When Is The Best Time To Book Uganda Game Safari

Booking wild game safari in Uganda is best in the dry season when grass is lower and wild animals are quicker to spot. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, January. Wild game safaris are a probability activity as animals are free to move in the vast wilderness. You are advise to have an open mind so as not to get disappointed when you don’t spot the animal after the drive in the tracks of the game parks.

Uganda is a country gifted by nature and to do game safaris, you may visit the Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National park and Kidepo Valley National Park. It is best to do game drives in Uganda early morning when the animals emerge from there night hideouts. The late afternoon is perfect time for game drives in Uganda when the wild animals are returning home.

Expect more vehicles on the tracks of the Uganda game parks during the dry season since this is peak tourism time too and even the competition for logistics that support Uganda safaris like accommodations, driver guides and others is high.

The low Uganda tourism season which is normally March to May has higher grass so mote infants are born in this season. There is less obstruction expected from other tourists during the low season.

While on game safari in Uganda, you may encounter animals like lions, leopards, bushbucks, giraffes, waterbucks, herds of elephants, Uganda kobs, hyenas, oribi, impalas, elands and others. Note that all these wild animals are not found in all the Uganda game parks but some are specific to particular safari destinations.

Before entering any national park in Uganda, you must pay park entrance fees but for gorilla trekking parks and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national Park, the cost of the permits contain park fees.

Where to do game safaris in Uganda?

Murchison Falls National Park

For excellent game safaris, Murchison Falls National Park provides the ideal environment in Uganda. River Nile is the lifeblood of Murchison falls National Park bisecting it into the northern and southern area.

The northern part of the park is the primary a game viewing area in this park. Taking a drive in the Buligi sector of Murchison Falls National Park is a game rich area where you may get chance to spot animals like lions, giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, herds of elephants, oribi, statungas and others.

Taking the launch trip on River Nile is a chilling adventure right from the start. As you sail and look over at the banks, you may spot several animals that move down to quench thirst. School of hippos and Nile crocodiles enjoy the free supplies of river Nile. Several riverine birds may be spotted sticking there beaks in the marshy surface.

River Nile roughens as you get closer to Murchison Falls, you hear the roaring sound of River Nile as it squeeze through the 6 meters wide gorge to burst out violently. Hiking to the top of the falls gives you chance to see where the drama is crafted from.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located on the floor of the Albertine rift valley with the backdrop of Rwenzori ranges is Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park has the northern sector with Mweya peninsular as its main administrative center. The southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park has the Ishasha sector as its main attraction with the famous tree climbing lions. Visiting the Edward flats of the southern sectors may offer you chance to spot a range of wild animals and rare bird species like the shoebill stock

During the game drives in the different tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park like the Kasenyi track, north of Kazinga is amazing. While on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals like lions, herds of cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, waterbucks, topis, Uganda kobs, bushbucks and others.

Kazinga channel launch trip is the gem of activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. While sailing on Kazinga channel you enjoy the stunning view of the rift valley floor. Several animals may be seen descending from the Mweya peninsular to quench thirst and take a bath. The banks of Kazinga channel are a magnet to several birds and always flocked by different birds including foreign migrants.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is breathtaking in the forested gorge about 100 meters deep. Look out for other primates in the forest like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys and others.

Lake Mburo National Park

From Kampala city or Entebbe airport, Lake Mburo National Park is about 3 to 4 hours. As you go for a safari visit in the western part of Uganda, taking a detour to Lake Mburo National Park is a good idea. While on a game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, you may spot animals like zebras, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, reedbucks, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda Kobs and others.

The boat trip on Lake Mburo is relaxing as you enjoy the stunning scenery of the park. Look out for several water birds that grace the swampy areas of the park. More than 315 bird species has so far been recorded as residents of Lake Mburo National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park

The most rich Uganda game park is Kidepo valley National Park but is the furthest too placed in the north eastern part of Uganda. while on a game drive in the tracks of Kidepo Valley National Park, you may spot cheetahs, lions, herds of elephants, waterbucks, zebras, bushbucks, klipspringer, bat-eared fox, greater and lesser kudu, herds of elephants , elands, defassa waterbucks, striped hyenas and others.

This park has an extensive bird list of over 463 bird species including ostritches, red-throated bee eater, Abyssinian scimitarbill, yellow-billed and jackson’s hornbill and others.

What is the cost of Uganda game safari?

