Uganda is a leading wildlife safaris destination in Africa, with a diverse range of ecosystems that comprise dense jungles, wetlands, mountains and vast savannah grasslands etc. Uganda’s natural habitats offer an array of unique flora and fauna to enhance the country’s potential as a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
Uganda is home to over 1,000 species of birds, at least 345 species of mammals, over 140 species of reptiles, and over 1,249 species of butterflies among others. Visitors on Uganda Safaris can explore 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves, each of which comprises distinct physical features and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The renowned national parks where visitors conduct wildlife safaris include Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Wildlife reserves include Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, Ajai Wildlife Reserve, Karuma Wildlife Reserve, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura Game Reserve, Kigezi Wildlife Reserve, Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, East-Madi Wildlife Reserve and Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve.
The aforementioned sites house a variety of key wildlife species and some of which are described as follows,
Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei); generally found in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. With at least than 1,004 mountain gorillas left in the world, Uganda has about a half of the total mountain gorillas that roam in these 2 sites. There are at least 18 habituated gorilla families in Uganda for exploration.
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Uganda has at least 5,000 of these primates and about 1,500 are found in Kibale National Park. Other sites include, Budongo Forest Reserve, Kyambura Gorge, Semuliki National Park, Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Uganda there are 4 recorded subpopulations of chimps, these comprise the western chimpanzee, Nigeria-Cameroon chimp, the central chimp, and the eastern chimpanzee.
Lions (Panthera leo): with at least 350 individuals left in Uganda, these members of the African Big Five can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. Particularly, the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for the iconic tree climbing lions, and you can encounter over 30 individuals.
Elephants (Loxodonta Africana and Loxodonta cyclotis): Uganda has approximately 5,000 individuals that are divided into forest elephants and savannah elephants. These members of the African Big Five are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Semuliki National Park.
Buffaloes (Syncerus caffer caffer): also known as the cape buffalo comprises the small forest buffaloes and the savannah buffaloes. Uganda has about 44,000 individuals that can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Semuliki National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. Buffaloes are also part of the African Big Five animals.
Leopards (Panthera pardus pardus): These vulnerable, elusive cats are also part of the African Big Five game. They can be found in both forested and savannah ecosystems. Leopards are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum): Uganda was previously home to the eastern back rhinos and the northern white rhinos, but these faced local extinction by the 1980s. Currently, the southern white rhinos are found only in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. There are at least 35 individuals that can be tracked by visitors. Rhinos are also part of the African Big Five game.
Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi): also known as the East African cheetah is a member of the cat family. There are at least 50 cheetahs in Uganda that are found only in the Karamoja subregion, and particularly in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius): these are semi-aquatic herbivores that are considered the second largest land animals in the world. They can be found in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Semuliki National Park. They are best observed while on boat cruises.
Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus): besides the salt water crocodile, the Nile crocodile is the largest reptile on earth and can be found in lakes, rivers and swamps. Travelers can find the Nile crocodile in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Semuliki National Park.
Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti): with at least 2000 of these endemic primates in the Virungas, Uganda is one of the best places to visit for golden monkey tracking particularly in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkeys are distinct from other monkey species thanks to their golden far mixed with some orange.
Other wildlife species housed in Uganda’s national parks include antelopes, hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, caracals, nightjars, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, warthogs, bush pigs, serval cats and others. These are distributed throughout the national parks.
Where to see Lions in Uganda
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, lions can be spotted in the Ishasha sector, a place renowned for the iconic tree-climbing lions. In Murchison Falls National Park, the lions can be spotted in the park’s northern sector. These big cats can also be seen in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Where to see Cheetahs in Uganda
In Uganda, cheetahs can only be found in Kidepo Valley National Park, where the vast plains provide them adequate space to hunt for their prey that constitute antelopes and rodents among others.
Where to see Leopards in Uganda?
Leopards can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park often in the Mweya Peninsula and the Ishasha sector. In Lake Mburo National Park, these cats can be sighted in the vast plains of the site. In Murchison Falls National Park, lions can be sighted along the Buligi and Albert tracks.
Day and Night Game Drives in Uganda’s National Parks.
Visitors on Uganda wildlife safaris are most likely to have a game drive in the savannah national parks and wildlife reserves. These offer day and night wildlife viewing experiences to spot various wildlife species.
Day game drives include morning game drives and afternoon game drives. The former often starts at around 6 a.m. for visitors to get an opportunity to spot animals when they are most active. Afternoon game drives often start from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Day game drives can be enjoyed in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park and others. Visitors get the opportunities of seeing bushbucks, waterbucks, giraffes, elephants, hartebeests, Uganda kob, buffaloes, oribi, impalas, zebras, ostriches, cheetahs and lions among others.
