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Uganda, fondly hailed as the “Pearl of Africa,” is one of the African safari destinations where you can experience the sheer thrill of the Big Five. Its picturesque landscapes include natural features like Lake Victoria, the second-largest lake in the world, as well as ancient volcanoes that once shaped the topography of East Africa. Thanks to excellent conservation efforts, travellers can encounter lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo in the country’s incredible national parks.
Why Should You Go on This Experience?
See the Tree-Climbing Lions
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, lions have adapted to lounging in giant fig trees – a rare and thrilling sight that takes place virtually nowhere else in the world.
Encounter the Big Five in One Safari
Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park to complete your Big Five checklist. Other notable inhabitants of Uganda’s largest national park include chimpanzees, Nile crocodiles, and enigmatic shoebills.
Explore a Land of Geographical Contrasts
From the open plains of Kidepo Valley to the riverbanks of Murchison Falls, Uganda’s varied ecosystems make every game drive unique. On one journey, you might be spotting cheetahs stalking through tall grass, while on the next, you could be trekking your way through the forests that gorillas call home.
Best Destinations for Big Five Safaris in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park
Home to four of the Big Five (excluding rhinos), this park is known for its dramatic waterfall, vast savannah, and boat safaris along the Nile River.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
In a land where lions climb trees and elephants exist in mind-blowing numbers, Uganda beckons travellers to experience the wonder of Queen Elizabeth National Park. While life bustles on land, the Kazinga Channel teems with hippos and crocodiles just below the surface.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Africa’s most remote and untouched safari destinations. In the north, the Kanangorok hot spring serves as the park’s most permanent water source, while much of the park is split between two radically different valleys – one which experiences lush rainfall, and another that’s significantly drier.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
This haven for some of Africa’s most threatened animals is the only place in Uganda where you can track wild rhinoceroses on foot. Here, nearly 80 rangers and guards keep a watchful eye on these precious animals, which were once totally wiped out in Uganda.
Five Tips for Big Five Safaris
1. Visit in the Dry Season
June to September is the best time for game viewing as wildlife gathers around the last remaining water sources.
2. Go for a Night Game Drive
Some of Uganda’s parks offer night drives where you might spot elusive leopards and nocturnal creatures.
3. Take a Boat Safari
A cruise on the Nile or Kazinga Channel provides fantastic sightings of elephants, buffalo, and hippos.
4. Bring a Good Camera
Tree-climbing lions, river crossings, and vast herds make for incredible photographic opportunities.
5. Stay in a Private Concession
For a more exclusive safari, opt for lodges in private reserves with fewer crowds. Speak to our safari experts to find the lodge that suits you best.