At Arch Safaris And Tours, we cost our Uganda game safari and package them according to Upscale, mid-range and basic. For all the game safaris to the different national Parks in Uganda, park entrance fees are a must and they last about 24 hours from the time you enter the park

At the moment, the cost of Uganda park entrance fees to pay during the game drives are according to parks. Currently, the cost of park fees for Murchison falls national Park is $45 per person, cost of Park fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo valley National Park is $40 per person.

The cost of Uganda park fees covers:

Park maintenance fee, animal conservation, ranger and warden salaries and others.

When calculating the cost of Uganda game safari, we consider number of people travelling with, number of days on safari, activities included in this safari, vehicle hire cost, accommodations cost and other items.

Is Uganda safe for game safaris?

Uganda safari destinations are safe for a visit as there are Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides to protect the wild animals and there habitants. As you enter any game parks, sign posts with details of how to conduct behave while in the game park are available for you to read. When you visit the park visitors registration centers, you are given more details of how to behave while in the game park.

As tourists on game safari in Uganda, you are expected not to walk out in the park without an escorting ranger guide and follow the lodge instructions given when you arrive. Stepping out of your room in the night is forbidden for the accommodations within the National Park as you may come face to face with the predators.

When driving in the tracks of the game parks, drive with in the stated driving limit to avoid causing accidents while in the wilderness.

As you choose a vehicle to use in the game parks, its best to choose a 4z4 wheel drove in good condition with a professional and experienced driver guide. This is safe for you and you get to learn more information about the parks other than what is given on the internet or from any other media.

Can I do Uganda game safari with children?

Children are allowed to do game drives in Uganda in the company of a guardian or parent. Even school tour are allowed in the game parks so long as the pupils or students are in the company of school staff.

While in the park, no making noise as this scares the animals so children must be take through all there instructions. The noise making may cause some animals to charge at the vehicle which is dangerous.

You need to know where children are at every moment while in the game part because they can wander into the park which is dangerous.

What to expect on Uganda game safari?

Not all animals can be seen in the open all the time so donot be disappointed when you donot spot them.

The tracks in the game park are bumpy and dusty especially during the dry season so donot expect a smooth ride. Even up-country roads are bumpy because the roads are rough.

No toilet breaks while on game drives on Uganda safari because you donot know what is watching.

Local people along the way are friendly and donot be surprised when they call out to you and smile. Ugandans are welcoming people to people of all walks of life.

During the high season, be ready to share the same space with other tourists like at the lodge, dinning area, on the tracks in the wilderness. Be ready to accommodate these strangers as you go in the wilderness.

Expect long distance drives especially if you are doing game drives in the upcountry national park

Solar lighting the main source of power in the lodges within the National Parks so expect lights to go out some times when the sun does shine bright for sometime. Carry spare fully charged batteries in case you must use them.

Ensure you have full tank in your vehicle while heading to the game parks because chances of finding gas stations up country are hard.

Expect some stinging insects in the wilderness so carry some insect repellant while packing for Uganda safari.

Uganda is a tropical country and most of the game parks experience dry seasons so carry sun screen to protect your body from getting sunburns.

Rules To follow on Uganda Game safaris

Donot drive off track while on game drive as this is penalized. You must first seek permission  from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Hooting at animals or shouting at the during the game drive is forbidden because they may charge at you or move into hiding yet other tourists may want to share the same joy.

Drive on not beyond the speed limit set by Uganda wildlife Authority because you may knock down animals and yet this is highly penalized.

The entrance of game parks are open at 0700 hours and closed by 1900 hours

Donot dump garbage especially indecomposable materials  in the game park because this alters the nature of the environment where animals live.

Feeding the wild animals is not accepted because they must look for there own food and not depend on human support.

Swimming in the water within the national parks except the swimming pools at the lodges in not accepted as this may be dangerous to you. There are aquatic animals that may be dangerous to you.

Never walk alone in the park because you may encounter dangerous animals

What to pack for Uganda game Safari

A camera to capture photos of the incredible moments in the wilderness.

Sun screen to protect your body from ultra violet rays

Safari hat with a foldable brim

Light clothes in case the weather in the Uganda safari parks is hot. The color of the clothes must not be blue, white or black as they attract tsetse flies.

Warmers for the early morning and late afternoons

Insect repellent

Light backpack to carry with your belongings.

Some treats to munch on

Flip flops

Toiletries

Water bottle to carry in drinking water

Some hard cash to use for on ground purchases

First aid kit in case of any emergency

A pair of binoculars

Extra full charged batteries

Travel adapter and charger

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