The Best Game Parks in Uganda for Game Drives

When most people think of Uganda, they immediately picture misty mountains, dense rainforests, and close encounters with mountain gorillas. While the country is rightfully famous for its primate experiences, Uganda is also home to some of the most breathtaking savannah landscapes and wildlife-rich national parks in East Africa perfect for classic African game drives.

From wide-open plains teeming with antelope herds to riverbanks patrolled by lions and crocodiles, Uganda’s game parks deliver unforgettable safari moments. These parks offer the chance to witness the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino although rhinos are only found at Ziwa Sanctuary), as well as an incredible variety of birds, giraffes, hippos, zebras, hyenas, and more. Each park has its own unique ecosystem and wildlife dynamics, making game drives in Uganda diverse and rewarding.

In this article, we’ll take you through the top national parks for game drives in Uganda, highlighting what makes each destination special from the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha to the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley. You’ll also discover practical tips for planning your safari and learn how trusted local tour companies like Terenga Safaris can organize everything for you from comfortable lodges and experienced guides to seamless transportation and customized itineraries.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned safari traveler, Uganda offers a rich, uncrowded, and authentic wildlife experience that rivals better-known destinations on the continent and a game drive is one of the best ways to see it all.

Top Parks for Game Drives

1. Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s Oldest and Largest National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is not only Uganda’s largest national park, covering over 3,800 square kilometers, but also its oldest, having been gazetted in 1952. It is one of the most iconic safari destinations in the country, offering a classic African wilderness experience along with the dramatic spectacle of the Murchison Falls where the mighty Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge and plunges 43 meters into a thunderous cascade.

What truly sets Murchison Falls apart is the incredible diversity of wildlife that inhabits its vast savannahs, woodlands, and riverine ecosystems. Game drives here offer the chance to encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes (the endangered Rothschild’s variety), spotted hyenas, jackals, and a wide variety of antelope species such as Uganda kobs, oribis, hartebeests, and bushbucks. The park is also home to over 450 bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, making it a paradise for birders as well.

Visitors can explore the park’s rich wildlife across several well-established game drive circuits:

1. Buligi Game Tracks (the most popular route) stretch between the Victoria and Albert Niles and offer excellent opportunities to see large mammals and predators.
2.  Albert Track, which runs close to the Albert Nile, offers a quieter route through open savannah and bushland.
3. Victoria Track, lying closer to the Victoria Nile, is another excellent loop that traverses acacia woodland and is ideal for early morning game drives.

Game drives in Murchison Falls can be enjoyed both during the day and at night. While daytime drives are best for spotting herds and predators on the move, night game drives (available in selected areas and with a ranger guide) provide a rare chance to see nocturnal wildlife like genets, civets, owls, bush babies, and even elusive leopards.

Add to that the scenic boat cruises along the Nile, the thunderous waterfall itself, and the rich biodiversity, and it’s easy to see why Murchison Falls is considered a must-visit destination for any wildlife enthusiast visiting Uganda.

2. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s Most Ecologically Diverse and Visited Wildlife Destination

Located in the western region of Uganda, between Lake George and Lake Edward, Queen Elizabeth National Park is arguably the country’s most famous and most visited national park and for good reason. Covering approximately 1,978 square kilometers, the park offers a stunning blend of savannah, wetlands, forests, crater lakes, and volcanic plains, making it one of the most ecologically diverse protected areas in East Africa.

This diversity supports an impressive array of wildlife and makes Queen Elizabeth a top destination for classic game drives, birdwatching, boat cruises, and primate trekking.

One of the park’s most iconic game drive areas is the Kasenyi Plains, located in the northeastern section of the park. These expansive grasslands are a prime spot for spotting large herds of Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and buffaloes — which in turn attract predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. The open terrain here offers excellent visibility for photography and animal tracking, particularly during early morning and late afternoon drives.

To the south lies the famous Ishasha Sector, a remote and less-visited corner of the park that has become world-renowned for its rare population of tree-climbing lions. These lions are often seen lounging on the thick, horizontal branches of fig and acacia trees a behavior that is still not fully understood but is unique to only a few lion populations in Africa. Spotting these lions is a surreal and memorable experience for any safari-goer.

