The Heart of Every African Safari

During a game drive, your professional safari guide and driver will navigate through diverse habitats such as savannah plains, acacia woodlands, riverine forests, and wetlands in search of Africa’s iconic wildlife. Expect to encounter elephants grazing quietly, giraffes browsing treetops, herds of buffalo, playful troops of baboons, and an array of antelope species. With a bit of luck, you may witness the stealth of a leopard lounging on a tree branch, lions resting under bushes after a night hunt, or cheetahs scanning the plains for prey.

Game drives typically take place early in the morning when animals are most active, and in the late afternoon towards sunset when predators begin to hunt. Some parks also offer full-day game drives with picnic lunches in the bush, or thrilling night game drives that reveal nocturnal creatures such as civets, genets, bush babies, and owls.

Where to Experience Game Drives:

Uganda:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park – famous for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and scenic drives along the Kasenyi plains.
• Murchison Falls National Park – rewarding game drives along the Nile Delta and Buligi tracks with chances to see elephants, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, and large herds of buffalo.
• Lake Mburo National Park – known for plains game like zebras, impalas, topis, and elands in an acacia savannah setting.
• Kidepo Valley National Park – remote and untouched, offering sightings of unique species such as cheetahs, ostriches, and large buffalo herds against rugged mountain backdrops.

Rwanda:

• Akagera National Park – the only savannah park in Rwanda, offering classic game drives to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of antelopes.

Kenya:

• Maasai Mara National Reserve – world-renowned for its high density of predators and the Great Wildebeest Migration.
• Amboseli National Park – famous for large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro as a dramatic backdrop.
• Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – vast wilderness areas known for red-dusted elephants, scenic landscapes, and diverse wildlife.
• Samburu National Reserve – offering unique northern species such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.

Tanzania:

Serengeti National Park – iconic for the endless plains teeming with wildlife and the spectacular Great Migration.

Ngorongoro Crater – a natural wonder with the highest concentration of animals within its caldera.

Tarangire National Park – famed for giant baobab trees and large herds of elephants.

Lake Manyara National Park – known for tree-climbing lions and large flocks of flamingos along the lake shore.

Ruaha and Selous (Nyerere National Park) – off-the-beaten-track parks with abundant wildlife and fewer tourists.

Beyond wildlife viewing, game drives allow you to appreciate the grandeur of African landscapes – endless golden savannahs dotted with acacia trees, dramatic escarpments, misty mountains, and meandering rivers teeming with hippos and crocodiles. The combination of breathtaking scenery, fresh air, and close wildlife encounters makes game drives an unforgettable highlight of your safari adventure.