THE BEST PLACES TO SEE WILDLIFE IN UGANDA

The best places to see wildlife in Uganda: A land of astonishing diversity, featuring a wealth of wildlife, breathtaking natural beauty, rolling landscapes, and numerous water bodies, among other attractions. In just one day, travelers can traverse the savannah plains, which are inhabited by several mammals, including buffalo, lions, leopards, and elephants, as well as lush tropical forests with the echoes and calls of chimpanzees. A total of 10 national parks, 13 sanctuaries, 12 wildlife reserves, and several unique birds, totalling over 1000 bird species, make Uganda stand out as one of the prominent biodiverse countries globally.

The Best Places to see Wildlife in Uganda

For those seeking the thrill of wild encounters, Uganda offers endless opportunities to see animals in their natural habitats. Whether you are chasing the big five or trekking through misty jungles to meet gorillas, such as in Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and others. Here are the best places to see wildlife in Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The land of tree-climbing lions, spread across western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the country’s most famous and accessible safari destination. Covering nearly 2000 square kilometres, it’s a mosaic of grasslands, crater lakes, forests, and wetlands.

Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, a rare behavior found only here and in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara; leopards and hyenas on the hunt at dusk; over 600 bird species, including the African fish eagle and the flamboyant saddle-billed stork; and large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and Ugandan kobs grazing the plains.

For a unique experience, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos wallow, crocodiles bask, and elephants come to drink at sunset—an unforgettable sight for photographers and wildlife lovers alike. In northwestern Uganda lies Murchison Falls National Park, the largest in the country and one of the most dramatic landscapes in Africa.

Murchison Falls National Park

Following the best places to see wildlife in Uganda, the park’s centrepiece is the powerful Murchison Falls, where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 metres into a turbulent pool below. Lions, leopards, and elephants dominate the savannah. Giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, and hippos abound, and, on the riverbanks, you will find Nile crocodiles and countless bird species, including the sought-after Shoebill Stork. Take a boat safari to the base of the falls or a hike to the top, where you can feel the mist of the world’s most powerful waterfall and hear its thunder echo through the valley within Murchison Falls National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is hidden in the remote northeast corner of Uganda. It’s Africa at its wildest: vast, unspoiled, and breathtakingly beautiful. This park offers a sense of isolation that few other destinations can match. The park’s wildlife highlights: predators such as lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas roam freely; over 80 mammal species, including cheetahs, ostriches, zebras, and bat-eared fox species not found elsewhere in Uganda; and herds of buffalo and elephants grazing. Kidepo offers private, uninterrupted game drives and cultural interactions with the Karamojong people, known for their rich pastoral traditions.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Following the best places to see wildlife in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the misty highlands of southwestern Uganda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in Africa. It’s home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it Uganda’s most famous wildlife destination. The wildlife highlights in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include mountain gorillas, which are the park’s main tourism attraction, and over 350 bird species.

Kibale Forest National Park-

For a unique experience, join a guided gorilla trekking expedition to encounter a gorilla family in the wild—a life-changing experience that connects you with one of humanity’s closest relatives. For primate lovers, Kibale Forest National Park is a must-visit. The park boasts the highest density of primates in Africa, with 13 different species, including over 1500 chimpanzees. The park’s wildlife highlights include chimpanzees, other primates like red-tailed, vervet, and L’Hoest’s monkeys, forest elephants, and duikers. Taking part in a chimpanzee habituation provides a unique experience.

Lake Mburo National Park-

Following the best places to see wildlife in Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is a small national park that is situated between Kampala and the western safari circuit. It’s a perfect stopover for visitors heading to either Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth. The park has wildlife highlights like zebras, impalas, eland, topi, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species of over 350. The park offers a unique experience to visitors, with guided walking safaris, boat cruises, and even horseback safaris, offering a close and peaceful connection to nature.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located between Kampala and Murchison Falls. The park has wildlife highlands, home to white rhinos, reintroduced from Kenya and South Africa, which act as a habitat for over 40 mammal species and 250 bird species. The park offers a unique experience; visitors are able to observe these rhinos at close range in complete safety.

Semuliki National Park – The Best Places to see wildlife in Uganda

Semuliki National Park, a tropical wonderland, has hot springs, lush forests, and vibrant birdlife, which makes it a paradise for ecotourists. The park has wildlife highlights: monkeys, elephants, buffalo, flying squirrels, rare pygmy squirrels, and over 400 bird species. The park provides a unique experience to travelers who visit Sempaya hot springs, where boiling geysers erupt dramatically from the ground, which is one of Uganda’s most fascinating natural wonders.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Following the best places to see wildlife in Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains, for travellers who are adventurous travelers, the park offers a different kind of wildlife experience. This UNESCO-listed park combines glaciers, alpine meadows, and montane forests, all teaming up with a unique flora and fauna. Budongo Forest Reserve is one of East Africa’s oldest and largest mahogany forests. It’s another excellent spot for chimpanzee tracking, often less crowded than Kibale.

Whether you are watching a lion stalk its prey in Queen Elizabeth, gazing at a gorilla in Bwindi, or rafting past hippos on the Nile, Uganda reminds you that the wild still thrives, and it’s waiting for you to discover it.