Uganda is one of the most incredible wildlife destinations in Africa, consisting of diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage sites, and other animal species. If you are planning a safari to Uganda, get ready to get up close with majestic wildlife animals in their natural setting. This blog helps you plan an incredible safari holiday that will offer you a chance to spot a variety of wildlife species. Below are some of the animals that you may be able to see on your Uganda safari.

Primates

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are the largest primate species and share 98% of their DNA with that of human beings. Uganda consists of about half the total population of mountain gorillas that can only be found in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and the Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are a major highlight in Uganda for travellers embarking on a gorilla trekking safari. Gorilla trekking safaris are done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural sanctuary requires a gorilla trekking permit which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Get ready to see the mountain gorillas in their natural settings.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are the second largest apes after the mountain gorillas sharing 98% of their DNA to that of human beings. Chimpanzees are social creatures known for their sense of community and protection of one another. Chimpanzees live in large groups called communities consisting of more than 100 individuals per community. Uganda consists of habituated chimpanzee communities that are safe for the tourist experience. The process of seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitats is called chimpanzee trekking. Seeing the chimpanzees in their natural habitats

The Big 5 (Classic African Safari)

For a classic African safari, Uganda offers an incredible Big 5 safari including lions, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes and Rhinos. These animals are called the Big 5 because of their great roles in the ecosystem and being difficult to hunt down in Africa. These are briefly highlighted below;

Lions

Lions are one of the strongest wildlife animals in African national parks. Lions are typical hunters feeding on a wide range of wildlife including kobs, antelopes, buffaloes and some bird species. Lions are the most expected sightings for a traveller on a birding safari and can be seen in 3 of Uganda’s national parks including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Uganda also consists of a wander of tree-climbing lions and these can be seen only in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park these can be seen during a game drive making it a classic African safari.

Buffaloes

Uganda consists of a large population of Buffaloes that are common sightings during an African Safari. Buffaloes are known for their social structure in defending themselves and the entire herd. Buffaloes can be seen in most of Uganda’s savannah national parks though are largely populated in

Leopards

 leopards are generally solitary and shy creatures that spend most of their time hiding in thickets. Leopards are known for taking their meal up in the tree. On a Uganda safari, leopards can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Elephants

Imagine getting up close with the largest land mammal in their natural environment during an African Safari. Elephants are gentle giants and renowned for the great role they play in the ecosystem. Elephants can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park and Kibale National Park.

White Rhinos

Rhinos are the most endangered animal species left in the world and Uganda offers one of the best Rhino encounters for travellers on a Uganda Safari. Initially, Rhinos used to live in Murchison Falls National Park but later extinct because of poaching. The last Rhino in Murchison Falls National Park was recorded in 1984. Conservation efforts later established a Rhino conservation fund in 2005 known as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary purposely to conserve and protect white Rhinos in their Natural sanctuary. Currently, Uganda consists of about 43 white Rhinos and these can be seen during the Rhino tracking experience in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The Rhino tracking experience takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on the location of these endangered species including one hour of encounter.

Bird

Uganda consists of about 1100 bird species making up 50 % of the total population of the birds in Africa and 11% in the world including the migratory and rare bird species and these include below.

Shoebill stork

Shoebill storks are one of the world’s endemic fascinating bird species that can be seen on birding safaris in Uganda. Spot the elusive shoebill stork in their natural habitats though they are rare sightings on a Uganda safari. Shoebill storks are common in Mabamba Bay wetlands and Lake Albert wetlands.

Other bird species

For a nature lover or bird watcher on a birding safari, you will be able to spot a wide range of bird species including African fish eagle, White-breasted cormorant, Grey crowned crane, Shoebill stork, Saddle-billed stork, Pink-backed pelican, Marsh harrier, African Jacana, Black-headed heron, Yellow-billed stork, African openbill stork, Little egrets, Western cattle egret, Green-backed heron, Great white pelican, Whiskered tern, Common moorhen, African wattled lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Collared pratincole, Eurasian spoonbill, Lesser flamingo, Greater flamingo, Papyrus gonolek, Red-chested sunbird, White-throated bee-eater, Rufous-crowned heron, Long-tailed cormorant, Osprey, Black kite, African marsh harrier, White-winged tern, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Nubian bustard, Brown-throated weaver, Yellow-throated leaf lovebird, Black-necked weaver, Grey-headed kingfisher, and Martial eagle that can be spotted during game drives, birding safaris and nature walk activities making it an incredible Uganda safari.

What to do during a Uganda safari

Game drive safaris

Game drive safaris are the best way to explore Uganda’s savannah national parks giving you a chance to get up close and a variety of mammal species including lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Rhinos, giraffes, zebras, baboons, monkeys, hippos, antelopes, hyenas, and other animal species. Game drive safaris are usually done very early in the morning and late in the evening when the animals are still intact and active.

Boat Cruise Safaris

 Embark on a thrilling boat cruise safari on the tranquil fresh and calm waters offering beautiful breathtaking views including Murchison Falls and animal species such as crocodiles, monitor lizards, schools of Hippos, and buffaloes. Boat cruise safaris offer the best safari experiences that create lifelong memories.

Gorilla Trekking

 embark on a guided gorilla trekking safari getting you up-close with the endangered mountain gorillas. On finding the gorillas, tourists are allowed to spend only 1 hour with the gorillas in their natural settings.

In conclusion, for a traveller worried about what animals to see in Uganda, Uganda offers a mixed variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and butterflies as well as stunning landscapes that every traveller on an African safari would not miss thus creating beautiful memories to cherish forever.