Safety during Game Drives in Uganda : Safety during game drives in Uganda are the different precautions put in place to followed during the search for wildlife species around different destinations in Uganda.
Some of the destinations where game drives in Uganda are carried out include national parks such as Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park which are the popular savannah parks found in different parts of the country.
These safari destinations found in Uganda are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority which also sets different rules and regulations to be followed during the game drives around the national parks in the country.
Uganda is known for its diverse wildlife species and stunning landscapes which can be explored during game drives.
Some of the safety measures put in place to be followed during game drives in Uganda include the following;
- Exploring the national park with a ranger guide
One of the ways to ensure tourists are safe as they engage in game drives in Uganda is by going for the safari with ranger guides.
This is because the ranger guides are knowledgeable about the national parks and the routes to follow during the game drive experience. The rangers also know how to interpret the behavior of the animals and can know how to act in case of any danger during the game drive.
Tourists can book the game drive experience with a tour operator and as part of this experience; a local guide is assigned for the safari which makes it safer to explore the national parks in search for the wildlife species. However, self drives can also be done with ranger guides during tours around national parks in Uganda.
- Driving within the speed limit set in the national parks
When driving around the national parks during game drives in Uganda, drivers are encouraged to maintain a speed limit of 40km/hr.
Maintaining the speed limit during the game drives makes it easy to see wildlife species around the national parks as compared to driving fast and missing out on the wildlife viewing experience around the destinations.
Those drivers who exceed the speed limit during game drives are also liable to paying a fine. Exceeding the speed limit also imposes a danger to animals which can get hit because of over speeding.
- No feeding the animals
Feeding animals during game drives is also highly discouraged because it interferes with the feeding habits of the wildlife species found in the national parks and also disrupts their circle of life.
The diverse habitats in the national parks in Uganda provide all the food that the wildlife species need to survive which makes it unnecessary to feed them since they can survive on their own in the wilderness.
- No littering
Tourists engaging in game drives in Uganda are also discouraged from littering as they explore the different Uganda national parks.
There are also garbage disposal places around the national parks where tourists taking part in the game drives can dump their rubbish instead of littering. This helps to prevent pollution and also any danger that the rubbish may pose to the wildlife species if they are exposed to items such as plastic.
- Not driving off the tracks
During game drives in Uganda, tourists are encouraged to drive following the designated wildlife viewing tracks found around the national parks.
Due to the vast nature of the national parks, game drives that are done off the usual tracks may lead to getting lost in the wilderness and finding the way back to the right location maybe difficult. Vehicles that drive off the tracks are also fined during wildlife safaris in Uganda.
- No disturbing the animals by hooting
During game drives in Uganda, animals are to be allowed to roam freely and therefore should be allowed rite of passage in any part of the national park therefore drivers should not hoot at the animals.
The impact that the hooting may have on the animals also poses a danger to tourists in the hooting vehicle which is why it is discouraged during game drives in Uganda.
- Driving between 07:00 am and 07:00 pm
Game drives in Uganda are carried out between 07:00 am and 07:00 pm and after this time of the day, tourists are not to engage in game drives unless they are permitted to do so by the park officials.
Some destinations in Uganda however, offer night game drives during which tourists can see the different nocturnal wildlife species while on safari.
- Retaining receipts for inspection
Tourists visiting Uganda for game drives around the national parks in the country are encouraged to keep their receipts for the park fees.
This is because at different entry points of the national parks, the receipts are inspected by the park officials before being allowed to go for the game drives. Forms of identification may also be required at the park gates to verify the nationality of the tourists before they enter the national parks.
The park fee which is paid to allow tourists to take part in game drives in the national parks of Uganda is valid for a period of 24 hours from the time of entry into the national park. Many other costs are incurred during the tour including charges for other activities such as boat rides and community tours around the national parks.
- Making campfires at designated areas
During game drives in Uganda, tourists are discouraged from making campfires around the national park. This is because there are places set aside for setting the camp fires around the national parks.
Setting campfires at designated areas help to avoid bushfires which are a danger to the wildlife species and also the tourists driving around the national parks in Uganda.
- Appropriate dressing
Wearing the right clothing for the game drives also keeps tourists safe during the activity around national parks in Uganda.
Tourists are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes which blend in with nature and also neutral colors of clothing. Other items to pack for the game drive include sunhats and sunscreen, insect repellant, binoculars, drinking water among others.
