Where to Enjoy Uganda Wildlife Safaris? | Where Can I See Wildlife In Uganda? | Where Can I See Wildlife In Uganda? 

There are various areas where tourists can enjoy the Uganda wildlife safari holidays ranging from the wildlife parks and the wildlife reserves of Uganda. Below are the best places where you can go for wildlife tours in Uganda safaris.

Murchison Falls National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the top places to go for wildlife viewing Uganda safaris in East Africa game viewing is superb. It is the largest national park of Uganda located in northwestern Uganda covering an area of 3,800 km².

This park is bisected by River Nile which forms the amazing Murchison Falls where the park gets its name from. Gallons of water squeeze in an 8-meter gorge to form the stunning waterfalls with a thunderous roar causing a permanent rainbow and the water smoothly flows in Lake Albert.

Murchison Falls National Park has over 144 Uganda mammals having 4 of the big 5 savannah animals. These are Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Buffaloes. Also, this park has the highest number of Rothschild Giraffes and Nile Crocodiles.

It has various antelope species though it does not have Zebras. Most of the wildlife in Murchison National Park is in the northern sector because it has a lot of savannah plains. One can explore and enjoy game viewing in the park on a Uganda tour.

Also, one can enjoy a boat cruise which gives a chance of seeing several aquatic animals like Hippos and Crocodiles. It is also a good opportunity to see herds of Buffaloes, Elephants, and Antelopes on the River shores.

The boat cruise goes to the bottom of the falls and to the Nile Lake Albert Delta which is an amazing area for spotting the Shoebill.

Apart from game viewing, one can also go for Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest which has outstanding primates giving you ultimate Uganda safaris.

Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen,s Park is Uganda’s most visited national park in Uganda located near the border of DR Congo and in the shadows of the Rwenzori mountains near Kibale Forest National Park. This park is the best in East Africa to spot tree climbing Lions bringing excitement to your Uganda tour.

Tourists on wildlife safari Uganda tours will love this park because of its beautiful green scenery and it has over 95 animal species making game viewing unique. Queen Elizabeth Park has 4 of the big 5 savannah animals (Lions, Elephants, Leopards, and Buffaloes).

This park has the highest concentration of Hippos. Other animals in this park include Hyenas, Uganda Kobs, Bush bucks, Warthogs, Crocodiles, Water bucks, etc.

Queen Elizabeth National Park also has several bird species amounting to over 600 recorded bird species.

Game viewing of animals is along the different tracks in the various sections of the park. However, the most suitable sector for a game drive is the Kasenyi plains as they have a variety of African wildlife with beautiful scenery.

Visitors to this park can also enjoy outstanding boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel where they can see Crocodiles, Hippos, and many animals along the Channel shores bathing and refreshing making Uganda safaris epic.

The Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park is good for spotting tree climbing Lions as well as Uganda Kobs. Also, visitors can track Chimps in the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth Park or Maramagambo Forest.

Kidepo Valley National Park 

The amazing Kidepo Valley National Park is situated far northeast of Uganda. It is remotely located and it receives few visitors though its beauty is unspoken for.

It has the true wilderness of Africa with excellent landscapes with a variety of flora and fauna making it one of the best parks with beautiful scenery.

Kidepo National Park was described by CNN Travel as one of the best national parks in Africa for Uganda safaris. It has a stunning collection of Mountain ranges and its wildlife is untouched as it has over 77 Uganda mammal species making game viewing unique.

It is one of the few places in Uganda where you can find Cheetahs and Wild Dogs. Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Baboons, Hyenas, Giraffes, Zebras, 12 antelope species, and bird species call this park home.

The best way of game viewing when in Kidepo Valley National Park is by engaging in a game drive going through the Narus Valley during your Uganda tour. It is so iconic for African wildlife viewing safaris, especially in the morning and evening hours.

Kidepo Park is also best for experiencing Uganda’s culture as it has well-reserved tribes of the Karamojongs and the Ik tribe within Mountain Morungule.

Lake Mburo National Park 

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah park in Uganda and it is the closest park to Kampala compared to other parks ideal for a Uganda wildlife safari or Uganda tour. It has only 2 of the big 5 African animals that is Buffaloes and Leopards and it has other abundant wildlife.

However, it has animals that count up to 68 animal species though the biggest number is the antelopes. It has the highest number of Zebras and it is the only park with Impalas making game viewing unique.

