30 Amazing Wild Animals to See on Uganda Safari

WILD ANIMALS FOUND IN UGANDA – 30 AMAZING WILDLIFE TO SEE ON SAFARI UGANDA

Wild Animals found in Uganda; If you are planning an Africa Safari, here are 30 Amazing Wildlife that you should expect to see on your Uganda Safari. Uganda is a home to variety of wildlife which are impressive to travellers that visit Africa for wildlife safari holidays. Given its number of beautiful national parks and more conservation areas, Uganda is a must visit tourist destination in East Africa.

Uganda is blessed with variety of animal habitats including lush tropical rain forests, lakes, rivers and golden grasslands that all support variety of safaris and walking tour experiences.

If your dream is to have a once in lifetime safari in Africa, you should take a gorilla and wildlife safari Uganda and enjoy a safari game drive to see African big 5 animals (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard).

Besides game viewing safari in Uganda game parks, Chimpanzee and Mountain gorillas takes attention of most tourists visiting Uganda. This is beacuse, more than half of the World’s population of the endangered Mountain gorillas live in Uganda. Therefore Trekking through the lush forest to get face to face with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is a moment to treasure in life.

The best safari animals found in Uganda are categorized under primates – Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Golden monkey, Red tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkey and many others. Carnivores – Lion, Leopard, Jackel, Hyena and sarval cat. Herbivores – Elephants, buffaloes, Rhinos, Uganda Kob, Elends, Warthog, Hippopotamus, waterbuck and more. Reptiles – Crocodiles, lizard and snakes.

The Wild animals found in Uganda range in all sizes from the biggest to the smallest all living in the protected areas of Uganda. These can be viewed during the game drives, the nature walks, hiking, cruises and many more.

Where to go on Safari in Uganda?

  • Murchison falls national park
  • Bwindi Impenetrable national park
  • Queen Elizabeth national park
  • Lake Mburo national park
  • Kibale Forest national park

If you love Wildlife and planning a Safari to Africa, here are the 30 amazing animals found in Uganda; The must See Uganda animals;

  1. Mountain Gorilla

Animals found in Uganda - 30 amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

As the major highlight of every safari tour to Uganda, Mountain gorilla in Uganda are found in Bwindi Impenetrable forest jungle and Mgahinga national parks. More than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas live here in Uganda. Gorillas spend most of their time feeding on leaves, celery, bamboo shoots, fruits and pulps. Gorillas are vegetarian. The mature silverback weighs up to 230kg and reach a height of 4-6 feet standing. Males are big than females. They live in family groups of 5 – 40 individuals with a dominant silverback heading the group. Gorillas lay nests on grounds each night or in low trees to rest. They live up to 35years old. It’s always an amazing experience to go trekking and see gorillas face to face in their natural habitat and learn more about them.

  1. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are the closest relative to humans, sharing up 98% of their DNA. These chimpanzees live in tropical forests of Uganda. Chimpanzee in Uganda can be seen best in Kibale national park where the forest has over 1500 chimps living in a community. Other places to see chimpanzee while on Uganda Safari include; Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Ngamba Island, Kalinzu forest, Budongo forest in Murchison falls park, and Semuliki wildlife reserve. Chimps live in troops of 15-70 members. They have long limbs, weigh up to 60 kgs and stand to a height of 4ft. Chimpanzee feed on leaves, fruits but sometimes they can change their diet and feed on ants and can hunt colobus monkeys for meat.

  1. African Elephant

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

African Savanna Elephant also known as African Bush Elephants are the largest of all land mammels in the world and these can be seen in most of the savanna parks of Uganda. The African Elephants have continued to increase after facing hunting challenge of years back. For those interested in watching elephants, there are both African forest elephants and African bush elephants in Uganda. The best places to see African elephants in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park and a few sights of Forest elephants are in Kibale and Bwindi impenetrable forest national parks. Elephants weigh between 4000kg to 6000Kgs when old, they eat up to 200kg of grass a day and drink up to 150litres of water.

  1. Lion

Animals found in Uganda - 30 amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

A Lion is one of the safari animals that most visitors wish to see on any Safari to Uganda and Africa at large. Visitor on Uganda Safari have opportunity to encounter the tree climbing lions in Ishasha, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Lions are the largest carnivores in Africa that preys on other animals for food and feeding on meat up to 8 kg a day minimum. Lions in Uganda can be seen in Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo valley and Murchison falls national parks. Seeing lions on safari game drive while resting up in trees at Ishasha sector is an amazing experience that you will never forget.

  1. White Rhinoceros

In Uganda there are only the Southern white rhinos which were reintroduced to Uganda after their extinction in 1983. Rhinos in Uganda national parks were hunted to extinction and currently Rhino tracking is done at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, a Ranch in Nakasongola district. There is no national park in Uganda. Rhinos are one of the African big 5 animals and seeing them is always an amazing experience.

