The wildlife of Uganda

The wildlife of Uganda

The wildlife of Uganda : The wildlife of Uganda is composed of its flora and fauna. Uganda has a wide variety of different habitats, including mountains, hills, tropical rainforest, woodland, freshwater lakes, swamps and savanna with scattered clumps of trees. Known as the pearl of Africa, Uganda has a bio diverse flora and fauna reflecting this range of habitats, it is also known to have about 10 National Parks; 12 Wildlife reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries.  The ten National Parks including Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Kibale, Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. In these parks you can get to view a number of wildlife species most common being; African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, chimpanzee, tree climbing lions, chimpanzees, baboons, gorillas an so many others.

 These parks display the best in East Africa. Their Rift Valley landscapes and tropical forests make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. Uganda is also unrivalled on the continent as a bird-watching destination with over 1,000 species of birds – several of which are found nowhere else on the planet.  Encounters with wildlife at its best can be done through a number of Top destinations like;

Queen Elizabeth national Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is breathtaking. It is also one the most famous National park located in Western Uganda. Queen Elizabeth national Park is most notably known for its wildlife, including African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard and lion. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. Queen Elizabeth is also a home to tree climbing lions which can be found in the Ishasha sector. Game drives are done either in the morning or in the evening. While there you get to see a number of wildlife species and also get to learn about them. You can also opt for a boat cruise along the beautiful Kazinga channel.

Murchison Falls national park

Sitting on the shores of Lake Albert in North Western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is best known, though, for the most powerful waterfall in the world. The pressure is so great that the ground trembles around it. It is also a home to 76 species of mammals including four of the “Big Five”, with huge herds of buffaloes and elephants, well-camouflaged leopards and a healthy population of lions. Murchion falls National park serves one of the best Game drive sessions because of its abundant wildlife and unbeatable scenery.

Bwindi Impenetrable Park

Bwindi impenetrable park has the largest number of mountain gorillas in Uganda. These gorillas live in families and bwindi has about 400 gorillas & 10 families which can be gotten to under strict guidelines with the help of an experienced guide. Personally. An experience with these gentle yet intelligent primates is quite unforgettable as you get to have an up close of these animals and also get to learn more about them. They are gentle, intelligent and worthwhile unless provoked.

Mgahinga National Park

This park is located in south-western Uganda and is also a home to a number of wildlife species most notably the mountain gorillas and the famous endangered golden monkey. Same as The mountain gorillas in bwindi impenetrable park, these gorillas live in families and can be reached with the help of an experience guide. We also get to view the famous golden monkey, learn more about it and also take pictures of these marvelous species. Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national park takes about 1 to 8 hours (including the journey to the gorillas, the 1 hour spent with them and the return journey back to the briefing point)

Kibale National Park

Located in the western part of Uganda a few kilometers after Fort portal city, Kibale National park has around thirteen species and is most famous for its Chimpanzees. Trekking these species is exciting and done with the guidance of and experienced guide. Seen and interacted with at a distance, these creatures are gentle and can be seen going about with their daily life. Kibale national park also serves stunning sceneries due to its beautiful forest like topography. Chimpanzee trekking takes about two to three hours.

Lake Mburo National Park

It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and is a home to most notably Zebras, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Lake Mburo national park is located in Kiruhura district near mbarara, Western Uganda. Since lake mburo national park is a special place, it habours 68 mammal species though it does not have elephants and lions. The fact that there are no lions, it gives you a chance to freely move close to the animals and have a close impact with them. The park has got a wide range of birds flopping in the sky and are so being visible to visitors. Some of the birds that are seen in this park include rare rare shoebill, stork, African fin foot, pelican, heron among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley national park is apparently the most isolated park in Uganda but still stands out to be one of the best virgin places you can ever visit in Uganda. It is a true gem with huge abundance in wildlife, it remains a true rendition of tourism in Uganda but remains unknown to many. It hosts over 75 species of mammals and 470 species of birds. Game drives in Kidepo Valley national park are nothing short of magical. This park is situated in Kaboong district in North-Eastern Uganda.

Lake Bunyonyi

Also located in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi is known as the “place of little birds” due to its mind-blowing number of bird species,  this lake appeared between 2004  & 2009 becoming the deepest lake in Uganda. Lake serves marvelous calming views verysuitabelfor bird watching, boat cruises and relaxation.

Wildlife in Uganda can also be viewed in a number of other places like; Kyambura game reserve, Mountain Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains national park and so many others. An experience with the wildlife in Uganda is quite breathtaking