Uganda has so many things to offer, but wildlife is the main reason to come to this gorgeous country. The apes are the most sought-after, but there are so many more animals to discover! You can find wildlife throughout the country, but I will help you find them on this page. Note that I did not put all animals in here, but a lot of them and the places where you can find them. I am only talking about the animals and national park I have found myself or where I have been. Sometimes there are more parks to find the species, but I will mention the parks that have relatively good chances of seeing the species and/or where I saw them. I have not been in the north and east, so I do not count these locations.

Big Five

The Big Five are the animals that were the most impressive to hunt years ago. Now it is mostly a term for tourists to find five of the most interesting animals in Africa. Although these animals are fantastic, also look at all the other great animals!

Elephant

One of the highlights of an African safari is finding the biggest animal on land on our planet. You will feel so small next to them, and that makes finding them a fantastic experience every time. You can find these magical creatures throughout the country, but it is easier in the open safari destinations. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Mweya and Kasenyi sectors)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha

Buffalo

Buffaloes are the most dangerous animals of the Big Five and one of the most dangerous of Africa. They are aggressive but a fantastic sight. They can be with big herds or by themselves, and both are great ways to find them. Always be alert, but enjoy seeing them. They are also the easiest members of the Big Five to find in Uganda. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (all sectors), Lake Mburo

White rhino

The white rhino is not really part of the Big Five, as it is officially the more aggressive black rhino, but that one is not present in Uganda. The white rhino is only visible in a semi-wild environment, but it is great to go there. Seeing these prehistorical creatures is something special, and you cannot believe that so many people are there to hurt these gentle giants.

Top park to find the species: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Other parks to find the species: -

Lion

Lions are often the most sought-after animals on the African savannah. Don't get me wrong; they are fantastic animals, but there are way more great animals, which are often more interesting to observe. Chances of seeing lions are lower in Uganda in comparison to other East African countries. In Ishasha the lions climb trees, which is pretty rare. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi), Ishasha

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls

Leopard

For me, leopards are one of the most beautiful animals on Earth, and seeing them in the wild is absolutely fantastic. You need some luck to find these great cats, but I was lucky enough to find 5 leopards, but that was a very lucky two-week trip! It is not uncommon not to find any leopards. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo (during night drive)

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha

Apes & monkeys

Uganda is mostly famous for the many species of monkeys and apes. You will find many of them throughout your trip here. Of course, there are treks possible to find gorillas and chimpanzees. 

Mountain gorilla

In Uganda gorillas are the most sought-after species. For many people these lovely creatures are the main reason to come, and they are right! It is such an impressive experience to see these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You cannot miss the trekking in Bwindi!

Top park to find the species: Bwindi

Other parks to find the species: -

Chimpanzee

There is no other animal so close to humans as the chimpanzee, as we share 99% DNA. Watching those creatures in the eye is so intense, as it looks so familiar. There are some different locations to find them, and I recommend doing at least one, but maybe at least two chimpanzee trekkings, as finding these apes is a satisfying and special experience.

Top park to find the species: Kibale Forest

Other parks to find the species: Kyambura (in Queen Elizabeth)

Black and white colobus

The black and white colobus is one of the most beautiful monkey species in the world. These monkeys mostly live in trees, and you have to find the white end of the tail, which is remarkable. Throughout the rainforests in Uganda, you will have the chance of seeing these amazing animals. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: Kibale Forest, Bigodi Swamp

Blue monkey

Another monkey that is very nice to see is the blue monkey. It is a species that is a bit tougher to find, as it mostly hides in the forests. You have to be lucky to find them. They mostly live in groups of around 10 individuals, but it can go up to 60 individuals. Females are the boss. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: Kibale Forest, Bigodi Swamp

Red tailed monkey

Red tailed monkeys mostly live in the tropical rainforests of central Africa. In Uganda the species is pretty widespread and chances are pretty high to find them throughout the country. Their red tail is very cool and makes an easy identification of the species. Enjoy seeing them going through the trees.

Top park to find the species: Bigodi Swamp

Other parks to find the species: Around Entebbe, Kibale Forest

Vervet monkey

The vervet monkey is probably the most common species of monkey in Africa, and you can mostly find them on the savannas. They are very famous for their blue balls. The monkeys are pretty small and active, and that makes them very cool to see. They are found in groups, which can be up to 30 individuals.

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo 

Other parks to find the species: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls

Olive Baboon

The olive baboon is the most famous monkey on the African savannas, and throughout your trip in Uganda, you will absolutely encounter them. They look a bit aggressive and a bit cheeky sometimes, so keep your belongings to yourself. They are mostly living in big groups going over the savanna.

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo

Grey cheeked mangabey

The grey-cheeked mangabey is possibly the weirdest monkey I have seen in Uganda. They are mostly living in tropical rainforests in central Africa. They are mostly in groups, but the individuals are a bit further from each other. It is a highlight to find them, but they can be more elusive than some other monkeys. 

