

Enjoy the best wildlife safaris in Uganda with Tulambule Uganda safaris.
Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa”, this verdant land is teeming with exotic wildlife. Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees are of course the most popular Uganda wildlife residents.
And they are what attract many animal lovers here. But the country is brimming with animals of every kind, including all the Big Five game.
An incredible 1,097 species of bird (51% of Africa’s total bird species) have been recorded in Uganda!
There is also over 340 species of mammal, 4,500 plant species, 142 reptile species, and 1,250 species of butterfly.
Wildlife safaris in Uganda take place on foot, in 4x4s safari vehicles, and on safari boat cruises, depending on the wildlife species you are seeking.
And superb Uganda safari lodges ensure you stay well rested in between hilly treks, bumpy road trips and early morning game drives.
Popular Short Wildlife Safaris In Uganda
Tulambule Uganda safaris organize the most memorable tours to all Uganda wildlife safari parks. Contact us today to tailor for you a wonderful wildlife tour in Uganda – at a great price. To enquire about any of these or any other trips to Uganda, get in touch with us at info@tulambule.com and we will make your Africa Uganda wildlife safaris dreams come true.
How is wildlife viewing in Uganda?
Uganda is an exciting destination for wildlife viewing safaris, and its strength lies in its variety. Uganda has beautiful rain forests that are home to many primates. Mountain gorilla trekking is the top attraction, but almost equally exciting is chimpanzee trekking adventures.
A variety of monkey species can be seen throughout the country and a troop of habituated golden monkeys, endemic to the Albertine Rift, can be visited in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Away from the forest environment, Uganda has several good savannah game parks where more classic wildlife game viewing is offered on game drives and boat cruises.
None of the savannah game parks offers quite the same level of exciting animal viewing as the Serengeti in Tanzania or the Masai Mara in Kenya. However, the scenic beauty of Uganda’s game parks is unparalleled and the bird watching is nothing less than outstanding.
Where Can I See Wildlife in Uganda?
You can see abundant wildlife in one of Uganda’s national game parks, reserves, swamps, and sanctuaries, including:
Wildlife of Uganda: What Animals Are There To See On A Wildlife Safari In Uganda?
1. Mountain Gorillas



Virtually, Mountain Gorillas need no introduction; this species has put Uganda on Africa’s tourism map.
Just over 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild.
And over half of these are to be found along Uganda’s western edge, in the mist-shrouded forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and the volcanic slopes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Exceptionally well managed gorilla trekking safaris have raised the funds to ensure their conservation. As a result, mountain gorilla numbers have increased by about 50% in just 10 years.
2. Chimpanzees



Gorillas are not our only close relative you can see in Uganda.
Chimpanzees reside in several tropical rainforest jungles around the country. But the place where you are most guaranteed to see them is Kibale National Park. This rainforest jungle contains a seriously impressive 1500 chimps and 12 other primate species.
Chimpanzees are far livelier than gorillas. And tracking on foot them through the trees is an energetic Uganda safari adventure. You follow their pant-hoot calls and rustles in the canopy.
3. Birds



Unbelievably for a country almost the size of Great Britain, Uganda has over 1,090 bird species – that’s almost 11% of the entire world’s bird species and 50% Africa’s total bird species.
Luckily, it has excellent bird guides to match.
Twitchers flock here for the shoebill, a prehistoric-like bird standing over a meter tall with an enormous bill that looks like a shoe.
The shoebills are rarely seen, but the wetlands of Uganda are one of the best places in the world to spot it.
4. The Big Five



Many Africa safaris whisk you off to the Kenyan or Tanzania plains after seeing mountain gorillas, to continue your safari there.
But there actually is no need to leave Uganda to see game.
Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and the remote Kidepo Valley National Parks are all home to 4 of Africa’s Big 5 animals: lions, leopards, buffalos and elephants.
The fifth member of the Big 5 – the rhino –was wiped out here by poachers, but in 2005, they were reintroduced into Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary near Murchison Falls National Park.
5. Monkeys



Uganda is home to over 20 species of monkeys in the jungles.
Among these are some exceptional species that are endangered, unique to the region and incredibly beautiful.
One such monkeys are the Golden monkeys which like the mountain gorillas are endemic to the Albertine rift.
You can see them on a special trekking tour through the bamboo forests that line the slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
6. More Uganda Wildlife



As well as the iconic primates and bird species, there are numerous other creatures to look out for on wildlife safaris in Uganda.
These include hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Giraffes, Zebras, Hartebeest, the elegant Uganda kob – which appear on Uganda’s coat of arms; waterbuck, bushbuck, elands, Topis, and much more.
A Few Things To Remember About Wild Animals In Uganda
Safety Precautions You Should Observe On A Uganda Wildlife Safari
Wild animals can be dangerous. They should be treated with respect and caution. Most Uganda safari camps and lodges are unfenced.
And dangerous animals like elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and lions can (and do) wander through the camps, especially at night.
Listen to lodge/camp staff and guides. You should take the safety advice and precautions seriously and follow them strictly.
Avoid wander off on your own without a guide. It can even be dangerous to your room at night.
Buffalos, hippos, and elephants are impossible to see after dark, even a few meters.
Don’t leave your rooms at night. And avoid walking along riverbanks/lake shores (crocodiles and hippos kill many people every year).
Watch animals silently and with minimal disturbance to their natural activities. Standing up on game drive vehicles and loud talking can frighten animals away or cause an aggressive animal reaction.
Never attempt to attract the attention of the wild animal. Don’t imitate their sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects. Please respect your driver-guide’s judgement about proximity to predators and large animals like elephants.
If you drive your vehicle too close to the animals, it can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal. This as well trigger a charge. Littering in the wildlife safari parks, in addition to being unsightly, can choke or poison animals and birds.
Never attempt to any wild animal on foot without a guide/range. And never feed the animals in the wild. Lodges and camps suffer the consequences as these animals may become accustomed to humans – leading to danger for all involved.
Refrain from smoking on wildlife safari game drives. The dry bushveld of Africa ignites very easily, and a fire can kill animals and destroy their grazing areas. Do not leave young children unattended while on wildlife safari in Uganda. Noisy children can also irritate other guests.
Also, to predators such as leopards, children often sound like prey animals making distress calls.
Young children that are unsteady on their feet can trigger an attack from even small animals that would typically avoid humans. For these reasons, some safari lodges in Uganda do not allow children on game drives or even allow them at the lodge.
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Best Time For Wildlife Viewing in Uganda (Wildlife Safaris In Uganda)
The best time for wildlife viewing in Uganda is during the dry seasons – from June to early September and December to February.
This when there is less vegetation to hinder your view and when animals are more likely to congregate near water sources.
The dry months are generally more popular with safari goers, although this is partly because it coincides with the long northern-hemisphere summer break. These peak months are usually dry (although rain can fall at any time).
Book well in advance if tracking gorillas, as Uganda gorilla permits sell out months in advance.
Really, though, Uganda is a year-round destination. The country sits squarely on the equator and the average altitude of about 1,000m tempers the heat. March to May and October to November see the highest rainfall. But gorillas are still lurking in the mist – although trekking to find them will be slippery and slower. Uganda safari accommodation can be much cheaper at this time.
Also, most animals have their babies during the wet seasons, when there is more to eat and drink.
Babies are a delight to watch, and predators hunt very successfully at this time because the young animals are easy prey. And bird watching is generally better during the wet summer months, when many birds are breeding, vocal and visible, and when migratory birds are present.
Photographing Uganda wildlife is good all year round – from the vibrant colours and clear air of the rainy months to the smoky air and subtle colours of the dry months. Resign yourself to the fact that your camera equipment may get wet in the wet season and dusty in the dry season.
Top Long Uganda Wildlife Safaris Packages
FAQs About Wildlife Safaris In Uganda
1. How Many Safari Parks Are There In Uganda?
Uganda is home to 10 the national parks where you can see its abundant wildlife, including Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga, Rwenzori Mountains, and Mount Elgon National Parks.
2. Is There Tigers In Uganda?
Unlike lions which can be found in the savannah parks in Uganda and Africa at large, the tigers are not native to the African continent and can be found only in zoos. In Uganda they are found at Uganda Wildlife Education Center.
3. Where Can I See Cheetahs In Uganda?
In Uganda, Cheetah occurs naturally almost exclusively in the Karamoja region, in Kidepo Valley National Park, but rarely seen. But you can also find them at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
4. Where Can I See Lions In Uganda?
In Uganda lions are mainly found in the 3 largest savannah game parks: Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley and Queen Elizabeth Parks.