The big five in Uganda
The Big 5 are Uganda’s undisputed superstars and the reason safari-goers set out eagerly on dawn or dusk game drives in Uganda’s national parks. We have a wide range of Big 5 safari destinations in Uganda’s national parks and game reserves where these five can be found. The big 5 include: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Rhinos (at ziwa rhino sanctuary) plus the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, the Forest Elephants and Forest Buffalos and this makes Uganda the best safari destination ever. The term BIG FIVE is used by tourism companies in Uganda.
Lion: It is known as the King of the jungle also known as African lion and is found in several Uganda national parks including, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park home to the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and a few found in the remote Kidepo Valley National Park and Semiliki National Park. The lion is the most sought Big 5.
Leopards: The leopards are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Mount Elgon National Park. The leopards are difficult to spot since they are mostly nocturnal, but tourists’ can take a nocturnal game drive at Queen Elizabeth Park and sometimes spot some or during an early game drive in some of the above parks.
Buffalos: These are in two types; the Cape buffalo and also the smaller more reddish Forest buffalos here in Uganda. They are quite powerful and can be found in many of Uganda’s national parks such Lake Mburo Park, Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and Kidepo Valley Park. They live in open grasslands and live in large herds.
Elephants: They are also known as the largest mammals in the world. They are found in forest woodlands and savanna areas. They are attentive and protective of their young ones and are vegetarian. The best parks to see elephants on your Uganda tour include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale national park.
Rhinos: These are two types namely black rhinos and southern rhinos. The southern rhinos are currently protected at Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Masindi to Murchison national park. They are one of the largest mammals (one can weigh about 6000) and are known to be short tempered.
Mountain Gorillas: These are peaceful gentle apes and are sought out by thousands of visitors each year and its featured attraction. Tourists love seeing them feed, interact and communicate to each other. Mountain Gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo plus a diversity of other African wildlife such as the Big Five. They are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park.
Chimpanzee: There are lots of chimpanzees found in Uganda and best park to track them best is Kibale national park. This is a dense rain forest and a perfect habitat with more primates than any other place in East Africa. Tourists can also track chimpanzees in Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls, at the Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth Park Uganda wildlife education centre and Semiliki Park. Another habitat for Chimpanzees is Ngamba Chimpanzee Island where orphaned Chimpanzees can be seen at a close range and actual interaction with chimpanzees is allowed. All these and more wildlife can be best viewed in many of Uganda’s national parks on a Uganda safari. Email us at: te**************@***il.com
