Uganda Wildlife : Uganda is a country of astonishing natural beauty and rich biodiversity, boasting a large range of wildlife species. Uganda is home to over 1,000 bird species, including iconic African grey-crowned cranes. Uganda is a paradise for birdwatchers. The dense forests harbor elusive primates such as chimpanzees and endangered mountain gorillas. The country’s national parks and protected areas are havens for a diverse array of mammals, including the majestic African elephants, lions, and elusive leopards. In the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, herds of buffaloes and antelopes roam freely, while the Nile River teems with hippos and crocodiles.
Wildlife species in Uganda.
Mountain gorilla
Uganda’s dense forests are home to over half of the remaining large population of mountain gorillas, estimated to be over 800, residing in Uganda’s national parks, including Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The remaining number live in neighboring countries like Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The captivating primates do not survive in captivity; the preservation of these fragile habitats is essential for their survival. Mountain gorillas are human-like animals; they share over 98% of their DNA with humans; gorillas display uncanny human characteristics; the close-knit family groups are led by a silverback, an old male who selects places for the groups to sleep and eat and has many privileges, including the right to feed first. This privilege pays off for the rest of the family, and if the group is threatened, the silverback, weighing up to 120 kg, will depend on them. The gorillas are known as the gentle giant’s species and are considered to be highly intelligent. The name mane gorillas comes from the Greek word gorilla, meaning hairy woman.
Lions
The lion is one of the most sought-after safari species and one of the most impressive to observe, living in prides of around 15 individuals. Lions adhere to strict social structures; their group consists of related family members and their cubs, who were born around the same time and raised communally. The male’s distinctive mane plays a role in making it look much larger and more intimidating to other lions and spotted hyenas, the lion’s main rivals. It is the lionesses, however, who are responsible for around 90% of hunting, doing so in coordinated groups that allow them to pursue large species such as buffaloes and giraffes as well as smaller antelopes. These stunning creatures inhabit a variety of habitats in Uganda, including savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, and scrubs. These stunning lions are commonly found in protected areas like Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park (known for its famous tree-climbing lions).
Chimpanzee
Our closest cousins, the chimpanzees, share at least 64% of their DNA with humans. Sociable, communicative, and intelligent. One of its most astonishing traits is its ability to use tools such as rocks for smashing nuts, empty pods for scooping water, and sticks for drawing termites from their nest. These astonishing primates live in communities ranging from 10 to 100 members. They hold hands, kiss, groom each other, and babysit each other’s offspring. Chimps can also be aggressive and unfriendly, particularly toward unrelated individuals. Though they spend most of this time on the ground, chimpanzees usually eat and sleep in trees, and their varied diet includes leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds. Chimpanzees in Uganda are found in different parks of the country, including tropical rainforests, woodlands, and savannahs. They inhabit protected areas such as the Budongo Forest Reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest National Park, with over 1,500 individuals residing there, hence making it one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in East Africa.
African elephant
The largest living land mammal, the African elephant, is a sight to behold on Uganda’s sprawling savannah. Their massive black forms can be seen from far away, marching across the grasslands in search of the incredible amounts of vegetation they need to eat every day, along with around 30 to 50 gallons of water. This constant grazing is essential to the ecosystem, as it prevents the savannah and shrubland from turning into impenetrable forests. The elephant’s trunk is by far its most useful feature; it is used with absolute precision to dig, signal, gather food, spray water and dust, and siphon water into the elephant’s mouth. They are also sociable and affectionate animals, and they have even been observed caressing other family members when they meet. They are found in several national parks and protected and conserved areas across the country, such as Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park, among others.
Rothschild giraffe
The Rothschild’s giraffes, also known as the Baringo giraffes, are one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies, with fewer than over 700 individuals remaining in the wild, and Uganda is one of the countries where conservation efforts are being made to protect them. These giraffes are easily distinguished by their unique coat pattern, which features large, irregularly shaped spots with no markings on their lower legs, giving them a sock-like appearance. They were also known for being heavily hunted; their trails alone were made into bracelets, fly-swetters, threads for sewing, and threading beads. These fascinating creatures are found in several protected areas, such as Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros, commonly known as rhino, is a large, herbivorous mammal identified by its characteristic horned snouts. The word “rhinoceros” comes from the Greek words “rhino” (nose) and “ceros” (horn). Rhinoceroses are universally recognized for their massive bodies, stumpy legs, and either one or two dermal horns. In some species, the horns may be short or not obvious. They are renowned for having poor eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are well developed. The biggest of the five surviving species occurs in Uganda, the Northern White Rhone’s, and can only be seen in the massively protected Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe, commonly referred to as the Zoo.
Leopard
The striking leopard is one of the hardest large species to observe in Uganda. Their survival is partly due to their adaptability to warm and cold climates and their ability to climb trees while carrying heavy prey, keeping them safe from other predators such as lions and hyenas. Leopards can run at incredible speeds of up to 58km per hour and hunt antelopes and monkeys, as well as fish, birds, insects, and reptiles. Leopards are primarily found in national parks and protected areas, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Besides the mentioned wildlife, Uganda also has other wildlife such as cape buffaloes, spotted hyenas, warthogs, hippopotamus, and reptile species like Nile crocodiles, chameleons, and snakes. various antelopes such as elands, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, primates’ species, as well as diverse bird species.