Also, Lake Mburo National Park has the highest number of Leopards in any other park in Uganda. Some of the animals in Lake Mburo National Park are Giraffes, Hyenas, Topis, Elands, Bush Pigs, Giant Forest Hogs, etc.

Visitors can always engage in walking safaris (nature walks), game drives, bicycle safaris, horseback riding, and a boat cruise to spot the wildlife.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 

Ziwa Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where one can see the Southern White Rhinos in the wild. This sanctuary was put in place to enable the re-introduction of the Rhinos that got extinct in Uganda.

Now the sanctuary is home to 32 Rhinos. This sanctuary is on the way to Murchison Falls National Park and one can always en-route and trek the Rhinos on a Uganda tour.

Apart from the Rhinos, there is other wildlife in the sanctuary like Bushbucks, Oribis, Warthogs, Uganda Kobs, many Monkey species, etc., and various bird species. Visitors can trek the Rhinos for 2 hours and create memorable moments while on Uganda safari tours during these nature walks.

Other Places to Go For Uganda Wildlife Safari Tours Are;

Other places tourists are visiting Africa for Uganda tours can go to and enjoy wildlife tours. These places are amazing as they have abundant wildlife and several bird species.

Bwindi National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a place for a safari in Uganda to trek and see the endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. It has almost half of the surviving Mountain Gorillas (459) making it a good destination for Gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The biggest number of Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are fully habituated to recognize human presence.

Kibale Forest National Park

During Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, you get to see other primates like Blue Monkeys, Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, etc.

Tourists can also enjoy nocturnal nature walks in Kibale Forest National Park to see nocturnal animals like Bush Babies and Pottos.

Other places are Mountain Elgon National Park which has the oldest extinct volcano in the world, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park which has various animal species and bird species. Also not forgetting Semuliki National Park and Mgahinga NP.

How Long Does It Take To Go Through The Wildlife Safari? 

The duration of the Uganda wildlife safari depends on the number of days you are willing to spend on the Uganda tour. There are short and long Uganda wildlife safari trips to choose from depending on one’s budget and schedule.

However, the duration of wildlife safaris in Africa also depends on the choice of Uganda wildlife safari activities you wish to engage in. Most of the wildlife tour activities to be enjoyed fully require a certain period, unlike others like Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest National Park.

So all of that influences the length of the Uganda wildlife safari. But, if you are near a national park in Uganda, you can do a 1-day excursion within the park, 2 days, or even more.

What Animals Is Uganda Known For? | What Wildlife Is Found In Uganda? | What Wild Animal Is In Uganda? | What Animals Are There To See On A Wildlife Safari In Uganda? 

What animals are in Uganda? Uganda is a top destination for wildlife holidays and it is an impressive country with a variety of animals (350 species) one can see on their Uganda tours and travel.

This country is the Pearl of Africa making it rich with vegetation and beautiful landscape making it home for Uganda animals.

Uganda animals you can see are categorized into Carnivores, Herbivores, and Reptile animals. This country has the big five animals of Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, and Buffaloes. You can see during game drives, nature walks, etc.

The best way of seeing the animals of Uganda is by visiting the national parks of Uganda and wildlife reserves for ultimate wildlife safaris.

Below are some of the animals one can see on Uganda wildlife safari tours in Uganda;

Carnivorous Uganda Animals 

Uganda has 38 carnivores Uganda animals’ species and below is a list of some of these animals.

1. Lions
2. Cheetahs
3. Leopards
4. Spotted Hyenas
5. African Civets
6. Wild Dogs
7. Genets
8. Mongoose
9. Otters
10. Bat-eared Fox
11. Jackals
12. African Wild Cats
13. Servals

Herbivore Uganda Animals 

When on Uganda wildlife safari tours, you can miss the sightings of various herbivores in the Uganda plains. Below are some of the herbivores that you will see on your holiday to Uganda.

1. African Elephants
2. Rhinos
3. Rothschild Giraffes
4. Cape Buffalo
5. Hippopotamus
6. Burchell’s Zebra
7. Elands
8. Uganda kobs
9. Greater Kudu
10. Hartebeest
11. Oryx
12. Defassa Waterbuck
13. Sitatunga
14. Impala
15. Lesser Kudu
16. Grant’s gazelle
17. Reedbuck
18. Forest Duiker
19. Blue Duiker
20. Harvey’s Duiker
21. Oribi
22. Klipspringer
23. Royal antelope
24. Bush Pigs
25. Giant Forest Hogs

Uganda Primates 

Uganda is one of the few countries blessed with a good number of primates ranging from Monkeys to apes. Visitors can see the primates especially when they visit Bwindi and Mgahinga national Parks which are well known for having Gorillas.

