Every traveler thinks of Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos, and Leopards when someone mentions the “big five” animals. In terms of wildlife, these are the most revered mammals. Trophy hunters gave them that name in the 1800s to denote to the most difficult and dangerous creatures to hunt on foot.
Where can you find the Big Five in Uganda?
Apart from the Northern White Rhino, which can only be seen in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Entebbe Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, tourists have a good chance of seeing the other members of Africa’s Big 5 animals in any of the four Uganda Savannah National Parks.
A game drive in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo National Parks will put you in the center of nonchalant herds of Cape buffalo, African Elephants, a hunting pride of African Lions, and the exclusive leopard. A relaxed and patient early or late evening Savannah game drive may lead you to its hunting joints.
The Big Five include
African Lions: These are referred to as kings of the jungle due to their roaring sound. Lions are very fierce animals that feed on prey.
Therefore, spotting them can be best done on a game drive with the help of a guide. They are best spotted in Murchison Falls, Semliki, Lake Mburo, Kidepo, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, respectively.
African Cape Buffalo:
These have various species. Cape buffaloes and forest buffaloes, respectively. Buffaloes can be spotted in Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Rhinoceros: The word “rhinoceros” comes from the Greek words “rhino” (nose) and “ceros” (horn). Uganda harbors both black and white rhinos, and these are best known to be the masters of the wildlife. They can only be spotted in the Ziwa rhino sanctuary, a government-reserved sanctuary.
The African Elephant:
Elephants are best known for their huge size, and there are 2 species, which include the savannah elephant and the forest elephant.
They can be sighted in Lake Mburo, Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Semliki, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Leopards: Leopards are also very fierce nocturnal animals that feed on prey. The best place to see them is in national parks. Find them in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park, and so much more.
Welcome to Uganda, the pearl of Africa, where you will have the greatest sightings of all five of the big five in one trip.