Beyond game drives, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of other wildlife encounters:

1. Take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise brings you up close to some of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species from kingfishers and herons to the majestic African fish eagle
2. Venture into the Kyambura Gorge, a lush underground forest that offers guided chimpanzee trekking experiences. Though sightings aren’t guaranteed, the gorge itself is a hidden gem, rich in plant life and a hotspot for primates and birds.
3. Explore the Katwe Explosion Craters for scenic drives and panoramic views, and gain insight into traditional salt mining at Lake Katwe, a centuries-old industry still in operation today.

With its combination of open savannah, rich wildlife, water-based safaris, volcanic scenery, and primate adventures, Queen Elizabeth National Park delivers a well-rounded and multi-dimensional safari experience. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, it’s a park that offers something for everyone and with experienced tour operators like Terenga Safaris, you can enjoy a fully guided, expertly organized journey into one of Uganda’s crown jewels.

3. Lake Mburo National Park

•  The smallest savannah park among the big ones.
•  Unique landscapes: wetlands, acacia woodland, rocky outcrops.
•  Great for shorter game drives (morning/evening), and possible to do night drives for viewing nocturnal animals.

4. Kidepo Valley National Park

•  Remote, wild, spectacular.
• Very rewarding: large herds, predators, dramatic scenery, rich in mammals and birds.
• The remoteness means fewer visitors, which can make the experience more genuine and less crowded.

5. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (somewhat different but worth mentioning)

* If you want to see rhinos in Uganda, this is the place. While not a full national park with big game safaris, it offers rhino trekking, and can be combined with other wildlife‑viewing.

What Makes a Game Drive in Uganda Special

• Variety of landscapes — savannah plains, woodland, wetlands, river banks; each park offers a different flavour.
• Different times of day — morning and late afternoon are often best for animal activity. Night drives add a different dimension (spotting nocturnal animals) but are only allowed in certain parks and with ranger guides.
• Seasons matter during the dry season (roughly June‑September, and December‑February) visibility is higher, animals gather at water sources, vegetation is less dense making spotting easier.

How Terenga Safaris (and Similar Tour Agencies) Can Help

Using a tour operator like Terenga Safaris can make your game drive adventure far smoother and richer in experience. Here’s how:

• Expert local guides: Guides with deep knowledge of the parks (animal behaviour, tracks, best times, secret spots) help you see more and understand what you’re seeing. For instance, Terenga’s Queen Elizabeth offerings highlight the Kasenyi Plains, Ishasha sector, etc.
• Logistics and transport: The roads in some parks are rough, and the distances long. Tour operators arrange 4×4 safari vehicles, experienced drivers, sometimes flights or transfers to airstrips, so you don’t have to worry about that.
•  Permits and park fees: Some activities need advance permits (night drives, chimpanzee/gorilla trekking, etc.) and operators help with those.
• Accommodation: Agencies can match you to lodges or camps that suit your style and budget, from luxury camps to more rustic options.
• Custom itineraries: Depending on how much time you have, what you want to see most (big cats, rhinos, birdlife, remote parks), operators like Terenga can craft itineraries that hit the highlights or go off the beaten path.

Suggested Itinerary Ideas

“Classic Uganda Game Drive” (5‑7 days)
Combine Murchison Falls + Queen Elizabeth + Lake Mburo. Start in Kampala → Murchison (game drives + boat cruise to see Nile falls) → Queen Elizabeth (tree‑climbing lions, Kasenyi plains) → Lake Mburo (more intimate safari, night drive) → return to Kampala.

“Remote Wilderness Special” (7‑10 days)
Add Kidepo Valley to the above, so you get a sense of remote, untamed wilderness. Good for those who have more time, want fewer crowds, and want to see wildlife in less‑visited settings.

“Wildlife & Rhino Focus”
Include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhinos, do Murchison and Queen Elizabeth for big game, maybe a visit to smaller forest parks if interested in primates and birds.

Tips for Game Drives

• Go in the dry season if possible, for better road conditions, more visibility and animals gathering around water holes.
• Early morning or late afternoon drives give cooler temperatures and more active wildlife.
• If night drives are available and allowed in your park, try to include one. They require special arrangements but reward you with sightings you’d otherwise miss.
• Bring binoculars, a good camera, layered clothing, sun protection, insect repellent.
• Respect park rules, listen to guides  safety is key.

Uganda offers some of the best game drives in East Africa from the booming plains of Murchison Falls, to the tree‑climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, to the remote magic of Kidepo, the intimate experiences in Lake Mburo, and rare rhinos in Ziwa. Tour operators like Terenga Safaris are excellent partners to turn these into seamless, safe, and unforgettable journeys.