Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth Park
You want to see lions. You want to see elephants. And you want to know exactly how to make that happen without wasting time or money. A game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best way to see Uganda’s wildlife. But the park is huge. It covers 1,978 square kilometers. If you drive without a plan, you will see mostly grass. This guide comes from daily experience on these tracks. It tells you exactly where to go, what you will pay in 2026, and how to spot the animals you came for.
Choosing Your Sector: Kasenyi Plains vs. Ishasha
Queen Elizabeth National Park is vast. It covers nearly 1978 square kilometers. You cannot see it all in a single game drive. The park is divided into two primary game-viewing sectors, and your choice depends entirely on what you want to see.
The Kasenyi Plains: The Predator’s Playground
If you have limited time or want to see the highest density of animals, you should go to Kasenyi. Located in the northeast part of the park near Lake George, this is an open savannah. The visibility here is unmatched. The ecosystem here is driven by the Uganda Kob. These antelopes gather in the thousands on these plains. Because the Kobs are here, the lions are here. The “Kasenyi Track” is the primary route. It loops through the mating grounds of the Kobs. We often find prides of lions hiding in the euphorbia cactus thickets, waiting for the heat of the day to pass. This sector is also where you find the salt crater lakes like Bunyampaka. The drive up to the crater rim offers a view that stretches across the rift valley floor. The downside of Kasenyi is its popularity. You will see other vehicles. To avoid the traffic, we enter the tracks as soon as the gates open at 7:00 AM.
The Ishasha Sector: Home of the Tree-Climbing Lions
Ishasha is different. It sits in the southern part of the park, about two hours from the main gate. The
landscape shifts from open grass to woodland and massive fig trees. This is the only place in Uganda and one of only two places in the world where lions have a culturally ingrained habit of climbing trees. You do not come to Ishasha for vast herds. You come here to scan the branches of the sycamore fig trees. The lions climb to escape the heat and the biting tsetse flies on the ground. Finding them requires patience and a sharp eye. The “Southern Circuit” is the best track for this. Unlike Kasenyi, Ishasha feels isolated. You can drive for an hour and not see another car. It is quieter, wilder, and requires a full day to appreciate properly.
Beyond the Standard Drive: Specialized Experiences
A standard game drive keeps you on the designated tracks. However, two specialized activities allow you to go deeper into the park’s ecosystem.
Lion Tracking Research
This is not a normal tourist activity. It is a scientific field trip. You join a small team of researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Project. The vehicle goes off-road, following the radio collar signals of the dominant male or female lions. The experience is raw. You see how the pride functions, how they protect their territory, and how researchers monitor their health. The numbers are strictly limited to keep stress on the animals low. You’ll need to book this months in advance. It costs more than a standard drive, but the guarantee of seeing lions and the education you receive is worth the premium.
The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Think of this as a game drive on water. It is a two-hour launch trip along the channel that connects
Lake George and Lake Edward. This stretch of water holds one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. You drift within meters of elephants drinking at the banks and buffalo cooling off in the mud. It offers a perspective you cannot get from a Land Cruiser. The boats run twice a day, usually at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Most travelers combine a morning game drive in Kasenyi with an afternoon boat cruise here. It is the best way to see the park’s aquatic wildlife without dust or bumps.
Night Game Drives
The savannah changes completely after sunset. The heat vanishes, and the nocturnal hunters emerge. A night game drive is the only way to see animals you will miss during the day. We use high-powered spotlights to scan the darkness. You might see a leopard stalking near the Mweya Peninsula, unaware of your presence. Genets, civets, and bush babies are common sightings. You might even spot a hippo grazing on land, far from the water, a behavior they only risk under the cover of darkness. UWA rangers strictly supervise these drives to ensure safety.
The Logistics | Vehicles, Fees, and Timing
The Right Vehicle for the Terrain
The vehicle you choose dictates the quality of your viewing. The tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be rough, especially after rain. A 4×4 Land Cruiser is the industry standard for a reason. It handles the mud in Ishasha and the ruts in Kasenyi without issue. The most critical feature is the pop-up roof. You need to stand up to see over the tall elephant grass. Sliding windows are not enough. A pop-up roof gives you a 360-degree view and allows you to stabilize your camera on the roof rim for steady shots. We avoid small vans or sedans. They are too low to the ground, and you will miss sightings that are just a few meters off the track.
