Game drives in east African country of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania

Game drives are captivating experiences where tourists get opportunities to explore savanna national parks and game reserves to have more interaction with different wildlife in their natural habitats.  Game drives go beyond safaris of the visual aspect of seeing animals but also focus on broader experiences like going deep to learn about them.

Game drives in different countries in different gazetted national parks or game reserves are done with the guidance of experienced game guides and drivers who help provide detailed information about the animals’ behavior and get a deeper understanding of the whole ecosystem of the park.

The best time for the game drive

Game drive in most parks is done in the morning hours when the herbivores are grazing and, in some cases, cats might do early morning hunting before the herbivores get energetic to start running. For whatever that you will miss in the morning session, you can catch up with it in evening session. Cats will be preparing to wake up and start their night hunt and herbivore will up searching for their dinner. Therefore, evening game drive will also come with the different experience to that of morning.

For those interested in the night game drive, most park also arrange these night drives where you will be able to meet the nocturnal of the parks that you might miss out during the day. Even some cats like leopards and tree climbing lions tend to prefer to do their hunting at night. Therefore, a night game drive might give you a chance to witness a predator-prey interactions that do take place at night.

Where to go for a game drive experience in Uganda

Uganda offers several excellent   destinations for game drives, and these include

Murchison Falls National Park

This is the largest national park in Uganda located in the southwestern region. The park comprises of various attractions that should not be missed out on a Uganda safari.  The park is home to the big five and can be combined with a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This park is a highly visited place, joined by Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi forest to form a large Murchison conservation area.

The park is home to over 70 animal species that can be spotted on a guided game drive on several tracks like Buligi, Victoria Nile Track, Pakuba game track, and Albert and Queens game track. While driving in the open savanna grasslands of this park,  you will spot animals like elephants, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, oribis, hippos, lions, leopards,  hyenas, giraffes,  hartebeests, and buffalos among others.  In addition to animals are different bird species that can also be seen on game drives. Game drives are conducted in the morning, evening or at night with the guidance of trained guides and rangers.

You can plan to have a break on a boat cruise during the lunch hours to enhance your experience by also sporting the aquatic life like crocodile, hippos, different bird species and various primates like black and white colobus monkey.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is a notable national park where game drives are a recognized safari activity. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest National Park in the western Uganda region in Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge districts. Game drives are popularly carried out in the  Kasenyi plains because of its abundant wildlife and attractive landscape.  More drives are done in the Mweya Peninsula or Ishasha sector.

Game drives are usually conducted in the morning or evening where you will spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, waterbucks, bush backs, hyenas, Uganda Kobs, and tree-climbing lions often seen in the Ishasha sector. The park offers night games in the Mweya Peninsula mainly where you can spot nocturnal wildlife.

The park is also more influential for bird-watching activities, boat safaris along the Kazinga channel, and guided nature walks. You can also trek chimpanzee from kyambura Gorge where there is a chimpanzee family of 25 members.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valey National Park is a pleasing savannah park remotely located in the northeastern part of Uganda in the Karamoja sub-region.  This park offers a true wilderness experience, receiving few tourists but having abundant and unique wildlife that can be seen through game drives often done in the morning and evening.

Game drives in Kidepo National Park are done in the Kidepo Valley or Narus Valley. Due to the park’s rugged terrain, tourists are advised to use a 4×4 WD vehicle with a pop-up roof and an experienced driver guide. Expect to see large herds of buffalos, elephants,  cheetahs, lions, zebras, hippos, elands kudus, reedbucks, and some birds like ostriches among others.

In addition to game drives, the unique Karamojong Cultural experience, walking safaris and guided hikes other activities in the park, help to make your trip to Kidepo more pleasant and memorable.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is an incredibly small national park located in the western region of Uganda in Kiruhura district. The park is too scenic with rolling hills, and a wide coverage of savanna grasslands dotted with acacia woodlands. The park offers game drives which are done in the morning, evening, or night. Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places to see zebras, impalas, and elands. There are other animals like waterbucks,  giraffes, Uganda Kobs Topis, and others.

