Game drives in Kasenyi plains
Game drives in the Kasenyi plains are among the activities carried out during safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kasenyi plains are home to numerous wildlife species which can be seen during the game drives and they also have stunning landscapes that can be viewed during the search for the various wildlife species found in the national park.
Around the open savannah plains which make up a big part of the Kasenyi plains, different wildlife species can be seen during safaris and they include lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalos, impalas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas among others.
The game drives can be done in the morning and also in the afternoon hours during safaris around the Kasenyi plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The duration of the game drives is about 4 hours during which tourists explore the open Savannah plains.
During game drives around the Kasenyi plains, there are different rules and regulations to follow while on safari and they include staying inside the safari vehicle, avoiding noise, not littering in the park, not overcrowding the animals, hooting at the animals is not allowed, feeding the animals, among other rules.
The drivers leading the game drive around the Kasenyi plains are also encouraged to maintain the speed limit when exploring the Queen Elizabeth National Parks in search for the different wildlife species found at the destination.
Lion tracking is another activity which is done during tours around the Kasenyi plains. The activity is an opportunity for tourists to observe lions closely by tracking their movements around the savannah plains using the collars around the lion’s necks. This guided safari experience is only done in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Cost of game drives in Kasenyi plains
There are different costs incurred during game drives in the Kasenyi plains and they include park entrance fees which are paid before tourists take part in any activity around Queen Elizabeth national park.
Park entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth national park is 40 USD for foreign nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. This park entrance fee is valid for 24 hours from the time of entering the national park for the safari.
Children visiting the park are charged park entrance fee of 20 USD for foreign nonresidents, 10 USD for foreign residents and 5,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens. Children are individuals aged between 5 and 15 years. Children below the age of 5 years are not charged park entrance fee for Queen Elizabeth national park.
Lion tracking in the Kasenyi plains costs 200 USD for foreign nonresidents, 150 USD for foreign residents and 200,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.
Best time for game drives in Kasenyi plains
The best time for game drives in the Kasenyi Plains is during the dry season from June to August and in December to February. During this dry period, the vegetation is thin, making it easier to spot wildlife species during the game drives. Early morning hours are the most active time for the wildlife making them easy to see during the game drives.
During the dry season, wildlife species are also easy to see when driving around the water points where the animals gather to drink water in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Other activities to do around Queen Elizabeth national park
During tours around Kasenyi plains, tourists can engage in many other activities around Queen Elizabeth national park which include the following;
- Boat rides
Game drives around the Kasenyi plains can also be combined with boat rides on the Kazinga channel which can be done in the morning or in the afternoon. The Kazinga channel is formed where Lake Edward meets Lake George.
The area around the Kazinga channel where the boat rides are done is home to a wide variety of bird species making them an ideal destination for bird watching enthusiasts and different wildlife species such as elephants, buffalos, hippos and Nile crocodiles can also be spotted along the shores of the water during the boat tours.
Around the Kazinga area is also known for its fishing villages, and visitors can often spot locals fishing from their boats during the boat tours. The boat rides on Kazinga channel are offered by the locals and tourists can also use the UWA scheduled boat or book a private boat excursion using the Marasa Africa boat.
- Guided nature walks
The exciting game drives around Kasenyi plains can be combined with guided nature walk tours in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Guided nature walks around Queen Elizabeth national park offers a captivating safari experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers as they explore the destination’s vast savannah plains on foot immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of the natural surroundings.
Ranger guides move with the tourist as they engage in the nature walks during which tourists can also encounter wildlife species including antelopes, buffalos, and antelopes among others in the open savannah.
- Community tours
Interactions with the local communities living in the surrounding area of Queen Elizabeth national park is also part of the safari experience to enjoy around the destination.
During these community tours, tourists can enjoy traditional dances, learn how to prepare local food, visit the homesteads and get to know more about the way of life and culture of the locals.
- Visiting the Katwe salt lake
Another activity which tourists can engage in around Queen Elizabeth national park during safaris is visiting the Katwe salt lake for an experience of getting to know how salt mining is done using traditional methods.
Tours around Queen Elizabeth national park also involve chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge, viewing the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector among other activities carried out during safaris.
Where to stay during game drives around Kasenyi plains
There are different budget, midrange and luxury lodges found around the Kasenyi plains area and they include Kasenyi safari camp, Kasenyi wild game lodge, Elephant plains lodge, the Bush lodge, Simba safari camp, Elephant hab lodge, Buffalos safari lodge, Mazike valley lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Baboon safari resort and many others.
