Wildlife in Uganda
Wildlife in Uganda: Uganda the pearl of Africa thrills with plenty of wildlife species and is mostly famous for existence of the endangered mountain gorillas and trust me, having a glance of these primates in their natural habitats is one of the memorable experience that will thrill in your mind at all the time. This article discusses the major wildlife species in Uganda and where they can be seen while on a Uganda safari.
Apart from Mountain gorillas, Uganda thrills with many other wildlife species protected with in Savanna Park, forested parks, sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and many more making Uganda one of the best country with the best ecology of fauna and flora species making it the top destination to visit for your wildlife viewing safari.
Let’s jump back to the major wildlife species in Uganda the pearl of Africa,
Mountain Gorilla
These are the major and most precious wildlife species in Uganda and are the most tourist attractions bringing in more revenue to the tourism sector.
You could be wondering where these gorillas live in Uganda,
Well, Mountain gorillas in Uganda live in 2 beautiful forest parks including Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park all thrilling in south western part of Uganda. These 2 are so far the only places in Uganda where one can come face to face with the endangered mountain Gorillas in their natural habitats. To meet Gorillas in Uganda, one has to either do gorilla trekking or Gorilla Habituation Experience. A Gorilla trekking permit at the time of writing this article in 2021 costs $700 for Foreign Nonresidents, $600 for foreign Residents and Ugandan Shillings 250,000 for all Ugandans and East African Community member states. On the other hand, Gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 per person. Surprisingly, a cost to habituate gorillas in Uganda is equivalent to the cost of Gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda.
Both Gorilla trekking permit and Gorilla habituation permits are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters and here at Achieve Global Safaris, we help all our clients to obtain their permits and plan their entire trips including the permits, Accommodations, transportation and meals etc.
Chimpanzees
After Mountain Gorillas, the next wildlife to look up are the Chimpanzees. Yes! an encounter with Chimpanzees in Uganda the pearl of Africa is as well a thrilling experience. In Uganda, Ch9mpanzees thrill in several forested parks, reserves and sanctuaries. Chimpanzees are more social and charming than mountain gorillas and yes they are considered to be our closest relatives sharing their largest percentage of DNA with human.
Asking yourself where to find chimpanzees in Uganda? Worry not as i have within the possible destination where one can come closer to these primates. Some of the chimpanzees are protected with in the national parks, others in the forest reserves as well as in Sanctuaries and they can be seen during either chimpanzee trekking or Chimpanzee habituation Experience.
The major and top destination for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is Kibale forest national park situated in western part of Uganda in Kabalore district. This is the best destination and the most recommended place to visit for both chimpanzee trekking and Chimpanzee habituation experience adventure. A permit to trek chimpanzee in Kibale forest national park is $200 for Foreign Non Residents, $150 for Foreign Residents and Ugandan shillings 150,000 for East African Community members per person. On the other hand, a chimpanzee habituation permit (CHEX) costs $250 per person.
Apart from Kibale forest national park, Chimpanzees in Uganda can as well be found in Budongo forest Reserve which is part of Murchison falls national park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu forest in Queen Elizabeth national park, Semliki national park, Ngamba Island and many more.
Golden Monkeys
Golden monkeys are also termed as endangered wildlife species not only in Uganda but in Africa and the world at large. These Golden Monkeys thrills in only 4 national park worldwide and in Uganda, these pretty creatures can only be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is as well a home to the one and only habituated Nyakagezi gorilla family. To get closer to Golden monkeys in Uganda, you have to opt for either Golden monkey tracking or Golden monkey habituation all conducted in Mgahinga gorilla national park only.
Big Cats
Big cats are as well other wildlife to look out for while on your Uganda safari. Uganda is blessed with a big number of big cats that include Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Cheetahs, Tigers that usually thrill with in the savanna parks though some are protected with in the sanctuaries. These big cats can be spotted in several savanna parks including Kidepo valley national park the best savanna park in Uganda. In Kidepo, one is able to spot Cheetahs, Lions, and leopards. Other parks to spot big cats include Queen Elizabeth national park where you will spot Lions including the rare tree climbing lions and Leopards, Murchison falls national park to spot Lions, Leopards and finally in Lake Mburo national park where one can spot a leopard and Lion on a rare occasion.
Elephants
These are part of the big 5 game and some of the wildlife species found in Uganda the pearl of Africa. These Elephants are commonly seen in almost all national parks in Uganda the pearl of Africa. In Uganda, there are over 5000 elephants thus easy to spot them on almost any Ugandan wildlife safari. Some of the parks to find these Elephants in Uganda include; Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo valley national park etc.
Hippos
Hippos are also listed amongst the wildlife in Uganda. Since these animals prefer spending most of their time in Water, then then the best way to spot these Hippos is by taking a boat cruise and the biggest population of Hippos in Uganda the pearl of Africa are found along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park where even hippo census is conducted. Other destinations in Uganda where Hippos are found include in Murchison falls national park, Semliki national park, Lake Mburo national park etc. they are usually spotted near the waterbodies and during the afternoon, it is easy to see them in water cooling their huge bodies from hot scotching sun.
Nile Crocodiles
Just like any other wildlife in Uganda, Crocodiles are as well major wildlife species found in the pearl with the highest concentration of Crocodiles in the entire African continent found along the Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park. Apart from Murchison falls national park, more crocodiles are found in Queen Elizabeth national park along the Kazinga channel, along the lakes in Lake Mburo national park, in Semliki national park and in Kidepo Valley national park.
Buffaloes
Buffaloes are some of the major wildlife species that you probably won’t miss out while on your Uganda wildlife safari especially during the game drives in several savanna parks.
Antelopes
Uganda thrills with only 29 species of Antelopes usually seen in most savanna parks of the country especially on a game drive safari. Uganda is blessed to even have the largest antelope in the world, the eland and other antelopes like the greater kudus, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbuck, Sitatungas antelopes, Grant’s gazelle, Uganda kob and many more.
Birds
Uganda the pearl of Africa thrills with over 1000 species of birds making it a top destination for bird watching. Any time and any season is good for birding in Uganda. For instance, during rainy season, one is able to spot migratory birds as they migrate from harsh climatic conditions in Europe. A keen birder is able to watch as many birds as possible. Almost everywhere in Uganda there are birds flying over. Almost all the –arks in Uganda are good birding spots.
Conclusion: Apart from the above mentioned wildlife species, Uganda thrills with a lot more of the wildlife species including Reptiles, Amphibians, Butterflies, Moth and many more. Interested in a Uganda Wildlife safari, contact us and we shall avail you the bet quote. We as well offer safaris to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