Also, they can see the Chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo, Kalinzu, and Kyambura Gorge. However, other Uganda primates can be seen include;

1. Gorillas
2. Chimpanzees
3. Vervet Monkeys
4. De Brazza’s Monkey
5. Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys
6. Olive Baboons
7. Blue Monkeys
8. L’Hoest’s Monkey
9. Red-tailed Monkey
10. Red colobus
11. Patas Monkeys
12. Pottos
13. Bushbabies
14. Gray-cheeked Mangabeys

Reptiles In Uganda

There are various reptiles in Uganda one can see while on Uganda tours in the different national parks and these include;

1. Nile Crocodiles
2. Monitor Lizards
3. Chameleons
4. Snake species e.g. Pythons, Puff adders, Black Cobra, Green snake, etc.

How Much Is Wildlife Safari?

The cost/price of wildlife safari holidays in Uganda is based on the details of the safari, especially its components. The first crucial thing which determines the price of the Uganda wildlife safari is its length, the mode of transportation, and the type of accommodation.

If the accommodation is budget, then the cost of the wildlife tour will be low and if it is luxury accommodation, then the Uganda tour will be costly.

Also, the price of the Uganda wildlife safari is determined by the number of people going on a safari. The more people on a wildlife safari the less expensive it will be and the fewer people, the more costly it is.

This means that the costs of the wildlife trip will be shared amongst the people going on the tour.

If the wildlife trip is going to take longer days, then the Uganda wildlife safari will be costly and if it is short, then less expensive it will be.

Fly-in wildlife tours are a bit costly as they are mostly for high-end tourists though one can use road transport and it will expose you to the amazing scenery and landscape of Uganda.

What Is The Best Time For Wildlife Safaris In Uganda? 

One can go for wildlife holidays in Uganda at any time of the year though the best time is in the dry season. This is also the high/peak season which is from June to August and December to February.

This is the best time because game viewing is quick and easy as the savannah grasslands are short making easier to see wildlife. Also, the tracks are dry making them accessible leading to other tracks during game drives to see numerous wildlife.

Many Uganda animals are spotted gathering on water sources drinking and bathing making it easy to see them. Tourists should keep in mind that the dry season is the peak season and many lodges are costly.

However, during the wet season, it is the low season and lodges are at discounted rates making it ideal if you are traveling on a budget. The wet months in Uganda are from March to May and from September to November.

What to Wear For Uganda Wildlife Safaris 

There is no need to worry about what to wear during your Uganda tours.

Below is what to wear for game viewing safaris in Uganda.

Light long-sleeved shirts and trousers: These ensure that your body is fully protected from bugs and other insects. However, they should not be of bright colors since they stress animals. Use Khaki, brown, or neutral colors.

Light comfortable shoes: They are to protect your feet at all times from piercings and ankles. They also keep you stable on slippery trails but they should be light.

Cap or hat: keep your head and face protected from the strong sunlight rays.

Sunglasses: These protect your eyes from the strong sunlight rays and also reduce the glaze hence giving you clear sightings of wildlife.

Sweaters: These are to provide you with warmth during the cold days of your Uganda wildlife safari.

Packing List for Uganda Wildlife Safaris | What to Pack for a Wildlife Tour in Uganda 

There are essential items one needs to pack when they are visiting Africa for Uganda wildlife safari tours

Below are some of those items that should not miss on your packing list and these are;

Documentations and miscellaneous: when traveling to Uganda, you will need a valid passport which is one of the entry requirements that you will present at Entebbe International Airport. Do not forget the vaccination cards and credit cards.

A good camera with extra batteries and memory cards: There are a lot of memories to capture on your Uganda wildlife safari and a camera will do that for you.

Binoculars: Most of the Uganda animals may be far, but the binoculars will zoom them in to give you clear sightings during Uganda wildlife safaris.

A day backpack; is used for keeping all your valuables or other items with you always like passports, camera batteries, insect repellents, etc.

Insect Repellent; will keep away all the bugs and insects that can infect you with diseases, especially mosquitoes.

Sunscreen: Since Uganda is in the tropics, it receives hot temperatures and sunscreen will keep your skin from getting damaged by the strong sunlight rays.

