Top amazing animals of Uganda

Game Drives, Gorilla Trekking, Rhino Tracking, and Chimpanzee tracking are the most popular tourist activities in Uganda. Find below our list Top Amazing Animals of Uganda that you should not miss on your next safari to Uganda

1. Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

In Uganda, the mountain gorilla is found in only two locations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain gorillas live in high altitudes ranging between 1500m – 4500m above sea level. These areas usually have dense vegetation characterized by bamboo and montane forest cover.
A fully grown male mountain gorilla can weigh up to 150kgs whereas the female can weigh up to 100kgs. Mountain gorillas feed on green plants, bamboo shoots, fruits, stems, seeds, tree backs and insects to a smaller extent. In the wild, mountain gorillas can live upto approximately 40 years and 50 years whilst in captivity.

Where to see gorillas in Uganda:

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; with a rise of 321 square kilometers, the park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas and a UNESCO heritage site since 1994. Other than mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also home to other primates, mammals and different bird species
2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park situated in south western Uganda at the border with Congo and Rwanda. This park is 32 square kilometers big and was established in 1991. It is Uganda’s smallest national park and home to a habituated but trans-boundary gorilla family.

Cost of the Gorilla Permit (applicable up to 30th June 2020)

Costs include park entry fees, ranger guide and 1 hour spent with the mountain gorillas.
NOTE: The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years

2. Chimpanzee.

These are our closest living relatives sharing more than 90% of our DNA. Chimpanzees are very social and live in groups called communities with members totaling to 100 individuals led by a dominant Alpha male. Chimps feed on plant and fruit which they supplement with bird eggs, insects and meat (usually hunted monkeys such as blue and colobus monkeys and occasionally baboons).
Chimps live in dense ever green tropical rain forests and swamp forests. In their natural wild habitat, chimps can live up to 40 years.

Where to see Chimps in Uganda:

1. Kibale Forest National Park. With a size of 776 square kilometers, Kibale is home to approximately 1500 chimps making it the best chimp trekking destination not only in Uganda but the whole of East Africa. Dubbed as the primate capital, Kibale has a record of 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee
2. Budongo Forest. This is located northwest of Kampala the capital city of Uganda, approximately 3-4 hours’ drive en-route to Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area. Budongo has a rich diversity that not only has more than 600 chimps but also 24 different species of small primates and 280 butterfly types. Budongo has close to 80 chimps that have been habituated and can be visited by visitors for that unique experience
3. Kyambura Gorge – also known as the valley of Apes is situated in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda’s most popular national park. The Kyambura gorge is home to different bird species, primates and mammals as well as animals such as hippos, elephants among others.
4. Kalinzu Forest Reserve. With a size of 137 square kilometers, Kalinzu forest is said to be the 2nd destination (after Kibale Forest) for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda with approximately 200 chimps. Kalinzu is also known to have a rich diversity of bird species, reptiles, mammals, and butterflies among others making it a perfect destination for any traveler to visit.
5. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Established in 1998 to create a safe home for the rescued and orphaned chimps from the illegal bush meat trade, the sanctuary is located on Lake Victoria, about 23km south east of Entebbe. Ngamba Island is currently home for 49 chimpanzees that enjoy the 95 acres of natural forest. The Ngamba chimpanzee island is only accessible by boat from the Entebbe pier taking 90 minutes to reach the island

3. Southern White Rhino.

Only found in Ziwa rhino sanctuary that is located in Nakasongola district about 180km north of Kampala city off the Gulu highway. Ziwa rhino sanctuary offers an outstanding trek to see the white rhinos in a natural setting going about their day to day life. Currently, the sanctuary is home to 22 southern white rhinos and is the only place in Uganda where one can walk to see a rhino in their natural habitat

4. African Savannah Elephant.

This is the largest land animal in the world weighing about 6000kgs for males and 5000kgs for females. African savannah elephants bear tusks in both males and females that they use as a tool to dig for water, food, and strip tree barks and also use as a weapon during fights.

African savannah elephants have a gestation of 22 months and their life span is about 70 years. In Uganda, one can see the African Savannah Elephant whilst on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

5. Giraffe.

An inhabitant of lightly wooded savannah areas. There are 3 types of giraffe:- Rothschild, Reticulated and Masai giraffe. In Uganda we have the Rothschild that can be seen in Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s oldest and largest national park.

The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world standing at about 18ft tall for males and about 16ft for females and a calf at 6ft at birth. Giraffes have unique patterns per individual and long tongue of about 45cm long which helps them during feeding. They have a gestation period of 14 months and live upto 25 years in the wild.
In Uganda, the Rothschild can best be seen in the world in Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park – Uganda’s smallest savannah park

6. Lion – Panthera Leo.

Lions are the only truly social cats and East Africa’s and most powerful cat. Lions live in groups called pride which can be anywhere between 2-40 individuals. Lions stay in grassy plains and open savannah areas. They are inactive during day resting for upto 20 hours in the bushes and thickets and will only be active late evening, night and early morning before sunrise.

Lions can run up to a speed of 60km though have less stamina and will give up a prey chase if not successful in 200m. Lions in the wild have a life span of between 10-15 years.
The top places to see lions in Uganda are Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

7. Leopard – Panthera Pardus.

The leopard breeds all year round giving birth to 2-6 cubs with a gestation of 90-105 days. Leopards are unique in a way that they carry their kill up vertical tree trunks even heavier than themselves to store it and keep it away from scavengers.

Leopards have an acute eye sight, exceptional hearing and enormous strength. The best places to see leopards in Uganda are Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Leopards can best be seen late evening, early morning or even on a night safari where you will need a powerful spotlight mounted on your safari vehicle.

8. Cheetah.

This is the world’s fastest land animal and the most endangered African cat. A Cheetah can reach a speed up to 110km/hr. due to its unique body structure with a flexible body spine, semi refractive claw and its long legs. Cheetahs like other African cat will be active during dusk or dawn. After they succeed in their hunt, the cheetah will eat very quickly to ensure that scavengers do not steal the kill before eating it.

In Uganda, the best place to see cheetah is Kidepo Valley National Park. This is the only park where we have cheetah

9. Zebra.

Zebra have unique black and white markings making them to be easily spotted, however, it should be noted that each animal has a unique pattern just like finger print in humans.
Zebras live in open savannah grasslands and mountains staying in relatively small groups of about 10-20 members with a dominant male called a Stallion usually about 6 years.
In Uganda, the best places to see zebras are Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda’s remote park in the Karamoja region.
Uganda has a population of approximately 3000 zebras and they are found in only 2 national parks. Zebras are best seen during game drives.

10. Cape Buffalo/African Cape Buffalo.

Cape buffalo have cattle like appearance with short legs. Buffaloes weigh between 500-800kgs. In both males and females horns occur only that males have wider and thicker horns each being about 1.5m long whilst females have thinner and shorter ones.
Buffalos live in savannah areas and breed year round with 1 calf born after a gestation period of 11 months. Buffalos also stay in herds of up to 1000 individuals depending on the availability of food.
It should be noted that a buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals due to their size, formidable horns and aggressive nature. They kill close to 200 people annually.
In Uganda, buffalos can be seen in different national parks namely; Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.