Uganda is among the top safari destinations in East Africa, where travelers can spot the big five wild animal species. The historical origins of the big five were given by the big-game hunters, who took a practical experiment of hunting the African wildlife species, and their research came out that these big five animals are very difficult to hunt. click here to see mountain gorilla trekking safaris 

 The big five families include the lion, who is the king of the jungle and can be seen in most of the national parks in Uganda; however, the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector are located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Toro semuliki wildlife reserve. Lions prefer the savannah grassland, where they can hunt for prey like kobs, zebras, and other animals easily. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour 

Leopards are counted in the big five families as well; leopards have a nocturnal nature; they are sensitive and fierce; leopards are very hard to spot, though they can be seen in the morning while on early morning game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.

The African caped buffalo can easily be seen on your Uganda safari game drives; caped buffaloes move in large herds through most savannah vegetation, and the buffaloes’ males lead the herds. Caped buffaloes can be seen at Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Toro semuliki wildlife reserve, and Lake Kidepo Valley National Park, among other big five families that also include elephants and rhinos.

Uganda has four different outstanding savannah national parks to see the big five animals, which include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, although Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary protects only rhinos.

Besides Uganda protecting the big five, it also accommodates mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, and golden monkeys, among other unique species. Visit Murchison Falls National Park combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an unforgettable experience of taking pictures and meeting their giant apes in their natural environment.

In addition to Uganda wildlife and primate safaris, travelers can tour Uganda’s exquisite cultures, meet local people, and view the scenic landscapes. Although Uganda’s trip is never complete unless you see these world’s magnificent animals below.

African Lion, “Panthera Leo”

African Lion is the largest, the most explore carnivore, and the most thoughtful member of the big five animals, Lions are the most sociable of the large cats which stay in a group of five -15 members, lions have a special cultural significance in most African countries, in Uganda they called the kings of the jungle which means strength, royalty, and bravery. In Uganda, lions are mainly encountered in three large protected areas, namely Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a diversity of wildlife animals, including the tree-climbing lions that are branded in the Ishasha sector of the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in south-western Uganda, which takes approximately 5–6 hours by car or an hour on a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport.

Leopards

Leopards are the smallest species among the big five animals, although it is so challenging to see them since they are exclusively nocturnal and shy because they spend day hours hidden from view.

Leopards are a little bit shy but can easily be distinguished from cheetahs by their shape-exploring and rocky habitats found in adequate cover. They can be spotted in most protected areas in Uganda and game reserves.

Leopards can be spotted on Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, and Mount Elgon National Park, among others.

African Elephants, ” Loxodonta Africana”

African elephants are considered the largest and biggest of all the big five animals. Elephants are symbolized as fragility and nature’s grace, and they are also characterized as intelligent and entertaining to watch in the wild.

Facts about elephants

A grown male elephant can weigh up to 6300 kilos; even the smallest elephant can rarely weigh 4000 kilos; an elephant weighs an average family SUV; and a female elephant weighs half of the male elephant's weight.

If you are planning to have a successful wildlife safari in Uganda to see elephants, then you should consider traveling to Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.

African Buffalo

African buffalo is widely spread in large herds in Savannah National Park and forested areas in Uganda. African buffaloes are also called cape buffalo; this species is called the most dangerous of all the big five animals.

African buffalo are also large, characterized by toed ungulates, a stocky build, and heavy horns. Buffalo horns are on both sexes, and they are never ridged. Buffaloes are distinguished because of their dark black color and light curving outward, upwards, and backwards.

If you are planning to see buffaloes in Uganda, then you should target traveling to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Rhinoceros

In Uganda, rhinos can only be spotted in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary situated in Nakitoma en route to Murchison Falls National Park, so travelers can always combine their Murchison Falls safari with a rhino visit at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in inorder to get a feel for the Big Five Safari in Uganda. 

Winter months in Africa are the ideal opportunity to witness the Big 5 animals in Uganda. Without rain, the grass is dry, short, and it's easier to see leopards, buffalo, rhinos, lions, and herds of elephants as they make their way to the source of water.