Game Viewing in Rwanda & Uganda

Witness the Majesty of the African Savannah 

While mountain gorillas rule the misty forests, the golden savannahs of East Africa tell a different story — one of movement, instinct, survival, and breathtaking beauty. Game viewing in Rwanda and Uganda offers the classic African safari experience, where lions stalk through tall grass, elephants gather at riverbanks, and giraffes stride across open plains beneath endless skies. 

At Silverback Gorilla Tours, we take you beyond ordinary game drives. Our wildlife safaris are designed to immerse you in the rhythm of the wild — during the cool hush of sunrise, the dramatic heat of midday, and the golden glow of sunset when predators begin to move. 

From Uganda’s legendary tree-climbing lions to Rwanda’s reintroduced Big Five, every safari drive is a front-row seat to nature’s most extraordinary theatre. 

Murchison Falls National Park – The Giant of the Nile (Uganda) 

As Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, Murchison Falls offers a landscape of powerful contrasts. The mighty River Nile bisects the park before exploding through a narrow gorge, creating one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Africa. 

This park is a wildlife powerhouse. 

The Big Game Experience 

Here you can encounter four of the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo — in a single destination. It is also the best location in Africa to see the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe, whose elegant presence dominates the northern plains. 

Large herds of Uganda kobs, hartebeests, and waterbucks graze the Buligi tracks, which are known for having the highest concentration of wildlife in the park. These open savannah routes provide excellent visibility for photography and predator tracking. 

Nile Delta & Boat Safari 

Game viewing in Murchison is not limited to land. A boat safari along the Nile toward the delta offers intimate encounters with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birdlife gathering along the riverbanks. Watching wildlife from the water adds a completely different perspective to your Uganda safari experience.  

Queen Elizabeth National Park – The Land of Tree-Climbing Lions (Uganda) 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular safari destination — and for good reason. Its diverse ecosystems include open savannah, wetlands, crater lakes, and river channels, creating exceptional biodiversity. 

Ishasha Sector – A Rare Phenomenon 

The Ishasha sector is globally famous for its tree-climbing lions. Unlike most lions that rest on the ground, these unique predators lounge in ancient fig trees, scanning the plains below. This rare behavior is only found in a few places in Africa, making Ishasha a bucket-list safari destination. 

Kasenyi Plains – Predator Territory 

The vast Kasenyi Plains are prime hunting grounds where lions stalk Uganda kobs in dramatic savannah scenes. Elephant herds and Cape buffaloes frequently move across these grasslands, creating classic East Africa wildlife photography moments. 

Kazinga Channel – Wildlife Density at Its Peak 

A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel offers one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world. Buffaloes wallow along the banks while elephants gather to drink. The channel also attracts exceptional birdlife, making it ideal for combining game viewing and bird watching. 

Akagera National Park – Rwanda’s Big Five Comeback 

Akagera National Park represents one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation success stories. Once nearly depleted of large wildlife, the park has undergone remarkable restoration and now hosts all members of the Big Five. 

The Complete Big Five Safari 

Through successful reintroduction programs, lions and black rhinos have returned to Akagera. Today, visitors can track lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos within a single park — making it Rwanda’s premier savannah safari destination. 

Night Game Drives 

Akagera is one of the few parks in the region offering night game drives. With spotlight guidance, you may encounter hyenas, serval cats, bushbabies, and other nocturnal predators rarely seen during the day. 

Lakes & Scenic Viewing 

The park’s eastern border is lined with shimmering lakes where zebras, impalas, and waterbirds gather. The combination of rolling hills, open plains, and wetland ecosystems creates one of the most scenic safari landscapes in East Africa.  

Kidepo Valley National Park – Africa’s Hidden Wilderness (Uganda) 

For travelers seeking raw, untamed Africa, Kidepo Valley offers a safari experience reminiscent of the continent decades ago. Remote and dramatic, this park is often described as one of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness areas. 

Narus Valley – Wildlife Concentration 

During the dry season, wildlife congregates in the Narus Valley in staggering numbers. Massive buffalo herds — sometimes exceeding 1,000 individuals — move across the plains, attracting predators including lions and the rare cheetah, found only here in Uganda. 

The Karamoja Landscape 

Game viewing in Kidepo unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of the Morungole Mountains, offering some of the most breathtaking safari photography opportunities in Africa. 

What Makes Our Game Viewing Different? 

Custom-Built 4×4 Safari Vehicles 

Our fleet of Land Cruisers and safari vans feature pop-up roofs for uninterrupted 360-degree viewing and photography. Each vehicle is maintained for rugged terrain to ensure safety and comfort. 

The Sixth Sense of Our Guides 

Our professional safari guides possess deep knowledge of animal behavior. They interpret bird alarm calls, read subtle tracks in the dust, and understand predator movement patterns. Their experience significantly increases your chances of meaningful sightings. 

Sunrise & Sunset Focus 

The golden hours are when the savannah comes alive. We ensure early departures and late afternoon drives to capture predators on the move and wildlife in the most dramatic lighting conditions. 

Ethical Wildlife Viewing 

We maintain respectful distances and follow strict conservation guidelines to ensure our presence never disrupts natural behaviors. 

Best Time for Game Viewing in Rwanda & Uganda 

Game viewing is rewarding year-round, but dry seasons provide optimal visibility and easier driving conditions: 

• June to September 
• December to February 

During these months, animals gather around water sources, increasing viewing opportunities. Green seasons, however, offer lush landscapes and fewer vehicles, creating a more exclusive safari experience. 

Combine Game Viewing with Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking 

One of the greatest advantages of visiting Rwanda and Uganda is the diversity of wildlife experiences available within close proximity. 

You can track mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, search for chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, and then experience classic Big Five game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Akagera — all within one seamless itinerary. 

This combination makes East Africa one of the most complete wildlife safari destinations in the world. 

Pro Tips for a Successful Game Drive 

• Patience is essential. Wildlife sightings reward those who observe quietly. 
• Dress in layers to adjust to early morning chill and midday warmth. 
• Bring binoculars to scan distant movement. 
• Keep cameras ready but avoid sudden movements. 

The savannah is not a zoo — it is a living ecosystem. The unpredictability is part of its magic.  

Experience the Circle of Life 

The sound of hooves across open plains. The tension before a predator’s charge. The quiet dignity of elephants silhouetted at sunset. 

Game viewing in Rwanda and Uganda offers more than animal sightings — it delivers a deep connection to landscapes where nature still unfolds without barriers. 

At Silverback Gorilla Tours, we design immersive wildlife safaris that combine expertise, comfort, and conservation responsibility. Whether you seek the Big Five, rare predators, or sweeping savannah photography, we ensure your African safari is unforgettable. 

Contact us today to plan your Game Viewing Safari in Rwanda or Uganda. 

The wild is waiting.