Wildlife Safaris in Uganda (Uganda Wildlife Safaris)

Uganda, also known as ‘‘the pearl of Africa’’ is located within East Africa, bordered by some of the best wildlife safari destinations in the world. Although less popular for African wildlife safaris compared to its counterparts, like Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda offers some of the most unique wildlife viewing Safaris experiences in Africa. The wildlife in Uganda is remarkable, and perhaps one of the few destinations in the world where you can see both the primates and the savanna wildlife species. Wildlife Safaris in Uganda refer to customized Uganda Safari packages that take you for wildlife viewing in National Parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park, among others.

Uganda is home to 10 National Parks and 12 game reserves teeming with incredible wildlife species, from the iconic African Big Five Animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) to the elusive chimpanzees and endangered mountain gorillas that inhabit the country’s tropical jungles. Wildlife Safaris in Uganda/Uganda Wildlife Safaris are truly memorable.

Unlike most wildlife safari destinations in Africa, where you only get to explore the savanna parks on guided safari game drives in customized safari vehicles, Uganda Wildlife safari/Wildlife Safaris in Uganda take you beyond the savanna park. During these safaris, you’ll explore the unique tropical safari parks on foot for opportunities to encounter the elusive primates like chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and golden monkeys, among others.

Wildlife safaris in Uganda’s savanna safari parks can be done through safari game drives, boat cruises along major wildlife water channels, and on guided nature walks, like in Lake Mburo National Park. One of the best wildlife viewing destinations in the country is the iconic Murchison Falls National Park. In this Article, we take you through all you need to know about safaris to the pearl of Africa. We discuss wildlife safaris in Uganda and how you can generally have the best experience during your stay in Uganda.

Best places to visit while on Wildlife Safaris in Uganda – Where to go for wildlife viewing

Murchison Falls National Park – Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Located in western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area, spanning over 3,800 km², covering the districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nwoya, and Buliisa. The National Park is popular for its majestic Murchison Falls formed at a point where the River Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge (7 meters) before plunging down about 45 meters in a mighty roar.

The national park is one of the best wildlife watching safari destinations in Uganda, hosting four of the five African Big Five animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant) and various wildlife species. Murchison Falls National Park is also home to over 80 different wildlife species, including giraffes, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, Zebra, Warthog, Uganda Kob, Oribi, Topi, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Baboons, Vervet Monkey, Olive Baboon, Spotted Hyena, and jackal, among others.

Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Wildlife safaris to Murchison Falls National Park offer various opportunities to engage in unique safari activities, including game drives (night and day), boat cruises to the bottom with opportunities to spot various wildlife species. Besides the remarkable wildlife viewing experience in the park, you can also do a primate tracking tour in the park at the Budongo Forest Reserve, popular for its habituated chimpanzee population.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national Park in Uganda, covering 2,056 sq. km in western Uganda near the border with the DR Congo. This National Park is the most visited park in Uganda, famous for its incredible wildlife species, including the unique tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and the Uganda Kob. This National Park is also one of the best places to see wildlife in Uganda and Africa. While on a Uganda wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll be amazed by the park’s beautiful green scenery and collection of plant, animal, and bird species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is also one of the best birding locations in Uganda, boasting an impressive array of bird species – over 500 bird species are recorded in the park, among which include the Kingfisher, flamingos, eagles, and storks. A wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park provides the best chance to spot members of the African Big Five while on a wildlife tour in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to buffalo, hippos, baboons, elephants, and various species of antelope. A boat safari to the Kazinga Channels and safari game drives in the Kasenyi plains and Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park guarantee excellent wildlife watching opportunities during safaris.

Besides the savanna species, you can also trek the elusive chimpanzee in the Kyambura gorge during your Uganda safari tour here.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Nestled to the far northeastern corner of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is arguably one of the most beautiful safari parks in Africa. This national park spans over 1,440 km2, combining varied ecosystems and landscapes that make safaris here unique and thrilling. Although this park is beautiful, it receives fewer visitors on a Uganda tour because of its remote location, but it is second to none when it comes to variety and sheer abundance of flora and fauna in Uganda. Kideppo Valley National Park is in many ways a great wildlife safari destination in Uganda – a reflection of how Africa used to be before greater human interference.

The Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda is a collection of stunning mountains and unspoiled Savannah – teeming with incredible wildlife species all year round. Among the wildlife you’ll encounter here are: wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, oryx, buffalo, and hippopotamus among others. The park is also home to bush babies, elephants, ostriches, baboons, and about 220 different bird species, including the rare, endemic, and migratory species.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Nestled in the far southwestern part of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the major gorilla trekking safari destinations in Africa. This National Park is located near Dr Congo’s Virunga National Park. Bwindi is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has often been referred to as the Switzerland of Africa because of its incredible diversity. The Bwindi Forest harbors more than half of the remaining mountain gorilla population, allowing for mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. The other population of mountain gorillas can only be found in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Trekking with endangered mountain gorillas is one of the must-do activities in Africa – a life-changing adventure that draws you close to nature in its real state. Besides gorillas, Bwindi is also home to other wildlife species, over 350 different bird species, various types of butterflies, and over 1,000 tree species. Bwindi is a must-visit destination for mountain gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Uganda.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, where it borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park. This National Park is one of the smallest National Parks in Uganda, but it teems with incredible wildlife, including an endangered population of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Besides golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to Jackals, woodland elephants, buffalo, leopards, and a few antelope species. Besides primate tracking, this National Park is also known for hiking and nature adventures. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to three of the eight Virunga ranges (Mount Sabinyo, Mt. Muhavura, and Mount Gahinga), allowing for hiking adventures.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale National Park also sometimes referred to as the primate capital of the world, is located in the western region of Uganda. The major draw for travelers to Kibale National Park is the presence of chimpanzees, with over 1,500 individuals living in the park. Other than chimps, the park is home to 12 other primate species like the red colobus, L’Hoest’s, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

It is also home to Giant forest hogs, antelopes, and 100 butterfly species. Fo bird lovers, Kibale National Park in Uganda is home to over 290 species including various forest species.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest but most accessible park from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The National Par derives its name from the ‘’Lake’’ which is the main water body in the area, ‘‘Mburo.’’ This National Park is popular for wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda inhabiting various wildlife species, including Zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, jackals, and hyenas, among others.

The park is a birders’ paradise with over 300 species recorded within its boundaries. Safaris here allow you to embark on various safari activities like game drives, nature guided walks, boat safaris, and cycling. You’ll explore various parts of the park and witness its incredible wildlife while taking in the breathtaking natural beauty.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place where you can witness the endangered rhinoceros in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in the Nakasongola District along the highway to Murchison Falls National Park. This sanctuary was established to protect and reintroduce the rhinoceros in Uganda, as part of efforts to restore populations that were once extinct in the country due to poaching and habitat loss. The sanctuary covers an area of approximately 70 square kilometers.

The sanctuary was established in 1997 by the Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU) in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and other conservation organizations. The primary goal of the sanctuary is to protect the endangered white and black rhinos, which were once native to Uganda but became locally extinct by the early 1980s.

Through conservation and breeding programs, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is part of the broader efforts to reintroduce rhinos back into Uganda’s protected areas, such as Murchison Falls National Park. The sanctuary serves as a safe and controlled environment for rhinos to breed and grow before being relocated to other parks.

Best time to go on Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Uganda safaris can be done all year round however, some months of the year are considered to offer better conditions for safaris than the others. The dry seasons between June to October and December to February are considered the best times for Wildlife Safaris in Uganda. During these months, most protected areas receive less downpours making the trails accessible. The foliage is usually little allowing you to spot various wildlife even at a distance.

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