Game drives and boat cruises are the primary activities you can enjoy in Uganda’s savannah parks. These activities provide excellent opportunities to observe diverse wildlife throughout Uganda’s savannah parks.
A typical game drive involves traveling through the park in a safari vehicle with a guide, usually in small groups of six to eight people.
Game drives often last between two and four hours and can take place in the early morning, afternoon, or at night, each offering a different experience of the park’s wildlife and landscape.
On a boat cruise, you will join a group led by an experienced guide and cruise along rivers or lakes for about two to three hours. These cruises usually accommodate up to 20 people and give you the chance to get close to animals near the water, such as hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds.
Both activities provide a safe and immersive way to observe Uganda’s natural beauty and wildlife up close.
Boat cruises in Uganda are done on several water bodies across the country. The most popular locations for boat cruises include the Nile River, especially along the stretch in Murchison Falls National Park, and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Other notable spots are Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, and Lake Bunyonyi. These lakes, rivers, and crater lakes offer unique opportunities to see wildlife and stunning landscapes up close.
Where To Engage In A Game Drive On A Uganda Safari.
On a Uganda safari , the game drive is done in several savannah National Parks. These games can be done at any time of the day which includes morning , afternoon , evening and night.
Some of the destinations for game drives in Uganda include;
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in western Uganda, and it is the most popular national Park in Uganda. Considered the second-largest park in Uganda, it is home to several wildlife species, including some of the Big Five.
Wildlife frequently seen here includes lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, kobs, warthogs, hippos, and more. Game drives take place in several park sectors, including Kasenyi and Ishasha.
Murchison Falls National Park.
This is the largest National Park in Uganda situated in the North Western. Murchison Falls National Park was named after the world’s strongest falls, Murchison Falls. On a safari to the Murchison Falls for a game drive, there are several species of savannah wildlife that are encountered on the different trails of the park.
Murchison Falls National Park is considered to be the largest National Park in Uganda and among the most visit destination in the country. Wildlife encountered during a game drive in the Murchison Falls National Park includes lions ,leopards , buffalo, hippos , elephants , and many others.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah national Park in Uganda, which is located in western Uganda, and it is the nearest National Park in Uganda. It is the only park in Uganda where you can encounter several zebras , giraffes , impalas , buffaloes, warthogs, and many others. Games in Lake Mburo National Park can be done at any time of the day.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is the furthest park in Uganda that is located in the north eastern Uganda at the border of Uganda and South Sudan. It is the only semi-arid National Park in Uganda within the Karamoja region.
The park is divided into two valleys that include the Narus valley and the Kidepo valley . Most of the game drives are done in the Narus valley since it has several water sources compared to the Kidepo valley.
Wildlife encountered during a game drive in the Kidepo Valley National Park includes leopards , buffalo,cheetahs , zebras , caracals , giraffes , bat-eared foxes , and many others.
The other destinations for the game drive include Ajai Game Reserve, Pian Upe Game Reserve, Matheniko Bokoro Game Reserve,and many others.
Boat Cruise On A Uganda Safari.
Some of the destinations in Uganda for a boat cruise include;
Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga channel is within the Queen Elizabeth National Park that separates Lake Edward and Lake George. This is an interesting place for a boat cruise since you are able to encounter several wildlife, including the hippos , crocodiles , elephants , and many others.
River Nile
A boat cruise on the River Nile is usually done on the Murchison Falls National Park stretch. This boat cruise at the Murchison takes you to encounter several wildlife around the banks of the river, like Hippos , elephants , buffalo, and many others.
What Are Other Activities To Combine during a Boat cruise and Game drive Safari in Uganda ?
There are several other activities that you can engage in during a Boat cruise and game drive safari in Uganda, and they include;
Gorilla trekking
This is a primary activity that travelers on their safaris to Uganda can engage in at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking offers an amazing experience of encountering the mountain gorillas, where these gorillas are first habituated for them to get used to the human presence.
In Uganda , there are about 21 habituated gorilla families where the habituation process takes about 2 years for them to get used to the human presence. To see gorillas , you need to have acquired a gorilla trekking permit.
The cost of the gorilla trekking permit includes 800USD for foreign non-residents, 700USD for foreign residents , 500USD for the rest of the African residents , and 300000UGX for the East African residents . You are required to book in time to ensure the availability of the space.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is another primate activity that is carried out in several destinations in Uganda on a boat cruise and game drive safari. In Uganda, there are several chimpanzee destinations that include Kibale National Park , Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve,Kyambura Gorge, and Bugoma Forest.
What is the best time to engage in a game drive and a boat cruise safari in Uganda ?
Game drives and Boat cruises can be done at any time of the year. The best time to engage in the game drive is usually in the dry season from May to September, since the parks are clearer for the easy viewing of the wildlife.