Which park is the best for spotting the Big Five in Uganda?
Murchison Falls National Park is the best park for spotting the Big Five in Uganda. Among the Big Five, the rhino is the only animal missing in all the savannah parks in the country. However, rhinos can be spotted at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the Nakasongola district close to Murchison Falls National Park. The presence of rhinos close to the park has put Murchison Falls National Park at the forefront as the best park for spotting the Big Five in Uganda. Lions, buffalo, elephants, and leopards are the Big Four animals that can be spotted in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley National Parks. Murchison Falls National Park’s proximity to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary puts it in the lead for Big Five safaris in Uganda.
Rhinos in Uganda
Rhinos are an endangered animal species in Uganda that became extinct. Before its extinction, it was last spotted in Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. However, with increased political insecurity in the areas where these parks are located, poachers killed the rhinos to extinction. Kidepo Valley National Park had a relatively high number of black rhinos, with the last rhino killed in 1983. This happened in the Narus Valley inside the park. Murchison Falls National Park, on the other hand, saw its population of northern white rhinos poached to extinction a year before in 1982. This is the year when the last rhino was found killed in a swamp.
In a bid to return the Big Five to their former glory, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 2005. A year later, six southern white rhinos were introduced into the sanctuary from South Africa. Fast forward to today, the population of southern white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has increased to 50. This is because of the many conservation efforts of protection and community sensitization. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is set to reintroduce the southern white rhinos back to the wild. This project will see over 10 southern white rhinos first taken to Kidepo Valley National Park.
What else to see in Uganda?
Despite the Big Five encounters, Uganda has a variety of other animals and physical features. A tourist on Wildlife safaris in Uganda can spot them while on a visit to this great nation. Uganda is blessed with incredible wildlife species and sightings that can amaze any nature lover and adventure enthusiast. Its vast landscapes stretch across its premises for incredible sights and wildlife to spot, as unveiled below.
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are one of the major tourist attractions in Uganda, especially in the southern region. The Big Five are not the only big sellers of Uganda’s untamed beauty, but rather a pitch of what it offers. The mountain gorillas are the most endangered primate species in the world and are only located in the Virunga Conservation Area. Uganda happens to have two national parks, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, as gorilla destinations. Mountain gorillas live in the highland tropical montane areas. Uganda harbors more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. These primates can be encountered on a gorilla trekking adventure.
Chimpanzees
When it comes to chimpanzees, Uganda is undoubtedly one of the must-visit places to spot these primates. Putting the Big Five aside, chimpanzee primates occupy a significant percentage of Uganda’s most marvelous attractions. The country hosts approximately 5,050 chimpanzee primates scattered across the tropical forests and chimpanzee destinations. Some of these destinations include Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, and Budongo Forest Reserve, among others. Visitors can engage in a chimpanzee trekking experience for a special time with the chimps in their natural environment.
Murchison Falls
Off the animal kingdom, Uganda offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime moment of spotting the world’s strongest waterfall, the Murchison Falls. Located on the Victoria Nile, a tributary of the River Nile, Murchison Falls forms the face of Murchison Falls National Park. Formed when huge gallons of water are squeezed through a narrow rock gorge of about 7 meters and then plunge over a rock cliff of about 45 meters into a small pool. This thunderous flow forms a permanent rainbow that towers above the falls, calming the water as it leaves the pool. This incredible nature art piece has attracted visitors from far and wide, adding to the Big Five encounters in Murchison Falls National Park.
Birdlife
Uganda is a proud bird destination in the world, adding to the Big Five safaris. With over 1,100 bird species, Uganda has almost 11% of the total bird species in Africa. Uganda’s birdlife comes in handy with hosting both migratory and endemic bird species. Spotted perfectly in the wet season, when it is their breeding season.
The ecological systems and climate of Uganda have paved the way for the multiplication of bird species spotted across the whole nation. Some of the notable species to keep an eye on are the shoebill stork, grey crowned crane, broadbill, hornbills, lesser jacana, Goliath heron, orange weaver, weaver bird, marabou stocks, yellow fronted tinker head, piapiac, helmeted Guinea fowl, eastern plantain eater, yellow spotted barbet, double toothed barbet, etc. Some of the popular birding destinations in the country include Mabamba Wetland, Mubwindi Swamp, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Entebbe Botanical Garden, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest, and Lake Bunyonyi, among others.
Golden Monkeys
By now, I think you have noticed that Uganda is an amazing primate destination. Golden monkeys are a rare by incredibly unique primate species that can be spotted in Uganda. They only dwell in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwestern region of the country. Golden monkeys have golden-like fur on their backs, brown faces, and black limbs and tails. Just like the other primates, the golden monkey can be encountered on a golden monkey trekking safari in their natural habitats. Trekking the golden monkeys does not take long, given they dwell in the lower slopes on bases of mountains in the bamboo plantations. Combining this experience with a Big Five safari adventure will craft a perfect adventure experience for any nature lover.
