Top 10 Must-See Animals in Uganda

Watching animals in Uganda is one of the magical and indescribable feelings any traveller will be introduced to. Not only is this country (christened the Pearl of Africa) made up of magnificently diverse landscapes, sceneries and habitats, but also the way these environments have for decades been protected to allow the flourishing of animals.

Today the benefits of this Protection and Conservation is evident by the wide array of animals, most of which are frequently spotted by travellers during Uganda safaris. Therefore in no particular order, here are the top 10 Must-see animals in Uganda;

Mountain gorillas

When it comes to the overall Mountain Gorilla numbers, Uganda reigns supreme, with more than 50% of the World’s population found in its two National parks. The highest concentration of these endangered creatures lives in the mountainous jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park whereby a significant number has been habituated for trekking each year. This Park alone has about 21 habituated gorilla groups, which means that a maximum of 168 gorilla permits are issued every day. The smaller population of these sought-after Great Apes lives in Mgahinga National Park and because of this, only one gorilla group is habituated for trekking.

Grey-crowned Cranes

Grey-crowned Cranes

Few creatures on Earth exemplify the Grandeur of Uganda’s unmatched natural beauty as much as the gracious Grey-crowned Cranes, the National emblem of the country. It symbolizes gentleness, peace and friendliness that typically describe Uganda. All thanks go to the awareness of locals as well as efforts of conservationists that the population of these endangered creatures are stabilizing. This in the end makes it relatively easy to sight them across the country including Murchison Falls National Park.

Chimpanzees

chimpanzees in Uganda

Much as the chimpanzee population in Uganda is thriving, these primates are endangered in all their natural habitats (Kibale, Maramagambo, Kalinzu, Budongo and Kyambura). While it’s very possible to spot these Great Apes in all the mentioned places, you are more guaranteed of spotting high populations when you explore Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. Sharing 98.7% DNA with humans, they are surprisingly very closely related to us than we ever imagine.

Nile Crocodiles

Nile Crocodiles in Uganda

If you wish to see these savaging reptiles in the wild, the best options are in Lake Mburo National Park, the Victoria Nile in Murchison falls National Park and Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park where these huge reptiles share the same waters with Hippos, a plethora of fish species and wading birds (storks, Cranes, Ibises, Herons, Spoonbills and egrets). These creatures are best sighted via Boat cruises, which are surprisingly offered in these three Parks thus spicing up your wildlife experience during Uganda tours.

Tree-climbing lions

Tree-climbing lions in Uganda

The tree-climbing lions, exceptional cats are found exclusively on fig tree branches of Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Every traveller to the western part of the country wishes to see them and the best possible way is by booking a wildlife safari in this part of the country. The tree-climbing behaviour of these big cats has only been discovered in two places (the other being Lake Manyara National Park of Tanzania.

Leopards

Leopards in Kidepo

Leopards are probably the most feared animals roaming in a number of Uganda’s National Parks-understandable, owing to the fact that these predators have in the past killed people living adjacent to the Parks (Queen Elizabeth National Park). While significant populations of Uganda’s leopard population lives in the plains of Queen Elizabeth, Semliki, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks and the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park in the North-eastern part of the country offers seclusion while searching for them.

African Elephants

African Elephants in Uganda

The huge tusks of the African elephants are one of the most priced wildlife parts and because of this, they are endangered. However, the combined efforts of International Conservation Agencies (such as WWF), Uganda Wildlife Authority and local communities have led to a gradual increase in their numbers. Look for the forest-dwelling elephants in Semliki, Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest while the Bush elephants are common in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley and again Semliki National Park.

Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros in Uganda

If you desire to spot a high population of southern white Rhinos in Uganda’s wilderness, go for the “tracking tour” in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, along the Kampala-Gulu highway where over 33 of them are sheltered. This large mammal initially lived in the Murchison and Kidepo Valley National Parks until the 1980s when they became completely wiped out by poaching, encroachment into their natural habitats and illegal bush meat sale. The good news however is that they were reintroduced under the project of Rhino Fund Uganda as well as Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Rothschild giraffes

Rothschild giraffes in Uganda

The Rothschild giraffes are also iconic animals in Uganda’s wilderness and are popular within Murchison falls, Kidepo valley and the stunning Lake Mburo National Park. They will be spotted browsing on different acacia species while on game drives in these outstanding safari destinations.

Golden monkeys

Endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley region in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the endangered golden monkeys are one of the most sought-after primates in Africa and therefore a must-see animal in Uganda. Book a golden monkey tracking safari and get the chance to spend some unrivalled time with a habituated troop of these frisky creatures.