Top park to find the species: Bigodi Swamp

Other parks to find the species: Kibale Forest

L'Hoest monkey

L'Hoest monkeys are a bit difficult to find, but you can have some luck in some places. They live in small groups dominated by females, and they live in tropical rainforests in central Africa. They are omnivores but mostly focused on plants. They look a bit similar to red-tailed monkeys, but l'Hoest's monkeys are bigger and do not have a red tail.

Top park to find the species: Bwindi

Other parks to find the species: Kibale Forest, Bigodi Swamp

Herbivores 

Uganda has a wide diversity of herbivores, but you cannot see them in every park. Herbivores are eating plants and do not eat animals. Keep reading to see which herbivores you can find and where.

Defassa waterbuck

Defassa waterbuck differ from the common waterbuck by looking at their butt, which is white for defassa waterbuck. Although they seem easy prey for lions, the lions do not like them, as they are very hairy, and when they die, there is a nasty fluid going through their blood.

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (all sectors), Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Uganda kob

As the name suggests, the Uganda kob is the most seen antelope in the country. It lives mostly in the west and east of Uganda, and you can also find the species in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. They tend to live in bigger female herds with a dominant male or in bachelor herds. They are a gorgeous sight. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (all sectors), Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Reedbuck

A less common animal to find is the reedbuck, which is a solitary antelope and pretty shy. The animal can be seen throughout big parts of Africa, but you will never have a guarantee to find it. Enjoy the fact that you are seeing an elusive antelope. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth

Other parks to find the species: (I only saw it in Queen Elizabeth)

Bushbuck

Another species of antelope is the bushbuck, which is a beautiful species, especially the males. They are not very common, but also not very shy. You can see them mostly standing on a termite hill or some other higher ground to check if predators are around or close to water. 

Top park to find the species: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Other parks to find the species: Lake Mburo

Oribi

Another species that is a bit more difficult to find is the oribi, which is a cute antelope that lives solitarily or in small groups with a dominant male. They mostly live in grasslands, but on a rare occasion you can find them in tropical rainforests. You have to be lucky to find them, but it is very nice to do so!

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth

Other parks to find the species: (I only saw it in Queen Elizabeth)

Impala

It is a weird story in Uganda with the impala. Throughout the savannas of Africa, impalas are the most seen creatures, but in Uganda, they are almost nowhere. You can only find them in Lake Mburo National Park. They are called the bush McDonald's, as they have an M on their butt. They are very cute and beautiful to see.

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: -

Jackson hartenbeest

The Jackson hartenbeest is an antelope with a very small face and horns pointing backwards. They look odd, but that makes them very interesting to find in Uganda. You will probably come across them in Murchison Falls. They live in small herds and they are a bit skittish, but you can find them.

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: -

Topi

Topis look a lot like hartebeests, but they are darker, and they have bluish-black legs and faces. They live in larger herds of up to 100 individuals. Topis are rare in most places, but they can be locally common. They can reach up to 80 km per hour, which makes this one of the fastest mammals on the planet. 

Top park to find the species: Ishasha

Other parks to find the species: Lake Mburo

Rotschild giraffe

The Rothschild giraffe is one of the rarest giraffe species in the world. However, it is the only giraffe species living in Uganda. They are one of the highlights of a safari in Africa, and the chances of finding them are very good in several parks, but they are absent in the multiple parks in Uganda. The best thing to do is do a game walk between these individuals in Lake Mburo. 

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls

Zebra

Zebras are photogenic animals, as they are gorgeously different from the nature around them. They often live with other herbivores to combine the qualities of both species. They are often in big herds with dominant males and females. During safaris in Africa it is almost impossible not to find these creatures, but in Uganda they are not widespread and are only locally present in larger populations. 

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: -

Hippo

Hippos are a highlight to find. You will mostly find them in the water during the daytime, but it is great to find them outside, as you can see how big they really are. During the night they will go out for grazing, so watch out if you are near rivers. Hippos are one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals in Africa, but they are very interesting and surprising. In Uganda, you will see them often, as there are boat rides to do, and you can find them in game drives as well. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi and Mweya)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha

Warthog

Is it a herbivore? No, warthogs are omnivores and can eat everything. They are one of the funnier animals on the African savannah. In Uganda they are very common to see in the classic safari parks. My favourite part of these creatures is when they run, because their tail goes up so their offspring can find them in the high grass.

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi and Mweya)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha, Lake Mburo (but these parks have very good chances to find them)

Nocturnal animals

Nocturnal animals are animals mostly active at night. In Lake Mburo you can do a night drive, where you can find them, but hyenas are difficult there. In other parks hyenas are easier to find, but the others are very difficult. Note that there are no photos or very bad ones, as the light was not good.

Spotted Hyena

The spotted hyena is the biggest species of hyena in the world. They are mostly scavengers, but they can also hunt pretty successfully. They tend to be fast movers, and their sound is very recognisable. They have a bad name because of the Lion King, but in my opinion they are very interesting and special animals.