In addition to game drives, the park offers horseback safaris, cultural tours, and boat trips.

Semliki National Park

This park is located in the western region bordering DRC in the Albertine region. The park is known for its unique biodiversity, hot springs, charming forested environment as well as an extensive swamp.

Game drives in Semliki National Park are done in the  Semliki Wildlife Reserve where you can spot large savannah elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, warthogs, the rare pygmy antelopes, and the Uganda Kob. Game drives are often conducted in the morning or the afternoon. However, you can opt for a night game drive where you luckily spot nocturnal like the white-tailed mongoose and bush babies.

Safari game drives in this park will give you a great experience of seeing a great number of wildlife and bird species in this virgin land that has not been greatly explored by many visitors.

Game drives in Rwanda

Akagera National Park

Game drives in Rwanda are often done in the only savannah park-Akagera National Park.  the park is located in eastern Rwanda with pleasant scenery plains. Akagera National Park can be reached after a 3-hour drive from Kigali International Airport. The park is home to the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinos) animals and many other animals that can be sighted on game drives often conducted in the morning or afternoon. Some of the animals in the park include hippos, impalas, Topis, zebras, bushbucks, and many more. Game drives usually start in the south and end in the northern gate of the park.

The park also offers birding safaris and boat cruises on Lake Ihema.

Game drives in Kenya

Kenya consists of the largest concentration of wildlife reserves where one can have the best game drive experience and other related activities. some of these places include,

Maasai Mara national park

Maasai Mara is a scenic park located in the southwestern part of Kenya with rolling vast plains covering over 1510 square kilometers.  This park together with Serengeti National Park is known as the World Cup of Wildlife as it offers the best wildlife safaris because of the popular wildebeest migration that takes place from July to October.

Maasai Mara offers game drives all year round as many visitors long to visit this animal paradise not only for the migration but also for its unique biodiversity. Animals in this park include large numbers of lions, cheetahs, Wildebeests, giraffes, zebras African Buffalo,  and many other animals that roam freely in the vast plains.

Game drives in Maasai Mara are done in three shifts and these are, the morning game drives that usually set up from 6:30 am to 9:00 am. These are too scenic as many animals are seen busy grazing in the vast savanna plains. The other game drive is in the afternoon starting from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The park also offers full-day game drives conducted from  10:00 am to 4:00 pm with a packed picnic lunch or at a designated lunch spot within the reserve.

Samburu National reserve

Samburu National Reserve is one gazzeted wildlife paradise located northeast of Kenya commonly known as a home to the  Samburu Special Five. The reserve offers two sessions for game drives  in the morning and afternoon times, where each game drive takes 2 to 3 hours,

Samburu National Reserve is most loved for its special animals that are best spotted on the game drives and some of them include the big five which are lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos. In addition to these are, olive baboons, Kirk’s dik-dik, Waterbucks, and impalas among others. Game drives are better and more enjoyable when tourists have the essential items that will enable them to have proper coverage of the park like cameras, binoculars, a standard 4×4 WD vehicle, an experienced driver guide, and following the park rules and regulations.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is the second most popular park among all tourist destinations in Kenya.  Amboseli National Park is located in the southeastern region of  Kenya with a coverage of over 300 square kilometers. This park is home to multiple wildlife species including the big five, herds of elephants with big tusks, and an array of bird species, and offers scenic views to mountain Kilimanjaro – the tallest mountain in Africa.

The best way to explore Amboseli National Park Is through game drives that are often conducted twice a day, in the morning and evening. All-day game drives are conducted at the cost of the park entrance fee but when you wish to go for a night game drive, you must pay an extra cost in advance and must move into the park with an armed game ranger.

In Amboseli National Park tourists get to the cone-shaped hill for clear views of the whole park. when you drive around Lake Amboseli, enjoy seeing aquatic animals like hippos, and crocodiles,  and the Sinet delta is a favorable spot for birding, photography, and the clearest views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Game drives in Amboseli National Park are best done in the dry season – July to October. During this time,  a large concentration of animals is easily spotted in the short thin vegetation. More so, the trail routes are dry and sometimes dusty, allowing proper movement of vehicles. Animals are commonly spotted in large numbers around water bodies trying to quench their thirst.