2026 UWA Fees and Costs
Budgeting for your safari needs transparency. The costs are broken down into park entrance fees and activity fees. These are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). International visitors pay $40 per person for a 24-hour park entrance permit. This gets you into the park. If you are using a private tour vehicle, there is a separate vehicle entry fee. For the game drive itself, you have options. A self-drive is possible if you have your own 4×4, but hiring a UWA ranger at the gate costs around $20. Their knowledge of recent sightings is invaluable. The specialized Lion Tracking experience is significantly higher, currently sitting at $100 for international visitors. Night game drives are usually $30 per person when using a private vehicle with a ranger. Keep in mind that these fees are subject to change by UWA, so always confirm the exact dollar amount when you book your itinerary.
Best Time of Day
Timing is not a suggestion; it is a rule. Animals are active when it is cool. The morning drive should start at 6:30 AM or 7:00 AM. The predators are still active at night, and the light is soft for photography. By 11:00 AM, the heat rises, and animals retreat to the shade. They become almost impossible to spot. The evening drive begins at 4:00 PM. As the sun lowers, the animals come back out to graze and hunt. The lighting during this “golden hour” turns the savannah a deep orange. It is the most beautiful time to be in the park.
Solving Common Pain Points
Tsetse Flies in Ishasha: The Ishasha sector has tsetse flies. Their bite is sharp and painful. They are attracted to dark colors like blue and black. Wear long sleeves in neutral colors like khaki, olive, or tan. Keep your windows up when driving through thick woodlands and only open the roof when you stop for a sighting.
Crowds in Kasenyi: During peak season (June to August and December to February), the main tracks in Kasenyi can get busy. If you see a cluster of vans, it usually means a lion has been spotted. To avoid the “traffic jam” feel, we often take the lesser-used tracks first or focus on the crater lakes in the morning, looping back to the plains later when other groups have gone for lunch.
Heat and Hydration: The rift valley floor gets hot. Temperatures can hit 30°C (86°F) by midday. Always carry more water than you think you need. A game drive can last 3 to 4 hours, and there are no shops out in the bush.
Ready to Plan Your Route?
A game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the core of any Uganda wildlife safari. Whether you want the predator density of Kasenyi or the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, the key is planning. You need the right vehicle, the right timing, and a clear understanding of the costs. We help you build an itinerary that hits these peaks without the stress. We know which tracks are muddy and where the lions were seen yesterday. Contact us to secure your permits and vehicle for the 2026-2027 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The early morning drive starting at 6:30 AM is superior. Predators like lions and leopards are most active before the heat sets in. The late afternoon drive from 4:00 PM also offers excellent viewing conditions as temperatures cool down.
How much does a game drive cost in 2026?
You must pay the park entrance fee of $40 per person (foreign non-residents). If you hire a UWA ranger for your private vehicle, it costs $20. Specialized night drives are $30 per person, and lion tracking permits are $100.
Can I do a self-drive safari in the park?
Yes, self-drives are permitted if you have a capable 4×4 vehicle. However, the tracks are not well-marked. Hiring a UWA ranger at the gate is highly recommended to help navigate and locate wildlife.
Where can I see tree-climbing lions?
Tree-climbing lions are found exclusively in the Ishasha Sector, located in the southern part of the park. They are most often spotted resting in large fig trees during the hotter hours of the day.
Is a night game drive worth it?
Yes, if you want to see nocturnal species. You have a higher chance of spotting leopards, hippos grazing on land, and genets. It offers a completely different perspective from the daytime drives.
What should I wear on a game drive?
Wear neutral colors like khaki or green. Avoid blue and black, especially in Ishasha, as these colors attract tsetse flies. Layers are important because mornings can be chilly, but it warms up quickly.
Do I need a 4×4 vehicle?
A 4×4 is essential. The tracks in Kasenyi and Ishasha consist of loose soil and mud. A standard sedan will get stuck, especially during the rainy season. A vehicle with a pop-up roof is best for viewing.