  1. Leopard

Leopard is one of the must see animals found in Uganda. Seeing a leopard on a Uganda safari is such an interesting experience given that they are hard to see since they are nocturnal animals. Leopards are usually seen resting up in the trees and they are very shy making it hard to spot them. Leopards can be seen in Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo Valley national park and lake Mburo national park.

  1. African Buffalo

Buffalo is one of the big five animals and can be seen in most protected areas in Uganda. In any safari to Uganda’s protected areas be assured of viewing buffalos either in water or on land. Buffalos can be spotted during boat cruise on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park and along the Nile during boat cruise in Murchison falls national park.

  1. Golden Monkey

Golden monkeys in Uganda are seen in Mgahinga national park only. It is one of Uganda’s 20 primate species and it is very rare and elusive. They are unique in appearance with an outstanding color almost gold hence the name golden monkeys. They are playful and quick in their movements.

  1. Rothschild Giraffe

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

The Rothschild giraffe are the tallest giraffe standing up to 19.7feet and the only type found in Uganda. These can be seen in Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park and Murchison falls national park. They have long sturdy legs with the front legs longer than the back ones. They feed on leaves, flowers, seedpods and fruits.

  1. Zebra

In Uganda zebras are best seen in Lake Mburo national park and Kidepo valley national park. Zebras are herbivores and live in savanna plains. They are easy to identify by their black and white stripes and these stripes are unique with each and every zebra. There are over 3000 zebras in Uganda.

  1. African Civet

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on safari Uganda

African Civet is an native animal of sub-saharan Africa. It is a nocternal animal commonly seen in woodland and secondary forests.  Civet has a dense fur which is short and greyish in color with black spots arranged in rows along the body. About a third of their tail are marked with stripes and their face is solid grey except the white muzzle and black markings around the eyes that go down the to the face. African Civet have short mane around their neck which runs to their back. Civets are omnivorous and their diet is comprised of Insects, rodents, eggs, reptiles, carrions, fruits, crabs, birds and sometimes they take prey on paultry and young lambs. African civet females become sexually active at one year old,  and may have 1-2 litters in a year. Young civets are usullay born in stages relative to most carnivores, they usullay have fur which are dark. young civets always depend on mothers milk for about 6 weeks. Civets are always solitary but pairs can be seen when mating. They have variaty of visual olfactory and auditory means of communication. Individuals usually mark the territory with their ascent gland which play a major social role especially to convey information to their fellows. African civets suffer predation from Hyena, leopard, snakes and lion.

  1. Hippopotamus

These are second largest animals in the world and also referred to as Hippos. In Uganda Hippos are common and their sights are guaranteed in the national parks. They can be seen in Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park and visiting one of these parks it’s a must to see these hippos. Hippos spend most of their time in water and come out at night to graze.

  1. Nile Crocodile

The Nile crocodiles are the most species of crocodiles seen in Uganda especially in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls national parks and along lakes and rivers like Albert and Victoria. These can measure up to 6meters long and can weigh up to 700kg. They feed on predators especially fish.

  1. Sitatunga

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on safari Uganda

Sitatunga is a semi aquatic antelope that lives permanently in swamps. They usually come out to feed on the shoreline but they are very shy and they feed on swamp vegetation and woody vegetation. The females are light brown with white spots and long spiral horns. In Uganda they are usually seen in lake Mburo national park.

  1. Vervet Monkey

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

These stay in woodlands, grasslands near lakes, rivers and swamps. Vervet monkeys feed on leaves, fruits, and small animals like lizards. They stand on hind legs once they spot danger and make alarm calls to warn the rest and usually they climb up from the ground for safety.

  1. Impala

Animals found in Uganda - 30 amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

Impalas are graceful antelopes with long necks and slender legs. Females are hornless and males have S-shaped wide set horns. They feed on grass and shrubs and they are most active during the day.

  1. Warthog (Pumba)

Common Warthogs are wild pigs found in the savanna parks in Uganda. They are gray, black or reddish after wallowing in mud and can survive in areas without water for months. They usually kneel on their knees while feeding which is a funny strange behavior. They are herbivores feeding on grass, roots, fruits, barks and plants. They hide from their predators by entering abandoned burrows in a reverse direction ready to jump out in case of danger.

  1. Red tailed monkey

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on safari Uganda

These are social primates that live in groups of up to 30 individuals. They are active in the mornings and evenings feeding on ground but rest up in the trees. They are omnivorous feeding on fruits. Leaves, flowers and insects. They have tails with red color increasing from base to tip, have white nose and cheeks with black or dark grey body fur.

  1. Black and White Colobus monkey

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

These are the most common and wide spread in Uganda. They are beautiful primates with white face and long tail, black body with white side stripe. They feed on leaves, flowers, twigs and fruits. Black and White colobus monkeys live in forests, wooded grasslands and riverine forests. These can be seen in Kibale national park, Ssemuliki, Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Queen Elizabeth national parks in Uganda among others.

