Uganda is a land of rich ecosystems and amazing biodiversity, making it a top choice for travelers who want a truly unique safari. If you love primates or birds, Uganda is perfect for you! The country is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and its gorilla trekking experiences are among the best in Africa. Uganda also has Africa’s highest number of chimpanzees, with several great chimp trekking spots.
The variety of other primates means there’s always something fascinating to see. Bird lovers will be delighted by the wide range of habitats—from highland and lowland forests to savannahs, rivers, wetlands, and vast lakes—hosting over 1,000 bird species, including the famous shoebill. Beyond that, you will find elephants, hippos, rare tree-climbing lions, giant forest hogs, and the unique Uganda kob. For those planning full wildlife safaris, Uganda also fits perfectly into multi-country African adventures.
Top Wild Animals You Will See on Uganda Safari
1. Mountain Gorillas
No trip to Uganda is complete without gorilla trekking – one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth. Meeting a family of mountain gorillas in their natural forest home is unforgettable.
Uganda protects more than half of all the mountain gorillas left on the planet, making it the best place for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The trek itself is part of the excitement, as you walk through thick rainforest with skilled guides who know each gorilla family well.
The best time to visit Uganda to see gorillas is during the dry months from July to October and December to February offer the easiest hiking, but gorilla trekking is available all year round.
Where to go:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas in four different areas.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A smaller park with fewer visitors, offering a quiet and personal experience against a dramatic volcanic backdrop.
Be sure to book your trekking permit early, as only eight people can visit each gorilla family per day. You will also need a fair level of fitness for the hike. This responsible form of tourism helps protect the gorillas and supports local communities that share their forest home.
2. Chimpanzees: Our Closest Relatives
Uganda is the best place in Africa to see chimpanzees, with more than 5,000 living in its forests and parks. Trekking to see them is full of excitement as these intelligent primates swing through the trees, communicate with loud calls, and display complex social behavior. Watching them interact in the wild gives a deep insight into their emotions, teamwork, and personalities.
Chimpanzees share about 98% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest living relatives. They use tools like sticks to catch termites, stones to crack nuts, and leaves to drink water—skills passed down through generations. They live in communities of up to 250 members and each chimp community has its own “culture,”. They also show emotions similar to ours—hugging, playing, even comforting one another after conflicts.
Where to go:
- Kibale Forest National Park: Known as the Primate Capital of the World, home to over 1500 wild chimpanzees
- Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park): A dramatic canyon where you can track chimps and enjoy classic savannah wildlife.
- Budongo Forest: A peaceful and less crowded spot offering excellent chimp sightings.
- Kalinzu Forest: A beautiful, off-the-beaten-path destination with rewarding chimp encounters.
3. Monkeys
Uganda’s diverse rainforests are alive with monkeys of every shape, color, and personality. From tiny, wide-eyed bush babies to striking black-and-white colobus and the bright red-tailed and red colobus monkeys, the forests are full of life.
You might even see the rare L’Hoest’s monkeys, the shy De Brazza’s with their white beards, or golden monkeys shining in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga. Grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervets, patas monkeys, and olive baboons bring even more energy and color to the canopy, while the secretive potto moves quietly through the undergrowth
Where to go:
- Kibale Forest– Called the Primate Capital of the World, with 13 different monkeys.
- Mgahinga Gorilla Park – Famous for golden monkey trekking.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Semuliki, Bigodi Wetland, and Budongo Forest – Great places to see many monkeys in the wild.
4. Shoebills and Birds
The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is one of Africa’s most exciting birdwatching experiences. From the front, this giant, prehistoric-looking bird resembles an old university professor – big-nosed, peering over his spectacles. From almost any other angle, though, he’s a total hoot. The best place to see shoebills is Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe.
Local fishermen help track these highly endangered birds, and your search takes place in a wooden boat through the deep-water channels of this vast papyrus swamp. Beyond shoebills, Uganda is home to more than 1,000 other bird species. Despite its small size, smaller than the United Kingdom, Uganda ranks among the world’s top birding destinations.