Poncho or rain jacket: Weather is unpredictable as it can rain at any time of the day and these will keep you dry with your other belongings.

How Many Safari Parks Are There In Uganda? 

Uganda is one of the top destinations for travelers on Uganda tours and it has 10 (ten) Uganda parks. These Uganda wildlife safari parks include savannah national parks and forest Uganda game parks.

a.     Queen Elizabeth Park

b.     Bwindi National Park

c.      Kibale Forest National Park

d.     Murchison Falls National Park

e.      Lake Mburo National Park Uganda

f.       Rwenzori Mountains National Park

g.     Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

h.     Kidepo National Park Uganda

i.       Mount Elgon National Park

j.       Semuliki National Park

Is Uganda Good For Safari? 

Indeed, Uganda is unquestionably a great place for safaris since it offers a wider range of experiences than are available anywhere else.

It features mountains, lakes, rivers, game reserves, parks, forests, and more, all of which can be combined to create a unique Uganda holiday trip. The best places to see wildlife are in Uganda’s Savannah game parks.

An exceptional Uganda trip includes activities like a community tour, a boat trip, primate safaris, mountain climbing, and birdwatching. To provide tourists with more of a safari experience, Uganda provides private trips.

The best parks for wildlife viewing are Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.

Bwindi National Park, Kibale National Park Uganda, and Mgahinga National Park all offer primate safaris. You can discover the endangered Mountain Gorillas here, go chimp tracking, and observe a wide variety of other primates.

Since visitors can embark on mountain trekking tours in the Rwenzori National Park and Mountain Elgon, Uganda is a wildlife genuine tour destination.

Given that there are over 1,050 distinct species of birds in Uganda’s many regions, it is the perfect vacation spot for bird lovers.

The Shoebill, Big Blue Turaco, Long Crested Eagle, Grey Crowned Cranes, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, etc. are a few of the notable birds to look out for.

Flying is another option for seeing most of Uganda’s national parks and taking in the panoramic views of the wildlife and landscape. Moreover, Uganda is a great place to go on a wildlife safari any time of year, but the best time for Uganda safaris is from December to February and from June to August.

This country is indeed good for organizing Uganda safari tours.

What Are the Big 5 Safari Animals? 

The term “big five (5)” is a term used to refer to the 5 African wild animals that the early hunters considered the most difficult and dangerous to hunt on foot.

The big 5 animals are; the African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cape buffalo, and Rhinoceros. They are found in Queen Elizabeth Park, Murchison, Kidepo, and Ziwa Sanctuary.

Where Can I See The Big 5 In Uganda?

Tourists in Uganda can see the African big 5 animals in Uganda wildlife safaris. They can see these animals in the parks of Uganda, especially the Savannah game parks.

Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo NP are the finest parks to see the 4 of the big 5 animals. However, one can visit Ziwa Sanctuary to see the White Rhinos which mark the big 5 animals in Uganda safaris.

The best way of seeing these big 5 African animals is by enjoying Uganda wildlife safari game drives and engaging in boat cruises.

Which Game Park Is Famous For Lions In Uganda? | Are There Lions In Uganda? 

Lions in Uganda are present in the 3 big savannah parks of Uganda. There are big prides and one can be able to spot them during their Uganda tour holidays.

So, the game parks famous for Lions in Uganda are Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo NP.

However, a few rare cases of lions have been spotted in the Pian Upe wildlife reserve near Kidepo National Park. You can see the cats during game drives. They are not available in Lake Mburo National Park.

How Many Lions Are In Kidepo? 

Kidepo harbors approximately 132 Lions that roam in the savannah plains of the park. Their population is increasing and the best to spot them is in the dry season during your Uganda safari.

They are best spotted in the Narus valley as they are awaiting their prey and also this valley is a water reservoir for other wildlife in the park.

Where Can I See Cheetahs In Uganda? 

Cheetahs in Uganda are only present in the Karamoja sub-region but more exclusive in Kidepo. These big cats flourish and roam in the plain grasslands of the park as they search for their prey.

Cheetahs are also present in Pian Upe, Matheniko, and Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserves.

What Is The Biggest Wild Animal In Uganda? 

The African Elephant is the largest/biggest wild animal in Uganda as it weighs about 5-6 tons. Usually, females are bigger than male Elephants and the females lead the herd.

