At least 120 species of mammal in one of the richest ecosystems in Africa including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee and 8 other species of primate. Elephant, bushpig, giant forest hog, many species of bats and rodents, at least 346 species of birds including rare forest birds, at least 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleons, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos, at least 202 species of butterfly.
This forest is a sanctuary for almost half the world’s population of mountain gorillas (about 330 of 600), which is the rarest race of gorilla. Established as a safe habitat for several families of mountain gorillas it is now the location of an important scientific conservation programme.
There are also several endangered species of birds with limited ranges. Gorilla tracking began on 1st April, 1993. It is advisable to make reservations at least 3 months before your intended date of visit. These reservations can be made through your tour operator or travel agent who directly works with the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala.
It commonly rains in this area. Come with a raincoat, walking boots, and gloves.
The Big Five
Who doesn’t want to boast that they’ve seen elephants, rhinoceros, buffaloes, lions and leopards during their wild African safari? In Uganda it’s possible to view all of the “Big Five” – surely a memory to cherish for a lifetime.
Enormous African elephants and Cape buffaloes are regularly spotted in great numbers during game drives and launch trips – there are estimated to be around 2500 elephants and some 7000 buffalo in Queen Elizabeth National Park alone.
Lions can sometimes be seen lounging in the fig trees of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth or prowling across the rocks of Kidepo Valley, eyeing up unsuspecting herds of Uganda kob. You’ll have to be lucky to glimpse a well-camouflaged leopard – though the challenge of spotting this beautiful feline makes a rare sighting even more rewarding.
Rhinos have been hunted to extinction in the wild Uganda – but Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary gives visitors the chance to walk up close to these huge, armored creatures in the savannah – making Uganda one of the few destinations where you really can see the Big Five in their natural habitat.
Visit our Game Drives and Launch Trips pages to book your place today!
Mammals:
The official list of Mammals in the country is 343 species. 133 of these can be classified as large mammals. The small mammals comprise 94 bat species, 70 rats and mice, 33 shrews and otters, 8 gerbils, 4 elephant shrews and 1 golden mole. The large mammals comprise:
Primates (Apes & Monkeys)
Uganda is presently the best location for tracking mountain gorillas, the country boasts a wide variety of primates ranging chimpanzees and several types of monkeys to the tiny wide-eyed bush baby.
All these are easily visible among the wide variety of 343 species of large mammals that the country has to offer.
Apes – the gorilla and the chimpanzee
Monkeys – baboons, patas monkey, vervet monkey, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, DeBrazza’s monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, the grey-cheeked Mangabay, the black and white colobus, Angola colobus
Nocturnal primates – Bushbabies and the Poto.
Felines:
The Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Caracal, African Golden cat, African Wild Cat
Canines:
The side-striped jackal, bat-eared fox, golden jackal, African hunting dog.
There are 38 species of canivores, there are Five Canine species, Seven felines, Three hyenas, Ten mongooses, Six mustelids (otters, badgers and weasels), Seven viverrids (civets and genets) and a lot more species.
Antelop: (29 Species)
Large antelopes include the common Eland, Derby’s Eland, Greater Kudu, the Hartebeest, the Defassa Waterbuck, Roan Antelope and the Oryx. Medium-sized antelopes include The Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, Sitatunga, the lesser Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle, Mountain Reedbuck, Bohor Reedbuck and the Impala
Reptiles:
The Nile Crocodile, the world’s largest reptile is common in most rivers and lakes (Though in depleted numbers)
There are hundreds of different lizards and snakes. Snakes are mostly shy and seldom seen. Several types of chameleon are available.