Day game drives usually cost between US$ 20 to US$ 30 for foreign non residents, US$ 15 to US$ 25 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 to UGX 30,000 for East African citizens.
Night games are generally conducted after dusk and offer an opportunity to encounter nocturnal wildlife species such as leopards, lions, hyenas, honey badgers, white tailed mongoose, bush babies, jackals and nightjars etc. Night game drives are best done in Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.
The cost of night game drives ranges from US$ 30 to US$ 40 for foreign non residents, US$ 15 to US$ 35 for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 to UGX 50,000 for East African citizens.
Best Wildlife Trails in Uganda
Tourists on Uganda wildlife safaris often get the best opportunity to enjoy game drives in the savannah national parks and wildlife reserves. During the game drives, visitors spot a wide variety of mammals and bird species. During the game drives, visitors also get magnificent views of the beautiful scenery that includes, hills, escarpments, grasslands and woodlands among others. Game drives are done with the guidance of an experienced tour guide on a safari vehicle. The vehicle follows specific tracks within the national park or wildlife reserve to allow visitors encounter lions, cheetahs, hippos, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes and antelopes among others. The best wildlife safari destinations for game drives are Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. These are some of the best wildlife trails in Uganda’s national parks;
Buligi Trail; is a 160-kilometer track near Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. Buligi trail offers visitors an opportunity to get clear views of giraffes, elephants, lions, buffaloes and antelopes among others. The trail also provides the best views of the beautiful savannah landscapes and acacia trees. Visitors are also able to observe where the Albert Nile and Victoria Nile converge.
Kasenyi Sector Trail; this is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and is popular for lion sightings and large numbers of Uganda kobs. Visitors can enjoy spotting any of the 3 lion prides from Mweya to the Kasenyi plains. Visitors can also get the unique opportunity to visit the fishing village of Kasenyi along the western shore of Lake George.
Kazinga Channel Trail; this is a wide waterway that is about 32 kilometers long and links Lake Edward to Lake George. While on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, visitors can view hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles and a myriad bird species including the African fish eagle.
Albert Trail; is a 11-kilometer track in Murchison Falls National Park that runs parallel to the Albert Nile. A game drive on this trail offers visitors the best chance of encountering hundreds of wildlife flocked along the river banks to drink water. Visitors also have a clear view of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a distance. This track also links the Pakuba and Buligi trails.
Kazuma Trail; in Lake Mburo National Park offers the best panoramic views and opportunities to spot numerous zebras, elands, and impalas while on a guided game drive.
Impala Trail; which is 10 to 12 kilometers long in Lake Mburo National Park offers the best sightings of large numbers of impalas and other antelope species. Visitors can also observe the stunning lake Mburo and surrounding hills while driving on this trail. Visitors can also engage in hiking tours on the Impala trail.
Zebra Trail; this is about 4 to 5 kilometers long in Lake Mburo National Park known for its best sightings of zebras, impalas and topi among others. Visitors can also view the lush open plains while on a game drive.
Janet Trail; this is a 3-4 kilometers trail in Murchison Falls National Park that offers a calm game viewing experience because it is often relatively less crowded.
Other trails in Uganda’s savannah national parks include Victoria trail in Murchison Falls National Park; T’ebito trail in Murchison Falls National Park; Chobe trail in Murchison Falls National Park; Pakuba trail in Murchison Falls National Park; Honeymoon trail in the southern bank of Murchison Falls National Park; Queens trail and the Mweya Peninsular trail in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Other activities in Uganda’s Wildlife safari destinations
Gorilla Tracking Tours
Gorilla tracking adventures are adventures visitors enjoy in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. The activity basically involves a group of eight individual hikers guided into the dense forests by experienced trackers to locate a specific gorilla family. After encountering the gorilla family, the visitors are allowed not more than one hour to have a unique experience of witnessing their exciting behaviors while taking photos. While following the gorilla trails, hikers have a high chance of encountering a myriad birds, mammals and flora species.
These include the Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, forest elephants, cape buffaloes, monkeys and others. To engage in gorilla tracking adventures, visitors need a gorilla permit. This costs US$ 800 for foreign non residents, US$ 700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens.
Chimpanzee Tracking Tours
This is an exciting adventure that is mainly done in Kibale National Park. Other sites for chimpanzee tracking include Budongo Forest Reserve, Kalinzu Central Forest reserve and Kyambura Gorge. The activity basically involves visitors engaging in a guided hike to locate a habituated chimpanzee group in the dense forests. Upon encountering these playful primates, visitors are allowed only an hour to be in their presence and take photos. These adventures also provide opportunities to spot numerous bird species such as the Rwenzori batis, great blue turacos and the African pittas among others.
Hikers can also spot other primate species such as the black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons among others. To engage in chimpanzee trekking, one needs a chimp trekking permit. The permit for chimp tracking in Kibale national park costs US$ 250 for foreign non-residents, US$ 200 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens.
