THE AFRICA BIG 5 ANIMALS IN UGANDA
The Africa big five animals in Uganda include:
- Elephants
- Lions
- Leopards
- Rhinos
These 5 big animals can be sighted while on an African safari to Uganda the Pearl of Africa. The word Africa big 5 came up back in the 1800s to refer to those animals that were always difficult to hunt thus any hunter that would manage to hunt any of them would be considered a hero and wins a trophy. However, now days we don’t talk about hunting, we talk about safaris thus this term the Africa big 5 is used by travelers on who wish to spot all the big 5 animals on their Uganda safari. All these Africa big 5 animals are found in different savanna parks of Uganda the pearl of Africa and an encounter with both of them is such a rewarding wildlife experience. So while on your wildlife safari, keep on a look and your camera ready to catch different shoots of these animals within the parks.
Where to find the Big 5 in Uganda
While on your Uganda safari to see the big 5 animal, Keep in mind that the White Rhinos are only found in 2 protected destinations including Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Masindi as well as at Entebbe Wildlife Education Center (UWEC). The rest of the big 5 animals in Uganda are found in different largest savanna parks including Murchison falls national park the oldest and largest savanna park in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park as well as Kidepo valley national park. These 4 are the major and most visited savanna parks in Uganda and without any doubt taking on your wildlife safari to 1 or both of them is such a fascinating and breath taking experience as you meet with the big 5 animals.
The full list of the African big 5 animals in Uganda.
- African Lion
An African Lion is one of the African big 5 animals found in Uganda the pearl of Africa botanically known as Panthera Leo. The African lion is considered the most sociable and largest carnivore that usually lives in a pride of about 5 to 15 members. In Uganda the African Lion is termed as the “King of the jungle” due to the pride they display. The African lions in Uganda can be spotted in only 3 savanna parks including Kidepo valley national park in the North Eastern part of Uganda, Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park which is blessed to as well harbor rare species of tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Lions can as well be found in the Zoos like UWEC and many more.
- African Leopard
Leopard is the most elusive animal amongst the big 5 game in Uganda. The Leopard is also termed as Panthera pardus and is the smallest animal amongst the big 5 animals in Uganda. The leopard is very sneaky and in most cases it gets hard to spot since it is a nocturnal animal and very shy always hiding. A leopard is always similar to Cheetah but can easily be distinguished by its spots and they usually prefer to inhabit rocky places as well as in the woods. Taking on a Uganda wildlife safari to Toro Semuliki game reserve, Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Mount Elgon national park as well as Murchison falls national park which offer you an opportunity to spot the leopard.
- African Elephant
The African Elephant also known as Loxodonta Africana is famous as the largest animal in the world as a member of the Africa big 5 animals in Uganda. While on your Uganda wildlife safari during the game drive, be sure to spot a herd of grazing elephants in most of the savanna parks including Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and many other parks in Uganda except Lake Mburo national park. Even in savanna parks, you are likely to meet these giants in the forest since they can survive in both grassland and woodland.
- African Buffalo
The African Buffalo also known as cape Buffalo thrill in several parks and they are seen moving in large herds with savanna grassland. These Buffaloes can as well live in forested areas but in similar herds as compared to savanna areas. An African Buffalo is very dangerous amongst all the Africa big 5 animals not only in Uganda but known world-wide. African buffalo is very black in color with heavy horns and ungulate even toes. In Uganda, Buffaloes are easily seen in all most parks but taking a game drive in Murchison Falls national park, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo valley national park offers a greater encounter with these African buffaloes.
- Rhinos
Rhinos are as well part of the Africa big 5 animals that thrill in Uganda. However unlike other big 5 animals which are freely found in the national parks, Rhinos are being protected in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and in Entebbe zoo. Uganda only has the endangered White Rhinos that were re-introduced from South Africa.
The above are common Africa big 5 game.