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi and Mweya)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha

Genet

There are several species of genet across Africa, whereby the common genet is the most common. They are flexible carnivores that hunt rodents, lizards, birds and other small wildlife. During the day they are hiding, and you will not find them, but during a night drive they are seen pretty often.

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: -

Bushbaby

Another creature that is often seen during the night but almost never in the day. Bushbabies are prosimians, which are part of the primates. They are always in trees, and they mostly eat insects and fruits. There are many species of bushbabies throughout Africa. They make a very cool sound in the night. 

Reptiles

Besides mammals, there are other animals, whereby reptiles are one of the most sought after. Although there are snakes and tortoises, I did not see them, so I will not talk about these great creatures.

Nile crocodile

One of the most famous reptile species in the world is the mighty Nile crocodile. This is one of the bigger crocodiles in the world and one of the most sought-after animals during the boat rides in several parks, and there are good chances of finding them. These prehistoric animals are so cool; however, it is a shame that you will not find them moving a lot. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Mweya, Kazinga Channel)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls

Nile monitor

Nile monitors are the biggest lizards in Africa, and I am absolutely happy when I find them. They are a surprise, as most people will not think about them, which makes them even cooler. They are very flexible, as they can swim, climb and jump very well. They are mostly carnivorous, as they eat fish, eggs, birds and insects.

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Mweya, Kazinga Channel)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls

Birds

Uganda is one of the countries where I saw the most species of birds during the trip. There is a huge variety, and I cannot talk about all of them, so I will be talking about the most important species for most people.

Greater Blue Turaco and Ross's Turaco

One of the most beautiful families of birds is the turacos. In Uganda there are six species of turaco. I found the greater blue turaco (see picture) and the Ross's turaco. Especially when they fly, they are fantastic. The birds are pretty tough to find, as they are hiding very well and they are quiet. 

Shoebill

The most sought-after bird in Uganda without a doubt is the shoebill. This stork species has such a unique beak, which looks like a shoe. The bird looks very prehistoric, and if they look at you with both eyes, they look very angry. They give birth to two chicks, but at some point, they will not feed the weaker chick, so the strong chick will have a bigger chance to survive. They are ruthless but so cool to find. 

Top park to find the species: Mabamba Swamp (here are boat rides for birding and especially finding these creatures, it is almost guaranteed to find them)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison River (nile cruise, I did do the cruise down river to find them, but they are there), Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (did not see them, but I know they are here), Ishasha (they are very rare here, but I saw one)

Abyssinian ground hornbill

The Abyssinian ground hornbill is another highlight for birders. They are part of the crow family, and they are the biggest family member. The difference between males and females is that males have red throats (as above), and females have less impressive blue throats. They are mostly living on the ground on the savannas.

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls

Other parks to find the species: -

Black-and-white-casqued hornbill

The black-and-white-casqued hornbill is another crow family member, but this species mostly lives in trees in tropical rainforests. When they fly over, you will hear them loudly fly over, so a nickname is that they are the helicopter bird. They are similar to some hornbills living in Asia.

Top park to find the species: Kibale Forest, Bigodi Swamp 

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, Bwindi

Crowned crane

The crowned crane is the national bird of Uganda and a very pretty one. You can find it on hats, boards and even on the national flag of the country. Although they are a bit more elusive than you may expect, there is a good chance you will come across them throughout the country. You can mostly find them in open grassland. 

Top park to find the species: Lake Mburo

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha

African fish eagle

The African fish eagle is one of the largest eagles in Africa. They mostly hunt for fish, which they grapple with with their strong claws. You can easily distinguish them with their white head and upper body. Because they look for important prey, the biggest chance of seeing them is in trees next to water. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Mweya)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha, Lake Mburo

Vultures

Maybe one of the most important scavengers of the world. There are different species in Uganda, so I will talk in general. After lions, hyenas and jackals, vultures will be the ones that really clean carcasses. They can digest many germs that could be harmful for many other different species and even humans. Often vultures are being poisoned by humans by putting poison in carcasses. This should stop, as they are very important species for many ecosystems. 

Top park to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi)

Other parks to find the species: Murchison Falls, Ishasha, Lake Mburo

Bea eaters

Uganda contains around 10 different species of bee-eaters. These birds are one of the most beautiful in the world. They can live by themselves, but you will mostly find them in holes at the riverbank (see picture on the right). I always recommend taking your binoculars to really watch the beauty of these species. 

Top park to find the species: Murchison Falls,

Other parks to find the species: Queen Elizabeth (Mweya)

Final thoughts

Uganda has such a rich biodiversity, as it has many different ecosystems. Of course, most people head to Uganda to find mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, but it also has many classic safari animals. The birds and monkeys make this even more of an ecological heaven. When it is your first time going on safari, Uganda may not be your first option, as the safari can be better in Kenya or Tanzania. However, Uganda may be my favourite country in Africa.

If you want to know more about Uganda, please check out: