Wildlife safaris in Uganda – Rwenzori Expeditions

Wildlife Safari in Uganda ? Combing Rwenzori Climbing to trek the Rwenzori Mountains and visit the big five in Uganda’s top national park with experienced safari guide from Rwenzori Expeditions the leading company offering Adventures in Uganda!

Described as the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, Uganda is one of the top destinations on the African continent for wildlife safaris. The country encompasses a beautiful landscape, favorable climatic conditions that comes as a result of her location near the equator, hospitable and welcoming tribal groups, and various wildlife species all over different regions and destinations.

With an area of approximately 24square kilometers, Uganda occupies 10 national parks where 8 of these offer excellent wildlife safaris and among these include; Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park which provide an up close encounter of the endangered mountain gorillas and the shy golden monkeys in their natural habitats, Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Lake Mburo national park, Kidepo valley national park, Kibale forest national park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Uganda Wildlife Education Center. These destinations offer marvelous views of different wildlife species including the big five Africa games – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos and rhinos. Other wildlife species to spot in the destinations include the water bucks, bush bucks, hyenas, hippos, Nile crocodiles, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and various bird species.

Below is the bucket-list of places one can visit for a perfect wildlife safari in Uganda;

• Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is one of the best destinations for wildlife safaris in Uganda. The park stands as the oldest and largest conservation area in Uganda stretching over 3,800 square kilometers. Located in Northwestern region of Uganda in Masindi district, the park was named after one of the top attractions – The Murchison falls which are formed at a position where River Nile squeezes itself in a 7m narrow gorge before going down to form the mighty roar.

Though the national park protects the mighty waterfalls as its top attraction, it also has the largest population of wildlife species in East Africa including over 1000 Rothschild giraffes. Other animals in the park include the Nile crocodiles, lions, elephants, hippos, antelopes, buffalos, and many others.

Murchison falls national park also protects rain forests like Budongo forest which is famous for chimpanzee trekking experience. while at the park, you can opt for activities like white water rafting at Karuma falls, boat trip on Victoria Nile, game drive, hiking to the top of the falls and bird watching experience.

• Queen Elizabeth national park

Located in the western region of Uganda in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri, Queen Elizabeth national park of the second largest national park in Uganda. Stretching over an area of approximately 1,978 square kilometers, the park stands as the most visited park in Uganda and its famous for protecting the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. As you visit the savannah park, enjoy its breathtaking scenery from its luxuriant vegetation cover as you spot a number of wildlife species like animals and birds. The national park hosts over 700 mammal species and about 500 bird species including the forest and water birds that can be spotted along the Kazinga channel shores. Among the animals to spot while on a wildlife safari to the park include buffalos, hippos, leopards. Lions, zebras, giraffes, Uganda kobs, antelopes, elephants, hyenas and many others. Queen Elizabeth National park is the best recommended wildlife watching park after climbing Rwenzori Mountains. Rwenzori Expeditions offers combined 10 Days Rwenzori & Wildlife watching tour .

• Kidepo valley national park

In the northeastern part of Uganda in Karamoja region, Kidepo valley national park is another wildlife safari destination in Uganda. With a total area of approximately 1,442 square kilometers, the park is a rugged savannah, dominated by the 2,750 meters Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus rivers. Besides its remoteness, the park protects abundant floral and faunal species.

While on a Uganda safari to this destination, expect to view a number of wildlife species including the wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffalos, ostriches, elephants, baboons, bush babies and over 300 bird species. As you continue with the walk through the park, you will also spot the Kanangorok hot springs at the northern part of the park. Cultural tours where you will enjoy the traditional performances of the IK people are among the best experiences to encounter during your safari in the park.

• Lake Mburo national park

Known as the country’s smallest national park, Lake Mburo national park is also a home to various wildlife species. The park was named after the fresh water body – Lake Mburo which attracts over 300 bird species along its shores. The park is also known for hosting the largest population of zebras which can be sighted during a protected nature walk through its open savannah. Other animals in the park include the antelopes, buffalos, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and many others.

• Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Also referred to as the Switzerland of Africa, Bwindi Impenetrable national park was established in 1991 and it protects the oldest forest, Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The park is located in Kanungu district along the border of Democratic Republic of Congo near Virunga national park on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, the park is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1994 due to its unique characteristic of protecting 3 great apes in Africa. It is mainly known for protecting almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in its four trekking sectors – Buhoma, Ruhijja, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector.

Besides mountain gorillas, there are also other attractions in the park including the colobus monkeys, the Batwa people who were the inhabitants of the forest, bird species like the black billed turaco, bee-eaters, flycatchers plus a unique vegetation cover where all these species can be found.

• Mgahinga Gorilla national park

In the southwestern part of Uganda in Virunga mountains, Mgahinga gorilla national park is also another destination in Uganda suitable for a wildlife safari. With an area of approximately 33.9 square kilometres, the park is the second destination in Uganda after Bwindi Impenetrable national park where one can watch the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home to two gorilla habituated families – Nyakagezi and Hirwa which can be seen during gorilla trekking experience.

Apart from the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga gorilla national park also hosts other species like the unique golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and several mammal species like leopards, elephants, bushbucks, black fronted duiker, bush pigs, buffalos, giant forest hog and many others. For the bird lovers, the park is also among the best destinations since it hosts over 300 species of birds such as red throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, collared apalis, double collared sunbird and many others.

• Kibale forest national park

Also known as a primate world, Kibale forest national park is located in the western part of Uganda near the mystical Rwenzori mountains, sharing a border with the great Queen Elizabeth national park. The park is known for protecting the highest population of chimpanzees that can be seen during chimpanzee tracking experience which involves hiking through the rainforests of the park.

Other than the chimps, the park protects other 13 primate species like the red colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, and others. Other species in the park include few mammal species, butterflies, birds and others.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Found along the way to the mighty Murchison falls national park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only other destination in Uganda apart from the Uganda Wildlife Center where one can see the rhinos. The sanctuary was mainly established to protect the country’s rhinos from the poachers who use to remove their horns for valuable ideas. During your experience at the sanctuary, you will interact with the rangers or conservationists there from whom you will get knowledge about the lifestyles of rhinos.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center

Located in Entebbe city, the center was set up by the government of Uganda for education and wildlife conservation purposes. The center includes all animal species though can be watched through their cages. Among these animals include lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and many others. Also, at the center, you can enjoy a boat trip on the safe waters where you will spot a number of bird species.

Apart from the wildlife safari destinations, Uganda also protects others tourist attractions like the source of the Nile, Islands like Ssese islands, mountains like Rwenzori and Elgon mountains, Sipi falls, Lake Bunyonyi and many others. All these attractions can be visited and explored effectively when you book with Rwenzori Expeditions.