Are Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth Worth it
Many tourists planning wildlife safaris in Uganda want their tour operators to include game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. A common question among these travelers is are game drives in Queen Elizabeth worth it. As a result, they often ask their tour operators about the value of these game drives when planning their trips. Queen Elizabeth National Park is highly recommended for visitors due to its rich wildlife. The park is home to 600 bird species, 10 primates, and 95 mammals. Most of these can be seen during game drives in different areas of the park. Including game drives in your schedule will enhance your safari experience and make it more memorable.
Travellers should understand that their spending on experiences creates lasting memories even after they return home. Kazinga National Park, gazetted in 1952, gained fame after a visit from the Queen of England and has since become one of the most popular parks in the country. Tourists are investing in activities that will provide them with unforgettable memories, highlighting the park’s importance in tourism. Queen Elizabeth National Park was originally named Kabalega National Park.
The Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its tree-climbing lions. The park is a popular spot for birdwatching with 600 bird species, and it is home to 95 mammals and chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. Additionally, the Kazinga Channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Overall, Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its diverse wildlife, making it a top destination for nature enthusiasts.
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers memorable wildlife viewing experiences during game drives, making the cost worthwhile. Visitors can participate in game drive activities during three sessions: morning, evening, and night. These sessions allow tourists to see various wildlife species clearly, creating lasting memories and justifying the expense of the visit.
If you pay the park entrance fee, you can go on both morning and evening game drives for free. However, day game drives require you to hire armed ranger guides for safety, which incurs an additional cost. The money spent on these drives supports local communities, employees, and the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. Overall, the costs associated with the game drives contribute to important conservation efforts and benefit the surrounding communities.
The entrance fee for Queen Elizabeth National Park is UGX20,000 for East African citizens, $40 for foreign non-residents, and $30 for foreign residents. A UWA ranger guide is required for night game drives, which also have a fee. Night game drive charges are $30 for foreign non-residents, $20 for foreign residents, and UGX50,000 for East African citizens. The presence of a UWA ranger guide is mandatory for these night drives.
The game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day game drives
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, day game drives occur in the morning and evening. These drives start at your lodge, where a safari driver picks you up and takes you to different viewing spots in the park. Key locations for these drives include the Mweya Peninsula, Ishasha Sector, and Kasenyi Plains. In the Ishasha area, there is a chance to see the rare tree-climbing lions, which can only be found there. Day game drives offer a chance to experience the wildlife and stunning landscapes of this unique park.
During Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Day game drives, visitors can see many animals, including buffalo, elephants, lions, aardvarks, bushbucks, sitatungas, giant forest hogs, topis, defassa waterbucks, Nile crocodiles, hippos, Uganda kobs, side-striped jackals, and spotted hyenas. These activities offer a great chance to observe diverse wildlife.
The night game drives- Are Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth Worth it
Visitors can enjoy night game drives in the park to see various nocturnal animals. These game drives use powerful spotlights, making the experience exciting and worthwhile. Tourists who love these creatures will find the night game drives worth the cost, as they get a chance to see many nocturnal species.
Only the Mweya Peninsula, on the park’s western side, is used for nighttime wildlife drives. Night game drives are not held in the Ishasha sector due to the stress caused to lions by daytime tracking activities. A UWA ranger guide and a spotlight are necessary to see wild animals like lions, leopards, warthogs, bushbabies, civet genets, serval cats, and bushpigs during these nighttime excursions. Thus, if you’re going on a night game drive, you must have these items with you.
Best time for game drives
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers game drives all year, but the best times are during the dry season, from June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little to no rain, keeping the game tracks dry. The vegetation is also sparse, making it easier to spot wildlife. Additionally, the roads leading to the park are usually in good condition. While game drives can be done anytime, visiting during the dry season provides a better experience due to these favorable conditions.
Despite the heavy rainfall, visitors can still enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park during the rainy seasons of March to May and October to November. This season offers lower-cost lodging options for budget travelers. However, the rain makes the game tracks muddy and slippery, and the roads to the park are in bad shape. Additionally, tall vegetation obstructs clear views of wildlife. Overall, while tourism continues during these times, challenges like poor road conditions and limited visibility can affect the experience.
How to Get to the Park for Game Drives- Are Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth Worth it
Travelers can reach Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kampala by road in 7-8 hours. They can choose routes through Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Rubirizi, or Mubende, Fort Portal, and Kasese. These journeys offer great views of various attractions along the way and include stops for sightseeing.
Chartered flights are the quickest way to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking just one hour and fifteen minutes. Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda operate these flights from Kajjansi Airfield and Entebbe International Airport to Mweya Airstrip and Kasese Airstrip. To get to Queen Elizabeth National Park quickly, use chartered flights. These flights are organised by Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda.
