Uganda Wildlife

Uganda wildlife is undoubtedly the top reason that travelers visit Uganda on Uganda safari tours. The number of Uganda wildlife in the wilderness of Uganda the Pearl of Africa is very impressive to travelers that do visit Uganda. Apart from the wildlife in Uganda, Uganda is rich in tree species, plant species, stunning landscapes and scenery, as well as amazing weather which favors tourism all year through. The weather of Uganda is very conducive making it possible for travelers to enjoy game viewing of the Uganda wildlife throughout the year.

Uganda is an amazing destination in East Africa that travelers are always fascinated with to visit Uganda and enjoy the amazing Uganda wildlife in its wild, especially the African big five which include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos; as well as primates that leave travelers awestruck: mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Uganda wildlife that travelers opting to tour in Uganda shall be amazed with don’t just stop at the African big five and primates, the country is blessed with over 350 species of mammals. The mammals in Uganda range from large ones like gorillas, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, and lions and cheetahs to the small mammal species like bush babies, shrews, among so many other Uganda wildlife.

The animals in Uganda can be grouped into different categories for easy identification, say primates, carnivores, herbivores, reptiles, and birds, as may be looked at in detail below;

Carnivorous animals in Uganda

There are about 38 carnivorous animals in Uganda, all of which travelers can encounter with wildlife safaris in Uganda. Examples of Uganda wildlife under the carnivorous category that travelers can encounter include;

Lions are the king of the Ugandan wilderness. Lions in Uganda are a common sighting in savannah national parks of Uganda like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park which give travelers amazing game drives in the vast savannah plains. Tree climbing lions can be sighted in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, be sure to look out for them while game viewing here.

Cheetahs are heavily spotted wild animals with greyhound-like build with distinct tear marks. Cheetahs are very fast animals and even though they are predators and carnivorous, they are among the least powerful carnivores. Cheetahs in Uganda are rarely seen, but are usually spotted in the savannah plains of Kidepo Valley national Park.
A leopard is quite similar to a cheetah, but can be clearly differentiated by the rosette-shaped spots and a much more powerful build. Leopards in Uganda can be sighted in savannah national parks of Uganda, especially in Queen Elizabeth National Park along the channel drive.
African civets. African civets are nocturnal Uganda wildlife that can be spotted with night game drives in the parks.
Bat-eared fox. Bat-eared foxes are associated with dry open country and can only be seen in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Other carnivorous Uganda wildlife include spotted hyenas, Mongooses, genets, darker spotted-necked otter, Congo clawless otter, jackals, caracal, African wild cat, serval, among others.

Herbivorous animals in Uganda

The Uganda wildlife that are herbivorous in nature are the most common that travellers shall encounter while on Uganda safari tours. Common herbivorous Uganda wildlife include;

Black rhinos are extinct. Uganda has the white rhinos that were just re-introduced in the country and can be found in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Travelers can encounter rhinos in Uganda in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with walking safaris bringing travelers face to face with the rhinos. They are a great addition to wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park given they are just en-route the park.
Giraffes in Uganda are a common sighting. The Rothschild’s giraffe in particular can be found in only Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. The Rothschild’s giraffe is the tallest land mammal.
Buffaloes are among the African big five wild animals that are a common occurrence in Uganda. Buffaloes are quite unpredictable and defensive mammals that live in large herds in the various savannah national parks of Uganda.
African elephant. The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal and common in savannah national parks of Uganda except Lake Mburo National Park.
The Burchell’s zebras are what can be found in Uganda. These are stripped black and white, and can be found in only Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Other herbivorous Uganda wildlife that travellers can see while on game drives in Uganda include hippos, antelopes that include elands, Greater Kudu, Hartebeests, Oryx, the Defassa waterbuck, sitatunga, impala, the lesser kudu, Grant’s gazelle, reedbucks, the Uganda kobs, forest duiker, Harvey’s red duiker, blue duiker, Peter’s duiker, oribis, Klipspringer, dik-dik, Bate’s pygmy antelope, warthogs, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, among so many others.

Primates in Uganda

Primates are probably the most popular Uganda wildlife. Most travellers who do visit Uganda on Uganda safari tours do come with primate safaris in mind, especially gorilla trekking. Primate parks of Uganda include the world famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, as well as other forests like Budongo forest, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, nd Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Primates in Uganda include;

Mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are the largest primates, giant and yet gentle gorillas of the western lowland gorilla species. Mountain gorillas in Uganda can be encountered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, on a gorilla trekking adventure or even a gorilla habituation experience.

Chimpanzees are near-human apes with about 98% DNA shared with humans. Chimpanzees in Uganda can be seen in Kibale Forest National Park, in Kyambura Gorge, Budongo forest as well as Pabidi forest. Chimpanzee tracking has you spending one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Golden monkeys. Golden monkeys can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park shall have you encountering them in their natural habitat.

Other primates in Uganda that travellers can encounter while on a primate safari in Uganda include Grey-cheeked mangabey, bush babies, potto, patas monkey, Red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, Blue monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, De brazza’s monkey, and the Black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Reptiles in Uganda

Reptiles in Uganda include the Nile crocodile which are easily spotted along the banks of rivers and lakes basking in the heat with birds hovering over them. Other reptiles in Uganda include pythons, snakes, among others. The Reptile Village in Entebbe is one of the best places to see various reptiles in Uganda.

Best time for Uganda wildlife viewing

Uganda can be visited all throughout the year. The best time however for Uganda wildlife viewing is during the dry season which falls in the months of June to August and December to February. The dry season has the wildlife converging near rivers and water points that are still filled up, making it easy to view the wildlife.

The Uganda wildlife is very thrilling and available for game viewing all throughout the year. Travelers can engage in game drives in the parks, nature walks, walking safaris, among other activities while on a Uganda wildlife safari. Reach out to your tour operator of choice for a favorable Uganda wildlife safari package fit for just you.