Top Safari Destinations to Visit for Remarkable Uganda Wildlife Safaris | Where Can I See Wildlife in Uganda?
Several tourist places in Uganda, East Africa offer exceptional wildlife tour experiences and opportunities to spot abundant wildlife amidst beautiful scenery, and they include.
Famous for harboring nearly half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas (459), Bwindi is the ultimate Uganda gorilla tracking and wildlife safari destination.
Located in southwestern Uganda, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers mist-covered hills, thick forest vegetation, and a habitat teeming with biodiversity, including endangered mountain gorillas (the main attraction found in 25 habituated gorilla families), forest elephants, giant forest hogs, other primates, and over 350 birds.
These endangered gorillas can also be seen in their natural habitat in Virunga NP in DR Congo and Volcanoes NP in Rwanda during DR Congo and Rwanda gorilla tours
Activities done to see the fauna in Bwindi National Park during Uganda gorilla tours include gorilla tracking, bird watching, bush walks, and cultural visits with the Batwa community.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and most visited savanna park, famed for its diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, savannah, and lowland forests (Maramagambo forest).
The park offers top attractions like elephants, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, hippos, Nile crocodiles, leopards, Topis, hyenas, warthogs, waterbucks, buffalo, and hundreds of birds (600), making it a top wildlife Uganda tour hotspot.
Main activities done to see its wild fauna include safari drives in Kasenyi plains to spot tree-climbing lions, big game viewing to see the big five, birding, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and cultural experiences in nearby villages.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, named after the dramatic waterfall, which is the main attraction (Murchison Falls) where the Nile forces through a 7-meter narrow gorge (Devil’s cauldron) dropping 42 meters, and it’s one of the best places to visit in Uganda for wildlife Uganda tours.
Tourists can expect to see giraffes, lions, hippos, bushbucks, Oribis, waterbucks, hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, Hyenas, warthogs, leopards, elephants, and over 450 birds, including the rare shoebill stork.
Top safari activities done on a wildlife Uganda tour include safari drives in Buligi Game Area, boat cruise safaris to the base of the falls and Lake Albert Nile Delta, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, bush walks, and sport fishing along the River Nile.
Kibale National Park is dubbed the “primate capital of the world,” with 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees (1,500+), making it a must-visit destination during wildlife safaris in Uganda.
Located near Fort Portal, the park features lush tropical forest (Kibale Forest), home to eastern chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush babies, and abundant birdlife.
Activities include chimpanzee trekking tours, which can be combined with Uganda wildlife safari trips in Queen NP, bird watching, forest walks, and community tours around Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Mgahinga, located in the Virunga Mountains, is a scenic, small park known for its volcanic peaks and golden monkey trekking, which makes it one of the best safari destinations to explore on Uganda wildlife safari trips/Uganda Gorilla safaris.
It also hosts a portion of Uganda’s mountain gorilla population in one habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi) seen on a gorilla Uganda tour there.
Some of the wild animals to see in this park include the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, elephants, forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffalo, leopards, and over 180 birds.
Activities include gorilla tracking, golden monkey trekking, Virunga volcano hiking, and cultural encounters with the Batwa pygmies.
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact/smallest park located in western Uganda, perfect for Uganda wildlife safari tours and the most convenient park to reach from Kampala.
It’s known for its picturesque acacia woodland, rich birds of paradise and teems with animals such as antelopes, jackals, impalas, zebras, leopards (seen on a night game drive), buffalo, waterbucks, Topis, hyenas, forest hogs, and elands.
Safari activities in Lake Mburo National Park include morning and night drives, bush walks, horseback safaris, boat cruises on Lake Mburo, and bird watching.
One of Africa’s best-kept secrets, described as among the top three parks in Africa by CNN Travel, Kidepo is located in the remote northeast corner of Uganda, neighboring South Sudan and Kenya, and features rugged savannah landscapes and exceptional wildlife, making it a top safari destination worth visiting on Uganda wildlife safari tours.
Tourists can expect to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, zebras, leopards, hartebeests, giraffes, Ugandan Kob, Topis, wild dogs, ostriches, and over 475 birds (Karamoja Apalis, Red and Yellow Barbet, and Common Ostrich).
Other Kidepo endemics to see on Uganda tours include Cheetahs, Striped Hyenas, Bat-eared foxes, Aardwolves, and Greater and Lesser Kudus.
Safari drives and bush walks in Narus Valley provide immersive wilderness views of natural mountains and savannah, while cultural tours offer insight into the Karamojong pastoral culture during a Uganda tour.
This park, found in the eastern part of Uganda and an extinct volcano (one of the highest mountains on the African continent) straddling Uganda and Kenya offer a less crowded but equally rewarding wildlife safari experience during Uganda safaris.