Where to go:
- Mabamba Swamp: Prime location for shoebill stork sightings via canoe excursions.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: Over 600 species across diverse habitats.
- Semuliki National Park: Central African forest species found nowhere else in East Africa.
- Kibale, Budongo, and Bwindi Forests: Mountain and forest specialists in pristine habitats.
5. Tree-Climbing Lions
One of Uganda’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences is seeing the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Unlike most lions in Africa, these lions regularly climb trees, a behaviour that is very rare because lions are heavy and bulky, making climbing difficult. Scientists believe they climb to escape biting insects, stay cool in the breeze, or get a better view of their surroundings.
Watching a lion lounge lazily on a branch 20 feet above the ground is a once-in-a-lifetime sight and a photographer’s dream. Uganda is one of the few places in Africa where you can see lions in trees, making this experience truly special and a highlight of any Uganda safari.
Where to go:
Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park: The southern part of the park offers the best chance to see these incredible tree-climbing lions, often combined with boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel and visits to nearby crater lakes.
6. Hippos and Crocodiles
Uganda’s waterways are home to some of Africa’s most exciting aquatic wildlife, and there is no better way to see it than by boat.
The Kazinga Channel, connecting lakes Edward and George in Queen Elizabeth National Park, has the densest concentrations of hippos on the continent. Hundreds of these massive, powerful animals can be seen resting in the water, yawning, and surfacing to breathe, offering unforgettable close-up encounters.
Alongside the hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles lie in the shallows, elephants come to drink at the riverbanks, and buffalo wallow in the water. Over 660 bird species, including striking waterbirds, add color and life to the scene, making every trip a photographer’s dream.
Where to go:
- Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth National Park): Two-hour boat safaris give visitors amazing views of hippo pods, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife.
- Nile River (Murchison Falls National Park): Cruise to the base of the roaring falls while spotting hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds.
7. The Big 5
For travellers seeking classic safari experiences, Uganda offers good game viewing across its vast savannahs. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area, is the best place for Big 5 encounters, including elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo (rhinos are found at neaby Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch).
Beyond the Big 5, Uganda’s parks are home to large numbers of Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kob, and many other antelope species. The remote Kidepo Valley National Park offers some of Africa’s most untouched wilderness, where visitors can see species found nowhere else in Uganda.
Where to go:
- Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s flagship park combines exciting game drives with visits to the spectacular falls and the Nile Delta.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: A mix of ecosystems supporting over 95 mammal species.
- Kidepo Valley National Park: A remote wilderness perfect for exclusive and unforgettable safari experiences.
When is the Best Time for Wildlife Viewing in Uganda?
The best time for a Uganda wildlife safari depends on what you want to see. The dry seasons, from December to February and June to September, offer the easiest conditions for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, with clearer forest trails and less mud.
Uganda’s equatorial climate means wildlife can be seen all year round. During the green season, the forests and savannahs are lush, there are fewer tourists, and birdwatchers enjoy peak opportunities as migrant species arrive and resident birds breed.
For gorilla and chimpanzee permits, it’s best to book 3–6 months in advance, especially during the busy seasons. Our Uganda safari specialists can design your perfect itinerary, handling permits, accommodation, and all transport and logistics for a smooth and unforgettable experience.
Start Planning Your Uganda Wildlife Safari
Uganda’s wildlife offers unforgettable experiences for every type of safari traveler. Whether you dream of a life-changing gorilla trek, the excitement of spotting tree-climbing lions, or the peaceful thrill of a boat safari among hippos and elephants, Uganda delivers adventures you will never forget.
The country’s small size makes it easy to explore incredible diversity, from misty mountain forests to wide savannahs, from roaring waterfalls to calm crater lakes.
This makes Uganda ideal for both focused wildlife itineraries and multi-country East African safaris. Ready to discover Uganda’s amazing wildlife? Contact our safari specialists to craft a custom itinerary that brings the very best of Uganda’s wildlife experiences to life.
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