Nairobi National Park.  

Nairobi National Park is located in south-central Kenya having coverage of 117 square kilometers. It’s a small park but greatly endowed with varied wildlife species that have open movement between the park and the Kitengela plains.

Not only is the unique setting that makes Nairobi National Park outstanding, but it is also home to one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries, where guests can witness a black rhino in its natural habitat. Traveling in the open savannah plains and gorges along the Mbagathi River, the rhinos are hard to miss, and you’ll never forget this breathtaking moment.

Athi Dam is one place one should not miss out on a safari to   Nairobi National Park. From the dam you can sit back and watch the animals as they come around to drink water but cautious of crocodiles that reside in the waters. You will hear the hippos grunting in the background as they splash and fight in the water.

Game drives in this park are done twice a day in the morning and evening. Game drives usually take 3-4 hours animals can be spotted in an open-roof van.  Animals that can be spotted include the big five, plain zebras, cheetahs, common elands, gazelles, hippos, spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, warthogs, and olive baboons among others.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the magical safari parks in Kenya. This park is located in the central part of Kenya in the Great Rift Valley in the northwestern direction of Nairobi.  It is famously known for harbouring large flocks of pink flamingos, and over 50 mammal species that can be sighted during game drives. The park offers half-day game drives, full-day game drives, morning game drives, afternoon game drives, and night game drives.

The rhino sanctuary is one of the places that one should not leave out on a Kenyan safari while on a game drive. Tracking the rhinos is done with the guidance of the park authorities and the fee collected is used in conservation efforts. On a game drive these animals can be seen grazing near water sources as they cannot live without water.

Game drives can be done any time of the day in the months of your safari since the park is open all year round. However, the dry season in July to October and January to February are most convenient for game viewing as the grass is shorter and the trails are dry and passable.

Apart from the game drives, the park offers other activities like bird-watching safaris, camping, picnics, and walking safaris all of which can be done throughout the year.

More to the above parks are the Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, , Meru National Park, and other game reserves that provide satisfactory game drives where tourists have a full exposure to African biodiversity.

Game drives in  Tanzania

Like her neighboring countries, Tanzania conducts memorable game drives in the different national parks. Tourists drive in these parks to witness various attractions like animals and other attractions.   While doing safari game drives to Tanzania,  you will understand that safari guides are influential, and guiding in the wilderness will give you an extremely interesting safari experience. Some of the places where game drives are mostly done include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Reserve, Ruaha National Park, Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park), and Mikuni National Park among others.

Serengeti National Park

Game drives in Serengeti National Park are regarded as the top tourist attraction in Tanzania. This breath-taking park lies in Northern Tanzania and is popularly recognized for the annual wildebeest migration that involves thousands of wildebeests and zebra cross the marshy western corridor to the grassy southern plains.

The park is divided into several sectors stretching from the southern end bordering Ngorongoro crater to the North bordering Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Central circuit in Seronera.

Game drives in Serengeti National Park are divided into four groups which include, the morning game drives, afternoon game drives, full-day game, and night game drives.

Morning game drives are often conducted before or after breakfast depending on your safari schedule and the arrangements with your tour operator.  Morning game drives are most rewarding as most animals are leaving their shelter to look for food.

Afternoon game drives are done after lunch but are less rewarding as most of the animals are resting under tree shades hiding from the hot sun.

Full-day game drives involve spending the whole day in the wilderness with the wild creatures. Before setting off, have picnic lunch boxes or be ready to have lunch at a designated eating place within the park premises.

Night game drives are rare but available on request. They are often conducted by registered and authorized camps with an extra payment from the park entrance fee.

In all game drives carried out in Serengeti National Park tourists have higher chances of spotting different animals like the big five, antelopes, Kobs, Oribis, Wildebeests, and Kundu. Giraffes, buffalos, and many more.

Ngorongoro crater.