It’s known for stunning waterfalls, caves, and rare flora. Fauna that call it home include bushbucks, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, some elephants, and hyenas.
Hiking Mount Elgon, bird watching, and exploring caves are top activities done there on any Uganda tour.
The Rwenzori Mountains NP, or the “Mountains of the Moon,” are snow-capped and rich in alpine flora (giant lobelias, tree heathers) and endemic species worth exploring on Uganda wildlife safari tours/Uganda safaris.
Although primarily a mountaineering destination, the lower slopes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site provide opportunities for spotting animal species like forest elephants, giant forest hogs, otters, bushbucks, duikers, 217 birds, and primates.
Tourists can take part in activities like mountaineering and bird watching to see the fauna in this park during Uganda safari tours/wildlife safaris in Uganda.
This lowland tropical forest ecosystem boasts unique Central African species not found elsewhere in East Africa, making it a worthwhile destination to visit during Uganda safaris/Uganda wildlife safari tours.
The park is home to the Sempaya hot springs, over 435 bird species, including the rare Guinea-Congo forest biome species, and 120 mammal species, including pygmy antelopes, the largest Ugandan Kob population, buffalo, bushbabies, hippos & crocodiles in the Semuliki River, elephants, monkeys, and flying squirrels.
Activities done in this remote area include birding, wildlife viewing, bush walks, and visiting the Sempaya hot springs.
Ziwa, which protects rhinos from poachers and human interference, is the only place in Uganda where you can track wild white rhinos on foot.
Ziwa is essential for completing the Big Five safari in Uganda and is often combined with Murchison Falls NP tours by tour companies.
It’s also home to warthogs, southern white rhinos (32), Uganda Kobs, and numerous bird species.
Rhino tracking, birding, night walks, nature walks, shoebill treks, and canoe safaris are the highlights.
Other wildlife hotspots and tourist places include game reserves (Toro Semliki, Katonga, Ajai, Bugungu, Karuma, Kigezi, Kyambura, Pian-Upe, Matheniko, Bokora, Kabwoya), Uganda wildlife education centre, Sipi Falls, Ssese Islands, the source of the Nile, Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Mutanda, Itanda Falls, etc.
Visit Uganda’s safari destinations and hotspots above today and see all the beauty this nation holds during a wildlife tour!
Key Facts About the Wildlife and Related Safaris in Uganda
- The diverse landscapes and animal and plant life made this nation to be named ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill.
- The nation’s location near the equator and the climate support the diverse ecosystem where the animals thrive.
- River Nile cruises during a wildlife holiday offer scenic views and wild fauna sightings.
- Uganda is home to the largest number of endangered Mountain Gorillas in the world.
- Bwindi Impenetrable NP offers a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla-walking experience to see the endangered gorillas.
- The best time for gorilla walking is during Uganda’s dry seasons (typically June–August and December–February).
- Uganda hosts iconic species like the African elephant, African lion, and mountain gorilla.
- Endangered species in Uganda include the mountain gorilla, African savannah elephant, and giant ground pangolin.
- The Crested Crane, Uganda’s national bird, symbolizes peace and beauty.
- Kibale National Park is a top destination for chimpanzee tracking, with over 1,500 chimpanzees.
- Bwindi holds more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.
- Nile crocodiles can be spotted in Lake Edward and Lake George.
Wildlife Species You Can See on Uganda Wildlife Safaris | What Wild Animal Is in Uganda? | What Wildlife Is Found in Uganda?
Uganda is home to an impressive array of animal species, including
- Big Five: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos (at Ziwa) seen on Uganda wildlife safaris while game viewing, during early morning or late afternoon game drives, or on photography excursions during wildlife Uganda tours.
- Primates: Mountain gorillas (Bwindi & Mgahinga), chimpanzees (Kibale, Kalinzu, Budongo, Kyambura), golden monkeys (Mgahinga), blue monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
These can be seen during Uganda gorilla tracking tours/gorilla Uganda safaris, Kibale chimp trekking tours, etc.
- Herbivores: Ugandan Kob, elands, zebras, elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and several antelope species. These are often seen during safari drives, game viewing Uganda tours, etc.
- Carnivores: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. These can be witnessed in Queen NP and Kidepo Valley during game-viewing trips and game drive tours on wildlife Uganda safaris.
- Bird Species: Over 1,073 species, which is 50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world’s species, including the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, green-breasted pitta, Rwenzori turaco, great blue turaco, warblers, vultures, and various forest and savannah birds.
These can be spotted by birders on bird-watching safari excursions in the various Uganda national parks during wildlife Uganda safaris.
