Game Drive Safaris in Uganda & Rwanda
Big Five Adventures Across Uganda & Rwanda's Savannah Wildernesses
A Big Five safari here is not just a checklist—it’s an immersion into untamed ecosystems where every game drive delivers a different story. From the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park to the elephant herds grazing along Murchison Falls’ Nile banks, to Akagera National Park’s rebounding rhinos and roaming predators, this is the pulse of African wilderness.
Guided by seasoned rangers, you’ll traverse landscapes alive with movement, sound, and scent. Dawn and dusk reveal Africa at its most electric—the moment when the savanna breathes and the wild is closest.
Game Drive Safari Tours
Our curated game drive safaris bring you face-to-face with Uganda and Rwanda’s most iconic wildlife while staying true to sustainable, low-impact travel. From short 3-day savanna getaways to multi-park circuits combining primates like gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking and predators, each itinerary balances adventure, comfort, and conservation.
Why Safari With Us
Journey Makers Africa isn’t about mass-market tourism—it’s about purpose-driven, conservation-focused journeys led by experts who know these landscapes intimately. Every game drive safari we craft supports local rangers, community livelihoods, and wildlife protection.
What makes our Big Five safaris different:
- Veteran guides born and raised near these parks, with decades of field experience.
- Private and small-group game drives for intimate, low-impact encounters.
- Lodges handpicked for sustainability and their connection to surrounding communities.
- Seamless logistics—one dedicated safari planner managing your trip from start to finish.
Our goal is not just to show you wildlife, but to connect you with the story of East Africa’s savannas and the efforts to keep them wild.
Where to Go:
Uganda vs Rwanda
Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Famous for its tree-climbing lions, vast savannas, and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel where elephants and buffalo gather.
Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s largest park, home to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and the thundering Nile waterfall that cuts through the landscape.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: The only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos, making it an essential stop for a full Big Five circuit.
Rwanda
Akagera National Park: A conservation success story where rhinos and lions have been reintroduced. Rolling savannas, wetland lakes, and diverse habitats make it Rwanda’s flagship Big Five destination.
Each destination offers a different rhythm of the wild. Uganda’s parks combine savanna and river systems, while Rwanda’s Akagera offers compact, high-density wildlife viewing with easy access from Kigali.
Not sure which destination suits your travel style best? Let’s talk it through.
What a Game Drive Feels Like
At first, it’s a rustle. Then a hoot. Suddenly, the forest erupts with calls, laughter, and movement. Your guide signals, and there they are—chimpanzees swinging between branches, pounding tree trunks, grooming, foraging, vocalizing.
The first light spreads over the savanna. The air is cool, and the grass whispers as a herd of elephants emerges from the morning mist. A lioness watches from the shade, her cubs crouched low beside her. The rumble of hooves, the call of distant birds, the scent of wild sage—this is the raw heartbeat of Africa.
This is not just wildlife viewing. It’s being part of the savanna’s story for a few fleeting hours.
Best Time to Go & When to Book
Game drive safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are year-round, but seasonal changes shape your experience.
Dry Season
June to September and December to February
Dry seasons with clear skies, shorter grasses, and concentrated wildlife around water sources. This is when massive elephant herds converge along the Nile and Kazinga Channel, prides of lions are easier to spot on open plains, leopards often linger in acacia trees, and rhinos frequent watering holes in the early morning light. It is prime time for full Big Five sightings and dramatic predator-prey interactions.
Wet Season
March to May and October to November
Green seasons when landscapes are lush and dramatic, with sweeping vistas transformed into a palette of deep greens and vibrant wildflowers. Birdlife peaks during these months, with migratory species filling the skies. Fewer vehicles and better rates make this season ideal for photographers and travelers seeking solitude, though some tracks may be muddy and drives slower due to soft terrain.
When to Book Your Trek
For peak dry season and limited-space lodges, booking 6–12 months in advance is strongly advised. This is particularly important if you want access to exclusive lodges inside the parks or a private vehicle for uninterrupted photography. Game drive vehicles and prime accommodations fill quickly, especially for private safaris or multi-park circuits.
Planning early means better logistics, better sightings, and better choices.
Planning & Preparation Guide
Vehicles & Comfort
Our safaris use custom 4x4 vehicles with open sides or pop-up roofs for uninterrupted viewing and photography. You can choose between private vehicles for flexibility or small-group drives for a shared experience.
What to Pack
- Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright whites and blues)
- Light layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons
- Binoculars and a zoom lens for photography
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle and light snacks
Lodges & Camps
We partner with eco-lodges and tented camps that immerse you in the landscape while providing modern comfort. Options range from luxury lodges overlooking savannas to intimate bush camps that put you closer to the action.
Health & Safety
- Yellow fever vaccination will be required for entry.
- Anti-malarial medication is strongly advised.
- Always follow your guide’s briefing on behavior around wildlife.
Conservation Impact for Game drive Safari
Every game drive safari you take is a direct investment in the survival of Africa’s most iconic species and the communities that live alongside them.
Traveling with Journey Makers Africa means your safari footprint leaves behind protection, not pressure.
Your safari helps fund:
- Anti-poaching units and ranger patrols in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Habitat restoration and corridor protection for migratory species.
- Community programs that create sustainable livelihoods through tourism.
- Research and monitoring of Big Five populations to guide conservation policies.