for the chimpanzees to get used to the human presence. To see these chimpanzees, you are supposed to have a chimpanzee permit.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit is 100 USD for foreign nonresidents, 50 USD for foreign residents, and 50000 UGX for East African residents. The cost of the permit excludes the park entrance fees, where the park entrance includes 40 USD for the foreign nonresidents, 30 USD for the foreign residents, and 20000 UGX for the East African residents.
Boat cruise.
A boat cruise is another activity that you can engage in during a game drive safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This activity is carried out on the Kazinga Channel and the Mweya Peninsula.
In this activity, you will encounter several wildlife, like hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and many other wildlife.