Animals in Uganda You'll see on a safari
There are so many reasons to visit Uganda, and the sheer number of wildlife is certainly one of them. From mountain dwelling gorillas and chimpanzees to the Big Five animals, you will find them all in this beautiful country in East Africa.
Countless wild animals in Uganda
Of course, Uganda is known for its mountain gorillas and chimpanzees that live in the dense rainforest jungles. But there are many more animals to see on a safari in Uganda. Think African Bush Elephants, Plains Zebras, Rothschild’s giraffes, White rhinos, Hippos, Cape Buffaloes, Nile Crocodiles, Tree-climbing lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Ostriches, and hyenas. There is a plenty of animals you can see in Uganda.
The animals live throughout the country, in various national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. In Lake Mburo National Park, for example, you will find plenty of antelopes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, and some leopards, but no elephants.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will find large herds of African elephants, but no zebras, for example. In Kidepo National Park, you can see cheetahs and ostriches. You can see the white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. You will go in with a ranger and walk in search of a group of rhinos. You can get incredibly close.
So, every place, every national park, has something special.
We would like to highlight some of our favorite animals in Uganda for you:
Leopards and lions
The beautiful coat, the perfect pattern. Only when you see a leopard in real life do you realize what a special animal it is.
Leopards are incredibly elegant. Sometimes they rest quietly in a tree. Other times they walk calmly past your vehicle. They are often bigger than people think.
Besides leopards, Uganda is also home to many lions. You can spot them in several national parks across the country. A famous highlight is the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Like leopards, lions look calm and graceful. But they are powerful predators. In a short moment, a pride can bring down large prey such as a buffalo.
Elephants
If you haven’t seen an African elephant, you haven’t truly been on safari. Elephants are enormous; the largest land animals on Earth.
Standing near them makes you feel very small. One of the most thrilling moments is when a family of elephants slowly crosses the road in front of your vehicle. If you are lucky, you may see a full herd. Sometimes 20 or even 30 elephants move together through the savanna. It is a powerful and unforgettable sight.
Buffaloes
The buffalo is one of Africa’s famous Big Five. While driving in the national parks, you may first notice a dark brown patch in the distance — often a herd of buffalo. They usually move in large groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. Seeing such a massive herd spread across the savanna is truly impressive.
Rhinoceroses
Rhinoceroses once roamed widely across Uganda but are now found only in two reserves after heavy poaching during the era of Idi Amin.
Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, Uganda’s rhino population is steadily recovering. Today, there are around 50 southern white rhinos in the country, carefully protected and monitored. The long-term goal is to reintroduce them into the wild, with plans focused on Murchison Falls National Park.
Shoebill, or shoe-billed stork
The shoebill is one of East Africa’s rarest and most fascinating birds. Many travelers say it is even harder to spot than gorillas. To find one, you take a small boat with a local guide into the famous Mabamba Swamp.
This prehistoric-looking bird is huge. It stands up to 1.6 meters tall. Sightings are never guaranteed, so a bit of luck helps. Still, the quiet boat ride through the papyrus swamp is magical on its own. And the shoebill is just the beginning. Uganda is a true paradise for bird lovers, with over 1090 bird species waiting to be seen.
Gorillas and chimpanzees
Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees are top highlights for many visitors to Uganda. Seeing them in the wild is unforgettable. Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most unique wildlife experiences. But chimpanzee trekking is just as rewarding. Both adventures bring you close to our closest relatives in their natural forest home.
Uganda Safari – An Exclusive Experience
Uganda’s neighbors Tanzania and Kenya are classic safari destinations, but Uganda is certainly just as good. Many of the animals you can see in the wild in Kenya and Tanzania can also be found here. Their numbers are somewhat lower—partly due to high poaching during the Idi Amin era—but they are constantly increasing.
The wildlife is well cared for. The biggest advantage of a Uganda safari compared to one of the neighboring countries? There’s no mass tourism here. You won’t be watching the same pride of lions with 20 other cars at once. You will be the only one in your car among a herd of 1,000 buffalo. In short: you have nature all to yourself.
Cycling, driving or walking on safari in Uganda
In Uganda, you can opt for a classic safari: a game drive. You will enter the park in a vehicle with a pop-up roof and drive among the animals. The advantage is that you can cover large distances, observe them at your leisure, and take photos.
You can also hike or cycle through Lake Mburo National Park with a guide. This way, you will truly be part of nature and get incredibly close to the wild animals. That is when you truly appreciate just how tall giraffes are. It also has other advantages: it is more active, and the ranger can provide more information about the park, the plants, and the animals’ diet. Besides wildlife, Uganda has so much more to offer.
Want to know more? Read more about the various safari tours in Uganda.
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