Birdwatching Excursions
Birdwatching activities in Uganda are some of the best tour experiences for any birder to spot a myriad colorful species of birds in the national parks and game reserves. With a wide range of resident and migratory bird species, Uganda is blessed with the shoebill stock, grey crowned cranes, African fish eagle, long crested eagle, secretary bird, African finfoot, Abyssinian ground hornbill, marabou stork and Goliath heron among others.
The best places for birdwatching tours include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kibale National Park among others. Birdwatching excursions cost US$ 30 for foreign non-residents, US$ 25 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens.
Golden Monkey Tracking Tours
Golden monkey tracking tours offer visitors a vigorous hiking adventure to locate the golden monkeys in the dense forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkey treks basically involve visitors being guided by experienced trackers following specific trails to encounter the primates. Once the visitors encounter the golden monkeys, they are expected to be in their presence for one hour to observe their behaviors while taking excellent photographs. The cost of each golden monkey tracking permit costs US$ 60 for foreign non residents, US$ 50 for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 for East African citizens.
Guided Nature Walks
Hiking through the lovely landscapes of Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves offers an exciting adventurous tour experience. Visitors are guided on foot to traverse Uganda’s wildlife destinations and spot a myriad wildlife and bird species while enhancing their physical fitness. Visitors can also have a much more intimate encounter with flora, landscapes and others. Some of these excursions lead to an encounter with indigenous communities hence facilitating community tours. Guided nature walks can be enjoyed in various destinations including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, Kidepo National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park among others. A visitor can engage in either a day nature walk or a night nature walk or both depending on their preference. The cost of a guided nature walk in Uganda’s national parks range from US$ 5 to US$ 50 for foreign non residents, US$ 5 to US$ 40 for foreign residents and USX 2,000 to UGX 20,000 for East African citizens.
Cultural Encounters
Visitors on Uganda wildlife safaris can also get the unique cultural tours where they can encounter indigenous people with diverse cultures, traditions and customs. Visitors on these tours explore the park adjacent communities to experience the people’s way of life and how they interact with the national park or wildlife reserve. Visitors are often engaged in the traditional activities that offer insight into the history of the local people. These involve hunting, basket weaving, pottery, storytelling, music, dance and drama among others.
The key indigenous communities to encounter include the Batwa people around the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Batooro and Bakiiga around Kibale National Park, Banyankoole around Lake Mburo National Park and the Karamojong around Kidepo Valley National Park among others. The cost of the Batwa experience in Semuliki National Park is US$ 10 for foreign tourists and UGX 10,000 for East African citizens.
Mountain Hiking Adventures
Mountain hiking experiences offers visitors in Uganda a chance to walk on a variety of landscapes to reach the mountain peaks. The hikers often engage in multiday trekking adventures to reach their destinations, then return to the bottom. These include Mount Rwenzori, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mount Elgon, and Mgahinga Volcano climbing among others. The cost ranges from US$ 40 to US$ 80 for foreign residents and non residents and UGX 50,000 to UGX 55,000 for East African citizens.
Best time for Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
The best time to go for Uganda wildlife safaris is during the dry seasons, which usually occurs from December to February, and from June to September. The dry season offers the best wildlife viewing experiences since the animals gather around water sources during that time of year. Also, the dry season offers excellent conditions for game drives and gorilla or chimp trekking safaris.
This is because the park trails are drier to provide less difficulty in navigating through the parks. Overall, visiting Uganda parks in the dry season offers you less challenging access to the parks, enhanced visibility, and more predictable animal behavior while around limited water sources.
Proper Clothing for Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
To have the best tours on your Uganda safaris ensure to pack proper clothing which includes,
- Clothing made of neutral colors for example khaki, beige, brown, and green to blend in with the natural surroundings. Bright colored clothes could startle wildlife, causing them to flee from the site. And on the other hand dark colors can attract insects such as tsetse flies that can be a nuisance.
- The fabrics should be lightweight and breathable to ensure comfort in the warm weather conditions of Uganda.
- The shirts and blouse should be long-sleeved and have pants as a complement to protect against insect bites and sun exposure.
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can protect against the equatorial sun that may cause sunburn on your face, neck and ears. The hat also helps keep your body relatively cooler by providing shade. Sunglasses enhance your visibility by reducing glaring from the sun.
- Comfortable foot wear, especially hiking shoes that are genuinely strong and with good traction for walking adventures.
- Warm layers such as a light jacket or fleece to keep you warm especially during the cool mornings and evenings.
- Rain gear such as rain jackets, raincoats and ponchos are very essential during the rainy seasons. However, since Uganda experiences a tropical type of climate, showers are quite unpredictable hence can fall anytime, thus you need rain gear at all times.
