Discover the best places for game safaris in Uganda that guarantee visitors the most fascinating encounters with wildlife in their natural environment. Uganda safaris are best enjoyed in the finest National Parks or Wildlife Reserves. The best way to experience most of Uganda's game safaris is by involving an expert.
On guided game drives in Uganda, expect to encounter the diversity of wildlife in their natural setting. These include small and large mammals, birds, reptiles and more. With the presence of the local expert, you have a chance to understand in depth more about how these unique animal species behave. Uganda game safaris guarantee diverse encounters to nature enthusiasts from primates to savanna game or Big 5 game species as well as countless antelope families. Let us explore the top best places for game safaris in Uganda.
Located in the Karamoja Region, Northeastern Uganda is a spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park undoubtedly one of the best places to experience epic game safaris in the Pearl of Africa. Kidepo is Uganda’s 3rd largest park occupying up to 1442 sq. km and was established as a National Park in 1962. Game safaris in Kidepo guarantee visitors an unmatched African wilderness experience.
There is abundant wildlife to encounter on Kidepo game safaris, especially in the different game sections like the Narus and Kidepo Valleys. The different wild animals to explore on game safaris in Kidepo include the Rothschild giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, wolf-eared bats, Bohor reedbucks, cheetahs, leopards, elands, oribis, and waterbucks. These dominate the Kidepo Valley area of the Kidepo National Park.
The Narus Valley is known for its enriching game-viewing experiences. The various wildlife that concentrate around the Narus Valley include bushbucks, elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, Kobs, lions, and others. Game safaris in Kidepo can even be spiced with guided cultural visits in the Karamoja and IK communities.
Queen Elizabeth National Park holds a special place in the hearts of many nature enthusiasts who come for Uganda safaris. Lying in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth Game Safari Park is Uganda’s 2nd biggest park with a surface land area of 1978 sq. km. A game safari in Queen Elizabeth Park is best done in the different regions/tracks including Kasenyi, Mweya, Kazinga Channel, and Ishasha. These are exceptional when it comes to wildlife encounters and if you are interested in primate tours, then consider exploring the Maramagambo Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
The diverse wildlife to encounter on Queen Elizabeth game safari includes the giant forest hogs, warthogs, cape buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, African elephants, baboons, lions (including the rare tree climbing lions), spotted hyenas, bushbucks, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, and many others. Game safaris in this park are best enjoyed during the morning or afternoon guided game drive or launch cruise.
Murchison Falls Game Park is one of the top best places for game safaris in Uganda. This is Uganda’s biggest park with extensive land area coverage of up to 3840 sq. km. Getting to Murchison Falls Park takes about 6-7 hours’ drive and interestingly, visitors also have a chance to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos in the wild.
Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s premier game safari destination holds up to 76 mammal species, 451 bird species, plus different reptiles. The best spots to go for game safaris in Murchison include the Albert, Buligi game tracks, and Victoria tracks. The various wild animals to encounter on a safari in Murchison Falls Park include elephants, buffaloes, Kobs, hartebeests, oribis, lions, leopards, bushbucks, warthogs, giraffes, and many birds.
Game safaris in Murchison include guided game drives in the morning/afternoon, launch or boat cruise safaris, primate walks, birding tours, and more options. All game safari options in Murchison Falls Park guarantee you captivating encounters in the wild.
Lake Mburo National Park is another special wildlife spot worth exploring on Uganda game safaris. Lake Mburo Game Safari Park is Uganda’s most accessible wildlife destination from the heart of bustling Kampala. It requires you to spend about 4 hours on the road and you can reach this charming nature destination.
Lake Mburo National Park game safaris enrich nature lovers with incredible wildlife encounters including zebras, elands, topis, mongoose, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. The best options to go about game safaris in Lake Mburo National Park include morning and afternoon game drives and launch or boat cruise safaris.
Bwindi offers special game safari experiences, especially for primate adventure seekers. The park is set in the extreme Southwestern Uganda and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi is where the highest concentration of mountain gorillas exist and other wildlife.
Overall, Bwindi holds over 120 mammal species including more than 459 mountain gorillas. These survive harmoniously with over 350 species of birds, numerous reptiles, amphibians, and colorful butterfly species. The premier activities to expect to enjoy on Uganda game safaris in Bwindi National Park include gorilla safaris, mountain gorilla habituation, bird watching, nature walks, and others.
Kibale National Park –the primate capital of the world is truly a perfect place to visit to encounter diverse primate species. Up to 13 primate species survive in Kibale including 1500 chimpanzees.
Other primate individuals include l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, mangabey, pottos, bush babies, black and white colobus monkeys. Within Kibale, there are also over 375 bird species including the unique African green-breasted pitta. The must-do game safari activities in Kibale National Park include chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, chimpanzee habituation experience, and bird watching.
Mgahinga is another extraordinary destination that is worth visiting, especially if you desire to experience unusual primate adventures such as gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. Located in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is home to both golden monkeys and the rare mountain gorillas.
Conclusively, Uganda features 10 National Parks and 12 wildlife reserves but the above are the top best places to visit and be rest assured of captivating game safari experiences. Visitors can visit one or more on a combined Uganda game safari tour thus guaranteeing you diverse wilderness experiences. Talk to the local expert at Maranatha Tours and Travel to plan your Uganda game safari tour.