- Reptiles & Amphibians: Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, various snakes, and frogs in wetlands and rivers. These can be spotted by lucky tourists on wildlife Uganda tours/Uganda safaris.
Visit Uganda today on wildlife safari tours and see all these wildlife species firsthand for unforgettable memories!
Fun Safari Activities to Enjoy During Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
- Gorilla trekking & habituation (done during Uganda gorilla tours after getting a gorilla trekking permit [$800] and a habituation permit $1,500 from UWA)
- Golden monkey trekking
- Chimpanzee trekking & habituation
- Bird watching
- Game drives (day & night)
- Boat cruise safaris
- Nature walks & hiking
- Cultural tours that benefit local communities while touring Uganda
- Horseback safaris (Lake Mburo)
- Cycling & mountain biking (Mt. Elgon)
- Mountaineering (Elgon, Rwenzori)
- Sport fishing (Nile, Lake Victoria)
- Rhino tracking (Ziwa Rhino Ranch)
Visit Uganda and take part in these tourist activities during wildlife safaris for lasting memories!
Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour Duration | How Long Does a Uganda Wildlife Safari Take?
Uganda wildlife safaris can last from 3 to 14 days, depending on your itinerary.
Short wildlife safaris take a day, focusing on a few safari parks or destinations, or take more days (3-7 days), focusing on gorilla trekking or game drives, while extended tours (8-21 days) combine multiple safari parks and activities across regions.
Uganda Wildlife Safari Rules & Regulations
To ensure sustainability and safety, Uganda wildlife safaris follow strict rules set and implemented by the Uganda Wildlife Authority:
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife
- No flash photography with primates, especially wild gorillas, during Uganda gorilla trekking tours/wildlife tours
- Max group size of 8 for gorilla treks, and only one hour of observation is permitted
- No feeding animals during wildlife tours
- Stay on designated trails during nature walks
- Children under 15 cannot trek gorillas or chimps
- Always follow your ranger’s instructions
Follow these guidelines for your safety and that of the wildlife species during Uganda safaris!
Uganda Safari Lodges and Hotels to Stay at During Wildlife Tours | Where to Stay During Uganda Wildlife Safaris?
| Popular Budget Lodges · Buhoma Community Rest Camp – Bwindi · Red Chilli Rest Camp – Murchison Falls · Eagles Nest Lodge – Lake Mburo · Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo Valley · Kazinga Channel View Resort – Queen Elizabeth · Rwonyo Rest Camp – Lake Mburo | Top Midrange Lodges · Primate Lodge—Kibale · Pakuba Safari Lodge—Murchison Falls · Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge – Mgahinga · Arcadia Cottages – Lake Bunyonyi · Enganzi Game Lodge – Queen NP · Nga Moru Wilderness Camp – Kidepo Valley | Luxury Lodges · Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi · Nile Safari Lodge—Murchison Falls · Mweya Safari Lodge – Queen NP · Apoka Safari Lodge – Kidepo Valley · Crater Safari Lodge – Kibale · Mihingo Lodge – Lake Mburo . Lemala Wildwaters Lodge—River Nile Jinja |
Contact a reputable tour operator to help you book any of these lodges, whether budget, midrange, or luxury, for comfortable stays during wildlife Uganda safaris!
Average Cost of a Uganda Wildlife Safari | How Much Does a Wildlife Safari in Uganda Cost?
Costs vary based on tour length, accommodation type, and included activities.
- Budget safaris: $100–$200 per day
- Midrange safaris: $200–$400 per day
- Luxury safaris: $500+ per day
- Gorilla permits: $800 per person (foreign non-residents)
For actual pricing on lodges, transportation, and tour packages, consult a reputable tour operator!
How To Get to Uganda for Wildlife Safari Excursions?
To begin your Uganda wildlife safari, fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB), Uganda’s main entry point in Entebbe near Kampala.
Major airlines like Emirates, KLM, and Ethiopian Airlines serve the airport.
From Entebbe, connect via road or domestic flights to top travel destinations such as Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Kibale National Parks.
Remember to carry all need travel documents listed as entry requirements
Whether self-organized or guided, Uganda offers unforgettable wildlife adventures across its stunning national parks.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Wildlife Tours
Uganda wildlife safaris are best enjoyed during the dry season—June to August and December to February—when wildlife viewing in national parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kibale Forest is at its peak.
Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking are also ideal during this dry season/period.
However, this is the peak season, so book early to avoid missing out on accommodations and permits.
The wet seasons (March–May, October–November) are better for birding and offer discounted lodges, though roads can be challenging.
What To Wear for A Wildlife Safari in Uganda? | Clothing
- Long-sleeved shirts & trousers
- Neutral-colored clothing
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Sturdy hiking boots
What To Pack for A Wildlife Safari in Uganda? | Personal Essentials
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Camera with a zoom lens
- Refillable drinking water bottle
- Day backpack
- Travel Documents (e.g., valid passport and visa to enter Uganda)
. Credit and Debit Cards
- Money in Cash (official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling (UGX))
Consult your travel agent for the most recommended items to pack for your Uganda safari tours!
Top Uganda Safari Companies That Organize the Best Wildlife Uganda Safaris
Below are some of the professional Ugandan tour companies famed for organizing Uganda safaris
- Wild Gorilla Safaris
- Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd
- Safari Uganda Safaris
- Gorilla Safaris and Tours
- A Uganda Safari
- Africa Safaris Tours
- Uganda Birding Safaris
- Gorilla trekking Uganda
- Guide To Uganda
- Travel Guide Uganda
These tour companies offer tailor-made Uganda wildlife safari tours with experienced guides and conservation-focused itineraries.
Popular Wildlife Uganda Safari Packages
- 2 Days Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Trip
- 3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari
- 4 Days Uganda Safari, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Wildlife Viewing in Queen Elizabeth Park
- 5 Days Uganda Primate Tour: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi & Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
- 7 Days Uganda Safari: Gorillas in Bwindi and Chimps in Kibale
- 8 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Trip: Gorilla Tracking and Chimp Trekking
- 9 Days Uganda Tour
- 10 Days Uganda Safari Tour
- 12 Days Uganda Trip
- 14 Days Uganda Vacation
- 15 Days Uganda Trip
- 18 Days Uganda Safari Vacation
FAQs About Uganda Wildlife Safaris
How Much Does a Safari in Uganda Cost?
A Uganda wildlife safari costs a range from $100 to $600 per day, depending on trip duration, group size, transport type, accommodation level, and activities like gorilla trekking or game viewing.
Is Uganda Good for a Safari? | Is Uganda Good for Safaris?
Yes! Uganda offers top wildlife safari experiences with abundant wildlife, rare primates, bird species, community villages, and scenic landscapes.
Some of the Ugandan safaris offered include cultural experiences, game viewing tours, boat cruise safaris, gorilla tracking tours, chimp tracking, etc., in national parks like Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi, making Uganda ideal for unforgettable wildlife adventures.
These have made Uganda’s tourism sector experience a strong resurgence, with increasing numbers of visitors now choosing adventures following a previous period of decline.
What Can You Hunt in Uganda?
In Uganda, licensed hunters can target species like Uganda Kob, Nile Buffalo, Sitatunga, Warthog, and Bushbuck, mainly in reserves like Kabwoya, Ajai, and Aswa Lolim.
Where Can I See the Big 5 In Uganda?
On wildlife Uganda tours, you can see the Big Five in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo, but rhinos are only found at Ziwa Rhino Ranch during game drives and boat cruises.
How Many Safari Parks Are There in Uganda?
Uganda has 10 national parks perfect for wildlife safaris, including Murchison National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kidepo National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, and Semuliki National Park.
What Animals Is Uganda Known For?
Uganda is home to 345 mammal species, over 1,000 birds, and 142 reptile species, such as
- Endangered Gorillas (in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park)
- Chimpanzees (especially in Kibale Forest National Park)
- African Elephants
- African Lions, including the rare tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth Park
- Leopards
- Cape Buffalo
- Rhinos (only at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary)
- Uganda Kob (the national antelope)
- Hippos and Nile Crocodiles (seen during boat cruises, especially at Lake Edward and Lake George)
- Giraffes, Zebras, Warthogs, and various antelope species
- Several bird species (Over 1,073), including the Shoebill Stork
What Is the Biggest Wild Animal in Uganda?
The largest wild animal in Uganda is the African Elephant, and you can see it in Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Rhinoceros is the second biggest, followed by the Hippopotamus.
Are There Lions in Uganda?
Yes, lions can be found, particularly in Uganda’s savanna national parks.
What Is Meant by Wildlife Safari?
A wildlife safari is an exciting adventure in Africa’s wilderness, especially popular in East and South Africa. It encompasses thrilling game viewing of the Big Five, big cats, and various antelope species in their natural savannah habitats.
What Is The #1 Safari Park in North America?
The top safari park in North America is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a vast 1,800-acre reserve with free-roaming animals worldwide, offering safari rides, educational shows, and overnight camping experiences.
Uganda wildlife tours offer unforgettable experiences, with abundant wildlife, unique primate trekking, stunning national parks, rich culture, and breathtaking scenery, making Uganda a top destination for nature and adventure lovers. Contact us now and let us plan your next wildlife safari adventure!