A newly born calf of an Elephant weighs about 90-113kg. You can find these in Queen Elizabeth Park, Kidepo, and Murchison. The second biggest wild animal in Uganda is the Southern White Rhino weighing about 3 tons and is then followed by Hippos.

Which National Park In Uganda Has Giraffes? | Where Can I See Giraffes In Uganda? 

Giraffes are amazing animals and they are present in Uganda though not in every place in the country. Murchison Falls National Park has the highest number of Rothschild Giraffes as you can find them in herds of 30-50 individuals.

The other parks in Uganda that have Giraffes are Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley Park. Unfortunately, they are not available in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Which Game Park In Uganda Is Famous? 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered the most famous game park in Uganda. This park is located in western Uganda and it is the most visited park in Uganda. It is one of the few wildlife parks in Uganda with outstanding scenery.

This park covers an area of 1,980 square kilometers and it has over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.

How Many Wildlife Reserves Are In Uganda? 

Uganda has twelve (12) wildlife reserves all open for tourists to explore them. The national game reserves have fascinating attractions and Uganda wildlife safari activities one can always engage in.

Which Is The Smallest Game Park In Uganda?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest game park in Uganda covering an area of 33.7 km2 and has an altitude of 4,127m.

It is the second place to go for Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda after Bwindi National Park. It is also the only place in Uganda where Golden Monkey trekking is available.

Mgahinga National Park lies in the southwestern corner of Uganda between the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

What Is The Second Largest Game Park In Uganda? 

Queen Elizabeth National Park/Queen Elizabeth Park is the second largest game park in Uganda and it is the most popular conservation area.

It covers an area of 1,978 km2 and has an altitude of 1,300m it is bordered by DR Congo and lies near the Rwenzori Mountains. It has a high diversity of wildlife with many Uganda animals and species of birds.

What Can You Hunt In Uganda? 

Yes, you can hunt in Uganda though sport hunting in Uganda is not so developed.

Visitors can hunt mostly the antelope species of Oribis, Oribi, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, Bush Duikers, and the Uganda Kob. Also, Buffaloes are hunted in Uganda, Warthogs, and among others.

Most of the hunting areas in Uganda are privately owned and are game reserves. Sport hunting in Uganda is most enjoyed in Ajai Wildlife Reserve, Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, and also around Ssesse Islands.

What Is Meant By Wildlife Safari?

Wildlife safari represents the amazing wilderness adventure of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat or environment, especially in East Africa or Southern Africa. Safari means you are away from home for some days and wildlife refers to wild animals.

Uganda wildlife safari holidays are best enjoyed within the savannah national parks of Uganda as you engage in game viewing to look out for wild animals.

Many tourists go on wildlife trips to animals like Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Zebras, Giraffes, Hippos, Cheetahs, Cape buffalo, and many antelope species, etc.

Which Game Park In Uganda Is Famous For Crocodiles? 

Murchison Falls National Park has the highest concentration of Nile Crocodiles in East Africa. They can be spotted during a boat cruise basking on the River Nile shores.

Crocodiles are also found in Queen Elizabeth National Park along the Kazinga Channel and also in Lake Mburo National Park.

Are There African Wild Dogs In Uganda? 

African Wild Dogs in Uganda are hard to spot though there have been a few sightings within Kidepo National Park.

This is because Kidepo Valley Park is on the border with South Sudan and Kenya and they cross from there to enter the park. Wild Dogs live in packs of 10 or more though their sightings are rare.

For you to see them, you need to spend more than 2 days in the park.

Best Safari Companies in Uganda For Wildlife Safaris in Uganda 

If you are planning your wildlife tour trips, you need to use a reputable tour operator who will help you organize Uganda safaris full of excitement and remarkable memories.

Below are the best Uganda wildlife safari tour companies to use;

1. Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd
2. www.wildgorillasafaris.com
3. A Uganda Safari
4. Africa Safaris Tours
5.  Safari Uganda Safaris
6.  Gorilla Safaris & Tours

In summary, wildlife safaris in Uganda are the best way of exploring Uganda’s wildlife, especially wild animals. They take you to the national parks of Uganda and wildlife reserves to look out for animals.

You get to enjoy epic wildlife viewing within the savannah parks. wildlife safari in Uganda trips can be combined with Gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park, Chimp tracking, birdwatching, and other Uganda safaris to give you unforgettable memories.

For Outstanding Uganda Wildlife Safaris, Please Inquire