  1. Bush buck

Bush bucks are shy antelopes that lives in dense thickets and riverine forests. They feed mostly at night, early mornings or late afternoon on branches, fruits, flowers and grass. Only males have horns which are spiral and fairly straight parallel to one another. They have white spots and stripes.

  1. Eland

Eland is the largest of the antelopes and they are herbivorous feeding on grass, fruits, herbs and leaves. The Elands live in savanna plains, grasslands, woodlands but avoid dense forests. In Uganda Elands can be seen in Kidepo valley national park, Lake mburo national park and Pian Upe wildlife reserve. They are in two types the common eland and Giant eland which is the largest antelope.

  1. Uganda Kob

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

The Uganda Kob is one of amazing animals found in Uganda that you may frequently see on a game drive. Uganda Kob has a reddish brown fur coat with white patches around the neck and underneath the belly. There is also a white ring around each eye and a black strip that runs down the front of each foreleg. Males only have horns that are shorter, thicker shaped in S-profile and ringed almost to the tip. They have medium length horns and large ears. They live in moist savanna, flood plains and woodlands of Uganda especially in Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park.

  1. L’Hoest Monkey

These prefer to live in mountainous areas with forests and savanna woodlands along the slopes. They have a black face with white bibs on both cheeks. They majorly feed on leaves, roots, fruits and other variety of food like small birds and reptiles. In Uganda they can be seen in Kibale forest national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park.

  1. Cheetah

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

Cheetahs are the fastest animal in Africa on land and in Uganda cheatahs can be seen only in Kidepo Valley national park which is located in northeastern part of the country. They live in open grassland, Savanna plains and Rocky Mountains. Cheetahs have a gold coat with black spots and a black tear mark that runs down the eye to the corner of the mouth. They are rarely seen in Uganda but the best luck is got on several game drive safari in Kidepo national park.

  1. Grey Cheeked Mangabey

They are found in Kibale national park and Semuliki national park in Uganda. They feed on fruit, shoots, flowers and insects. They live in groups of up to 30 individuals and spend most of their time up in the canopy and they leap through the forest with help of strong tail that hooks on branches. They are small with thick brown fur with little golden mane around the neck.

  1. Baboon

Baboons are one of the animals found in Uganda, frequently encountered along the road sides, in fringes of forest reserves and in many parts of the country. In Uganda, there only olive Baboons which are the sociable primates living in groups of up to 50 individuals spending most of their time grooming each other and playing. Baboons are omnivorous and usually aggressive where there is food. The Baboons feed as they move during early morning, afternoon with babies carried at the back or on the chest when still very young. They spend the rest of day time grooming each other.

  1. Klipspringer

Animals found in Uganda - 30 Amazing Wildlife to see on Safari Uganda

Klipspringers stay in rocky habitats like rocky hills, koppies and gorges with rocky sides. In Uganda they can be seen on Lake Mburo national park and Kidepo valley national park. They feed on herbs, flowers, fruits, grass, shrubs, barks, leaves and green shoots. They have cylindrical hooves pointing downwards giving them a tip top walk on rocks.

  1. Jackal

Jackal Side stripped Jackal and Black backed Jackal; Side stripped jackal is a native to central and southern Africa, dwelling in woodland and scrub areas of most savannas. Side stripped jackels are nocternal animals, dog like carnivore. The side stripped jackal are rarely seen and appear more larger than the more common blck backed jackal. Their body color is grey buff, with a darker back. the sides are marked with white stripe  having black lower margins. The tail is dark tail is tipped with white while the ears are dark buff in color. Jackal is omnivorus and their diet is comprised of wide varieties of food, they changes diet in response to environment conditions which include, small mammals, fruits maize, reptiles eggs, birds and carrions. they are less preditory compared to the black backed jackal. They mate throughout the year but most of mating occur in june and july. Females give birth to four to six pups after a gestation period of 57-64 days especially in August to november.  during breeding, a pair remains in close proximity, jackels are territorial animals of which each terrotory is held by monogamous pair and their recent off springs. Jackals can be seen on safari to Bwindi and Mgahinga, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park

  1. Topi

Topi are one of the most common and widespread antelopes in Africa. They live in grassland and woodlands. They prefer to stay in areas with green grass of medium height that goes up to dry seasons. They have dark musk on their faces, dark purple patches on their upper legs and elongated heads with a hump on the base of the neck. Topis are usually a lot in an area or absent

  1. Spotted Hyena

Spotted hyena is one of the amazing animals found in Uganda. A Spotted Hyena has a variable color from pale buff to dull grey, with the whole body marked with irregular spots which turns to fainter with age. A hyena is large powerful built animal with dark tipped, bushy short tail. These hyenas live in clan of related females and unrelated males centered on a den. Hyenas are frequently seen in most of Uganda savanna parks such as Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park and in Lake Mburo national park. Female hyena appear larger than males, producing up to 4 cubs which are born black in color. Hyenas are well known for scavenging, following lions to share the kill. Despite of this behavior, they are also good hunters, kills Uganda Kobs, calves, Topi and other small antelopes

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