This is one UNESCO-protected sire in the crater area of Tanzania located 180 kilometers west of Arusha. This region is part of the Serengeti ecosystem that joins the southern part of  Serengeti National Park to the northwest Serengeti plains.

The crater has formed its ecosystem due to its enclosed nature, beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and other calderas hence attracting different tourists from different parts of the world.
the crater area comprises the Lerai Forest with yellow fever trees and Lake Magadi, a shallow soda ash- lake. When you travel to the east on a game drive, you will find Gorigor Swamp and the Ngoitokitok Springs where happy pods of hippos can be found.

Game drives descend into the Ngorongoro Crater through a lush highland forest, with amazing birdlife to be spotted among the different tree species. In the lowland areas of the crater area discover a large variety of grazing herbivores, as well as predators that are attracted by an abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingos at the shores of  Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippos.

If you are after the ‘The Big Five’, the crater area is the best place for you. Black rhinos, Tusker elephants, lions, leopards, and hyenas along with herds of wildebeests, buffalos, and zebras. Other wildlife includes serval cats, cheetahs, jackals,  gazelles, flamingos, and bat-eared foxes,  and over 400 bird species.

Tarangire National Park/Lake Manyara National Park

Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is the largest hideout for African elephant herds. This is the most southern park of the northern circuit. The park is an accessible and excellent travel destination located within a short drive from Arusha City and Kilimanjaro International Airport.    The park is endowed with pleasant wildlife, various bird species, red termite mounds, and many beautiful baobab trees.

Tarangire is one of several world’s recognized conservation areas that make northern Tanzania a favorite safari spot. In close range to the northwest of Tarangire is Lake Manyara National Park popularly recognized for the abundant flamingos around the lake. Further to the Northwest is the unparalleled Ngorongoro crater, continue further in the same direction is the prominent Serengeti National Park primarily known for the great wildlife migration.

The park provides both game drives and walking safaris. This park is one of the lesser-known parks where one enjoys a less crowded safari as it has fewer people and more animals.

In this park is the alkaline  Lake Burunge which attracts many flamingos and fresh water for animals in the rainy season but dries in the dry season and becomes a bed of salt. Tarangire river provides water to animals throughout the year especially during the dry season thus making it easy for travellers to spot animals at the shores.

Some of the animals in this park include the African elephant, tree-climbing lions, and hippos. , bush elephants, giraffes, warthogs, jackals,  African wild dogs, bat-eared foxes, and many antelope species like the gerenuks, oryxes, kudus, elands, wildebeests, waterbucks, dik-diks and impalas. All the animals can be seen in the wonderful park together with an amazing spectrum of bird species.

Close to Tarangire National Park is Lake Manyara National Park which is famous for tree-climbing lions and leopards which can all be watched from a distance safari while on a game drive.

Nyerere National Park /Ruaha  National Park

Nyerere National Park is the largest park in Tanzania’s Southern Conservation Circuit with Ruaha National Park neighboring in the southern neighborhood.

Game drives in both parks are so interesting that travelers enjoy herds of elephants moving through either park. these parks have beautiful lodges that provide clear views of the vast game parks where you are sure of seeing those animals.

All in all, whichever country you plan your safari, expect the best game drive experience from the park of your choice.

African safari packages for game drives

Embark on an extraordinary Tanzanian odyssey with our meticulously crafted 10-day itinerary, offering a perfect blend of natural wonders, cultural immersion, and leisurely escapes. Your journey begins on Day 1 with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport, leading you to the vibrant town of Moshi for an overnight stay.

TRIP DETAILS

REQUEST INFO

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the enchanting landscapes and diverse ecosystems of Tanzania. This meticulously crafted 10-day itinerary promises an immersive Tanzanian safari experience, blending the thrill of wildlife encounters with the rich tapestry of local cultures and breathtaking natural wonders.

TRIP DETAILS

REQUEST INFO

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of East Africa as we invite you to explore the enchanting landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich biodiversity of Rwanda and Tanzania. This meticulously crafted 10-day itinerary promises an immersive experience, seamlessly blending the awe-inspiring encounters with Rwanda’s majestic gorillas

TRIP DETAILS

REQUEST INFO